Coolest Baby Names That Aren't Really Names

  1. Frost
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "freezing"
    • Description:

      Long heard as a last name, as in venerable poet Robert, U.K. talk show host David, British actress Sadie and old Jack Frost, Frost has suddenly entered the scene as a possible first, along with other seasonal weather names like Winter and Snow.
  2. Journey
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "passage from one place to another"
    • Description:

      One of the new word names, appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage. The Journee spelling is also being used. Unisex alert: Jenna Jameson used Journey for one of her twin boys, as did the Black Eyed Peas rock musician known as Taboo.
  3. Topaz
    • Origin:

      Greek gem name
    • Description:

      As a name, Topaz is sophisticated and sultry; as a golden gem, it's said to have healing and energizing properties and also to bring good luck-- and being the birthstone for November it's one of the perfect names for November babies, with that final 'z' giving it some extra sizzle.
  4. Poet
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      A recently entered name on the roster, Poet was used for her daughter by Soleil Moon (Punky Brewster) Frye, who obviously appreciates the advantages of an unusual name. This is a possible middle name choice for verse-loving parents who want to skip specifics like Auden or Poe or Keats or Tennyson and go with the generic.
  5. Story
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "an account of incidents or events"
    • Description:

      A new unisex word name with a lot of charm, especially appropriate for the child of writers. Soleil Moon Frye named her second baby boy Story and Jenna Elfman called her son Story Elias.
  6. Bay
    • Origin:

      English word, Old English
    • Meaning:

      "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"
    • Description:

      Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
  7. Dream
    • Origin:

      Word name, English
    • Meaning:

      "cherished ambition or hope; thoughts and images experienced during sleep; ideal"
    • Description:

      A whimsical and serene feeling word name, bestowed to reflect the joy and perfection parents might find in their children and the ambitions they have for them. Once a fantastical and celebrity-only feeling option, Dream came into popular usage after Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna chose it for their daughter in 2016.
  8. North
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "cardinal direction of north"
    • Description:

      A lot of attention was drawn to this name when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their baby daughter, making it instantly unisex.
  9. Pine
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.
  10. Holiday
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "holy day"
    • Description:

      Free and fun name if you don't want to be pinned down to Noelle, Pasqua, or Valentine.
  11. Maize
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "corn"
    • Description:

      One of the more unusual nature names, Maize is given to a dozen or so boys and girls each year and is almost completely unisex in terms of usage. It could also be short for Maisie/Maizie. Disclaimer: potential for "corny" jokes.
  12. Arbor
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.
  13. Viper
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "snake"
    • Description:

      Undeniably frightening and undeniably cool.
  14. Pike
    • Origin:

      American animal name
    • Meaning:

      "pike, a fish"
    • Description:

      The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.
  15. Canyon
    • Origin:

      Spanish word name
    • Description:

      Canyon is a unique baby name evocative of natural splendor and the old Steve Canyon comic-strip heroism, making it an intriguing new word-name possibility.
  16. Monday
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Not most people's favorite day, but a pretty name.
  17. Truth
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "the state of being the case"
    • Description:

      True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named Ross, the word name is edging up on the Top 1000.
  18. Jonquil
    • Origin:

      English flower name, from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "reed"
    • Description:

      Jonquil is an unusual flower name that is less outlandish than Daffodil and less common than Daisy. It just might appeal to parents seeking a singular botanical option.

      Unlike most flower names, Jonquil wasn't introduced until the 1940s, and saw some usage in the U.K. during the forties and fifties.

  19. Garland
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      A surprisingly wearable floral name for a boy.
  20. Blessing
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Blessing is among the Top 1000 girls' names in the UK and recently joined the ranks in the US as well. With modern spiritual names like Shiloh, Chosen, and Halo trending upwards, Blessing is likely to continue to rise in popularity.