Some parents gravitate to traditional names like Elizabeth, Sarah, John, William, and Noah. Others love popular baby names like Ava, Aiden, Amelia, Oliver, Olivia, Asher, and Liam. These can all make wonderful name choices for your baby. But some parents seek more unusual or creative names. Creative names can be inspired by just about anything, from a favorite city, color, language, flower, season, or landmark to a beloved book, word, culture, or character.

Some unique names are actually traditional names that simply fell out of favor, such as Myrtle, Henrietta, Walter, Edmund, or Ethel. Or you might flip expectations by giving your baby a name that’s traditionally a nickname, such as Sadie, Hank, or Mac. Alternatively, you might consider spelling your child’s name in a unique way, using a last name as a first name, or combining two names into one.

Other choices are words that aren’t traditionally used as names, such as Apple, Kai, Summer, or Blaze. The point is, anything can be a name for your baby. All that matters is if it sounds right to you. So, let your imagination run wild as you consider possible creative names for your little one. As you look through these creative baby names, realize that many can be unisex names, so you don’t need to be limited by traditional ideas of gendered names.

Let this creative name list be your starting point as you brainstorm possible names for your baby.

Creative Names

  • AnakinAngelBlazeBrooklynCairoDestinyIslaJaggerJourneyJusticeNovaOrionPaisleyRyderZaire

Anais

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Grace
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Anaïs, Anaís, Anna
  • Famous Namesakes: Writer Anaïs Nin, singer Anaís Martínez
  • Peak Popularity: Anais broached the Social Security Administration’s list of the top 1000 baby names in 2003 at 991. The name has made the list several more times in the past 20 years, including at 912 in 2020.

Anakin

  • Origin: Germanic, BritishMeaning: WarriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: AnnakinFamous Namesakes: Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) of the “Star Wars” franchisePeak Popularity: This name is historically a family surname; however, Hollywood launched it into the top 1000 first names in 2014 at 956. In 2020, Anakin had reached 704.

Angel

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Messenger
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Angelo, Angela, Angelica, Angelina
  • Famous Namesakes: Comic book artist Angel Medina, soccer player Angel Gomez, and Angel on the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”
  • Peak Popularity: Angel is a consistently popular choice for baby boys but is also often used for girls. In 2000, it was ranked 67 for boys. In 2020, the name was in spot 76. For girls, it’s become a bit less common, going from 119 in 2000 to 440 in 2020.

Apple

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: sweet, fruitFamous Namesakes: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple MartinPeak Popularity: Apple is not on the list of the top 1000 baby names.

Arrow

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: straight and swift
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Arro, Aaro
  • Famous Namesakes: Superhero Green Arrow on “Arrow”
  • Peak Popularity: This name has yet to make the top 1000 most popular names list.

Aziz

  • Origin: Arabic
  • Meaning: Strong, powerful, darling
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aziza, Azeez
  • Famous Namesakes: Soccer player Azeez Abu, singer Aziz Azion, comedian Aziz Ansari
  • Peak Popularity: Aziz is not on the list of the 1000 most popular names.

Bear

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Fierce protector, strong, braveFamous Namesakes: Bear Grylls, Alicia Silverstone’s son Bear Blu JarekiPeak Popularity: Bear is an uncommon name that hasn’t make the list of top 1000 names.

Blaze

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Flame, FireFamous Namesakes: Singer Blaze Bayley, poet Blaže KoneskiPeak Popularity: The name has been in the top 1000 baby names since the year 2000, and currently ranks at 852.

Bowie

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Blond
  • Famous Namesakes: Musician David Bowie, actor Bowie Lam, hockey player Bowie William “Bo” Horvat
  • Peak Popularity: Bowie made it into the top 1000 baby names once in the last 20 years. In 2018, the name ranked 984.

Brooklyn

  • Origin: Dutch
  • Meaning: Broken land, near a brook
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Brooke, Brooklynn
  • Famous Namesakes: Photographer Brooklyn Beckham, actress Brooklyn Decker
  • Peak Popularity: Brooklyn is a popular baby name inspired by Brooklyn, New York. It was at its peak popularity of 21 in 2011. In 2020, it ranked 54.

Byron

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Cowshed, barnFamous Namesakes: Writer Lord ByronPeak Popularity: Byron has been a fairly common name for decades but its popularity has fallen off a bit in recent years. In 2000, it was 439. In 2020, it ranked 785.

