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Too-Cool Baby Names

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Fri Oct 27 2023
Too-Cool Baby Names

Maybe you can't be too rich or too thin, but if you're a baby name, it just may be possible to be too cool. A too-cool baby name runs the risk of overshadowing your child. How many children can live up to a name like Rambo or Hallelujah or Heathcliff?

Along with Hallelujah and Heathcliff, other too-cool names for babies include Dagger, Scorpio, Vanellope, Boo, Sativa, Marmaduke, Pirate, and Baby itself. Some too-cool names are literally too cool, such as Antarctica, Ice, Icelyn, and yes, Kool. While the line of what constitutes a too-cool baby name seems to get redrawn every day, these choices will probably be on the wrong side of it for a long time to come. Browse our list of too-cool baby names below.

  1. Lucifer

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "light-bearer"

    • Description:

      Lucifer is the name of the archangel cast into hell and while theologians disagree on whether he and Satan are separate beings, it long been on the list of forbidden names for religious and non-religious parents alike. With connotations of hell and devilry so strongly attached to it, the name is officially banned in some places, including New Zealand.
  2. Talon

    • Origin:

      French word name

    • Meaning:

      "large claw of a bird of prey"

    • Description:

      Despite its somewhat menacing meaning, this name has been widely used in recent years, probably due to the appeal of its trendy on ending.
  3. Lucky

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "having good fortune"

    • Description:

      Recently chosen by singer Elle King for her son. Lucky is a name that could see a considerable rise in the near future, as word names continue to heat up.
  4. Zebulon

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "exaltation or little dwelling"

    • Description:

      An Old Testament name with a Puritan feel and post-Zachary possibilities--one of several routes to the cool nickname Zeb.
  5. Rogue

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "independent, uncontrolled"

    • Description:

      Now that names like Cannon and Gunner, fit for comic book heroes, are rising up, Rogue may fit right in.
  6. Bluebell

    • Origin:

      Flower name from English

    • Meaning:

      "blue bell"

    • Description:

      Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish — choice. Andie MacDowell has a granddaughter named Bluebell Coyote through her daughter Rainey Qualley.
  7. Zeppelin

    • Origin:

      German word name from Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "zeppelin; flail"

    • Description:

      In a baby name landscape where word names and names that start with Z are infinitely cool, there are few options for parents who want to combine trends. Zeppelin is one of the best names at the intersection of these two styles, and it's rising alongside the likes of Zen, Zephyr, and Zenith.
  8. Deuce

    • Origin:

      English word name or nickname

    • Meaning:

      "two"

    • Description:

      Basketball's Jayson Tatum introduced this to the naming lexicon when he used it as a clever nickname for his son, Jayson Christoper Jr. It fits in with nicknames like Trey or Trip for boys who are the third in the family with their name; we've even heard Quatty and Quinto.
  9. Apple

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Meaning:

      "apple"

    • Description:

      When people talk about unique baby names, Apple is often one of the first examples they mention. Apple made international headlines when Gwyneth Paltrow chose this wholesome fruit name for her daughter. Many have called it ridiculous, but we have to admit, we find it appealing enough to list as one of our top cute baby names. Rocker Bob Geldof named one of his daughters Peaches; Banana Yoshimoto is a hipster writer. Another choice in this genre is the luscious Plum, though for different reasons, neither Prune nor Cherry will fly.
  10. Buck

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "male deer or rabbit"

    • Description:

      Comedian Roseanne Barr chose this macho nature name for her son. In the 18th century it was used to describe a dashing, fashionable dressed man. Buck fits in well alongside names like Beck, Jack and Huck.
  11. Aristotle

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "superior; the best purpose"

    • Description:

      The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.
  12. Renesmee

    • Origin:

      Literary invention

    • Description:

      Invented by author Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight series for the half-human, half-vampire daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, it's an amalgamtion of the names of Bella's mother Renee and Edward's adoptive mother Esme. Much to our surprise, some people are trying this at home.
  13. Heathcliff

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cliff near a heath"

    • Description:

      Heathcliff is the name of the original passionate macho hero of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, and also of the cartoon cat. It was chosen by fashionista Lucy Sykes for her son, and inspired the late Heath Ledger's name. But otherwise it's barely used, and perhaps a bit much of a namesake. For a modern boy we'd recommend Heath....or Cliff.
  14. Buster

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle name of Timothy.
  15. Rocket

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.
  16. Rebel

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "rebel"

    • Description:

      Asking for trouble. Rebel Wilson is female, but this name is truly gender neutral, though hardly neutral in any other way. Rebel is undoubtedly one of the edgiest boys' names starting with the letter R.
  17. Maeby

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mae

    • Description:

      Maeby sprang into the modern consciousness via the cult TV favorite Arrested Development, in which the appealing teen character Maeby's name is a nickname for Mae. It's also a homonym for Maybe, which undercuts its inherent cuteness. Is Maeby prime for a real life baby name? Sorry, but we can't resist: Maybe.
  18. Valkyrie

    • Origin:

      Old Norse

    • Meaning:

      "chooser of the slain"

    • Description:

      In Norse mythology, the valkyries decided the fate of men in battle and conveyed the spirits of the fallen to Valhalla, to dwell with the god Odin. Often associated with ravens, swans, and horses, over time the valkyries have been portrayed as strong, female figures, callous and monstrous creatures, and sometimes both at the same time.
  19. Fanta

    • Origin:

      Mande from Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "captivating, a woman who abstains"

    • Description:

      A West African version of the Arabic name Fatima, also used by diaspora communities, e.g. in France.

  20. Dagger

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Dagger is one of the new badass baby names, a sharp and scary choice that some parents may feel arm their child for battle in a cruel modern world.

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