100 Unique Baby Names You'll Love And Their Meanings

Searching for unique baby names for girls and boys is easier said than done. Since resources are aplenty, you have to look through a wide range of choices – long and short names, ones from your own culture or a foreign one, modern and stylish ones, or ones that are more traditional.

When choosing a name, you have to pay attention to its meaning and historical significance. Much thought must go into this decision since the last thing you would want is a name your child doesn't like when they grow up.

In this post, we have listed some beautiful, modern-sounding names for you to choose from.

Unique Girl Names:

1. Aislinn:

A beautiful Irish name, meaning 'dream', this name has several variations like Ashlynn or Ashlyn. We like original one the best, though.

2. Aitana:

Aitana, the name of a Spanish mountain, was used for the first time by Rafael Alberti, the poet. But it was popularized via Aitana Sanchez Gijan, the famous Spanish actress.

3. Alianna:

Alianna is a rhythmic and lilting name that has slowly, but steadily begun to catch with the English speaking communities. This lovely variation of Eliana means 'my God has answered'.

4. Amya:

Amya is the name of a small village in Syria, but you can use it as a variation of Amaya or Amy. It currently ranks #903 in Social Security Administration list.

5. Ariadne:

Ariadne is the lesser-known form of the name Ariana. Besides, it's also the name of the Cretan goddess of fertility. We think it would make a great pick for parents looking for a classic, yet uncommon name.

6. Astrid:

This moniker has been a royal name in Scandinavia since the 10th century, but never really assimilated in the American states. Astrid means 'divinely beautiful'.

7. Audrina:

This name owes its fame to Audrina Partridge, the reality television sensation. It's a variation of Audrey and means 'noble strength'.

8. Azariah:

Azariah is a melodious Biblical name, meaning 'helped by God'. You can also opt for its variation Azaria.

9. Bryleigh:

This one combines the traditional names Brynn and Ryleigh. It has always been in the top 1000 names but never surpassed the 841st spot.

10. Cadence:

Sophisticated, yet unique, this name is derived from a musical term, a rhythmic pattern indicating the end of a phrase.

11. Celeste:

A soft and pretty name with heavenly overtones, Celeste means 'heavenly'. This unique baby girl name has been on the top 1000 list since the 1880 and currently ranks at 499.

12. Charlize:

This unique name for baby girls owes its life to the elegant South African actress Charlize Theron. It's basically a feminization of Charles and means 'free man'.

13. Cora:

This moniker gained popularity via the British television series, "Downton Abbey". The character bearing this name is both headstrong and beautiful; all you want your daughter to be. It's also associated with the mythical daughter of Zeus, the Greek god.

14. Cordelia:

Cordelia would appeal to parents who want an old-fashioned name that has style and substance as well. This Celtic name means 'daughter of the sea'.

15. Dalary:

Before 2013, this name was unheard of. It was in this year Larry Hernandez, the singer and star of the reality show, named his daughter Dalary.

16. Dulce:

Dulce is a modern Spanish and Portuguese name, referring to "Dulce Nombre de Maria" – the name of the Virgin Mary. It also shares an association with Dulce Marian, Mexican songwriter, and singer. Dulce means 'sweet'.

17. Esther:

This name, meaning 'star' is one of the significant figures in the Old Testament. Esther was one of the top 50 names around a hundred years ago but is used sparsely now.

18. Esmeralda:

Esmeralda is Spanish or Portuguese name, meaning 'emerald'. Ryan Gosling recently chose this name for his daughter. We're sure your daughter will gush about it, forever.

19. Ember:

Short, fiery, and sassy, this moniker would be a perfect match for your little girl. You can use it as a short form of Emberly or as an alternative to the familiar Amber.

20. Emmaline:

Emmaline is the relative of Emma and a cousin of Emily and means 'work'. This name hopped on the top 1000 list in 2014 for the first time, and it's destined for greater use.

21. Faye:

An addition of 'e' at the end makes the commonplace name Fay look and sound unique and beautiful. This lovely English name means 'fairy'.

22. Hadley:

This name is most famous for its association with Ernest Hemingway's first wife. Meaning 'heather field', this name is more professional, sophisticated and modern than its cousins Haley, Hayden, and Harley.

23. Hattie:

Hattie is one of those nicknames that have become even more popular than its original name, Harriet. It was in its glory at the end of the 19th century but isn't used much now. So we believe it will make a different pick.

