Desdemona

Often we like names that we know we can shorten into cute nicknames. The name Desdemona hasn't exactly been a popular one. The name Desdemona is most known as the name of the villainous wife of Shakespeare's Othello. 

That said, in current times we love a villain. Would you be put of a name because of past villainous associations?

Desdemona is wearable and can be shortened to Mona, Desi, Demi etc.

What do you think? 

Undine

Are you looking for a serious name with great depth? 
What about Undine? 

Undine comes from the Latin word "unda" which means wave, so "Undine" translates to "little wave" which, come on, that's ADORABLE. If you're drawn to water or are having a water sign baby or it feels like they're happily swimming around in utero, perhaps a water inspired name will do the trick. An alternative spelling to this is Ondine. It has a pretty sound, almost French in phonetics. It's so rare to find pretty names that start with the last few letters of the alphabet - how often do you ever meet someone with a name that starts with the letter U? This would be Unique for sure. 

Elsie

Hello there! It's been a hot minute, but we're back here to discuss some unique baby names for the modern name seeker. 

There has been a real movement towards using nicknames as names. Rather than the classic "Elizabeth" we are seeing more babies being named "Betty" or "Libby" rather than the full name. Or "Hattie" instead of "Harriet" so this name Elsie is no different. Elsie is a name with an old fashioned, vintage vibe that still feels classic and wearable. Zooey Deschanel named her daughter Elsie Otter. It sounds like a nice alternative to Elizabeth or Elsa. It's cute and playful and easy to spell. Elsie makes for a sweet, carefree baby name. 

Amandine

Familiar, yet different...

This name, although similar to Amanda, comes with a gorgeous, rounded French sound. The name means 'much loved' and could be a gorgeous name for a beloved child. This name sounds great for a baker, someone who is expertly skilled in the kitchen, as the name sounds like 'almond' and 'clementine' rolled together. Delicious...

Xanthe

A name for a blonde haired baby....

This is a quirky Greek name but I've only heard of one acquaintance with a daughter by this name. The name is Greek in origin. The name apparently means 'yellow' or 'fair hair' so if you have a blonde baby then this could be a cute name. The 'X' at the start gives the name a really strong sound and the name has a real literary feel as it can be found dotted about in Greek mythology.

Other versions of the name or similar names: Xanthia, Xenia, Xena

Heath

This is a name that I adore...

This is a really classic and distinctive name. A heath is traditionally a pleasant, green area. This name is short, sweet and subtle and could make a strong name if joined with a powerful surname. I truly hope this name picks up a little. It's a really nice little name.

Orson

Orson has strength but cute roots....

From the French word "orse" meaning 'bear' this is a name for a baby as cute as a cub or a child as strong as a bear. The name is, of course, mostly known via Orson Welles but it has been adopted by celebrity parents like Paz Vega and Lauren Ambrose. This is another one of those names that sounds like a surname and therefore sounds sterling and professional.

Mazarine

Feeling blue...

This is a French name which is subtle but elegant with multiple potential nicknames thus giving the ability to really play around with the name itself. Mazarine is a deep blue colour. It is also used as a first name in honour of Cardinal Mazarin, a leader of France in the 17th century. As a first name, Mazarine is as charming as it is unusual thus making it a really unique baby name. 

Eben

Need a name for a cool little mister?

How about Eben?
It's like Eden but different. It's like a shortened version of Ebenezer. It sounds a bit like a surname like Larson or Pearson. Because it sounds like a surname it comes across as rather gender neutral. Although the name is typically used as a male name it works regardless of gender.

Edie

Let's get vintage....

A lot of rather vintage names have been cropping up lately. We've had celebrity babies sporting names like Ethel, Mabel, Marnie... Now for the latest in this trend. This week it has been announced that Keira Knightley, the Pirates of the Caribbean actress, has named her first child Edie. Edie is a sweet, short name that is usually a shortened version of the name 'Edith'

This can be a nice alternative to the name Evie which has been popular recently. Pronounced "EE-DEE" it is a simple, no fuss name to remember so it could be a good name for parents who opt for more gender neutral names.

Linus

What an animated name...

Linus hasn't really been spotted on too many birth certificates but that's a real shame. It's often known for the name of the blanket toting character of the Peanuts characters who is friends with Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Within the realm of Greek mythology, Linus is a musician and a poet. Apparently Linus invented rhythm. If your baby kicked a lot in the womb, beating his own drum, then this could be the name for you. It's totally original, no other kids will have it. The name has risen in popularity throughout Germany, Sweden and Norway but could do with some popularity elsewhere...

Nikita

This one's cute...

