Wonderful Word Names for Babies

The singular version sounds more contemporary.

Trey or Trip or even Deuce, yes; Deux is tougher.

Loyal has history as a boy name—most popular in the late 19th century, later falling off the charts in 1948. This was back when loyalty suggested faithfulness to one's country, rather than fidelity to others. Today it would likely be interpreted as the latter.

Modern virtue names are rapidly rising in popularity—could Loyal be the next True?

Remarkable Pettibone was a self-important housekeeper in James Fenimore Cooper's The Pioneers. Such names were not uncommon in early America, with such choices as Remember and Experience showing up in the records along with Puritan virtue names such as Chastity and Patience.

In the Capability Brown vein -- not a choice to be made lightly.

Undoubtedly there's a parent out there who sees this as the ultimate cool name. It's anything but.

Sarah Palin and husband Todd, creative baby-namers, named their oldest son Track because of their love for running.

An unusual kind of place-name, going beyond a country, state, or city, it was used by actress Elisabeth Shue as a middle name for her daughter Stella.

Better than Synergy.

Peerless Price may be a football great, but his name would exert undue pressure. Substitute idea: Peer.

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. 

Sure it makes a big statement, but if you can call your child Wren, Robin or Falcon, why not also Hummingbird? This pint-sized jewel of a bird is a lovely connotation for the baby that's full of energy and spirit.

A big, bold, ultra-rare virtue name. Could it follow in the footsteps of Justice and Liberty?

This Puritan virtue name is unstylish, but sympathetic and appealing, in these largely uncomfortable times.

Warm and open, but way too much teasing potential.

A lot to handle, but it does give a sense of openness, joy, and awe.

The term Quarto comes to us from the Latin for "four", but it is used as a term in literature to describe a book from the early days of printing that was a particular size. An obscure and potentially intriguing choice for arcane, book-loving parents.

Stricter than Peace or Justice.

Cool middle name possibility.

The name of the hero of Nathan Englander's The Ministry of Special Cases is also the name of the prayer Jews say for the dead, so be aware that this could definitely be seen as an offensive choice to avoid.