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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Aradia

Aradia (ah-rah-dee-ahh) is a beautiful name with a feminine yet strong twirl.

In classic literature Aradia is seen as the daughter of Diana, the Goddess of Hunting and the Forest realms. The name is popular with Neo-Pagans and modern parents. Aradia is a sunny name for a bold girl.

August Unique Baby Name Round Up: A List

Hello readers!

Every month we put together a list of ten baby names that we're loving right now and share them with you. In doing so, we hope to offer up a platter of cool and uncommon baby names.

If you choose one of these names for your baby tweet us and let us know the name you chose!

1. Bijou (f) This is the name of a precious little girl. 'Bijou' in French means jewellery. This is the name for a person with a sparkling personality. 
2. Ember (unisex) This is a warm name. It's fiery. It glows.
3. Byron (m) For any poetry fans out there, Byron is a strong and dramatic name that reeks of poetry and great nature landscapes. 
4. Leilani (f) This name has a sweet, tropical vibe with plenty of floral fun.
5. Ciaran (m) This is a Scottish or Gaelic name meaning 'dark one' and could be a great name for the child of someone tall, dark and handsome. 
6. Callista (f) This is the name for a beautiful child. It's very feminine and quite summery. It can be shortened to Callie.
7. Demeter (m) This could be a great name for an earthy child who cares for the Earth.
8. Marianna (f) A combination of the names Mary and Anne, this is a wonderful alternative to more common names. Sure, we've met people called Mary, Anne, Maria Anna and so on. A Marianna is far more rare.
9. Lance (m) This French name is fit for a knight. This is a child who was born ready to fight. 
10. Emmeranne (f) This is a truly rare name that combines names like Emily/Emma/Emmy and Anne. You can shorten this so many ways so it's really flexible for a child to grow into.

Tigerlily

The name 'Lily/Lilly' remains ever popular, often topping or sporting the top ten baby girl name charts.
Here, however, I shall offer an alternative.

For those of us who wanted to be children forever... let's wind back the clocks and fly over to Neverland as I suggest the name of Tigerlily. Sure, this is not a name for everyone but if you're a free, quirky name loving family then this could be the name for you. Tigerlily was the princess of the Native American tribe in the beloved children's book 'Peter Pan' by J.M Barrie. Tigerlilly is fresh and fun - Tigerlily was often involved in games with The Lost Boys. If you want a name that relives the spirit of youth, fun and play then Tigerlily could be the name for you...

Mina

Our name of the day is Mina. 

Mina is a name that became very popular as it was the name of the main female character in Dracula. It has, however, stayed out of the mainstream limelight and rarely hits baby name charts. This could be a simply but uncommon name for a girl. Mina is a great name that can easily translate into different countries, different languages, different cultures... What's not to love about this name? It's sweet and simple without being too 'girly' or flowery. It could be short for names like Wilhelmina, Carmina or Amina. 

Variations on the name/similar names: Mona, Marianna, Aminat, Nina, Meena, Mena, Meera, Mira, Minah.

Callix

Looking for a cute name for a baby boy?

Why not try Callix.
Other spellings: Calix, Callyx, Calyx. 

Some offered meanings of the name Callix are 'source of life' and 'very handsome' and it's a very uncommon name. You can bet there won't be any other kids called Callix in his class. This name, at present, is almost non existent in the US. It's very cute, like a more modern version of the name Callum, with with a more modern sound via the use of a hard 'x' on the end of the name. This could be a very cool, rock and roll kind of name for the right kid.