Musical Baby Names

A very distinctive musical choice, but be aware that many people will think you've named your child Oprah.

A very distinctive musical choice, but be aware that many people will think you've named your child Oprah.

Neylan — a name of uncertain origins — seemingly came out of nowhere in 2023. Given to 122 girls, it was used five times more often than it was in the previous year, when it was given to just 25 babies. Mormon women's activist and author Neylan McBaine may played a role in introducing parents to this name.

A surname that could become a first, an alternate to the already-taken REGIS.

Light and delicate musical name would make an unusual choice.

As more English words get turned into names, parents in search of a really. unusual name may look to words from other languages, in this case French. Musique has an undoubtedly, well, musical sound, and even resembles familiar French names like Monique.

The adopted surname of iconic songwriting brothers George and Ira (born Gershovitz) might make a nice musical middle name.

Mandolin may seem like an outlandish choice for a name, but since BANJO has been used as a baby name, all the instruments in the band seem to be auditioning for a place on birth certificates. This one comes with a real name nickname, MANDY.

Maraca sounds more like a name than Banjo, so why not? It's rhythmic and, well, musical, so might make an adventurous choice.

Cool word name for boys evocative of rock and roll. Julia Stiles named her son Strummer in 2017.

It's usually preceded by the letter 'A'--as in 'a capella'--singing without accompaniment, and probably has never been used as a girl's name, but in this anything-goes naming climate, we're putting it out there as a possibility.

Makes SONATA even more feminine and musical

Unusual, rhythmic, castanet-clicking. Alternative: FANDANGO.

Feels as if it's missing a syllable.

Chosen by one musician, Todd Rundgren, for his son, but unlikely to be emulated by others.

Riff is the name of the leader of the Jets in West Side Story, drawn from the musical word for a repeated phrase in a song. A tragic character in the musical, but a jaunty sounding name with the vibes of Ridge, Riggs, Raffy, and Lyric too.

Can you hear the beat?

Also spelled Kōta and Kota, Kouta is a Japanese name with a sound that travels well and a number of great meanings. Associated with happiness, good luck and peace, it is also given to a style of music in which the songs are usually less than three minutes long.

A musical Estonian name, notably borne by Estonian writer and poet Leelo Tungal.