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

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

Jupiter

Although this name is almost unheard of now, it's gonna gain more popularity next year....

The name is unisex and references both the planet Jupiter and the Roman God of light and sky. It is a name that bares great strength. The name is set to see the spotlight in February around the release of the film 'Jupiter Ascending' about a young woman named Jupiter. She discovers that there is much more to the universe than Earth and is tied up in a plot to overthrow the Queen of the Universe. Jupiter, our quirky hero, is played by the lovable Mila Kunis. I'm hoping this inspires a bunch of Baby Jupiter's.

Matilda

This name is a classic with a real vintage feel....

Matilda is a name that many of you will associate with a brave, book loving girl who found that she had special powers. Yes, many of us know the story, but the name itself is gorgeous. It has fallen out of fashion in recent years in favour of other names but it's gorgeous and really malleable. You could shorten the name in many ways:

• Tilda
• Tilly
• Mati
• Matt

This name could reawaken the love of the childhood tale and give your child a really pretty name.

Magda

Having previously posted the name 'Margo', this is a similar name that I've not heard for a long time...

It most likely stems from the Biblical character of Mary Magdalene. This is a strong woman, a real pillar of support. Magda doesn't quite have the same religious connotations but could work well for either religious or non religious families. The name has a really strong feel to it.

Variations: Magdalena, Madeleine, Margo, Magdalen, Meghan, Megan.

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.

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.

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.