Unique Baby Names

A person's name does indeed say something about them as an individual. Actually, what one's name says is what their parents' state of mind was at their birth! Or it can also reflect the state of the world, of our culture, our religion, our personal beliefs, when the child came into the world. Be thoughtful and considerate, however, when selecting your child's name. It is a really, really big and lasting legacy.

This is the second installment of an ongoing series of offering up new, unusual or clever names for your new child. Throughout one's travels in life, I have come across on individual names that I thought were so unique and exciting that it seemed fitting to share them with you.

If you are African-American, there is a wealth of beautiful, meaningful names from which to choose. If you'd like help selecting or searching out culturally significant names, go to your local library or Google online "names of African descent". A local or regional African American historical society can be of great help, also, as well as your church. Draw within your own ethnic and/or religious backgrounds to consider names that may be somewhat unusual but have lasting, significant and often historical importance.

In naming my own daughters, I went on a somewhat 'safe' route. Our last name is of Eastern European descent, has three syllables, and ends with a vowel. We named our first daughter 'Julie' after her maternal grandmother. (I did go a bit on the wild side, though: her middle name is Kristine. I just loved the sound and spelling of the name.) Our youngest daughter is named Karen: we really loved the good, strong sound of the name, as well as how it looks in print. We did give her the middle name of "Bennett", since that is a family surname from our family tree. For us, at least, it was the best of both worlds: names that we really liked, that went well with a somewhat difficult last name, and names that held special meaning to us and our immediate families.

Some boys' names that you might want to consider include:

1. Colton. Hugely popular in Texas, California, and most of the western states of the U.S. Often abbreviated as "Colt". Connotes an athletic, intelligent person, perhaps because of at least two current college quarterbacks with a similar name (including Colt Brennan) Other fairly new and popular 'Southern' names include Houston, Dallas, and Austin. If you're a Maryland native, I would hesitate to go with "Annapolis" or "Baltimore", however!

2. Davies. A variation on the popular name "David", but a bit more formal and mysterious. Appears to be almost a surname being used as a first name.

3. Thompson - best used if you have a short, one-syllable last name. A variation on the more common and popular "Thomas", but a bit more dignified. Again, appears to be a surname being used as a first name. A thoughtful choice for a Hunter S. Thompson fan as well. May his ashes continue to flow throughout space! Another take on the name 'Thomas' is used by mens' fashion designer Thom Brown, whose eponyous New York City shop bears his name.

4. Wil - Not "Will", and not "William". An interesting short name, especially if you have a longer, multisyllabled last name. Has a Scandanavian sound to it as well. May be difficult as the child grows up to constantly have spelled correctly, but a jazzy, unusual name nonetheless.

5. Geoffrey - The English (and correct) spelling of the name Jeffrey. A good-sounding name, which can be abbreviated to "Geoff". Again, may require correction in spelling as the child grows, but English and literature teachers will love it! (Shades of the Canterbury Tales!)

6. Lorenzo - The true Italianate spelling of the name "Lawrence". Quite exotic, a name with more than a hint of character behind it. Quite old-fashioned, and certaintly not many other guys will be named Lorenzo!

7. Brien - An updated European spelling of the more commonly known name "Brian", with French connotation.

8. Cornelius - A name of Irish/Anglo heritage. A strong name full of character (and your son will certainly have plenty of that as he 'grows into' the name. Unusual, making somewhat of a 'comeback' - look for a neat nickname as well!

9. Padraig - the 'official' spelling of the Celtic name Patrick. Top pro golfer Padraig Harrington is giving the name a lot of press lately. You can always use "Pat" or "Paddy" as your child's nickname, if you choose.

10. Harrison - name your child after an American president! Jeffrey Sebelia, the winner of last season's "Project Runway", named his son Harrison Detroit. There are some other pretty cool and interesting names derived from American presidents: Clinton (Clint), Reagan, William, Jackson, Henry, Abraham, Ford (used as a first name), and of course, there will always be George! The name 'Lincoln' is also quite a character-driven name, and can be shortened to 'Linc', which is a pretty cool nickname for a young man (unless you fear he'll be confused with Philadelphia's sports arena, the Lincoln Financial Arena, commonly referred to as "The Linc".

11. Theo and Thad - Thhhat's right, the "Th" names are very popular right now. We're not necessarily suggesting Theodore or Thaddeus, but the shortened version of these names as the first name itself. ("Thad" would be pronounced as "Tad" - and "Theo" has worked quite well, thank you, for the Red Sox' Theo Epstein.)

12. Keaghan - an unusual name, one in which a surname is used as a given name. This works best with short, one syllable last names, giving some emphasis on maybe more 'common' last names like Jones, Smith, Bark, Ash, Brown, etc.

13. Wylie - Nope, you're not naming your child after Wil E. Coyote, again this is a variation of a surname used as a first name. Again, this works well with one or two syllable last names, but it is certain, in either event, to be a one of a kind name for your child.

