Unique, Popular, and Bizarre Baby Names
Amy loves writing about her favorite topics, such as health, alternative healing, dreams, crystals, and spirituality.
Unique and unusual baby name ideas
Traditions of Naming a Baby
It's a lot of fun to think up baby names when you are expecting. It can also be a bit of a challenge—after all, your baby will carry the name you give them for the rest of their lives. It is an important decision to make, and there are thousands of baby name books on the market.
Naming a baby wasn't always such a difficult decision to make. Names were much more traditional and sometimes even boring in past eras. As recently as the 1960s, people have been coming up with more unique and interesting names for their children. That's just the western part of the world. Many regions and cultures stick to the traditions.
Many African Americans give their babies unique names, while pride in their African roots has also inspired African and Muslim names.
Similarly, Mormons often give their babies unique names. One common practice is to combine a grandmother's and grandfather's names. Mormons may have also started the trend of using surnames as first names.
In the Jewish tradition, babies receive a naming ceremony about eight days after birth. Jewish people often believe in naming their children after a charitable person in hopes that the new baby will take after that person. Naming ceremonies are not so unusual. Indians and Buddhists also have naming ceremonies.
Many Europeans have customs of naming their children after their parents: a newborn boy will take the father's name, and although less commonly, a baby girl will take the mother's name.
In Italian, Greek, and Spanish cultures, the first boy and girl are named after their paternal grandparents. The French honor grandparents by using their first names as middle names for their newborns.
Americans tended to name their babies traditional names taken from the Bible, books, and loved ones. Naming the firstborn son after his father is still very common. Modern America is becoming more and more creative in naming their babies.
Top 5 Girl Names Through the Decades
Names were never that unique up until as recently as the 1960s. For example, the name Mary remained the #1 name in the US from 1880 all the way until 1960.
1900
- Mary
- Helen
- Margaret
- Anna
- Ruth
1910
- Mary
- Helen
- Dorothy
- Margaret
- Ruth
1920
- Mary
- Dorothy
- Helen
- Betty
- Margaret
1930
- Mary
- Betty
- Barbara
- Shirley
- Patricia
1940
- Mary
- Linda
- Barbara
- Patricia
- Carol
1950
- Mary
- Linda
- Patricia
- Susan
- Deborah
1960
- Lisa
- Mary
- Karen
- Susan
- Kimberly
1970
- Jennifer
- Amy
- Melissa
- Michelle
- Kimberly
1980
- Jessica
- Jennifer
- Amanda
- Ashley
- Sarah
1990
- Ashley
- Jessica
- Emily
- Sarah
- Samantha
2000
- Emily
- Madison
- Hannah
- Ashley
- Alexis
2010
- Sophia
- Isabella
- Olivia
- Emma
- Chloe
Top 5 Boy Names Through the Decades
In the last 100 years, the top boy names haven't changed much, and even recently, many of the names that were popular in decades past are still in the top ten. This could have to do with naming male children after their fathers. Male names have been getting broader; recently, names like Jacob and Jayden have come into fashion.
1900
- John
- William
- James
- George
- Joseph
1910
- John
- William
- James
- Robert
- Joseph
1920
- Robert
- John
- James
- William
- Charles
1930
- Robert
- James
- John
- William
- Richard
1940
- James
- Robert
- John
- William
- Richard
1950
- Michael
- James
- Robert
- John
- David
1960
- Micheal
- David
- John
- James
- Robert
1970
- Michael
- Christopher
- Jason
- David
- James
1980
- Michael
- Christopher
- Matthew
- Joshua
- David
1990
- Michael
- Christopher
- Matthew
- Joshua
- Jacob
2000
- Jacob
- Michael
- Joshua
- Matthew
- Christopher
2010
- Aiden
- Jacob
- Jackson
- Ethan
- Jayden
Gods of water and the sea: Doris and Poseidon
Names of the Ancient Gods and Goddesses
If you love mythology, why not take a name from a god or goddess from Greek and Roman mythology? Each god has a distinct personality and has a special purpose.