24. Haven:

This name would appeal to parents who do not want to travel as far as Heaven. It came into the mainstream when Jessica Alba chose it for her daughter.

25. Janiya:

Janiya is probably an elaborate version of the name Jane. Or it's derived from the Hebrew name Jania, which means 'from Jana'.

26. Juniper:

Some of you may find this Bohemian name a bit unusual, but we think it's super cool. Juniper is a fresh feeling and energetic nature inspired name with several associations.

27. Kaiya:

Kaiya is the spelling variation of the name of Kaia and Kaya. It's never ranked higher than 652 and is currently at its lowest. But we believe it will bounce back soon.

28. Kensington:

This place name has a number of references. There are cities of this name in South Africa, Canada, and Australia. You can use Kenzie as its nickname.

29. Kenzie:

Kenzie is a fresh and energetic short form of Mackenzie. It has started to be polished up for a new generation of children by parents who find Mackenzie stuffy.

30. Kimora:

Kimora Lee Simmons, the African-Asian model, brought this moniker into the eyes of the public. You can use this name in place of the outdated Kim.

31. Landry:

This name, meaning 'ruler' is being used for both boys and girls. But the 'y' ending makes this name sound feminine.

32. Leia:

Here's a name brought into the spotlight via the Star Wars movie. Your daughter will realize the worth of this name during her teenage when she'll get associated with the princess.

33. Libby:

For decades, or maybe centuries, Beth, Lizzy, and Betty were nicknames for Elizabeth. But today, bubbly and modern Libby is being used by the parents.

34. Liv:

Liv Tyler, a renowned actress, popularized this Norse name meaning 'life', in America.

35. Nia:

Nia is short but substantial and energetic. It's usually considered a short form of Antonia, but is a standalone name in the African regions, where it means 'resolve'.

36. Ophelia:

This beautiful name would forever be associated with the tragic heroine of Hamlet. But it has a beautiful meaning (help), which many people overlook.

37. Paola:

The exotic sound of this Italian and Spanish variation of Paula makes it more appealing than the original. Paola Suárez, the Argentinian tennis player, would be its most famous bearer.

38. Penny:

Mid-century names, which were once considered too quaint for our tastes have now begun to resurface, primarily because of the American and British television series. This zesty moniker, which is originally a diminutive of Penelope, featured in "Big Bang Theory".

39. Perla:

Perla is the Spanish variation of Pearl. This moniker would make an excellent choice for parents who do not like the grandmotherly vibe in the name Pearl.

40. Sariyah:

This variation of Sarah has begun to gain some traction lately. In fact, it's been a part of the top 1000 list for more than a decade.

41. Tabitha:

Tabitha may not be as popular as the name of her mother Samantha, but it has its magical charm. This Aramaic name means 'gazelle'.

42. Tatiana:

This long favorite of the Russians has started to catch on with the Americans as well. As a Latin family name, Tatiana carries a touch of the exotic. It is derived from Titus, the name of the ancient Sabine king.

43. Tatum:

This distinctive, strong and energetic name is recommended for babies with congenial last names. It was once a unisex name but is now used exclusively for girls. Tatum means 'Tate's homestead'.

44. Taya:

This Japanese name, meaning 'young' has made into the mainstream, perhaps because of its similarity between Kaya and Maya. It's also associated with Taya Smith, the Australian singer.

45. Tinley:

This trendy name fits well with the 'inley' ending names likes Kinley, Brinley, and Finley. And it isn't even used frequently, which explains its spot at the end of the list.

46. Veda:

Even though it has religious resonance, Veda has made a strong place for itself as a modern name. It has two initials, a sharp V initial, and an 'a' ending.

47. Winter:

Warm names are now beginning to be eclipsed with names with a chill factor. And to be honest, this name sounds much more refreshing than the warmer ones. Gretchen Mol, Sea Parker, and Nicole Ritchie named their daughters Winter.

48. Yaritza:

This elaboration of Yara is used greatly in Spanish and Portuguese countries. It means 'butterfly'.

49. Zaylee:

Perhaps, one of the unique names of all the baby girl names, this carefree name could work well as a substitute for Hayley or Kaylee.

50. Zion:

This Biblical place name has taken off for both boys and girls, with boys lagging behind a little. It feels uplifting because of its Z beginning.

