Number Names for Babies
- Octavius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"eighth"Description:
Octavius, which was at one time used for the eighth child in a family, has the worn leather patina of all the ancient Roman names now up for reconsideration. As a Roman family name, it derives from the uncommon forename Octavus, which designated an eighth son.
- Septimus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"the seventh son"Description:
Septimus is one of the more dashing of the birth-order Latin number names that were revived by the Victorians. So even if you don't anticipate son number 7, you might be bold enough to consider this relic, certainly preferable to sixth-son name Sextus.
- Tuppence
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"two pence"Description:
This quirky British nickname-turned- real-name is most famously borne by English actress Tuppence Middleton, who was named for her mother Tina’s childhood nickname. There is also a British literary namesake in Agatha Christie’s fictional detective Tuppence Beresford, whose real name is Prudence.
- Quade
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"son of Uaid"Description:
Quade is a confident, contemporary-sounding name that would fit right in with classmates Cade, Zade, Slade and Jade, boasting the quirky Q-beginning.
- Trinity
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"triad"Description:
A name that feels both spiritual and trendy, Trinity surged up the charts in the early 2000s, following the release of The Matrix. In just two years, it made an impressive jump from the latter end of the charts to the US Top 100, where it remained for more than a decade.
- Eleven
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
If Erykah Badu can name her son Seven, why can't you name your daughter (or son) this? Eleven has recently gotten a lot of attention via the character on the TV show Stranger Things.
- Octavian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"eighth"Description:
With the rise of ancient Roman names, Octavian suddenly seem plausible again. A variation of Octavius and relative of the more modern Octavio, it's an equally attractive member of the trio.
- Jiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"second son"Description:
Commonly used Japanese name -- and not only for a second son.
- Nona
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"ninth"Description:
Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue.
- Ichiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"firstborn son"Description:
Ichiro is a good classic choice for the first boy in a Japanese family.
- Deuce
Origin:
English word name or nicknameMeaning:
"two"Description:
Basketball's Jayson Tatum introduced this to the naming lexicon when he used it as a clever nickname for his son, Jayson Christoper Jr. It fits in with nicknames like Trey or Trip for boys who are the third in the family with their name; we've even heard Quatty and Quinto.
- Trace
Origin:
Diminutive of TracyDescription:
Undoubtedly inspired by country singer Trace Adkins, it has dropped in recent years.
- Decimus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"tenth"Description:
Decimus is one of the Roman numeral names used in large Victorian families--in this case for the tenth child. It is now seeing some new life thanks to the cutting-edge fashion for ancient Roman names.
- Primo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"first"Description:
Primo is number one among the Latin birth-order names--Octavius et al--and the one most likely to be used in these days of smaller families. It has that jaunty 'o' ending and Italian flavor that many modern parents like so much. And what little boy wouldn't appreciate being prime?
- Quintus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"fifth"Description:
A literary name figuring in the story of Ben Hur and the novels of Anthony Trollope that has the feel of Roman antiquity that is beginning to appeal to many parents. Quintus was one of only about twenty male first names in ancient Rome, and was often (though not exclusively) used for fifth sons.
- Kuro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"ninth son; black"Description:
Traditionally given to the ninth-born son, which is a rarity nowadays.
- Sixten
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"stone of victory"Description:
Nope, not a misspelling of Sexton or a number name. This Old Norse name is actually a name denoting victory and in the Swedish Top 100..
- Rabia
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"spring"Description:
Thought to be one of the ten angels who accompanies the sun on its daily course: a lovely image redolent of mythology. If you're looking for names that mean new beginnings, this makes an unusual and evocative choice.
- Seven
Origin:
Numerical word nameDescription:
Seinfeld's George threatened to name his future child Seven, and then singer Erykah Badu actually did it.
- Sixtine
Origin:
French feminine variation of SixtusMeaning:
"sixth-born"Description:
While Sixtine is a name with ancient roots that's popular in modern-day France, it's hard to imagine it gaining hold in English-speaking lands, given its similarity to the number sixteen and its even-more-problematic similarity to the word "sexting." You wouldn't do that to your daughter.