Baby Names

Choosing a name is the first big decision you make as a parent. It is a decision that will stay forever with your child, so it is a task that few take lightly. Some choose names based on popularity, or lack thereof. Others chose a family name to honor a deceased loved one. Some parents will decide on a name choice based on the name's meaning, while others chose a name that rolls off the tongue easily. Some parents like unique name spellings while others choose a name that will be easy to pronounce and spell.

With an Emma and Michael on every city block, some parents choose to step outside of the box. Some take small steps and others take huge leaps. If you are looking for a name choice for your unborn baby that will be unique with his or her peers, here is a great list of twenty-five names. The baby names listed below are not included in the most popular one hundred male names or most popular one hundred female names for 2005 according to the Social Security Administration. These names are a bit more unique, but every bit as beautiful as the popular, trendy names right now. In parentheses, behind each name, is the name's meaning and where the name is derived from.

Female Names:
Calista (feminine form of Callistus (most beautiful) ~ Greek)
Carina (keel ~ Latin)
Chasity (pure ~ Latin)
Cherish (to treasure ~ English)
Cheyenne (unintelligible speakers ~ Native American)
Hope (hope ~ English)
Ireland (name of the European island country ~ English)
Juliana (Feminine form of Julianus ~ Roman)
Juliet (lover of Romeo, form of Julie ~ American)
Kendall (valley of the River Kent ~ English)
Sierra (mountain range ~ Spanish)
Treasure (treasure, collection ~ Greek)

Male Names:
Ashton (ash tree town ~ English)
Gage (measure ~ English)
Holden (deep valley ~ English)
Justice (judge ~ French)
Kale (Hawaiian form of Charles ~ Hawaiian)
Levi (attached ~ Hebrew)
Mattias (variant of Matthew ~ German)
Payton (Poega's town ~ English)
Quintin (variation of Quintus (fifth) ~ Latin)
River (river ~ English)
Trey (three ~ English)
Zander (form of Alexander (defending men) ~ Greek)

Gender-Neutral Name:
Jerzee (form of George ~ Polish)

Choosing a name for your baby is a very special and exciting time. Good luck with your choice. May you choose a name that both you and your spouse love, and a name that your child will grow to respect and treasure.