X Factor Baby Names

The second book of the Bible provides a dramatic name that's more distinct than Genesis and simpler than Leviticus.

Animal names are booming, but this is one that's never been used — although Boaz, which means "ox" in Hebrew, is starting to see more use. With its connotations of strength, teamwork and perseverance, and cool X sound, well, why not? It would work especially well for a child born in the Chinese Year of the Ox (February 2021-January 2022). If you need a longer version an obvious option is Oxford, but there's also Oxley, Oxton, or a slightly different sound like Oakley or Oswald.

After Dallas, Austin, and Houston, the new cowboy on the block. Old-school Western nickname: Tex.

A tad spacy.

This Beatrix alternate could make a good choice for globetrotting parents.

Lexington is rising as a place name used just about evenly for the genders. For Americans, it's got a patriotic ring, given the importance of Lexington, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. Lexington, Kentucky, in horse country, is another famous place with the name.

As long as nobody connects it with xenophobia -- the fear of strangers and the unknown.

As Huxley and Huck become more popular and accepted, so does Hux, either as a full name or a diminutive.

Aviator is equally appropriate for a girl, of course, but lovers of Beatrix and Bellatrix might appreciate the spiky sound of this unique occupational name.

This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.

Experience was used by the Puritans but probably too joke-worthy for a modern child...or teenager.

A bold word name choice for the intrepid baby namer who hopes her son will face the world with a sense of discovery.

Lexington is trending as a unisex name, used just about evenly for the genders. For Americans, it's got a patriotic feel, given the importance of Lexington, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. Lexington, Kentucky, in horse country, is another well-known city with the name. Short form Lex is user friendly.

The Basque form of Salvador starts with the intriguing letter X, which is pronounced like a "sh" sound in the Basque language. Xabat is a great Basque heritage choice, but we must note that it sounds almost identical to the word "Shabbat", the Jewish day of rest.

Sex doesn't belong in a baby name.