Powerful Male Gods
| God | Origin | Domain |
|---|---|---|
Apollo | Roman and Greek | Music, healing, and light |
Aquilo | Roman | The north wind |
Ares | Greek | War |
Auster | Roman | The south wind |
Atlas | Greek | God who held heaven on his shoulders |
Bacchus | Roman | Wine, parties, and festivities |
Cratos | Greek | Strength and power |
Dionysus | Greek | Wine |
Eros | Greek | Love |
Helios | Greek | The sun |
Hercules | Roman | Strength and triumph |
Hades | Greek | The underworld |
Hermes | Greek | Messenger for the gods |
Janus | Roman | Transitions, doorways, and new beginnings |
Lares | Roman | Guardian of spirits |
Morpheus | Fictional (The Matrix) | Dreams |
Moros | Greek | Fate |
Plutus | Greek | Wealth |
Poseidon | Greek | The sea |
Romulus | Roman | Founder of Rome |
Sancus | Roman | Oaths and good faith |
Virtus | Roman | Courage and military |
Vulcan | Roman | Fire |
Zeus | Greek | The sky; ruler of all gods |
Strong Goddess Names
| Goddess | Origin | Domain |
|---|---|---|
Aphrodite | Greek | Love and passion |
Artemis | Greek | Hunting and childbearing |
Athena | Greek | Founder of Athens; goddess of wisdom |
Aurora | Roman | Dawn |
Chloe | Greek | The harvest |
Demeter | Greek | Earth and agriculture |
Diana | Roman | The hunt, virgins, and women |
Doris | Greek | The sea |
Fortuna | Roman | Fame and fortune |
Hera | Greek | Marriage and women |
Hestia | Greek | Family, hearth, and home |
Iris | Greek | Rainbows; messenger for the gods |
Juno | Roman | Marriage and women |
Laverna | Roman | The underworld |
Leto | Greek | Motherhood |
Luna | Roman | The moon |
Maia | Roman | Spring and rebirth |
Meditrina | Roman | Wine and good health |
Minerva | Roman | Wisdom |
Persephone | Greek | The underworld |
Phoebe | Greek | Intellect and prophecy |
Rhea | Greek | Fertility; mother of Zeus |
Roma | Roman | Rome |
Selene | Greek | The moon and logic |
Terra | Roman | The earth and fertility |
Thalia | Greek | Festivity |
Vesta | Roman | Fire |
Biblical Names
While names taken from the Bible have been used for centuries, there are some less-common names that may suit your child.
- Abel
- Abraham
- Claudius
- Delilah
- Eden
- Eve
- Jesus
- Noah
- Magdeline
- Moses
- Noah
- Ruth
- Samson
- Saul
Names Taken From Places Around the World
America | Athena | Atlanta |
Austin | Berlin | Bethany |
Brooklyn | Cambria | Carolina |
Carrick | Cheyenne | Dakota |
Dallas | Devon | China |
Florence | Georgia | Hudson |
India | Ireland | Israel |
Italia | Lena | Lourdes |
Madrid | Milan | Montana |
Odessa | Olympia | Orlando |
Paris | Phoenix | Rochelle |
Santiago | Savannah | Sierra |
Sicily | Sydney | Trenton |
Troy | Vienna | Venice |
Virginia | Winona | – |
Some Names for Your Flower Child
- Alyssa
- Blossom
- Daisy
- Flora
- Heather
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Lilly
- Rose
- Saffron
- Violet
- Yasmin
Tough-Sounding Boy Names
- Axl
- Blade
- Harley
- Jagger
- Knox
- Sawyer
- Wolfe
- Wayne
Common Girl Names and Their Meanings
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Amanda | English | Worthy of love |
Amy | French | Beloved by all |
Angela | Greek | Messenger of God |
