Wonderful Word Names for Babies

The singular version sounds more contemporary.

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

Explorer is one occupational name destined to seek and find greater things.

Your daughter will like this better at twenty than she will at fifty.

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

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.

Many parents are seeking a strong name--well there's no denying that Strong fits that bill.

Full-hearted new virtue choice, though five syllables is a lot to handle.

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

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.

Better than Synergy.

Integrity may be an outstanding quality, but Honor or True may work better as names.

While Hill reads as a nickname for Hillary, adding an S puts it in the same category as plural nature names like Rivers and Brooks. It also softens the name's image: one hill is an obstacle, but many together form a lovely landscape. Hills are also a recurring image and metaphor in both the New and Old Testament.

Chosen by one musician, Todd Rundgren, for his son, but unlikely to be emulated by others.

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

Rhymer feels right at home with names like Ryder, Ryker and Riley, but brings an artsy edge to this group of names.

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.