Artistic Baby Names

A vivacious Latin alternative to the superpopular Sierra.

Benvenuto Cellini, the great Italian sculptor and writer -- a true Renaissance man -- could inspire this creative choice.

Because of shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, this has become a generic term for pricey stilettos, as in "I must have those Manolos."

Paul Cézanne was a French post-Impressionist painter whose intriguing surname is of uncertain origin, although it may be related to Suzanne (from the Hebrew Shoshana, "lily"). It has been used as a girls' name in South Africa, due to its familiar -anne ending.

Smoking jacket-wearing British surname, with artistic ties to Sir Henry Raeburn, Scottish romantic painter.

The name of prize-winning American architect Robert Venturi would make a somewhat awkward first.

In Cool Names, we cite this as an "Artist Name," for twentieth-century abstract painter Grace Hartigan, though for you it may just be an upbeat Irish surname.

The whimsical quality of the work of Swiss artist Paul Klee is somehow reflected in his name, although many would mispronounce it to rhyme with key. Say it like clay.

Dolce is the Italian word for "sweet," derived from the Latin word dulcis of the same meaning. It's a rare feminine first name in Italy, more often seen as a surname, as in that of Domenico Dolce, co-founder of fashion house Dolce & Gabbana. The luxury fashion brand has inspired a number of baby girls to be given the name since D&G's launch in 1985.

Surrealist artist, inspired creative choice.

For admirers of modernist architect I. M.

You might want to honor premier U.S. architect Frank Gehry--even though he was born Ephraim Goldberg. Gehry, pronounced like the more common surname Geary, may be a spin on the name Gary, which means spear, or derive from the Middle English word geary, which means fickle.

The great pre-Renaissance painter known as Fra Angelico was actually born Guido di Pietro, but his nom d'art might work for your little angel.

A surname not particularly suitable as a first name, even though it's attached to influential architect Gio Ponti--and it is Sophia Loren's married name.

Intriguing spin on Margaret or Maggie, for admirers of French surrealist Rene Magritte.

Creative choice relating to the Lithuanian-born expressionist painter known for his bold, vibrantly colored canvases.

Landing somewhere between Wyatt, Gareth, and Wilf, Wyeth is a surname inspired name, notably associated with 20th century American artist, N. C. Wyeth and his family, many of whom were also artists, musicians, and inventors themselves.

Krizia is a stylish Italian clothing and handbag designer and manufacturer. The name is an interesting alternative to all those old Cris/Kris-starting names. Krizia is one of those Italian names for girls that's both intriguing and rare.

A worthy honoree that would place a too-heavy expectation on a child, probably subjecting him to ridicule. Try Pablo instead.

If Banjo can be a name, why not Piano? Could be inspired by prize-winning architect Renzo Piano.