60 Unique and Uncommon Baby Names to Adore

Aminah. This Arabic girl’s name means “feel safe. ” It was the name of the prophet Muhammad’s mother. To choose another spelling that's unique, opt for Aamina, Aaminah, or Amina.

Belinda. Although the meaning behind this name is uncertain, it may stem from the Italian word bella, which means beautiful, and the German word lind, which means gentle. The name was popularized in the 17th century by poet Alexander Pope.

Cressida. In mythology, Cressida was a Trojan woman who leaves her lover. Shakespeare’s play Troilus and Cressida is based on this story. 0

Dionne. This name is the female form of Dion, which is a short form of Dionysios, the Greek god of wine. However, you don’t have to be a wine aficionada to appreciate or choose this unique name for your little lady.

Houda. In Arabic, this name means “right guidance. ” It can also be spelled Huda or Hooda.

Imani. Of Arabic origin, this Swahili name simply means "faith.

Inez. This name is the English form of the name Ines, Spanish for Agnes, which in Greek means "chaste. That’s a rather convoluted history, but the name is worth it for its uniqueness. ;

Luella. This very modern name is a contraction of the names Lou and Ella. In fact, a variant spelling is Louella. If you’d like to pay tribute to a family member with the name Louis or Ella, this may be an extra special choice.

Makena. This name means "happy one" in Kikuyu, the language of the largest ethnic group in Kenya. A prize-winning Kenyan author bears this name as does an area on the Hawaiian island of Maui. This would make an appropriate name for your happy little girl.

Mercedes. You may not have known that Mercedes is actually a Spanish female name and not just an automobile manufacturer. The name means "mercies," and is derived from one of the titles given to the Virgin Mary.

Nadine. The French form of Nadia, which comes from the Slavic name Nadezhda, meaning "hope.

Rosalind. Derived from the German words that mean horse and soft, the name was brought to England by the Normans. Another form of the name is Rosalinda, which means beautiful rose in Latin. Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare both used the name in their writings.

Timea. This name has Romanian, Slovak, and Hungarian origins, and is based on a Greek word that means "cheerfulness. It would make a lovely name for your cheerful baby. ;

Akira. Japanese in origin, this girl’s name can mean "bright" or "clear.

Chantria. In the Khmer language, this girl’s name means "moonlight. What a magical choice for your daughter. ;

Cinzia. The Italian form of Cynthia has a unique ring to it, especially since it’s prounced with a ch sound. Cynthia comes from the ancient Greek word, meaning "woman from Kynthos. It was also another name for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon. ;

Haruko. In Japanese, this name means “spring child,” making it a great choice if your daughter is born during spring. The name can be shortened to Yoko or Youko.

Kamala. This eloquent name means lotus or pale red in Sanskrit. The name also appears in the Hindu epic Mahabharata and is another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

Odilia. This name has German roots that mean "wealth" or "fatherland. It’s also the name of the patron saint of Alsace, France. ; Saint Odilia was said to have been born blind but gained her sight after her baptism. ; If you’re having twins, you might like to pair this name with Ophelia or Olivia for the perfect rhyming twin names. ;

Skye. Beyond the modern literal meaning for this name, in Old Norse the name Sky also means cloud. If you hope your little dreamer will always have limitless horizons, you might like this name.

Averill. This was originally a surname derived from the Old English name Eoforhild, which translates to "boar" and "battle. Even if these old meanings are not the most appealing, the name has an elegant ring to it for either a boy or girl. ;

Dell. Another nature-inspired name, meaning "small valley," Dell was the surname for a person who lived in a valley. But it also works well as a cute girl’s first name.

Jacinta. This is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the name Hyacinthus, which has Greek origins and is simmilar to the name of a fragrant spring flower. It’s a lovely name for a little girl.

Minnie. This adorable name is the diminutive of Wilhelmina, the female form of Wilhelm, the German form of William. Although Wilhelmina is noble-sounding choice, Minnie is a super cute option as well.

Preethi. In Sanskrit this name means pleasure, joy, or love. Variant spellings include Priti or Preeti. Another way the name is unique is that it sounds like the word "pretty," making it ideal for your little girl.

Raven. A very stylish and mysterious name, Raven is the name of a bird revered in Native American and Scandinavian cultures. The bird is associated with the Norse god Odin. This may be the perfect name if you’re into mythological names.

Tien. This Vietnamese girl’s name means "immortal," "transcendent," "celestial being," or "fairy"—what a special name for your little girl.

Anders. This modern-sounding name is the Scandinavian form of Andrew. It’s a great choice, for example, if you’d like to name your son after a family member his who’s named Andrew, but want it to be slightly different.

