Cat Names That Mean Curious

Offbeat, under-the-radar choice to honor a Grandma Rosalie.

This is another example of a name propelled into usage by a celebrity. Prior to 2015, Jonael had only been given to more than 4 boys in a given year once; that year was 2004, when 6 boys in the US received the name. However, in 2015, Jonael Santiago won La Voz Kids, Telemundo's Spanish children's version of popular reality competition show The Voice. As a result, this name immediately entered the US Top 1000 at Number 919. We'll see if it continues to rise, or if this is just its fifteen minutes of fame.

Peabody is a quintessentially Waspy surname that your child won't thank you for -- either the pea part or the body part, or the meaning part.

For 007 fans, a great middle name choice -- or even a first.

Credit, of course, to the artist for inventing this secretive pseudonym, but we actually have Hilary Duff to thank for Banksy as a baby name. Banksy is Duff's nickname for her daughter Banks, born in 2018. Banksy debuted on the charts in 2020, when it was used for seven baby girls.

Heard in a sixties spy movie, The Quiller Memorandum, this uncommon occupational name has an offbeat charm.

People are likely to want to put that second - Cornell University inspired - L on the end of this name, when in fact it has a completely different etymology. This name is very popular in Romania though American public intellectural Cornel West and South African athlete Cornel Fredericks broadens its use beyond Eastern Europe.

A name used in Germany and Holland as a form of Jerome, it's the unlikely moniker of fictional detective Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch.

Popular choice for silvery pets.

A surname with more force than most.

Associated with the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates (often spelled Sokratis) is quite common in traditional Greek families, but for others, we think Plato (the name of his pupil) might be easier to handle for those wanting a philosopher-inspired choice.

Derived from Greek name Nike "victory", this name has been borne by many notable figures, from ancient times to the present day. It belonged to several early kings of Macedonia and to a 1st-century Catholic saint, Nicanor the Deacon, which accounts for its use in the Spanish-speaking world to this day.

Rousseau gives French flair to other red-haired names like Russell and Rory. It is associated with the influential eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as the painter Henri Rousseau.

Philosopher who advocated the simple life. A classical choice that's almost unused as a baby name.

Most graceful of the Raz names, relates to Graziella.

A cool and accessible Estonian name that feels very fresh in the English-speaking world. Raivo is likely a short form of Raimond, the Estonian translation of Raymond, but some sources claim it derives from the Old Estonian word raivo, meaning "fury" or "rage."

An ancient Roman family name, best known from the orator and author Marcus Tullius Cicero.

After daughters named Gravity Blue and Rumble Honey, we had a lot of expectations for the name of Lucky Blue Smith's third child. Luckily, he didn't disappoint when he named his son Slim Easy in 2022. The full name has been criticized, with commenters saying it sounds like a diuretic tea or diet pill. And we agree that the combination is too much. But in isolation, Easy has potential. With a carefree aura and accessible sound, Easy may be a celebrity baby name we grow to love.

Voltaire is the nom-de-plume of François-Marie Arouet, who became noted for his witty and satirical takes on enlightenment philosophy and Western society. Voltaire's most famous work, Candide, used satire as a vehicle to advocate against religion, monarchy, greed, and for tolerance, freedom and reason. It is said that his moniker was a variation of his sister's family nickname "le petit volontaire" (the determined little thing).

Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.