Cairo

  • Origin: ArabicMeaning: VictoriousAlternative Spellings & Variations: KairoFamous Namesakes: Cairo Mowry-Hardrict, daughter of actors Tia Mowry and Cory HardrictPeak Popularity: This name entered the top 1000 baby names in 2015 at 942, and has continued rising in popularity. In 2020, it was ranked 346.

Calliope

  • Origin: GreekMeaning: Beautifully voicedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Calli, KalliopeFamous Namesakes: Calliope, the muse and Greek goddess of music, song, and dancePeak Popularity: Calliope is a name that’s growing in popularity. In 2016, it entered the top 1000 names at 939. By 2020, it had reached 691.

Calypso

  • Origin: GreekMeaning: She who hidesFamous Namesakes: Singer Calypso Rose, actress Calypso ValoisPeak Popularity: While not in the top 1000 names, Calypso is a well-known name due to popular knowledge of the island nymph Calypso from Greek mythology.

Cinder

  • Origin: Old English, German
  • Meaning: Smoldering ashes
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cynder, Cinderella
  • Famous Namesakes: Cinder of the novel “Cinder,” by Marissa Meyer
  • Peak Popularity: Cinder is not in the top 1000 names.

Destiny

  • Origin: English, Latin
  • Meaning: fate, fortune
  • Famous Namesakes: Track and field athlete Destiny Carter, singer Destiny Clark, American all-girl singing group Destiny’s Child
  • Peak Popularity: Destiny has fallen from its recent peak at 22 in 2001 to 351 in 2020.

Eagle

  • Origin: Latin, FrenchMeaning: honorable, powerful, visionaryFamous Namesakes: American independent filmmaker Eagle Pennell, Pawnee chief White Eagle.Peak Popularity: More common as a family surname, Eagle is a rarely given first name.

Eiffel

  • Origin: GermanMeaning: From the Eifel mountains in GermanyAlternative Spellings & Variations: EifelFamous Namesakes: Gustave Eiffel of Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower famePeak Popularity: Eiffel is an unusual name that isn’t in the top 1000 names.

Elvis

  • Origin: ScandinavianMeaning: All wiseFamous Namesakes: Iconic singer Elvis Presley, singer Elvis Costello, figure skater Elvis StojkoPeak Popularity: The name Elvis has dropped in popularity from a ranking of 593 in 2000 to 904 in 2011. Since then, it hasn’t been in the top 1000 names.

Ever

  • Origin: AmericanMeaning: AlwaysFamous Namesakes: Ever Carradine - American actress and daughter of actor Robert Carradine, son of American singer Alanis Morissette.Peak Popularity: Ever does not rank in the top 1000 baby names.

Fox

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: cunning, playfulFamous Namesakes: Fox Mulder of “The X Files,” journalist Fox ButterfieldPeak Popularity: Fox broached the top 1000 names in 2016 at 747. Since then, it’s fallen a bit, ranking 916 in 2020.

Holiday

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Holy dayAlternative Spellings & Variations: Holyday, HollidayFamous Namesakes: Singer Billie Holiday, American actress Holiday HadleyPeak Popularity: Holiday does not rank in the top 1000 names.

Indigo

  • Origin: Greek, LatinMeaning: deep blue-purple dye extracted from the Indigo plant found in IndiaAlternative Spellings & Variations: IndygoFamous Namesakes: Indigo Samara Phillips, daughter of actor Lou Diamond PhillipsPeak Popularity: Indigo is an uncommon name that doesn’t rank in the top 1000.

Isla

  • Origin: ScottishPronunciation: EYE-laMeaning: Isla is a river in Scottland, and the Isle of Islay is a Scottish islandFamous Namesakes: Actress Isla Lang FisherPeak Popularity: Isla is an increasingly popular name. In 2008, it jumped into the most popular name list at 623. By 2020, it had skyrocketed to 44.

Jagger

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Carter, pedalerFamous Namesakes: Rock star Mick Jagger, son of American Actress Soleil Moon FryePeak Popularity: Jagger is a moderately popular name. In 2001, it ranked 661, its first time making the chart. In 2020, Jagger had fallen a bit to 718.

Journey

  • Origin: American, EnglishMeaning: Going from one place to another, a day’s timeAlternative Spellings & Variations: JourneeFamous Namesakes: The rock band Journey, Journey River Green, son of actress Megan Fox and actor Brian Austin GreenPeak Popularity: The name Journey has been on a tear, going from 940 in 2001 to 298 in 2020.