Unique Boy Names:

51. Abdiel:

In the Bible, Abdiel was the name of the ancient prophet who could withstand Satan. This name means 'servant of God'.

52. Apollo:

The ever-growing popularity of sci-fi movies and fantasy books has made a strong influence on the Gen-ex parents. Apollo, the name of the Greek god and the space shuttle could make a great choice for your son.

53. Arlo:

Arlo is short, sweet, unique, easy to spell, and sound extremely cool. It probably originated as a nickname for Carlos or Marlow. Arlo will also balance out a long last name.

54. Atlas:

Gwen Stefani is not the only one following the trend of naming children after the Greek mythology. Several parents are opting for the names of Greek gods and goddesses. But Atlas is a unique name.

55. Atticus:

This one's for parents who like names with literary and historical significance. This name refers to Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird". Atticus means 'from Attica'.

56. Bodhi:

More and more parents are turning towards names with uplifting meaning. One such name is Bodhi, which means 'awakening or enlightenment'. Even Megan Fox named her son Bodhi.

57. Brody:

A perfect example of bad meanings to good names, this not-so-common name currently sits at the 105th spot.

58. Deangelo:

This unique baby boy name could either mean 'son of Angelo' or 'from the angel'. It is associated with D'Angelo, the American singer, and songwriter.

59. Deshawn:

In this modern invented name, the prefix 'De' indicates 'son of'. So technically, this name means son of Shawn or Sean. DeShawn Stevenson, the former professional basketball player, is its namesake.

60. Eliseo:

This Latin name is facing no problem in fitting in the American classroom. It made frequent appearances on the top 1000 list but never made it past 800.

61. Eugene:

This old-timey name is not used much these days. So you can consider this name if you want to pay tribute to anyone in your family named Eugene. It means 'well-born'.

62. Fletcher:

Here's another surname that has made to the list of first names. Meaning 'maker of arrows', Fletcher is used well in New Zealand, and only in New Zealand. So grab it before it becomes common.

63. Gage:

This one goes well with the craze for one syllable name. Gage may mean 'oath or pledge', but it's also associated with mathematical gauge and gage plums.

64. Gunner:

This macho name came into the forefront when Brandon Flowers used it for his son. You can use the spelling Gunnar to make it sound less militaristic.

65. Jabari:

This cool and attractive African name has distinguished representatives in literature and sports. One of its namesakes is Jabari Price, the American NFL football player.

66. Jagger:

Celebrities are the ultimate standard for finding weird and unique names for your children. For instance, Joe Don Rooney chose the name Jagger for his son.

67. Jaxton:

Of late, we are seeing video game influence on the baby name choice as well. Jaxton, (Merrat Jaxton) would make an uncommon alternative to Jackson and Jaxon. And it was popular enough to be on the 409th spot last year.

68. Jayvion:

This one has a little bit of J, a little bit of V, and an ending with –ion, everything that you need to make a name unique.

69. Jett:

The name of the dark black gemstone can make a potential moniker for your son.

70. Juelz:

Juelz, the masculine form of the name Jules shares its association with Juelz Santana, the stage name of Louis James, the American rapper, and actor.

71. Justus:

This New Testament name would make an unusual alternative to Justin or Justice. There have been several notable saints bearing this name, which means 'just'.

72. Kash:

Besides being our guilty pleasure, reality television has also become a source of trendy baby names. Here, we're referring to Kash Kade Biermann, the son of reality star Kim Zolciak and football player Kroy Biermann.

73. Kashton:

This modern name is perhaps a combination of Kash and Ashton. What do you think? This moniker made its first appearance on the SSA list last year.

74. Kayson:

It's believed that this moniker popped up when the popularity of Jason began to fall. And it was quite popular when it was coined, but is now seldom used by parents.

75. Kellen:

A name that's Irish in spirit and German in origin, Kellen means 'swamp or slender'.

76. Konnor:

Some creative spellings of a name work and some don't. This one belongs to the former category. Not much used, but sounds pleasing and usable.

77. Leighton:

This English moniker, meaning 'meadow town' started as girls' name, but is now catching on with the boys.

78. Malaki:

This one's a variation of Malachi, the biblical name. Both the variations have to be pronounced with a long 'I'. Malaki means 'my messenger'.

79. Melvin:

This respectable English and Scottish surname was once the most, but it's out of focus now. This moniker means 'council protector'.

