Sci-Fi Baby Names

  1. Buffy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Description:

      Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an all-purpose nickname now buried in a mid-century time capsule.
  2. Elihu
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"
    • Description:

      Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
  3. Serra
    • Origin:

      Italian, Portuguese and Catalan
    • Meaning:

      "ridge"
    • Description:

      This topographical name, more suited to a girl than a boy--though it would inevitably be confused with SARAH--has some distinguished bearers: famous Spanish missionary to Mexico Father Junipero Serra, and sculptor Richard Serra, known for his challenging large-scale metal works.
  4. Amidala
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful flower"
    • Description:

      An attractive enough name, but for die-hard Star Wars fans only.
  5. Mal
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Malcolm, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "devotee of St. Colomba"
    • Description:

      A nickname for Malcolm that at one point ranked independently on the US Top 1000. It still exists as an affectionate pet form, but you’re unlikely to hear a Malcolm introduce himself as Mal.
  6. Dutch
    • Description:

      If Holland works for a girl, why not Dutch for a boy? Gavin Newsom, Lt-Governor of California, kept up his geographical baby name theme when he called his 4th child Dutch William, (his other children are named Hunter, Montana and Brooklyn.)
  7. Deanna
    • Origin:

      English variation of Diana, feminine form of Dean
    • Meaning:

      "divine; valley"
    • Description:

      Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
  8. Talyn
    • Aeryn
      • Origin:

        Variation of Erin, Irish
      • Meaning:

        "from the island to the west"
      • Description:

        Spelling variation of Erin invented for a character on the science fiction TV show Farscape.
    • Kerr
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "someone who lived near wet ground"
      • Description:

        When actress Deborah Kerr entered the scene, there was a great debate over her name's pronunciation. Car or Ker. Your choice.
    • Scorpius
      • Origin:

        Astrological name; Latin
      • Meaning:

        "scorpion"
      • Description:

        Scorpius is the constellation that the Scorpio zodiac sign originates from. It was given its venomous name due to the constellation's resemblance to a scorpion's tail.
    • Diva
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "goddess"
      • Description:

        Once unique to the Zappa family, now you can have your own little prima donna.
    • Flash
      • Origin:

        Word and comic book name
      • Description:

        Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more pulled-together as a proper name with Flash as a nickname or middle name.
    • Tasha
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Natasha
      • Description:

        See NATASHA.
    • Kaidan
      • Moya
        • Deliah
          • Tyrell
            • Origin:

              Spelling variation of Terrell
            • Description:

              Tyrell is kind of part Tyrone or Tyler, part Terrell, but less than the sum of those parts.
          • Riddick
            • Origin:

              Variation of Reddick, Scottish
            • Description:

              Variation of Reddick, recognizable as the name of Vin Diesel's character in the Riddick film series, based on the Chronicles of Riddick books.
          • Tuck
            • Origin:

              Diminutive of Tucker, English
            • Meaning:

              "fabric pleater"
            • Description:

              Sharp and preppy.