October Unique Baby Name Round Up

Once a month I like to create a little list of ten names that I've really been liking lately. I put together a list of ten names. They all have different meanings and origins. If you're looking for a cute baby name, then maybe this list will hold the name for you:

1. Phoenix (unisex) A phoenix is a bird that rises from the ashes. This is a name that connotes a real sense of strength
2. Rune (m)
3. Selena (f) This beautiful name is linked to the moon. 
4. Xavier (m) X Men fan or not, this name is very classy.
5. Thora (f) This name apparently means 'watcher' and could be good for a parent/parents who live nerdy, like comic books and march to the beat of their own drum.
6. Corbin (m) This name relates to a noble bird: the crow.
7. December (unisex) Expecting a child in December? Then December is a cool name to bestow upon a winter child.
8. Brigitte (f) This French name is for a strong child of high birth. It sounds fancy but still rather approachable. 
9. Ingram (m) This is a name for a peaceful child who will go on to make a difference.
10. Osanna (f) The name, based on the term 'hosanna', is simple but catches people's attention.

Maharet

Okay, this is going to be a really unique one...

I really love the name Maharet.
I first heard it in Queen of the Damned, the book by Anne Rice in her Vampire Chronicles. There are some really beautiful character names in there. Maharet is a truly uncommon, unique name that almost no babies this year, or any year, will have.

Bo

This is a really cute name that works for either a baby regardless of gender...

This is a name I've heard time and time again and yet it remains off the radar. If you like short, fuss-free names then this is the one for you. In some languages the name comes from the word 'beauty' but it has since become just a really sweet name for a baby.

Variations on the name: Beau, Beaux

Arielle

Now for a cute name with a link to water...

Now, I'm sure we're all somewhat familiar with the name 'Ariel' from The Little Mermaid or the collection of Sylvia Plath poety. For those of you trying to shake off the Disney connotations, why not just add -le to the end to alter the name and soften the pronunciation? Ay-ree-ell becomes Ahh-ree-ell. Or, of course, you could keep the pronunciation the same. It's up to you! It's quite a cute name. Disney names seem to be quite common but a small change like this can turn a popular name into a more unique name.

Margo

I'm predicting that this name may gain a little bit of popularity next year, so snap it up now!

Margo is quite a posh name that is up for a revival and rise in popularity, Cara Delevigne (as pictured right) is set to play Margo Roth Spiegelman in the film Paper Towns , based on the book by John Green. The name, derived from 'Margaret', means 'pearl' and is quite a modern gem as far as names go. Margo is French and oozes sophistication. It can also be spelled Margot. The name is short and choppy with a streamlined, contemporary feel. It's not too girly so it provides options. This could be a really great name next year. One of the names that has risen in popularity this year is 'Hazel' after another John Green character from The Fault In Our Stars. Could Margo be the runaway baby name of 2014?

Elodie

This is a really gorgeous little name...

Elodie is a beautiful French name that I've been a fan of for some time. Sounding like 'melody' this is a name that is lyrical and melodious. It sounds musical and the name really rolls off the tongue. The name is rising in popularity at the moment because it's so pretty so snap it up now while it's still cute and quirky!

Zadie

Here's one starting with 'Z' for you...

The name is rather similar to the name Sadie or Sadia. The name has had some spotlight due to author Zadie Smith. The name is reported to mean fortunate and prosperous. It's a good name for a child you hope will be rather successful.
 Alternatives to this name: Cadie, Sadie, Nadia, Eadie, Dodie. In the US the name remains relatively unused but names beginning with 'Z' are usually uncommon and therefore super unique.

Thalia

Thalia is a great name that doesn't get enough attention these days which makes it a really great, unique baby name.

Flower names are quite popular with babies. There are plenty of them: Rose, Lily, Daisy. Thalia is a flower name but it's far more subtle in its' roots. Thalia means 'to flourish/to bloom' which is a lovely name meaning to bestow upon a child. It's floral without being too flowery and isn't all that common. It is also the name of the Muse of comedy and poetry. This is a really artistic name for a child with a beautiful soul.

Alternative to Thalia: Dahlia, Daria, Darya, Tahlia, Talia. 

Prosper

This one is really pretty...

This is another one of those great virtue names like Hope, Honor, Merritt, Faith, Joy etc. Prosper means 'to do well and be fortunate' so it's a good, strong name to bare. There was a 5th Century Saint of the same name because of the virtuous nature of such a name. This name is a really good name that can be used for a baby of any gender.

Live Long and Prosper!

True

This one's a little out there but very modern...

