If you think about it, it’s easy to understand why people love animal names for babies. First of all, everyone has a strong mental association when we hear an animal name; Wren is delicate and cheery, Otter is playful and resourceful, Wolf is the strong, tough leader of the pack.

Secondly, they have the distinct advantage of being unique names that are also easy to spell and pronounce, which can be rare. Many unique names are super cool, but doom the bearer to a lifetime of correcting people (looking at you, Joaquin and Saoirse). Animal baby names are not mainstream enough that your kid will have a Bear in every class, but they’re also widely recognizable enough that most people (English speakers, anyway) will have no trouble saying or spelling them. Truly the baby naming sweet spot!

Thunder, George, and Jupiter now join a generation that already includes Powerful Queen, Lyra Antarctica, Buddy Dessert, X Æ A-12, and Raddix Madden. And all of them are part of a pack that stretches back to the likes of Moon Unit Zappa (the daughter of the late musician Frank Zappa), showing us just how ahead of the curve Hollywood kids have been for generations now.

Choosing a name for your child can be a thrill, especially if you get creative with it (although we do advise steering clear of naming your babies Covid and Corona. Yikes). But it can also be overwhelming — the name will follow your little for the rest of their life. Plus, when it comes to names, everyone seems to have an opinion.

The good news? Baby names are constantly changing and evolving, which means you have a lot of options out there. And luckily for us regular folks, celebs tend to be major pioneers in choosing truly out-there baby names people love to discuss — plus unusual names that are just super-cool and avant-garde.

And hey, there’s no shame in getting some baby-name inspo from Celebland and stashing it away for your own kids (whether they’re currently gestating or just imagined in your distant future). If you started considering fruit names after Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple or ran through all the colors of the rainbow when Beyoncé named her daughter Blue, we won’t judge.

For every beyond-weird celebrity baby name out there, there’s another one that’s just wacky and cool and beautiful enough, we might even pick it for our own kids. You decide which is which ahead.

A version of this article was originally published in August 2016. 

Of course, we realize that Christmas comes but once a year — we still have to get through the other eleven months — which is why these baby names run the gamut in terms of how obviously holiday-themed they are. Some are more obvious than others (“I bet you’re a December baby, aren’t you, Noelle?”) while some are Christmas-inspired only by their meanings, which aren’t obvious at all. So no matter how all-out you want to go, we’ve got a Christmas baby name for you on this (nice) list.

Santa’s checking names this time of year, so put on your Christmas PJs, grab a cup of cocoa with a candy cane garnish, and do the same!

Rich girl names are related to the “old money” aesthetic, but they’re a bit different; while old money names tend to be a little more understated and classic, rich girl names have a more obviously-affluent vibe. They’re the names of the girls everybody secretly wishes they could trade lives with. Preppy, polished, and posh, they make a statement — and that statement is “I’m getting a massage after my tennis lesson.”

So it’s no wonder that the beauty of ballet has spilled over into pop culture in the form of the “balletcore” aesthetic: an enchanting blend of grace and elegance. It’s a fashion movement that captures the essence of the dance form, translating its poise and artistry into a look that’s wearable for everyday life. Balletcore embodies the fluidity and movement of ballet, with soft, flowing fabrics like chiffon, silk, and satin taking center stage. Think delicate and fluttery skirts, the soft drape of a wrap sweater, ballet flats. And like other aesthetics — Dark Academia and Old Money, to name a couple — Balletcore isn’t just limited to fashion. You can find the ballet vibe in decor, and yes: even baby names.

@cherieheartss

ballet>>>>#lolitas_worlds #oldmoney #ballet

♬ оригинальный звук – rosalietwi

But though ballet baby names may sound graceful and elegant, they’re also an homage to the inherent power of ballet dancers. The world doesn’t give dancers nearly enough credit for their astonishing physical feats of absolute strength and unreal flexibility. Because they make it look so easy, we don’t stop often enough to appreciate how much athleticism ballet takes. A dancer’s body is sculpted by years of rigorous training and discipline. They endure stress fractures and shinsplints, blisters and sprains — meaning they literally put blood, sweat, and tears into their craft. They are tough, and what makes it so much more amazing is that they can be this tough and still seem like they’re weightless, effortless, floating, gliding.

These ballet baby names for both boys and girls capture the essence of a dancer: someone who represents the epitome of both beauty and strength in one artful, graceful package.

There are lots of reasons why someone might seek a specific letter to start their baby’s name. Maybe they want the first letter of the name to match the first letter of the last name. Maybe they want to honor a specific relative, but don’t want to use that person’s exact name. Or maybe they have other children whose names all start with that particular letter and they don’t want to deviate from the pattern. Whatever your reason, you’ve come here searching for names that start with the letter T — and we’ve got some very cute ones. You might even say they’re … totally terrific.

So we were instantly hooked when we saw a Reddit post titled, “What are names that would be so good if they didn’t mean what they meant?”

“Mine are Calorie, Vaseline, Nivea, Chlorine, and Felony,” the Redditor said.

How hilarious is that? We see what they mean. Nivea would make a beautiful name. But most people wouldn’t want to give their kid the same name as a skincare brand (although FYI, 21 baby girls were given the name Maybelline in 2022, per data from the U.S. Social Security Administration).

Redditors were quick to join in on this game, giving the most support to the person who suggested “Chlamydia.” Because yes, it sounds beautiful. But do you really want to name your kid after an STD? Talk about naming a kid “Chlamydia” actually comes up a lot on Reddit.

