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guilty pleasure names

  1. Afternoon

    • Origin:

      English, “afternoon”

    • Description:

      An early day name worthy of consideration today for someone seeking a truly unusual name.
  2. Alaska

    • Origin:

      Native American

    • Meaning:

      "great land"

    • Description:

      State name Alaska stems from an Aleutian word for the land mass itself. The number of baby girls named Alaska has doubled in the past five years, and is sure to continue increasing as more place names are annexed as baby names. Wilder but as habitable as Dakota or Cheyenne, Alaska is a girls' name choice for the future.
  3. Alchemy

    • Origin:

      Latin word name

    • Meaning:

      "a medieval chemical science"

    • Description:

      One of the most extreme of the new word names, recommended only to the most mystical-minded parents. Actor Lance Henriksen spelled his daughter's name Alchamy.
  4. Altalune

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "over the moon"

    • Description:

      Altalune is an invention used by Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson as one of several middle names for their daughter. It's evocative Latin meaning roughly translates to "over the moon." Celebrity baby Altalune will be called the more familiar Luna for short.
  5. Andromeda

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "advising like a man"

    • Description:

      One of the stellar unique baby names from mythology, Andromeda was the beautiful daughter of Cassiopeia who, like her mother, literally became a star--the constellation that bears her name.The Bohemian Andromeda makes a dramatic and adventurous choice in a time when four-syllable mythological names are gradually making their way into the mainstream.
  6. Cendrillon

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "little ashes"

    • Description:

      The unusual (to English speakers) name Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, though most Americans wouldn't recognize it as such. This might make an excellent middle name for those who are looking for something rare, whimsical, fantastical, and literary. But you must insist on the lovely French pronunciation — if you're choosing a name this uncommon, why not go all the way.
  7. Cerys

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "love"

    • Description:

      Common name in Wales that's all but unknown in the U.S. Certainly an attractive choice ripe for export. In the UK it sits at Number 330.
  8. Cocoa

    • Origin:

      Color and food name

    • Description:

      Do everyone a favor and spell it Coco, an up-and-coming choice.
  9. Dancer

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "someone who dances"

    • Description:

      A word name that's appealing when applied to a person boogying or doing ballet; a different story in the context of Santa's reindeer.
  10. December

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "tenth month"

    • Description:

      Cooler than April, May, or June, but also a tad icy. December gets its name from the number ten as the old Roman calendar only had ten months, and as now, December was the last.
  11. Eir

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "peacefulness, mercy"

    • Description:

      So airy, it's almost not there.
  12. Ember

    • Origin:

      French variation of Amber

    • Description:

      Unlike Amber, which is in decline, this name still has a bit of a glow left -- though confusions between the two will inevitably arise.
  13. Everest

    • Origin:

      Place-name, world's tallest mountain

    • Meaning:

      "from Évreux"

    • Description:

      Everest has an attractive enough sound and lofty enough meaning to come into style, à la Sierra. George Lucas bestowed this aspirational name on his baby daughter in 2013 and it has been climbing up the charts ever since. Currently in the US Top 1000 for boys, it was also given to around 100 girls in a recent year.
  14. Exie

    • Description:

      Exie is a vintage feminine name that enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often used as a nickname for names beginning with 'Ex-' or as a diminutive for Elizabeth or Exilda, it has a quaint, old-fashioned charm. The name nearly disappeared from usage by the mid-20th century, making it extremely rare today. Its brevity and distinctive sound give it potential appeal to modern parents seeking truly uncommon vintage names. Exie has Southern American associations, as it appeared more frequently in Southern states during its peak usage. The name's simplicity and unique 'x' sound offer a combination of antique appeal and contemporary phonetic interest.
  15. Frost

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "freezing"

    • Description:

      Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names for winter babies.
  16. Harleigh

    • Origin:

      Variation of Harley

    • Description:

      Harley in a dress.
  17. Haven

    • Origin:

      Word name, English

    • Meaning:

      "a place of safety"

    • Description:

      Haven is a recently invented safe-harbor name that appeals to an increasing number of parents who don't want to voyage quite as far as Heaven.
  18. Icy

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "icy"

    • Description:

      A short form of the modern coinage Icelyn that feels cool as a short form, but too frosty for a full name.
  19. Imagine

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "to form a mental image"

    • Description:

      If you like such uplifting New Age word names as Peace and Justice, the evocative and pretty Imagine should definitely be on your short list.
  20. Ireland

    • Origin:

      Place name

    • Description:

      Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.
  21. Kodiak

    • Origin:

      Alutiiq, Native American,"island"

    • Meaning:

      "island"

    • Description:

      Kodiak Island, off the coast of Alaska, is the second largest island in the US as well as a baby name getting some attention, especially for boys and especially in Washington State.
  22. Lilith

    • Origin:

      Assyrian, Sumerian

    • Meaning:

      "ghost, night monster"

    • Description:

      Lilith is derived from the Akkadian word lilitu meaning "of the night." In Jewish folklore she is portrayed as Adam's rejected first wife, who was turned into a night demon for refusing to obey him. Lilith is unrelated to most other Lil- names, with the exception of Lilita, which is the Latvian variation.
  23. Loire

    • Origin:

      French river and region name

    • Description:

