Updated Feb 03, 2024


Here are a few of our favorite unique boy names and unique girl names to help you pick a baby name for your peanut!

baby boy in bug pattern onesie

Finding the perfect name for your peanut is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. The options are just about endless. Zeroing in on the best name for your baby girl or baby boy may take time, but we have a tip. Get creative! Cute, unique girl names and uncommon boy names are special and will make your child shine.

When choosing a unique baby name, consider how it will represent your childโ€ฆforever. You may want to go for something one-of-a-kind. Perhaps you like a unique name that weโ€™ve heard before but is still relatively rare. There are plenty of factors to mull over before the baby arrives. From the origin to how you will spell it, your unique babyโ€™s name requires discussion. Hopefully, it doesnโ€™t lead to a debate!

You are about to create the best memories of your life. And it all starts with the name you choose for your baby. A unique baby name that you may not have considered before could wind up your favorite.

Keep in mind that there is a lot that goes into a name. Have patience while selecting and one will eventually stand out. These ideas and unique baby name suggestions will help you get started. Get your potential baby name list out and add to it!

Consider the Meaning/ Origin of Unique Girlโ€™s Names and Unique Boyโ€™s Names

What is in a name? Names have meanings, origins, and histories. If you look up a name online or in a baby name book, you will often see the nameโ€™s meaning and place of origin.

For example, the name Aria is simple and sweet. In Italian, an aria is a song. The Greek interpretation of the name Aria means โ€œlioness.โ€ This is considered a gender-neutral name in Persian, meaning โ€œnoble.โ€ No matter which meaning you go with, the name is strong, and it wonโ€™t go out of style.

Zuri is a Swahili girlโ€™s name that means โ€œbeautiful.โ€ Your baby girl can have a unique name that embodies everything about her.

How about Maverick for an uncommon baby boyโ€™s name? American in origin, the name Maverick means โ€œindependentโ€ and โ€œone who avoids conformity.โ€ย 

Read More >> 67 Gender Neutral Names: The Pros, Cons, & Considerations

What Will Your Babyโ€™s Initials Be?

Deciding upon an uncommon baby boy or baby girl name can be a challenge in itself. Now, also consider their initials particularly if you choose a middle name too.

Say if your last name is โ€œOโ€™Connell.โ€ The unique baby boy name, Ulysses may be on your โ€œTop 5โ€ list. But if his middle name is Frank, you wind up with โ€œU.F.O.โ€ as his initials. You may want to rethink your choice and go for something less celestial! Not to mention, Ulysses means โ€œto hate.โ€

While โ€œU.F.O.โ€ probably wonโ€™t be too traumatic, there are lots of initial combinations that can be questionable. Amity, for example, is a lovely unique baby girl name, meaning โ€œfriendshipโ€ in Old English. But if her middle name is Sharon and her last name is Smithโ€ฆsee where this is going?

If you plan on a unique name for your baby, pairing it with a more common middle name is a nice combination. Cadewyn is a gender-neutral unique baby name. The Welsh name means โ€œWhite Battle.โ€ Pair it with the middle name Beth for a girl or Jake for a boy. You may not want to have a middle name at all, especially if the first name is on the longer side.

Choose a Unique Baby Boy or Baby Girl Name of a Specific Descent

You can look to your family tree for baby name inspiration. If you have an African background, for example, Chiedza, a unique African baby girlโ€™s name, means โ€œlight.โ€

Here are more unique boy and girl names with their meanings that fit into this category:

Unique Boy Names (Descent/Nationality/Origin)
  1. Alfan โ€“ โ€œThe Artโ€ โ€“ German Origin
  2. Brannagh โ€“ โ€œBlack Ravenโ€ โ€“ Irish Origin
  3. Edek โ€“ โ€œGuardian of Propertyโ€ - Polish Origin
  4. Izel โ€“ โ€œOnly Oneโ€ โ€“ Mexican Origin
  5. Mitsuki โ€“ โ€œBeautiful Moonโ€ - Japanese Origin
Unique Girl Names (Descent/Nationality/Origin)
  1. Amulya โ€“ โ€œPricelessโ€ โ€“ German Origin
  2. Cesia โ€“ โ€œThe Moon. Heavenlyโ€ - Polish Origin
  3. Eiley โ€“ โ€œShining, Brilliantโ€ - Irish Origin
  4. Kiyomi โ€“ โ€œPurity, Beautifulโ€ - Japanese Origin
  5. Tepin โ€“ โ€œLittle Oneโ€ โ€“ Mexican Origin

baby girl blanket with floral pattern on bed

Turn to Places and Nature to Come Up with Your Unique Baby Name

Think of celebrities like Paris Hilton (meaning โ€œfrom Paris, Franceโ€ โ€“ Greek) and Dakota Fanning (meaning โ€œfriend, allyโ€ โ€“ Native American) who have names that are also places. Choose an uncommon baby boy or unique girl name that is also a place you love to visit or a name inspired by nature. You may even want to use the name of your hometown. Also, look at the world around you and find a name in nature.