“This is my daughter Chlamydia, she has been itching to meet you.”

Another person suggested “Malaria” on the new post. And on it went. “Hockey.” “Vendetta.” “Arrhythmia.” “Arson.” “Vigilante.” “Geneva (conventions).”

Yeah, those are tough. “Arson” would be really cute if it didn’t mean purposely setting a property on fire. And think of all the kids who would make the same dumb joke about if “Hockey” played the sport they’re named after?

This isn’t the first time Redditors have had this discussion. Seven years ago, a Redditor asked a similar question and said, “I think Lucifer is a pretty cool name but I’d obviously never name a child after the devil.”

People got just as invested, and the top name in the comments was “Isis.” There was also a lot of talk about “Jezebel.”

“Benito is a cool name, but I feel like Mussolini ruined it.”

It has also popped up on TikTok, with people pitching “Absinthe,” “Irony,” “Labia,” “Psoriasis,” “Eulogy,” and more.

And within the SheKnows offices, an informal poll came up with Vegan, Lanai, and Zipper. Hey, if Rihanna could use Riot, which obviously doesn’t have the most positive connotations, none of these are out of the realm of possibility!

All this said — as we’ve pointed out time and time again — you get to choose your baby’s name no matter what it means or what other people think. Unless you’re going with Cheelee, of course.

It’s no secret that being grateful for the people in your life leads to increased happiness and health, so why not pass that sentiment on to your baby? A gorgeous name that sets up your child for a peaceful life full of thanks is a total win-win.

Not sure you want a name that means thankful? There are other ways to give thanks while baby naming.

Are you grateful for specific members of your family or your heritage? Consider a baby name that pays tribute to someone in your family. If you name your child after a living relative, it’s one of the most touching ways to thank that individual for being part of your life. Naming your baby with a baby name from your family tree shows how thankful you are for those who came before you.

Be creative as you consider baby names that express gratitude. You can name your baby after something you’re thankful for, such as a nature name like Sky or Summer. You can name your baby after a sentiment you associate with gratitude, such as Joy or Serenity. The best part of naming your baby is that you get to make the rules. Choose a name that truly resonates with you.

Originally published October 2015. Updated November 2023.

From Maple to Rowan, here are a few autumn baby names to “fall” for.

If you’ve spent even a few minutes on #BookTok (or are just a bookworm in general), you’ve no doubt heard about the bestselling adult fantasy series that has been credited with reviving the entire genre: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — or ACOTAR, to those who are immersed in the universe. The five-book series follows the journey of mortal Feyre Archeron after she is brought into the faerie lands of Prythian for murdering a faerie, and the epic love story and fierce struggle that follows. Since the first book came out in 2015, it has become a cult favorite with a passionate fandom, inspiring a ton of fan fiction and art.

@miyasmind

i love this world so much, it’s like nothing else 🌌 #acotar #acotarseries #acotarbooks #acomaf #foryou #books #bookshelf #fantasybooktok

♬ my blood – stonyaudios

The series has also inspired the folks at Hulu, who are developing a live-action show that is anticipated to stick closely to the events in the books. It’s being co-created by Sarah J. Maas and screenwriter Ron Moore, who created the fantasy series Outlander — which was also based on a series of novels — and the remake of Battlestar Galactica. There’s no official word on when the series will air, but sources say it’s unlikely to hit the screen until 2025.

In the meantime, ACOTAR fans will just have to re-read the books and take the time to appreciate details they may have missed during their first go ’round. And one of our favorite details? The gorgeous names, of course! Maas has reportedly revealed that she draws inspiration from Welsh names — and since those are names like Rhiannon, Emir, and Catrin, it’s not hard to see why. The names of the female ACOTAR characters are beautiful, with just the right amount of magic mixed in, so we’ve listed some of our picks below, along with their meanings.

If you’re looking for a fantasy-inspired baby name for your little faerie, these are perfect. An ACOTAR girl name? Why not! People name their children after movie and book characters all the time. Fun fact: the 1984 movie Splash, starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, is credited with popularizing the name Madison (the name of the female lead) — which wasn’t even in the top 1000 most popular baby names before 1985, then skyrocketed as high as #2. And the name Arya is another perfect example; after Game of Thrones and one of its main characters, Arya Stark,  aired in 2011, it went from ranking in the 900s to shooting all the way up to its peak at #92. So choosing an ACOTAR baby name isn’t so unusual!

If you’re not committed to using the exact names from the series, though, don’t worry; we’ve included a few similar alternative options for each ACOTAR girl name, so you can still celebrate your love for the books — just more subtly.

Looking for a baby name that's elegant yet edgy? Dive into the world of dark academia. https://t.co/ACOXJ3Op5o

— SheKnows (@SheKnows) October 28, 2023

So if you’re seeking a name that will convey a friendly, upbeat, and cheery disposition, these cute baby names are just the ticket. Though each one is perfect on its own, many of them are diminutives of longer names, so your child can have a more formal option if they decide later on down the road that a “cute” name is just not the vibe.

Short and sweet, these names are easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and fit right into the modern baby naming landscape. But don’t worry — they’re not overly cute, like Bunny or Minnie; you wouldn’t want to saddle your child with a name that no one would ever take seriously (at least not upon first impression!). Cute baby names should be convivial and happy-sounding, but not like they might belong on your favorite cartoon character.

Ahead, we’ve compiled some of the cutest baby names we could find — boys, girls, and gender-neutral options too!