      The lovely sound and image of the French river and lush valley would make this a most distinctive and captivating choice. Pronunciation: low-ahr.
  24. Luminosa

    • Description:

      Luminosa is a feminine name with Latin origins, meaning 'full of light' or 'luminous.' This evocative name derives from the Latin 'lumen' (light) and directly connects to concepts of brightness, radiance, and illumination. Popular in Italian and Spanish-speaking countries, Luminosa carries poetic connotations of someone who brings light or knowledge to others. The name has religious undertones in Catholic traditions, sometimes associated with 'Mary, Light of the World.' While uncommon in English-speaking countries, its meaning is easily understood across languages. Luminosa's four melodic syllables create a rhythmic, flowing sound that feels both elegant and warm. For parents seeking a name with clear positive meaning and a romantic, international flair, Luminosa offers a distinctive yet accessible option.

  25. Luna

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "moon"

    • Description:

      The name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna is derived straight from the Latin word for moon, luna. Luna may be the name most likely to surprise someone from an older generation by its Top 10 status in the US and its widespread international popularity.
  26. Lux

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      This name of a character played by Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides, originally a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, is gaining attention, also thanks to the heroine Lux, Lady of Luminosity in the League of Legends games. Luz is the Spanish version.
  27. Lysistrata

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "she who disbands armies"

    • Description:

      In the Aristophenes comedy, Lysistrata is the Athenian woman who organizes her fellow wives to end war in their country by denying their husbands sex until a peace treaty is signed. Interesting thought, but rather unwieldy as a baby name.
  28. Minerva

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "of the mind, intellect"

    • Description:

      Minerva is the long-neglected name of the Roman goddess of wisdom and invention, the arts and martial strength, one of the mythology names for girls that might appeal to adventurous feminist parents. With Juno and Jupiter, she made the Capitoline triad, whose worship was at the very center of Roman religion.
  29. Mystery

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Pretty sound, provocative meaning, but a little over-the-top.
  30. Nordica

    • Origin:

      Teutonic

    • Meaning:

      "from the north"

    • Description:

      An icy name with an operatic namesake in late 19th - early 20th century singer Lillian Allen Norton, better known by her stage name Nordica.
  31. Nyx

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "night"

    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Nyx was a powerful goddess and the embodiment of the night, but when spoken, its negative meaning can't be ignored.
  32. Papillon

    • Description:

      Papillon, meaning 'butterfly' in French, is a delicate and distinctive feminine name. Though primarily recognized as a dog breed (the French Papillon spaniel with butterfly-like ears), it has occasionally been adopted as a human name. The butterfly symbolism gives this name associations with transformation, beauty, and freedom. As a human name, Papillon remains extremely rare, appealing to parents drawn to unique French-derived names with clear natural imagery. The name's pronunciation (pap-ee-YON) adds to its exotic feel. While uncommon in mainstream usage, it shares qualities with other nature-inspired names like Mariposa or feminine French names.

  33. Paris

    • Origin:

      French place-name

    • Description:

      Paris, a one-time mythical and Shakespearean boys' name, peaked in 2004 at Number 157 at least in part due to the highly publicized Paris Hilton. Michael Jackson used it for his daughter.
  34. Rain

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Among a small shower of rain-related names, this pure version can have a cool, refreshing image.
  35. Rory

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "red king"

    • Description:

      Rory is a buoyant, spirited name for a redhead with Celtic roots. The name Rory is getting more popular overall, but for the past few years has been trending decidedly toward the boys' side -- however, it's been rising to new heights for girls in recent years.
  36. September

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "month name"

    • Description:

      Parents are beginning to turn away from springtime months like April and June and are moving toward the cooler and crisper three-syllable September, October, November, and December.
  37. Silence

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      The Puritans used it as a virtue name -- but today it would just be considered weird: silence is no longer golden.
  38. Soleil

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      An attractive French word name known here via former child TV star Soleil Moon Frye, aka Punky Brewster. It started to be lightly used in the U.S. in the 1920s and is now attracting some attention as both a sunny nature and an international word name. It's currently in the Nameberry Top 500.
  39. Stormy

    • Origin:

      Word name; variation of Storm

    • Description:

      Stormy is on the rise following the birth of Kylie Jenner's daughter Stormi, although the starbaby's spelling has taken over the lead.
  40. Sullivan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark eyes"

    • Description:

      Stylish and boyish but could work for a girl -- especially one with brown eyes -- and Sully is a quirky and jaunty nickname.
  41. Tundra

    • Origin:

      Geographical name

    • Description:

      With geographical features like Savannah and Sierra and increasingly getting the baby-name treatment, could icy Tundra also see some use? It's only appeared six times on the Social Security rankings, all in the 1960s and 70s.
  42. Vale

    • Origin:

      Geographical name

    • Description:

      Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie put this name of a geographical feature on the baby name map when she chose it for her newborn daughter, Vale Guthrie Feldman. Vale might be considered part nature name, part place name: A vale is a kind of valley, often used in poetry. This truly unique choice doesn't even register on the US extended list of names given to five babies or more, but we expect Vale to register as parents are inspired by Guthrie and husband Mike Feldman's creative choice. More prosaicly, Vale might be a short form of Valerie or Valentina.
  43. archer
    • night
      • rune