Wonderful Word Names for Babies

Legacy is proof that any attractive-sounding word can be turned into a name, and this one has the added attractions of an inspirational meaning and a cool creative namesake -- hot young artist Legacy Russell.

Ax makes a somewhat threatening short form of the popular Axel, given to more than 3000 baby boys last year. It can also be used on its own, though it usually isn't. There were, however, seven baby boys named Axe in the US in 2015.

I'm sure the parents of the six little girls named Sundae in the US last year were thinking, "well, if Nicole Kidman can use Sunday..." In this case, we think the day of the week spelling is preferable to the dessert spelling.

Generally used in conjunction with another name to form a religious phrase -- for instance the daughter of rapper DMX is called Praise Mary Ella.

Gauge is the dictionary spelling, but Gage is the far more popular choice, ranking at Number 281 in 2016.

A vibrant and energetic noun name, chosen by actress Shawnee Smith for her daughter, Verve has plenty of zest packed into a stylish single syllable. Borrowed from French, it means "spirit, vigour, vivacity".

Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter. 

Alternative to Princess or Queenie.

One of the simplest, most down-to-earth yet evocative of the word names, which could work — especially as a middle.

This recently coined respelling of Cole darkens its image.

More a concept than a place -- or a name.

This evocative term for a stone or shell carved in relief could make a striking first name for a girl, though she would have a starring role in her story, rather than a cameo.

Like True, a virtuous word name, but a little more awkward. In Trust we trust.

It's a beautiful burnished metal -- but also slang for policeman.

One Puritan virtue name unlikely to thrive in the 21st century.

With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name. It may also make people think of Concorde, the supersonic airliner plane, retired back in 2003.

More common as a surname, a handful of boys get this bovine equivalent of Shepherd each year in the US. It may gain more exposure as one of the occupational names that are one of the most popular classes of English names for boys.

Pistol is one of the new names that entered the lexicon in the US in 2013, when it was given to nine babies of each gender, though last year that number was down to zero. One of the new class of names with an unfortunately violent image.

Very occasionally given to boys born on that day; Noel is a more common name for Christmas babies.

Booker and Author are being used as names (the former is best known care of Booker T Washington), so why not Reader? Reader certainly fits in with both these and other "doing" names like Ryder, Brewer, Fifer, Miller and Cooper.