Nikita is the Russian version of the name Nicole. It can be shortened and played with and is a really cool, punky name for a wild child. As a name it's still rising in popularity, but barely. If you choose this name for your baby you can pretty much ensure that there will be no other Nikita's in their class.

Milo

This name is classic but always feels relevant...

Nameberry quotes the name as meaning 'soldier of the merciful' and it's a really short, cute name. It can be shortened to 'Miles' should you look for a nickname.
So many celebrities have taken the name Milo for their children but it still remains unique enough and hasn't really broken the baby name charts lately.

Clementine

...And you thought the name 'Apple' was fruity!

Clementine.The name is French and means 'mild, merciful'


You may know the name from the old song:
Oh my darlin'
Oh my darlin'
Oh my darlin' Clementine

It's a really vintage name that's fuss free with no feminine frill but it can be adapted and tweaked in so many ways. Author Laini Taylor has a daughter named Clementine Pie which is super cute.

Sailor

Ahoy there....

Liv Tyler recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy and announced his name via a cute Instagram photo of her newborn holding an anchor locket. His name is Sailor Gene Gardner.

What a cute name! Sailor is a really cute, gender neutral name. It's a name that can be really cute when a kid is running around the garden or for an ambitious 20 year old setting out on a career or an old grandparent in a rocking chair. It's a really cute name - here's hoping some more babies get this name this year!

Adaline

Time for another name...

Here's one that is almost unheard of but could be picked up this year. This name could gain some popularity this year due to the upcoming film 'The Age of Adaline' starring Blake Lively. It is a variation on the name Adeline. Similar names: Adelaide, Adalyn, Ada, Madeleine, Adrienne. The name itself means 'noble' and has French origins. This name feels rare but with a really sweet vintage feel

December Baby Name Roundup!

Hello, name fans!
Looking for a name?
Well here is our round up of cool names that we've been appreciating in the month of December. Here we love Unique Baby Names. If you choose your baby name based on a name found on this blog, tweet us and let us know!

1. Yvaine (f) The name, a mixture of names like Yvonne and Elaine, is a twinkling gem. Made famous from Neil Gaiman's Stardust this is a beautifully starry name. The name means 'evening star' and has a real romantic charm.
2. Calhoun (m) This name is an Irish surname now being introduced as a last name. It serves as a cool variation on the name Callum which has been a bit more popular in recent years. The name means 'from the narrow forest'
3. Isis (f) This is a really strong name as it is the name of an Egyptian Goddess, the Goddess of the moon, sky, magic, motherhood and fertility.
4. Cohen (m) Another name that was previously a surname but is now becoming popular as a first name. It is of Hebrew origin and became popularised by the show The O.C
5. Cosima (f) The name means 'order/beauty' and is a rather elegant name with an Italian twirl.
6. Ivor (m) This is a really strong name that has cropped up all over the world in several cultures and yet it still remains off the radar.
7. Brook (unisex) This can also be spelled as Brooke or changed to Brooks. It was popular in the 90s but is due a renaissance. This is a great nature-based, gender-free name.
8. Zen (unisex) Although a baby is far from calming, especially on first time parents, this is a great name for a Buddhist/spiritual family. The names means 'calm/state of serenity'
9. Lyric (unisex) This is a musical name for the child of poet parents or a baby born into a music family. Could be shortened to 'Lee'
10. Merritt (unisex) From the word 'merit', this could be a great virtue name like 'Faith', 'Hope', 'Honor', 'Valour' etc. This name is absolutely unknown, genderless and fuss free.

Esmeralda

With so many babies named 'Anna' and 'Elsa' based on the success of Frozen, perhaps it's time that we cast our minds back to some of the other fierce women of Disney movies...

Esmeralda Amada is the name of the daughter of Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes. I'd love to see more babies with this name.The name is Spanish and it means 'emerald' like the green gem stone. Esmeralda is just a fancier alternative to names like Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet or Amethyst.

Could be spelled: Esmeralda/Esmerelda

Possible nick names:

• Esme
• Emmy
• Alda
• Essie

Esai

Here's one I bet you've never heard of...

Esai, pronounced 'eez-eye' or 'ee-say', is almost unheard of. The name is Spanish but derived from Hebrew and it means 'gift' so if you're having a Christmas baby then this child name could be the perfect name for the perfect gift.

Yael

As a Hebrew name, this is classic. Heck, it's vintage! That said, it's due a huge revival.

The name is traditionally pronounced 'yah-el' but can be pronounced 'yay-l' also. The name means 'to ascend', so if you're looking for something a little uplifting then this is it. It's a Hebrew name made famous by Yael Stone from Orange is the New Black and theatre director Yael Farber. The name is mentioned in the Bible but has remained somewhat under the radar. This is a strong name for a strong woman.

Alternative to the name: Yale, like the famous American university.