Axel. The medieval Danish form of Absalom, which means “my father is peace” in Hebrew, Axel can also be spelled Aksel, another unique variation.

Bertram. Meaning "bright raven" in German, this name was introduced to the English-speaking world by the Normans. It also features in Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well.

Ciaran. Irish in origin, Ciaran is pronounced with a k sound and can also be spelled Kieran. It’s a diminutive of Ciar, which means "black" in Irish.

Deacon. Originally a surname, as well as the term for a clerical position in the church, Deacon also makes a great first name that connotes strength and wholesomeness.

Egon. German in origin, Egon means “edge of a sword”—a unique name for a boy that connotes bravery.

Farley. Originally a surname, Farley means “fern clearing” in Old English. Nature lovers will appreciate this unique name.

Geoffrey. This is the original spelling of the now more common boy’s name Jeffrey. A French Norman name, Geoffrey was popular in the Middle Ages as well as common among the English nobility.

Homer. Ancient Greek literature buffs will know that Homer refers to the epic poet who is thought to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey. Fans of pop culture will undoubtedly think this name refers to the animated sitcom character. Whichever your reason for choosing this name, it’ll definitely be a unique name for your boy.

Jamal. This name means beautiful in Arabic—what a perfect name for your beautiful little boy.

Kahlil. Meaning "friend" in Arabic, Kahlil (more commonly spelled Khalil) was the name of the famous Lebanese-American poet, artist, and philosopher Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.

Parris. Originally this was used as a surname that meant a person who came from Paris, the capital of France. Whether you spell it Paris or Parris, the name is very popular for both boys and girls.

Rakesh. In Sanskrit, this boy’s name translates to “lord of the full moon.” Its celestial meaning evokes a hint of mysticism.

Santiago. This name comes from the Spanish words santo and yago, which mean Saint James. Many cities in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations have this name. James is also the patron saint of Spain. Whether you want to celebrate your Hispanic heritage or just like a name with history, choose Santiago. And you can use the nickname Diego (Spanish) or Tiago (Portuguese) for your little son.

Stone. This is the English form of the Swedish name Sten, which, in fact, means "stone. If you’d like your son’s name to evoke strength, choose Stone.;

Yves. A medieval French boys' name , Yves also has a nice modern ring to it, despite it dating back many thousands of years.

Iskander. This is the Malay, Indonesian, and Arabic form of Alexander, which means "defender of men" in Greek. A very respectable meaning for a strong-willed boy.

Ofir. Also spelled Ophir, this is the name of person and a place in the Bible. Its biblical meaning is not wholly known, and it has an air of mystery, making this baby boy’s name all the more unique. This is just one of many biblical names you might consider for your baby.

Roshan. In Persian, this name means light or bright, which is a fitting meaning for your newborn, who brings light into your world.

Tariq. This name of Arabic origin means “he who knocks at the door. ” It’s also the Arabic name for the morning star. Either definition is unique. The name can also be spelled Tarek or Tarik.

Thando. In the Xhosa, Zulu, and Ndebele languages, this name means "to love.

Tinashe. In Bantu, the language of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, this name means “we are with God”—a beautiful name with religious resonance.

Yannick. This name derives from the French or Breton Yann or Yanna, both of which come from the name John. Although it’s linked to a very common name Yannick sounds unique and different.

Yoshi. This Japanese name means "good luck," "righteous," and "respectable," making it a great name for a boy who means everything to you.

Yun. This Chinese name means "cloud" or "consent. If you go with cloud, you can think of your newborn as being heaven sent. ;

Zorion. Also spelled Zorione, this name means "happiness" in Basque, the language of the Basque people in Spain and France.

Chrisley. Originally a surname, the name took hold as a first name over the last decade. It works well for a boy and can easily be shortened to just Chris.

Gio. Short for the Italian name Giovanni, the Italian form of John, Gio sounds cute and staccato.

Dallas. Also originally a surname, Dallas has Old English and Gaelic origins and translates to “meadow dwelling. ” It’s also the name of a city in Texas.

Keoni. The Hawaiian form of John, Keoni has a unique ring and would be a classic choice.

Leith. The river that flows through Edinburgh bears this name. It’s also a district of the city itself. Though Leith was originally used as a surname, it makes a distinctive first name for boy.

Peta. This is the Czech diminutive of Petr, based on the name Peter, which has Greek origins and means stone. But in the form of Peta it can be used for either boys or girls.

Zeke. As the short form of Ezekiel, which means “God will strengthen” in Hebrew, Zeke feels more playful, and could be ideal for a boy with a big personality.