Here are more unique baby names with their meanings that fit into this category:

Unique Boy Names (Places/Nature)
  1. Banyan โ€“ โ€œThe God Treeโ€ - Indian Origin
  2. Birk โ€“ โ€œBirch Treeโ€ - Scottish Origin
  3. Hudson โ€“ โ€œSon of the Huddโ€ - English Origin
  4. Rio โ€“ โ€œRiverโ€ โ€“ Spanish/Portuguese Origin
  5. York โ€“ โ€œYew Treeโ€ - Celtic Origin
Unique Girl Names (Places/Nature)
  1. Aspen โ€“ โ€œTrembling of Leavesโ€ โ€“ English Origin
  2. Calla โ€“ โ€œElegant Flowers, Most Beautifulโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  3. Eira โ€“ โ€œSnowโ€ - Welsh Origin
  4. Holland โ€“ โ€œRidge Landโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin
  5. Vegas โ€“ โ€œMeadowsโ€ - Spanish Origin

Go Biblical with Your Unique Baby Name

If you are seeking a religious name for your baby boy or girl, the Bible can be your go-to guide. Biblical names hold great significance. Choosing one of the unique biblical names makes it extra special. For instance, Elon Musk has become a household name - Elon meaning โ€œoak treeโ€ in Hebrew.ย 

Here are more unique baby names with their meanings that fit into this category:

Unique Boy Names (Biblical)
  1. Aram โ€“ โ€œHigh-Elevatedโ€ โ€“ Hebrew Origin
  2. Barnabas โ€“ โ€œSon of Consolationโ€ โ€“ Aramaic Origin
  3. Lemuel โ€“ โ€œDevoted to Godโ€ - Hebrew Origin
  4. Nicodemus โ€“ โ€œVictory of the Peopleโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  5. Zimri โ€“ โ€œMy Music, My Praiseโ€ โ€“ Hebrew Origin
Unique Girl Names (Biblical)
  1. Bethsheba โ€“ โ€œDaughter of an Oathโ€ - Hebrew Origin
  2. Drusilla โ€“ โ€œFruitful, Watered by the Dewโ€ โ€“ Latin Origin
  3. Jael โ€“ โ€œMountain Goatโ€ โ€“ Hebrew Origin
  4. Junia โ€“ โ€œYouthโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  5. Salome โ€“ โ€œPeaceโ€ โ€“ Aramaic Origin

Read More >> Are Gender Reveal Parties Still Relevant?ย 

Name Your Baby Boy or Girl Something Old-Fashioned/Vintage

Whatโ€™s old is new again! Unique names that used to be popular are resurfacing. Consider some of these โ€œoldies but goodies.โ€ Great Aunt Harriet (meaning โ€œestate rulerโ€, French) will be delighted to share her name with your newborn.

Unique Boy Names (Old-Fashioned)
  1. Arthur โ€“ โ€œTo Bearโ€ - Celtic Origin
  2. Elmer โ€“ โ€œNoble, Famousโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin
  3. Franklin โ€“ โ€œFreemanโ€ โ€“ English Origin
  4. Lloyd โ€“ โ€œGrayโ€ - Welsh Origin
  5. Silvester โ€“ โ€œOf the Woods, Forestโ€ โ€“ Roman/Latin Origin
Unique Girl Names (Old-Fashioned)
  1. Agatha โ€“ โ€œGoodโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  1. Dolores โ€“ โ€œSorrowโ€ - Spanish Origin
  2. Ethel โ€“ โ€œNobleโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin
  3. Gladys โ€“ โ€œCountryโ€ โ€“ Welsh Origin
  4. Winifred โ€“ โ€œFair, Peaceโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin

Unique Baby Name with a Common Nickname

Get the best of both worlds when you choose a unique baby name with a popular nickname. These unique baby boy and baby girl names can be shortened for simplicity:

Unique Baby Boy Names/ Common Nickname
  1. Alastair (Al) โ€“ โ€œDefender of the Peopleโ€ - Scottish Origin
  2. Benaiah (Ben) โ€“ โ€œBuilt by Godโ€ โ€“ Hebrew Origin
  3. Dansby (Dan/Danny) โ€“ โ€œFrom the Farmstead of the Danesโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin
  4. Jovan (Joe/ Joey) โ€“ โ€œGod is Graciousโ€ โ€“ Slavic Origin
  5. Nicanor (Nick) โ€“ โ€œVictory of the Peopleโ€ - Greek Origin
Unique Baby Girl Names/ Common Nickname
  1. Alodie (Ali) โ€“ โ€œWealthyโ€ - French Origin
  2. Amethyst (Amy) โ€“ โ€œAgainst Intoxicationโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  3. Maisha (May/Missy) โ€“ โ€œLifeโ€ โ€“ African Origin
  4. Patience (Pat/Patty) โ€“ โ€œAct of Being Patientโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin
  5. Wenhui (Wendy) โ€“ โ€œLiterature, Writingโ€ - Japanese Origin
baby boy blanket with car pattern in mom's arms