Ann | Hebrew | Favor of grace, prayer |
Ariel | Hebrew | Lioness of God |
Ashley | Anglo-Saxon | One who lives near the ash tree |
Autumn | English | Born in the fall |
Ava | German | Desired |
Audrey | Anglo-Saxon | Nobility, strength |
Bella | Italian | Beautiful |
Brittney | English | From Britain |
Christine | Latin | Follower of Christ |
Dawn | Anglo-Saxon | Awaken |
Deborah | Biblical | A bee |
Donna | Italian | Womanly, feminine |
Elizabeth | Hebrew | God's promise |
Emily | French | Industrious, striving |
Francesca | Italian | Free one |
Hannah | Hebrew | God has favored me |
Isabella | Italian | Devoted to God |
Jeanette | French, Hebrew | God is gracious |
Jennifer | English | Fair, yielding |
Jessica | Hebrew | Rich |
Julie | French | Youthful |
Katherine | English | pure |
Kimberly | English | Royal fortress |
Laura | Latin | The bay or a laurel plant |
Lisa | German | Devoted to God |
Lois | Greek | Superior |
Lucy | Latin | Light |
Madison | English | Strong fighter |
Mackenzie | Irish | Fire born, wise ruler, good-looking |
Madeline | French | Tower |
Mary | Biblical | Rebellion, bitterness, mother of Christ |
Melissa | Greek | A bee or honey |
Mia | Italian | Mine |
Olivia | Latin | Olive, peace symbol |
Raffaella | Hebrew | God has healed |
Ramona | Spanish | Protecting hands |
Rita | Spanish | Pearl |
Sabrina | Italian | From the border |
Samantha | English | Listener |
Sarah | Hebrew | Princess |
Sharice | English | The fruit and its tree |
Sofia | Italian | Wise |
Susana | Spanish | Lily |
Teresa | Italian | To harvest |
Tifany | Greek | God's incarnate |
Vanessa | Greek | Butterfly |
Victoria | Italian | Victory |
Wendy | English | Friend |
Common Boy Names and Their Meanings
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Aaron | Hebrew | Mountain |
Adam | Hebrew | Earth |
Aiden | Gaelic | Fire |
Anthony | English | Priceless, praised |
Bailey | English | Bailiff |
Brandon | Old English | Gorse hill |
Brian | Celtic | He ascends, strength |
Christopher | Latin | Follower of Christ |
David | Hebrew | Beloved |
Dean | Old English | Church official |
Dennis | Greek | Follower of Dionysus |
Dominic | Latin | Of the Lord |
Ethan | Hebrew | Long-lived |
Frank | English | Free and truthful |
Jacob | Hebrew | He who grasps the heel |
James | Hebrew | Supplanter |
Jason | Greek | Healer |
Jayden | American | Combination of Jason and Aiden |
Joseph | Hebrew | God's will increases |
Joshua | Hebrew | God is salvation |
Justin | Hebrew | Just and righteous |
Kenneth | Scottish | Handsome |
Kevin | Irish | Handsome |
Lance | German | Land |
Matthew | English | Gift of God |
Michael | Hebrew | God-like |
Nathan | Hebrew | He who gives |
Nicolas | English | Victory of the people |
Paul | Latin | Small |
Peter | Greek | Rock |
Robert | English | Bright fame |
Richard | English | Brave ruler |
Sergio | Italian | Servant |
Simon | Hebrew | To be heard |
Steven | Greek | Crown |
Thomas | Greek | A twin |
Vincent | Latin | Victory |
William | German | Protection |
Zachary | Hebrew | The Lord recalled |
Coming up with a name for your baby can be incredibly difficult!
