Names that should be on YOUR list ✅
Shh, don't tell the others!
This week we published the 50 names that should be on everyone’s list in 2023. There are no tricks there: they’re all up-and-coming names that we’d recommend to a friend looking for something with wow factor.
The only problem? Well, now they might be on everyone’s list. And we know that will make some of you groan if you’ve loved Elowyn and Torben since literally no one was using them.
If you’re in the market for new hidden-gem names, we’ve saved some just for you. Here are 20 names that we couldn’t fit into the article, but which we’d wholeheartedly recommend. We won’t tell anyone else (for now) if you don’t!
Achilles — Underused mythological alternative to Atlas and Apollo.
Albie — Cute vintage nickname in England’s Top 50, barely used across the Pond, though known from The White Lotus.
Arden — Gender-neutral last name with Shakespearean energy, that feels like a natural successor to Aiden.
Aura — Aurora/Aurelia for minimalists.
Beck — A nature word, a musician, and the cool sounds of names like Jack, Brooks, and of course Beckett.
Celia — An overlooked classic, less frilly than Cecilia and with a lovely meaning (“heavenly”), which has held incredibly steady in the lower half of the Top 1000.
Epic — Given to under 20 children a year, but we have a hunch it could be the next Legend.
Henrik — Euro-chic cousin of Henry.
Ivo — Another great European name, as stylish as Milo and Hugo but much, much rarer.
Lev — Short, strong, cool, and two fantastic meanings (“lion” in Russian, “heart” in Hebrew).
Mabel — Sweet and vintage, worn by a pop singer, already in England’s Top 100 but lesser-known in the States.
Murphy — Solid Irish last name that’s gender-balanced but particularly taking off for girls.
Royce — A next-generation surname name, rising for boys and (we think) about to take off for girls since Rebel Wilson chose it for her daughter.
Shai — Soft, stylish, unisex Hebrew name with a lovely meaning (“gift”), recently used by Paige O’Brien and Josh Peck.
Silver — An edgier alternative to Sylvie and Clover, but also a unisex name à la Winter.
Talia — Light and lilting, with roots in several cultures (and we love Thalia too).
Viva — We recommend Vita a lot, but if you want something even more different, try this lively, surprisingly rare, little name. Bonus: Viva Magenta is the Pantone Color of the Year.
Wallace — Adorable old man name with roots in Scotland, and potentially a vintage nickname (Wally) to match.
Xyla — High-impact spelling that’s really taking off for girls.
Zenith — Modern, zen-sounding word name. Previously more feminine, but now climbing for boys too, thanks to a Fortnite skin.
More on the blog this week…
Pisces season begins today! Here’s inspiration whether you’re naming a Pisces baby, or are a Piscean parent 🙋🏻♀️
Valentine’s Day is done, but names meaning love are good all year round
Ever wonder how many baby girls are named Toby, Max, and Atlas? Get the latest figures for boy names on girls
Discover one of the coolest name sounds of the decade
Dutch names we’d love to see more of here
Inspiration from rock ’n‘ roll legends