Justice

  • Origin: Latin, EnglishMeaning: Just, righteousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Justyce, JustusFamous Namesakes: Dancer Justice Domingo, football player Justice Cunningham, actor Justice LeakPeak Popularity: Justice has remained a solidly used name for the past 20 years. In 2000, it was at 545, and in 2020, it was ranked 575.

Kenji

  • Origin: JapaneseMeaning: Vigorous, intelligent second sonFamous Namesakes: Soccer player Kenji Fukuda, photographer Kenji Ishiguro, anime director Kenji KamiyamaPeak Popularity: Kenji is a name to watch. It just appeared in the most popular names rankings in 2020, at position 904.

Liberty

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: FreedomAlternative Spellings & Variations: LibbyFamous Namesakes: Model Liberty Ross, actress Liberty Phoenix, the Statue of LibertyPeak Popularity: Liberty consistently ranks in the top 1000 names. In 2020, 436 babies received this name and it was ranked 653, up from 747 in 2000.

Matisse

  • Origin: Greek, FrenchMeaning: Gift of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Mathis, MatthiasFamous Namesakes: Artist Henri Matisse, daughter of cricket player Ricky Ponting, Matisse Ellie Ponting, ballerina Matisse LovePeak Popularity: Matisse is an unusual name that doesn’t rank in the top 1000.

Neo

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: Gift, newAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nio or short for NeopolitanFamous Namesakes: Neo in “The Matrix,” German artist Neo Rauch.Peak Popularity: This name is not in the top 1000 names for any year starting with 2000.

Nola

  • Origin: IrishMeaning: Fair shoulderAlternative Spellings & Variations: shortened form of Finola or MagnoliaFamous Namesakes: New Zealand sprinter Nola Bond, NOLA is shorthand for New Orleans, LAPeak Popularity: Nola is gaining in popularity, surging from 917 in 2000 to 553 in 2020.

Nova

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: NewAlternative Spellings & Variations: NovahFamous Namesakes: Badminton player Nova Widianto, entrepreneur Nova SpivackPeak Popularity: Nova has seen a spectacular rise in usage, jumping from 886 in 2011 to 38 in 2020.

Orion

  • Origin: GreekMeaning: Hunter, Rising in the skyAlternative Spellings & Variations: OryonFamous Namesakes: Politician Orion Clemens, actor Orion Ben, pianist Orion WeissPeak Popularity: This name has been growing in popularity, going from 552 in 2000 to 326 in 2020.

Paisley

  • Origin: ScottishMeaning: A town in Scottland, a curved feather shaped fabric patternFamous Namesakes: Country musician Brad Paisley, Hong Kong singer Paisley WuPeak Popularity: This name has seen a huge spike. Paisley first joined the top 1000 names in 2006 at 827 and reached at the rank of 50 in 2020.

Palace

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: A grand homePeak Popularity: Palace is a rare name that is not on the top 1000 name list.

Phoenix

  • Origin: GreekMeaning: Dark red color, immortalityFamous Namesakes: Phoenix, the mythic bird that’s perpetually reborn, actor Joaquin Phoenix, actor Phoenix List, actress Phoenix BestPeak Popularity: Pheonix is not in the top 1000 most popular names.

Rainbow

  • Origin: Old EnglishMeaning: Symbol of hope, God’s promiseFamous Namesakes: Rainbow Johnson on the TV show “Black-ish,” author Rainbow RowellPeak Popularity: Rainbow is a rarely used name that isn’t in the top 1000.

Ryder

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Horseman, warriorFamous Namesakes: Writer Ryder Windham, cyclist Ryder HesjedalPeak Popularity: Ryder is becoming very popular. It zoomed from 797 in 2000 to 108 in 2020.

Sahara

  • Origin: ArabicMeaning: DesertFamous Namesakes: The Sahara Desert, politician Sahara KhatunPeak Popularity: Sahara is an unusual name that’s not ranked in the top 1000 names.

Satchel

  • Origin: AmericanMeaning: BagAlternative Spellings & Variations: Satchle, SatchieFamous Namesakes: Baseball player Satchel Paige, creative director Satchel LeePeak Popularity: Satchel is not among the most commonly used names in the United States.

Seven

  • Origin: African, Hebrew, AmericanMeaning: perfection, completenessFamous Namesakes: Singer Erykah Badu’s son Seven Sirius, Seven Carter in “The Hate U Give"Peak Popularity: Seven broached the top 1000 baby names in 2019 at a rank of 1000. In 2020, it had moved up a bit to 927.

Sparkle

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: To shine brightly, glistenFamous Namesakes: Sparkle Edwards, the stage name of singer Stephanie EdwardsPeak Popularity: Sparkle is a rarely used name that hasn’t made the top 1000 names.