Weird Names Celebrities Have Given Their Kids
Celebrities like to give their children unusual names. Some names, like Angelina Jolie's daughter, Shiloh or Katie Holme's daughter Suri, are quite different but could hardly be called bizarre. So as a final note, here are some of the craziest names celebrities have chosen for their unfortunate children. I know it looks like I made some of these up, but I didn't.
| Baby Name(s) | Celebrity Parent(s) |
|---|---|
Talulah, Scout, and Rumer Willis | Demi Moore and Bruce Willis |
Dweezil, Moon Unit, and Diva Thin Muffin | Frank Zappa |
Lark Song | Mia Farrow |
Zola Ivy | Eddie Murphy |
Pilot Inspekter | Jason Lee |
Fifi Trixibelle, Heavenly Hirani Tiger Lily | Paula Yates |
Calico and Sonora Rose | Alice Cooper |
Destry | Stephen Spielberg |
Zolten and Moxie Crime Fighter | Penn Jillette |
Prince Michael I and Prince Michael II (aka Blanket) | Michael Jackson |
Audio Science | Shannyn Sossaman |
Hopper | Sean Penn and Robin Wright |
London Emilio | Slash |
Tu | Rob Morrow |
Memphis Eve | Bono |
Kal-El | Nicholas Cage |
Sage Moonblood | Sylvester Stallon |
Apple | Gwenyth Paltrow |
Jermajesty | Jermaine Jackson |
Comments
babynology from New York on July 20, 2013:
Your hub became a useful reference for them who looking for baby names. Many Thanks
Emily from Florida on April 07, 2013:
A lot of interesting information. I never knew some of the facts you dug up. Definitely going to keep this hub in mind if I have more kids!
Cecelia Kramer from Everywhere but mostly Cali on February 21, 2013:
Interesting list of names. It's hard to pick a name for a child now a days since the name will be the same as 900 other kids or a very unique name the kids might not like later in life because he or she gets teased for it. I know where to look though to find some good names right here.
Amy DeMarco (author) from Chicago on July 29, 2011:
Cabodavid- those are some great names you picked guys picked out! I love all of those names you chose for your daughter. Mercedes is very pretty, so is Arabella. Thanks for commenting!!
cabodavid from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico on July 27, 2011:
We agonized over the first child's name in the early 1980's and finally agreed on Nicholas Alexander. Number 2 child was more difficult - after many fights - it came down to Alexander Channing (C. a famous Unitarian). Still can't figure out why she didn't like Basil...
Daughter came along and there was no compromising so we went with all of them- Mercedes Theresa Chouinard Arabella Ming Mandich we call her Mer, Mercy and Mercedes. No regrets on any of them and the children like their names. Living in Mexico - Mercedes is very common as was Ming when we lived in the Chinese community.
ruffridyer from Dayton, ohio on July 04, 2011:
I understand George Forman named his five boys george his daughter he name geogia. That just seems lazy to me.
I didn't name either of my boys after me, I don't believe in it. I think every boy deserves his own name. Also If I named him after me he would be called junior even when he's fifty or little earl even if he is built like a line backer.
KidsPartyFavors on June 29, 2011:
This is so important for me! Thanks again for posting!
Amy DeMarco (author) from Chicago on June 27, 2011:
Thanks for commenting! I hope the article gave you some ideas. Feel free to share this article with your sisters!
Cecelia Millhouse from Sanford, North Carolina on June 27, 2011:
Thanks for this very informative and intresting with 2 pregnant sisters I am always looking for unique suggestions
Amy DeMarco (author) from Chicago on June 26, 2011:
Glad you enjoyed it :)
mama_em on June 25, 2011:
Really interesting. Thanks for a great Hub!
Amy DeMarco (author) from Chicago on June 25, 2011:
Hi Alastar,
Thank you for the comment, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Jennifer is a beautiful name also the name to one of my best friends. I know the celebrity names would be a hit! As always, I appreciate all your warm comments!
Alastar Packer from North Carolina on June 25, 2011:
Wow amymarie, you've done a great hub here on baby names, really well done with the research and how its written. Jennifer is one of my fave girl's names. Any boy baby named Eros will have a lot to live up for in life...lol. In the future from what I know and hear around, there's going to be a lot of Hunters and Conners running about. Thanks and that is the cherry on top with the weirdest celebrity baby names.