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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Harrington

There has been a significant rise in Game of Thrones inspired names being given to babies at the moment...

The name 'Khaleesi' is being given to baby girls left, right and centre. Other names have had some attention too but the problem with given a child a Game of Thrones name is the uncertainty of the fate of such a character. Many characters are killed off on the show. Why not step outside the show for another Game of Thrones inspired baby name?

Harrington, made particularly famous by Kit Harrington who plays Jon Snow, could be a really great name. There has been a rising trend of using surnames as first names for babies. Some other examples of this:

• Greyson
• Thatcher
• Cooper
• Murphy
• Anderson
• Slater
• Jackson

Harrison has been a very popular name in recent years so Harrington seems like a similar but cool alternative. 

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.

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.

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.