This is kind of like a virtue name. Other virtue names are Prosper, Hope, Faith, Joy, Honour. I really love gender free names, names that you can use for a child regardless of gender, which is probably why I post so many on here. This name isn't for everyone, I know, but I feel that people are getting a little bit more experimental these days. True means...well... true. It's a name that means honesty, openness. It's quite the positive name that could be the one for you.

Paloma

Here's something music based...

Inspired by the wonderful Paloma Faith, this is our name of the day. According to Nameberry, it means 'dove' in Spanish. This therefore makes it a rather peaceful, faith-based name. It's still really quirky and out there. Many celebrities have used this name for their children. It's quirkly and far from popular.

Tree Names

It's time to branch out...

Okay, okay, puns aside... I've decided to do another ten minute round up of names on a familiar theme. Today we're looking at trees! Yes, our leafy friends are something to be thankful for. They are responsible for the air we breathe. I decided to throw together some tree themed names for you to showcase something a little more nature-based.

Here are my suggestions:

• Arbor
• Oakley
• Ash
• Leif
• Sequoia 
• Cedar
• Birch
• Bloom
• Maple
• Blossom
• Elm
• Spring
• Willow
• Forest
• Grove
• Asher
• Laurel
• Acacia
• Juniper
• Aspen
• Linden
• Barkley 

Langston

If you're a fan of boy names that were originally surnames, this is a good one.

Langston is arguably influenced by the African-American author Langston Hughes. The name holds an air of sophistication and artistry. It is only just in the top 1000 baby names in the US so there isn't a huge threat of it becoming overly popular just yet.

Similar names: Leighton, Leyton, Langdon, London.

Sailor

Hello sailor!

This is a really cute profession-based name. Similar names to Sailor: Hunter, Archer, Tailor, Cooper. Sailor is a quirky alternate to the name Tailor/Taylor/Tyler, all of which have been fairly popular in recent years. Sure, this name isn't for everyone but it's unisex and pretty darn cute.

Zipporah

This one is really cool and I've never heard a baby with this name.

Here's a Biblical name with a cool edge.
This blog features unique names and this one is truly, truly unique. In the Bible this was the name of the wife of Moses. Unlike some Biblical names, this one doesn't really get thrown around a lot. I first came across it in the film The Prince of Egypt.

The name is sometimes spelled Tzipporah or Zippora. Sephora is a similar-sounding alternative.

Tweet us!

Hi there!
If you're a fan of this blog then thank you for stopping by and reading it. Please feel free to share this blog with friends looking for unique names and really spread us around. If you ever pick your baby name from this blog then please click here to follow us on Twitter, tweet us and let us know! We'd be so happy to know that we helped find your perfect baby name.

Breeze

This one's a really light hearted, simple name.

It's Breeze.
I'm sure I don't have to explain the meaning to you. Nature based names like this are becoming far more popular now. A name like this is a breath of fresh air and is really sweet but also short and snappy which makes it easy to remember.

If you like Breeze you may also like: River, Ocean, Summer, Autumn, Harper, etc.

Quill

Quill is a great name for a baby following the success of Marvel's summer blockbuster hit 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Having seen Peter Quill, also known as Starlord, take to our screens this could be a really cool name for Marvel fans or for families that love creative writing.

Personally I feel that a name like Quill has real potential to be a popular unisex name. It's a nice alternative to the name Quinn. Marvel Comics are really hot right now. I even know someone with a son called Loki so don't worry about thinking that this name is too out there. Quills are also those beautifully plumed feathered pens so it'd be a great name for parents who are authors themselves or are hoping that their child will have great writing skills.

Severina

So, here's a baby name that I doubt any of your friends have...

Severina. The name is one for a serious soul. Inspired by the song from The Mission, this is a name linked to justice and strength of will. Since it's based on a song, your child automatically has their own personal anthem. If you truly want a name that no one else will have, this is it. It has a nice, feminine trill to it.

Adeline

This is a lovely little name of French origin meaning 'nobility'

It's lovely and old fashioned. It was brought from France to England by the Normans and lost until the Victorian Era where the rise in Gothic Literature brought it back. This has a classic feel but is quirky and different enough to make it stand out. It's similar to the name Adelaide which has been rather popular as of late. You could shorten it to Adele or Addie/Adi. It's a really versatile, cute little moniker.

Name alternatives: Abeline, Aibeleen, Adelaide, Madeline, Madeleine, Adrienne, Adele.

Aurelius

Now here's a name I'd never heard before...

