Nameberry's Favorite Unique Names

  1. Prometheus
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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.

  2. Otso
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      A common animal name in Finland, it could work as an alternative to Otto or Otis.
  3. Gali
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "wave"
    • Description:

      Sprightly name popular in Israel with beachy meaning and international flex.
  4. Zeal
    • Origin:

      English from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "passion, fervor"
  5. Petula
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Swinging London songbird Petula Clark claims that this name was her father's invention; in any case it hasn't seen much copycat usage.
  6. Moselle
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "drawn from the water"
    • Description:

      Feminine spin on Moses and European river name that's also the name of a wine.
  7. Borden
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Philomela
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. Hialeah
    • Origin:

      Native American, Seminole
    • Meaning:

      "pretty prairie"
    • Description:

      Pleasant sound, but too tied to the racetrack.
  10. Cygnus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "swan"
    • Description:

      Cygnus is a northern constellation of the Milky Way, derived from the Latin word for "swan".
  11. Jovian
    • Krysia
      • Origin:

        Polish, diminutive of Krystyna
      • Meaning:

        "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:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "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 Latin
      • Meaning:

        "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:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "leader's image"
      • Description:

        A rare form of Llywellyn/Llewellyn, influenced by Latin Leo "lion".
    • Paladin
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "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 name
      • Description:

        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:

          Welsh
        • Meaning:

          "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 surname
        • Meaning:

          "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.