80. Nash:

This English surname puts in the stem with the current trendy names like Ash, Cash, and Dash. It came into prominence via the portrayal of the character Nash Bridges by Don Johnson. Nash means 'by the ash tree'.

81. Niko:

You can view Niko as a diminutive of Nikolaos or as an exotic and unusual spelling of Nico. Either way, it's a winner. Niko means 'victory of the people'.

82. Nixon:

People have been using last names as first names since the ancient times. And it's on the rise again, especially when it involves last names of politicians (President Richard Nixon). Nixon means 'son of Nicholas'.

83. Oakley:

This name is chic, cool, and trend-setting, just like your son would be. Once used mainly for girls, Oakley made a sharp rise for males last year. It means 'oak wood or clearing'.

84. Oswaldo:

You must be familiar with Oswald, but we're sure you haven't heard Oswaldo, the Spanish of Oswald.

85. Otis:

This German name, meaning 'wealthy' would make a sweet name for your little boy. We love this name for its catchy 'O' beginning and its combination of spunk and strength.

86. Reed:

A sleek and elegant name that would suit everyone, from a sculptor to a banker and it's here that the charm lies. Reed means 'red-haired'.

87. Rey:

This Spanish word for 'king' could make a short and sweet name for your daughter. You can also use it for your baby girl. Remember "Star Wars" movie?

88. Ridge:

This is one of our most favorite nature inspired names. And it's fairly uncommon too! It reentered the popularity list for the first time last year since 1989.

89. Rocco:

We feel that this name shares the quirky appeal of names like Hugo and Bruno. And Madonna glamorized this name when she chose it for her son. Rocco means 'rest'.

90. Rodolfo:

This name is in no way related to the name Rudolf. It's a Spanish name, meaning 'bold wolf'.

91. Rogelio:

Rogelio is a Spanish variation of Roger and means 'famous spearman'. You can shorten it to Rodge for the nickname.

92. Rory:

Traditionally of Irish descent, Rory means 'red king'. It's traditionally a name for boys but is being used for girls as well.

93. Ryker:

This name would appeal to parents who want a trendy, Ry starting name for their sons. This German name means 'rich'.

94. Sage:

From the peppery to fragrant, herb name is the perfect way to add zest to your child's life. Sage is a short and strong herb name, meaning 'wise and knowing'.

95. Sutton:

This swanky sounding, two syllable name means 'from the southern homestead'.

96. Tate:

Tate is a strong, single-syllable name with a 'cheerful' meaning. It hovered in the top 400 list for past five years, but never really made an impact on parents.

97. Todd:

Todd is one of the most stylish and masculine animal-inspired names. Meaning 'fox', Todd is given to relatively few baby boys these days. So go for it!

98. Quentin:

An offbeat name with loads of character, relating to number five, Quentin is the subtlest and the most usable numerical name for your son.

99. Yahya:

Yahya is a Persian, Arabic, and Turkish name for prophet John, the Baptist. It made its appearance on the top 1000 list just last year.

100. Zaire:

Zaire is an extremely attractive and wearable place name for your son. This place was the Central African state for over two decades.

1. Why do people give babies unique names to their children?

A name is more than just what your teacher or friend calls you; it's your identity. Parents who seek uncommon or extraordinary things in life and want their children to stand out may want to give a unique name to the child. Our names influence our personalities to quite an extent, and having a rare name gives us a sense of uniqueness.

2. How to find a unique name for my baby?

Finding a unique name can be challenging and time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort because your baby will be known by that name for the rest of their life. Exploring ideas entails thinking out of the box, browsing the internet, watching movies in non-native languages, reading literary books, or coining a new word by clubbing parents' names.

Every parent wants to select a unique baby name for their newborns. So, the trend of notable, unusual, yet meaningful names is on the rise nowadays. The list of unique names for babies is vast and includes nature-based and stylish modern names. We have listed these 100 unique names perfect for your little boy or girl to make it easier for you to pick the right one for your baby. So go ahead and choose a name that will suit your little bundle of joy the most.

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  • Author

Arshi Ahmed did her graduation from Shri Shikshayatan College, Kolkata, and post graduation in English from Lovely Professional University. She specializes in writing baby names articles as she loves to help new parents find a name for their child. Arshi understands how important it is for a parent to find the right name because the name gives the baby an... more