Black Cat Names

Famous violinist-conductor Pinchas Zuckerman is the most famous modern bearer; the biblical Pinchas was the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron -- both preferable name choices.

A name that sounded unthinkably priggish until it became attached to Domestic Goddess British TV chef Nigella Lawson (named for her father), who gave it a big dollop of glamour.

Old-fashioned, conjuring up an ardent suitor in a bow tie and straw boater.

More distinctive than Ella, if you're inspired by Cinderella.

The "To Be or Not to Be" jokes, via Shakespeare's tortured prince, will get old by Month Two.

It has a variety of associations from Smokey Robinson to Smokey the bear, but Smokey still feels a bit comical for a baby.

Perky Cherokee boy name with a great meaning. Foxes symbolize cleverness and playfulness in Cherokee culture.

Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, updating the 80s darlings Blake and Ashley.

For basketball fans, in honor of Magic Johnson. Or anyone who believes in magic.

A dramatic nature-inspired possibility for either sex.

Energetic choice that bounces off the tongue.

Old-man name, soft as a fraying gray cashmere cardigan, that would be even cuter for a girl.

Sabbath is a faith-inspired word name, like Sunday or Faith, that is attracting some notice since heavy metal musician Zakk Wylde chose it for his son. But then there's the band Black Sabbath, which gives the name a more devilish twist. While there's nothing intrinsically male or female about Sabbath as a first name, it squeaked onto the Social Security roster for five boys in 2012, but was not recorded for girls. Sabbath comes from the word for "day of rest" in many ancient cultures.

Makes Donna into a cool twenty-first-century unisex Irish surname.

A common Irish surname that's seldom heard as a first name, but has an appealing meaning.

And this sounds like the synthetic fabric washed with Fabrice.

Lots of charm.

Krishna is the name of the supreme Hindu god that is still considered secular enough for mortal children and is often found in Hindu families, for both boys and girls.

Also spelled Selqet, Serket and Serqet, Selket was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of the scorpions and of magic. She was a helpful goddess and protected souls on their journey to the afterlife. She is also associated with childbirth (potentially making her a great choice for the daughter of a midwife or obstetrician). Her connection to scorpions is a symbol of her power and makes her a good namesake for a child born under the zodiac sign of Scorpio.