Nameberry's Favorite Unique Names
- Prometheus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"foresight"Description:
Prometheus of Greek Mythology was a Titan known for creating humankind out of clay. He stole fire from the gods and gifted it to humanity, which triggered the rise of civilizations.Prometheus might be better known as Ridley Scott's 2012 film of the same name.
- Otso
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"bear"Description:
A common animal name in Finland, it could work as an alternative to Otto or Otis.
- Gali
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"wave"Description:
Sprightly name popular in Israel with beachy meaning and international flex.
- Zeal
Origin:
English from GreekMeaning:
"passion, fervor"
- Petula
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Swinging London songbird Petula Clark claims that this name was her father's invention; in any case it hasn't seen much copycat usage.
- Moselle
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"drawn from the water"Description:
Feminine spin on Moses and European river name that's also the name of a wine.
- Borden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"den of the boar"Description:
A neglected surname name that could substitute for the more common Gordon, which has in the past associated with the milk company and Elsie the Cow.
- Philomela
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lover of songs"Description:
Philomela, the name of a mythological Athenian princess who was transformed into a nightingale, is rarely heard outside the Greek community. The mellifluous Philomela might make a more distinctive and prettier update for Pamela or Phyllis. Philomela may also be a good choice for a music-lover's daughter. Try Pippa or Millie for short.
- Hialeah
Origin:
Native American, SeminoleMeaning:
"pretty prairie"Description:
Pleasant sound, but too tied to the racetrack.
- Cygnus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"swan"Description:
Cygnus is a northern constellation of the Milky Way, derived from the Latin word for "swan".
- Jovian
- Krysia
Origin:
Polish, diminutive of KrystynaMeaning:
"Chistian"Description:
A distinctive Polish short form of Krystyna, ultimately deriving from Christian, Krysia has a similar feel to Sasha, but with a bit of kick from the K sounds.
- Laveau
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"valley"Description:
A French surname with a witchy vibe — Marie Laveau was a dedicated practitioner of Voodoo, healer, midwife, and herbalist in the 1800s.
- Camber
Origin:
English from LatinMeaning:
"curved inwards"Description:
Part Cameron, part Amber, Camber may be a new name but it feels right for our times. As a word, camber means a slightly arched surface.
- Leolin
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"leader's image"Description:
A rare form of Llywellyn/Llewellyn, influenced by Latin Leo "lion".
- Paladin
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of the palace"Description:
This title of honor given to Charlemagne's twelve best knights would be prized as a name by most sword-loving little boys.
- Sazz
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Sazz is a name invented for the nonbinary character played by Jane Lynch in Only Murders in the Building. While no actual babies have received this name yet, they will.
- Casiano
- Brynmor
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"great hill"Description:
Derived from the Welsh place name Brynmawr, this adventurous sounding name, feels at once as rugged as its meaning but with a hint of gentleness, thanks to the unisex Bryn.
- Hallam
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"at the rocks"Description:
A relatively rare English place and surname, Hallam could make a distinctive but usable boy's name. Hallam was the surname of the beloved Cambridge friend whose death Alfred, Lord Tennyson, mourns in his famous poem In Memoriam. A.H.H. Tennyson's eldest son, whom he named Hallam, became a Governor-General of Australia.