Sparrow

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Sparrow, small birdFamous Namesakes: Sparrow Madden, son of actress Nicole Richie and musician Joel MaddenPeak Popularity: Sparrow is not on the list of the top 1000 names.

Storm

  • Origin: German, Dutch, EnglishMeaning: Raging wind or weatherFamous Namesakes: Music video director Storm ThorgersonPeak Popularity: The name does not rank on the most popular baby name list.

Sunshine

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Warmth, light, life-sustainingAlternative Spellings & Variations: SunnyFamous Namesakes: R&B singer Sunshine Anderson, actor Lloyd Olen “Sunshine” ParkerPeak Popularity: Sunshine has not made it onto the list of top used baby names.

Valen

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: Healthy, strongPronounciation: with a short ‘a’, rhymes with gallonAlternative Spellings & Variations: Valon, Valentine, Valentin, Valencia, ValentinaFamous Namesakes: Cyclist Anita ValenPeak Popularity: This unusual name is not found on the top 1000 baby names list.

Wolf

  • Origin: GermanMeaning: Fiercely protective, social, ambitiousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Wolfgang, Wolff, Wolfen, Wolfe, WulfFamous Namesakes: TV newscaster Wolf Blitzer, painter Wolf Kahn, screenwriter Wolf MankowitzPeak Popularity: Wolf is not in the most popular baby name rankings.

Yennifer

  • Origin: WelshMeaning: White fairyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jennifer, GwyniferFamous Namesakes: Yennefer of Vengerberg on “The Witcher"Peak Popularity: Yennifer is an unusual name that does not rank in the top 1000 names.

Zaire

  • Origin: Bantu Meaning: A name that refers to the Congo River and the surrounding region in Africa now called the Democratic Republic of Congo. The River has been called ’the river that swallows all rivers.‘Alternative Spellings & Variations: ZayreFamous Namesakes: Zaire Blessing Wade, the daughter of basketball star Dwyane WadePeak Popularity: This unisex name is growing in popularity and has been in the top 1000 names for most of the past two decades. In 2000, it ranked 798, and by 2020, it had reached 522.

Fun Fact: “Star Wars” filmmaker George Lucas is credited with creating the given name Anakin for his character Anakin Skywalker. He based the name on his friend, director Ken Annakin’s last name.

Fun fact: You can ponder your favorite foods to come up with more delicious baby name ideas, such as Plum, Peaches, Cookie, Melon, or Kiwi.

Fun Fact: Creative names can be mined from evocative words like Blaze that embody traits you wish to bestow on your child. Other ideas include Flame, Power, Titan, Glory, Dazzle, Patience, and Beauty.

Fun Fact: Baby name inspiration can be found in myths from across history and the world. Ideas include Thor, Aphrodite, Atina, Blue Jay, Zeus, Breathmaker, Osiris, Idun, Loki, or Horus.

Fun Fact: The character Cinder in the book “Cinder” is based on Cinderella. But in this 2012 twist on the classic fairy tale, Cinder is an orphaned mechanic cyborg with extraordinary powers and strength that she discovers as the series unfolds.

Fun Fact: There are many names for eagles that could also be used for baby names. These include Polly, Ivette, Clyde, Adler, and Sammie.

Fun fact: Other names related to special days or times of year include Noelle, Summer, Winter, Autumn, Valentine, Valentina, Pasqua, and Solstice.

Fun Fact: In Sanskrit, the name Jagger means strong and loyal.

Fun Fact: Another name to consider from the hit movie “The Matrix” is Trinity, a skilled hacker and rebellion leader. She’s also Neo’s love interest in the film.

Fun Fact: In Greek mythology, Orion is the god of hunting and son of Poseidon. Orion is also the name of a constellation of stars.

Fun Fact: Palace can also mean a home for royalty. This fits in with a growing trend of using regal names, such as Prince, Queen, Baron, Duke, or Royal.

Fun Fact: The name Seven was first popularized in an episode of the hit show “Seinfeld” when George announced it was his favorite baby name.

Fun Fact: In a similar vein to Sparkle, you might choose other upbeat words like Dazzle, Zest, Joy, or Shine for your baby’s name.

Fun Fact: Evocative of wind, adventure, and extreme weather, Storm is a popular choice for boys in Sweden and Denmark.

Fun Fact: Like many fantasy books and shows, “The Witcher” is rife with creative names, including Geralt, Cirilla, Triss, Dara, and Jaskier.