Aurelius, similar to the female name Aurelia, is a gorgeous name. It's strong yet musical. The Latin name means 'the golden one' and is fairly unknown at this moment in time. It was the name of a Roman Emperor (Marcus Aurelius) and therefore has a strong, regal feel to it. Marcus Aurelius was said to be a stoic philosopher. A character called Dr Aurelius in the Hunger Games movies may boost the visibility of this Latin charmer.

Nikolai

Nikolai is a really great name with a strong meaning that I think more people should be considering for their child.

Nikolai is the Polish alternative to names like Nicolas/Nicholas/Nick. The Polish meaning of this name is 'victorious' and so the name is a strong one. The name is also popular in Russia and alternatives of the name (Nikolaos) are popular in Greece. The name can be shortened to 'Lai' or 'Niko' which makes it a really flexible name with plenty of options to shorten it depending on the child and their growing identity.

Warren

The name Warren has fallen out of fashion so this is the perfect time for it to see some rise in popularity. It's a short name, easy to remember and simple to pronounce.

Some say the name means 'park keeper' or 'warden' but the name is also the term for the home of rabbits. Rabbits typically live in a 'warren' which makes this a sweet, homely name. It feels similar to other popular names like Ethan and William. This could be the name for a little boy whose mother really cares for him and keeps him close to heart.

Marcheline

So this one is a name I've only heard about one person, but it's lovely and ever so elegant...

Marcheline is a wonderful yet rather rare French name that rolls off the tongue so elegantly and effortlessly - it's a shock that this name isn't more popular. You may have heard the name Marcheline in relation to Angelina Jolie as it was the name of her mother and Angelina used it as a middle name for one of her daughters. It is said to be the French female version of names like Marcus or Marcellus which comes from Mars, the God of War. Perhaps this is the name for a strong, confident woman.

The name can also be spelled as Marceline and shortened to Madge, Marge, Margie, Marsh etc.

Everhart

This is one I spotted around the internet and I really like it.

Everhart, though gender neutral, has been suggested for boys. I think it works for anyone. Everhart hints at eternal love though 'hart' also means 'deer/stag' hence the possible masculinity.  It could be shortened to Evan, Hart, Ever etc. This is a really sweet name with a lot of love and potential.

Bram

My highlight today is on the name Bram because it's a name that I am really in love with.

Bram is a derivative of the name 'Abraham' and offers a quirky, shorter nickname. It's quite similar to 'Bran', a name popularised by Game of Thrones. The name can also be said to be a shorter version of the word 'Bramble' like a thorny bush. In fact the name has many meanings across many different faiths and countries so this name translates well into so many different cultures. This could be a good name for a child who will grow up to travel a lot. The name was popularised by 'Dracula' author Bram Stoker but I think it's time we got the name back from out of the coffin...

Rahm

Wanna hear one that no one has?

Rahm.
I can almost put money on the fact you've never heard it before as a name. It is of Sanskrit/Hebrew origin. Like the name Bram, it is a shortened version of Abraham. An Indian version would be Rama like the famous tale of Rama and Sita. I hadn't heard it either and stumbled across it by mere chance. The name has a calming, soothing sound. It sounds a little dreamy, doesn't it? Someone please give their baby this name because it's a real stunner. If you don't, maybe I will.

Cordelia

Here's one I'd love to see rising in popularity...

Cordelia is a character in Shakespeare's King Lear so this name literally oozes with class and sophistication. She is Lear's youngest and favourite daughter. If classic theatre and literature isn't really your thing then there's also the wonderful Cordelia Chase from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The name can be shortened to Delia, Lia, Cordy, Cora etc. This name has a really rich feeling with plenty of potential to play around with it in terms of nicknames. It means 'daughter of the sea'

In the novel Anne of Green Gables she says the name Cordelia is a 'perfectly elegant name' and it could be perfect for your child.

Claret

Having recently posted a bunch of names linked to the colour blue, I came across the name 'Claret'
(pronounced Klar-et) and I am loving it.

Claret is a rich purplish red colour similar to 'Burgundy' and it sounds a little like names such as Clara and Claire. The name is also linked to wines and wine tasting. This name comes off as very classy and an alternative to other popular names. It's not too frilly or girly which makes it rather nice and gender free. It's similar to the word 'clarity' like the clarity of a precious gem.

Jude

This one feels a little bit rock and roll.

The name is said to be unisex and it's so rare. I've only heard of two people with the name (yes, one is Jude Law.)
Apparently the name means 'praised' so it could be the name for a baby who will be celebrated and praised on their journey through life. It's one of those cool names that can't really be shortened into something you don't like as much as the whole name itself. The name was popularised song by The Beatles hit 'Hey Jude' and remains cool. It's becoming a little bit more popular at the moment but it's still not overwhelmingly common.