Rocker and Rapper Baby Names
- Madilyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of MadelynDescription:
Madelyn is the most popular, phonetically-clear spelling of the lovely and stylish French name. Madilyn edges it toward Marilyn, though that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
- Quanah
Origin:
Native American, ComancheMeaning:
"sweet smelling, fragrant"Description:
Name of a major figure in Indigenous history, Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief who became a judge on the Court of Indian Affairs.
- Cross
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"cross"Description:
Evocative word name that's refreshingly straightforward. Overtones of Christianity and penalty. More subtle option: Cruz.
- Prince
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"chief, prince"Description:
Prince rose to its highest ranking in a century in 2015, and the tragic death of its most famous bearer in April 2016 propelled it even higher. The Purple Rain legend isn't its only tie to pop royalty: Michael Jackson chose it for not one but two of his sons. Royal names such as King and Prince, once thought of as canine, have begun to be used by human non-royals for their sons.
- Happy
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"happy, joy"Description:
Many virtue names have long been in style or have seen a resurgence in recent years. Happy, however joyous, seems unlikely to join this trend. This could be because it doesn't have a solid history of being popularly used (in comparison to Joy or Hope) and because it's such a familiarly used word in day to day life (unlike Verity or Felicity).
- Gio
Origin:
Short form of Giovanna, Italian form of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Gio is a cute, more androgynous variation of Gia that could work well as a nickname for names such as Giovanna, Giordana, or Giorgia. It was chosen by Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo for their daughter in 2018.
- Samaria
Origin:
Place-name, ancient Palestinian city in present-day JordanDescription:
Similar to but distinct from Samara, this pretty name was chosen for his daughter by rapper LL Cool J.
- Bamboo
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Bamboo is a plant name that you might want to save for the zoo's name-the-panda contest. It was used for a starbaby in 2000, though, the rapper Big Boi.
- Ice
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Icy baby names are currently hot, with names like Icelynn and Iceland trending up for girls. Rapper Gucci Mane chose simple, streamlined Ice for his son 2020-born son, appropriately a winter baby. In 2021, it debuted on the charts for both boys and girls (9 boys, 6 girls).
- Chicago
Origin:
American place name, AlgonquinMeaning:
"wild garlic"Description:
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have done it again for their third child: Chosen a name that feels iconic yet strangely inevitable. They named North and Saint's younger sister Chicago, after Kanye's hometown. The name Chicago derives from a Native American word for "wild garlic," which once grew plentifully in the Illinois city, the third most populous in the US.
- Fire
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Even if you're hoping for a fiery child, this seems like playing with fire. One celebrity--Steve Vai--was bold enough to use it for his son.
- Puma
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"big cat"Description:
Lithe and leonine name chosen for her daughter by singer Erykah Badu -- whose other child has the number name Seven.
- Tenzan
Origin:
Variation of Tenzin, TibetanMeaning:
"protector of Dharma"Description:
Tenzan is a variation of Tenzin, a name with special significance for Buddhists, being the first name of the Dalai Lama.
- Truly
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"in a truthful way"Description:
A would-be up-and-comer if it wasn't for the spiked seltzer brand.
- Atlanta
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"Atlantic Ocean"Description:
The capital of Georgia is far from the ocean, but got its name from the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran through the city. Best known as a hub of industry and transport, and for its roles in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, it has never been popular as a baby name despite sounding like one. Its peak popularity was in 1995, the year before Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.
- Geronimo
Origin:
Native American; Italian variation of JeromeDescription:
This name of a renowned Apache leader and mystic would be a difficult choice, since it was used as a rallying cry in so many old westerns and by paratroopers jumping out of their planes in World War II.
- Marquise
Origin:
English rank of nobleman between duke and countDescription:
Part of the name nobility that includes Prince, Earl, and Duke -- though none of these guys are very classy.
- Rihmeek
Description:
The middle name of rapper Meek Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams. Also the name he gave to his second-born son.
- Egypt
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
We had Egypt listed as a girls-only place-name until singer Alicia Keys and rap producer husband Swizz Beatz used it for their son...and why not? Egypt certainly works as well for a boy as for a girl.
- Ikhyd
Description:
Notably used by rapper M.I.A. for her son in 2009.