The Top Baby Boy and Baby Girl Names of 2021

If you are looking for a unique name, steer clear from these top baby names.ย  While they are all beautiful names, your child wonโ€™t be the only one in class named Olivia or Noah. BabyCenterโ€™s rankings list is out, with Olivia at the top for baby girls and Liam as the most popular for baby boys.

Rounding out the top 3 for girls itโ€™s Olivia, Emma, and Amelia. And for the boys, they list Noah, Liam, and Oliver. Perhaps you can use one of these top baby names as your childโ€™s middle name, paired with an uncommon first name, as suggested earlier.

Take a Cue from the Celebrity Kidsโ€™ World

There are many celebrities whoโ€™ve named their children something off the beaten path. Would you do it too?

  1. Apple โ€“ โ€œAppleโ€ โ€“ (Parents: Actress, Businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow and Musician Chris Martin)
  2. Blue Ivy โ€“ โ€œThe Color Blue/ Sadโ€ โ€“ American (Parents: Musician, Actress Beyonce and Musician Jay-Z)
  3. Bronx โ€“ โ€œBronxโ€™s Land โ€“ American (Parents: Musician, Actress Ashlee Simpson and Musician Pete Wentz)
  4. Denim โ€“ โ€œStrong Clothโ€ โ€“ French (Parents: Musician, Actress Toni Braxton and Musician Keri Lewis)
  5. Genesis โ€“ โ€œBirthโ€ โ€“ Latin (Parents: Musician Alicia Keys and Musician Swizz Beats)
  6. Maple โ€“ โ€œPiece of Clothโ€ โ€“ (Parents: Actor Jason Bateman and Actress Amanda Anka)
  7. Northโ€“ โ€œGeographical Directionโ€ - English (Parents: Television and Media Personality, Businesswoman Kim Kardashian and Musician Kanye (โ€œYeโ€) West)
  8. Sparrow - โ€œSmall Bird in the Finch Familyโ€ โ€“ English (Parents: Actress, Television Personality Nicole Richie and Musician Joel Madden)
  9. Story โ€“ โ€œDweller by Large and Rough Waterโ€ โ€“ Viking (Parents: Actress Jenna Elfman and Actor/Producer Bodhi Elfman)
  10. Sunday โ€“ โ€œBorn on Sundayโ€ โ€“ American (Parents: Actress Nicole Kidman and Musician Keith Urban)

More Unique Cute Baby Girl and Baby Boy Names and Meanings

More Unique Baby Boy Names
  1. Advik โ€“ โ€œUnequalled, Unique, Exclusiveโ€ - Hindu Origin
  2. Anders โ€“ โ€œBraveโ€ โ€“ Scandinavian Origin
  3. Asher โ€“ โ€œHappy One, Fortunateโ€ - Hebrew Origin
  4. Axl โ€“ โ€œFather of Peaceโ€ โ€“ Scandinavian/German/ Hebrew Origin
  5. Bowie โ€“ โ€œYellow-Hairedโ€ โ€“ Irish Origin
  6. Briggs โ€“ โ€œBridgesโ€ โ€“ Old English Origin
  7. Colter โ€“ โ€œColt Herderโ€ โ€“ English Origin
  8. Delancy โ€“ โ€œCreative and Uniqueโ€ - French Origin
  9. Ezekiel โ€“ โ€œGod Will Strengthenโ€ โ€“ Hebrew Origin
  10. Ford โ€“ โ€œRiver Crossingโ€ โ€“ English Origin
  11. Grady โ€“ โ€œNobleโ€ - Irish Origin
  12. Jasper โ€“ โ€œBrings Treasureโ€ โ€“ Persian Origin
  13. Jenson โ€“ โ€œGod is Graciousโ€ โ€“ Hebrew Origin
  14. Leland โ€“ โ€œMeadow Landโ€ - English Origin
  15. Percival โ€“ โ€œPierce Valleyโ€ โ€“ French Origin
  16. Rhett โ€“ โ€œAdviceโ€ โ€“ Dutch/English Origin
  17. Ronin โ€“ โ€œWell-Advised Rulerโ€ โ€“ German Origin
  18. Ryker โ€“ โ€œRichโ€ โ€“ German Origin
  19. Tanner โ€“ โ€œLeather Workerโ€ - English Origin
  20. Zain โ€“ โ€œHandsomeโ€ โ€“ Arabic Origin
More Unique Baby Girl Names
  1. Aino โ€“ โ€œUnique, The Only Oneโ€ โ€“ Finnish Origin
  2. Alora โ€“ โ€œThe Lord is My Lightโ€ โ€“ Hebrew (Also means โ€œMy Dreamโ€ โ€“ African) Origin
  3. Andromeda โ€“ โ€œRuler of Menโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  4. Blossom โ€“ โ€œBloom, Flowerโ€ โ€“ English Origin
  5. Cleo โ€“ โ€œGloryโ€ - English Origin
  6. Cressida โ€“ โ€œGoldโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  7. Delta โ€“ โ€œBorn Fourthโ€ - Greek Origin
  8. Farren โ€“ โ€œAdventurousโ€ โ€“ English Origin
  9. Goldie โ€“ โ€œMade of Goldโ€ - English Origin
  10. Juniper โ€“ โ€œYoungโ€ โ€“ Latin Origin
  11. Kenna โ€“ โ€œFire Born, Good-Lookingโ€ โ€“ Irish/American Origin
  12. Liberty โ€“ โ€œFreedomโ€ - American Origin
  13. Linnea โ€“ โ€œLime Treeโ€ โ€“ Scandinavian Origin
  14. Mylah โ€“ โ€œSoldierโ€ - English Origin
  15. Oceana โ€“ โ€œFrom the Seaโ€ โ€“ Greek Origin
  16. Paisley โ€“ โ€œChurch, Patternโ€ โ€“ Scottish Origin
  17. Poppy โ€“ โ€œRed Flowerโ€ โ€“ Latin Origin
  18. Riya โ€“ โ€œSingerโ€ โ€“ Sanskrit Origin
  19. Seren โ€“ โ€œStarโ€ โ€“ Welsh Origin
  20. Taya โ€“ โ€œYoung, Valley Fieldโ€ โ€“ Japanese Origin

