Uncommon & Refreshing Names for boy/girl

Quintessentially common last name makes distinctive if problematic first, given to nearly 100 babies in the US in the most recent year counted.

Lark is getting some new and well-deserved attention as a post-Robin and Raven bird name. Although it was first recorded as a name in the 1830's, it has never appeared on the Social Security list.

Merritt is an old-style surname name that could be seen as a positive virtue name. It was used in the late 19th and early 20th century for boys, reaching the Top 400 in 1899, and is notable today for being one of the names most evenly divided between boys and girls. Emmy winner Merritt Wever helped popularize it for girls.

As sturdy as Oak, with deeper roots. It's been on the rise for both boys and girls in recent years, with the name comfortably in the top 500 for boys and nearing the Top 100 for girls.

Orion is a rising star, with both mythical and celestial overtones.

Mexican place-name famously used by Joan Didion for her daughter, Quintana Roo.

Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.

Teal is one of the prettiest and most straightforward of the new color names -- an ideal middle name choice.

This name of both a grayish-greenish-blue color and a kind of wild duck can be used for both boys and girls.