Athletic Baby Names

The name of the Brazilian-born soccer great (whose name at birth was Edson) is popular in France and could make it here too.

This unusual name belonging to three generations of Deltha Lee O'Neals, the third being a football cornerback for the New England Patriots, could equally--or better--be used for a girl.

Could be used as a hero tribute by tennis fans to honor Australian champ Rod, considered by many to be the greatest male player of all time.

An old surname with an intriguing sound an uncertain origin, although it may derive from a French word for "lantern" – perhaps referring originally to one who made or lit lanterns.

Kikkan Randall, the American cross-country skier who won a Gold Medal at the 2018 Olympics, made her invented name famous. The name Kikkan was a compromise between Megan and Kikki, the name her father wanted to give her to honor skier Kiki Cutter. While we don't expect Kikkan to win any medals as a baby name, it's undeniably cute and original and also honors an inspirational female athlete.

Zelmo Beaty was a noted basketball player in the 1960s and 1970s; his name has an offbeat tickle-me-Zelmo feel.

Peerless Price may be a football great, but his name would exert undue pressure. Substitute idea: Peer.

Scottish and Irish Mac and Mc surnames are definitely up for consideration, and this one has sports cred via its link to tennis champ John. It was one of the fastest-rising names on Nameberry in early 2018, though this hasn't translated into real-life use yet. We still think it's one of the coolest undiscovered Scottish names for boys.

For football fans who have decided Peyton has become too feminine. Or they could look to brother Eli for inspiration.

Kodai Senga, a Japanese professional baseball player and pitcher for the New York Mets, introduced this one to the US audience. Kodai, with its similarity to the more familar Koda and Kai, just might catch on here.