Additional Unique Baby Naming Tips

Get used to it

You may have a unique baby name in mind. Before making a commitment, โ€œpracticeโ€ using the name. Write it down. How does it look? Say it out loud. How does it sound along with the name(s) of their sibling(s)?

Get feedback

Share your unique baby name with people you trust. If you value their opinion, they will provide constructive feedback. Of course, what you name your baby is your decision, but getting othersโ€™ reactions can be valuable.

Spell a common name in a unique way

You can be unique in your own way by spelling a more popular name in an uncommon way. For example, the name Jennifer can be spelled โ€œJennipher.โ€ Lisa can be โ€œLeesa.โ€ Change Melissa to โ€œMelysa.โ€ Keep in mind that your child may have to correct people who misspell their name in the future.

Name your baby after someone special
You may have a former teacher who changed your life. Perhaps you can name your baby after a relative to keep the family tradition alive. A characterโ€™s name from a book youโ€™ve read may stand out. If any of these names are unique, they may be in the running.

Think about your favorite stars

These actors, musicians, models, and other famous people below have uncommon names. You may love one of these 30 names for your baby. Unique names for boys and girls arenโ€™t just for celebrities.

  1. Alanis (Morissette)
  2. Ashton (Kutcher)
  3. Busy (Phillips)
  4. Charlize (Theron)
  5. Cher
  6. Coco (Rocha)
  7. Colbie (Caillat)
  8. Drake
  9. Eboni (K. Williams)
  10. Forest (Whitaker)
  11. Halle (Berry)
  12. January (Jones)
  13. Jewel
  14. Kanye (West)
  15. Kendall (Jenner)
  16. KeKe (Palmer)
  17. Niall (Horan)
  18. Rami (Malek)
  19. Rebel (Wilson)
  20. Sanaa (Lathan)
  21. Scout (Willis) โ€“ P.S. โ€“ Weโ€™ve got a Posh Peanut Scout collection that is as cute as can be!
  22. Selita (Ebanks)
  23. Shania (Twain)
  24. Shia (LaBeouf)
  25. Sterling (K. Brown)
  26. Taye (Diggs)
  27. Tiger (Woods)
  28. Tilda (Swinton)
  29. Uma (Thurman)
  30. Zayn (Malik)

Final thoughts

These baby unique names and ideas will inspire you to think of something exceptional. When you are bold enough to think outside the box, your babyโ€™s name wonโ€™t be forgotten!

Did you give your baby a unique name? What are your favorite names for boys and girls?

Be sure to catch up on all of the new items in the shop dropping weekly! Want to continue the conversation? Join our V.I.P. Mamas group here. Be sure to follow Posh Peanut on Instagram and Facebook for the latest product releases, to enter giveaways and be the first to know about upcoming sales events!

Editors Note: This post was originally published May 19, 2020, and has been completely updated and revamped for accuracy and comprehensiveness.ย 

Joshua Tomas

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.