14. Chase - Popularized by MLB pitcher Chase Utley. There are actually two students in my daugher's high school who are named Chase. Works well with one or two syllable last names. Certainly adds a bit of intrigue for a first name, although frankly it's not one that I'm particularly enamoured with. I envision two or three little "Chase's" entering first grade within the next five years!

15. Mickey - Yes, Mickey, not Michael, not Mikey, not Mouse. It has sort of a tough-guy image for a name; one thinks of writer Mickey Spillane or baseball great Mickey Mantle. Some may consider it to be a bit of a 'lowbrow' name, but it certainly worked well enough for Mantle and Spillane, and it's doubtful you'll have a class full of kindergarten students answering to Mickey.

Other names I might suggest for your new son include Macklin (of Irish or Scotch derivation, I believe), McKinstrie (used as a last name most often, but a very cool first name!), Tucker, Leif (a beautiful Scandinavian name), Sweeney, Hector, Sebastian, Sanders, Creighton, and Len (not Leonard, but its abbreviation used as a first name). Lem is another interesting 'nickname' that can be used from the given name of Lemuel as well. Stay away from Homer! While it has wonderful references in both literature and Greek culture, it still rings of "Homer Simpson". Avoid it if you can.

Whatever names you choose for your new son, be sure to remember that first and foremost, you should give the name much careful thought and consideration. This is a name that will be with your child for his entire life (unless it's so bad of a name that he seeks either emanicaption from his parents or a legal name change by the time he's 15!). His name should reflect qualifies of character for which you hope he will aspire. It is truly a reflection of his parents' vision for him as a man.

Names for your new baby daughter can be quite interesting and intriguing as well. (From a personal standpoint, "Apple" is not one of them. That is just a stupid, stupid name for a person.)

1. Elle - Ever since the first "Legally Blonde" movie came out, this name has become hugely popular. Many young women named "Elizabeth" by their parents at birth have chosen to go by the name "Elle" now. It's short, it's sweet, and apparently deemed sophisticated as well. Such a short first name deserves a longer last name to give it some balance; if you have a shorter last name, consider 'filling in' with a one or two syllable middle name.

2. Loren - As in a tribute to Italian beauty Sophia Loren. A nice variation on "Lauren" and "Laurie" which have become both very popular and perhaps overused.

3. Emiljia - A beautiful and unusual variation on the spelling of the name Amelia.

4. Rorie - A very cute and different spelling of "Rory", often used as a man's name. Cute, peppy, and just a little bit different without being outrageous. Gained in popularity with the show "The Gilmore Girls".

5. Donna - Wildly popular as a girl's name back in the '50's, this name is making a comeback. Pair it with an interesting or family middle name, and you'll have a charmingly sweet, old-fashioned name for your little girl.

6. Betsie - Again a popular name in the '50s. Also can be spelled as Betsy, but I think this particular spelling is very light of heart. Although a variation on the name "Elizabeth" in a lot of cases, Betsie more than stands on its own as a name.

7. Corbette - Again, a last name used as a first name. Highly sophisticated and unusual; I have a friend who gave her daughter her family name as her first name, and it's really quite a beautiful one. Make certain that it's a good fit with your family surname, however.

8. Addie Lee - Genuine, good old-fashioned Southern-styled name. Both names are used as one, not merely as "Addie".

9. Cornelia - This name probably reached its peak in popularity at the turn of the century. Nevertheless, it's an impressive name that's worth a second look. I'd use a relatively short middle name to go with it. The girls I know named Cornelia, suprisingly enough, do not go by a nickname, instead preferring to be addressed by their full first name. Unusual without being whacky (Apple!)

10. Ashlynn - Yes, Ashlynn. A combination of "Ashley" with the "lynn' added on to it. Different, one of a kind. (Personally, I like the sound of the name "Carolyn", not often now used, than to that of Ashlynn - but I do know a child who was given this name. It certainly is unique!

11. Germaine - A bit of a tribute to feminist Germaine Greer. A very pretty, feminine name that's just a tad different enough to stand out in a crowd.

12. Renate - A name of Eastern European descent, which has a lovely, lilting sound when pronounced. (Ray-nah-tay).

13. Perri - A cute, fun and unusual without being outlandish first name. Goes especially well with a longish last name and a short middle name. Not quite as popular a name as "Piper" became (thanks to the television series "Charmed"), but nonetheless a sweet name to consider.

14. Kinsa - From Great Britain, we bring you "Kinsa". Goes well with a longish last name. Rings of a well-spoken, well-read indiividual who is as classically different as her name.

15. Rochelle - Remember the movie "Rochelle, Rochelle" from Seinfeld? That was honestly the first time I'd heard this woman's name used. Can use "Shelly" as a nickname; a pretty name that isn't used as often as it should be. Rochelle is a different spelling and tone for the name "Rachel".

Still looking for some other unusual yet dignified names? Consider the name "Digna" of Eastern European descent, most often used because the name runs in the family. The same holds true for the German names of Geeta and Ute (one of my aunts is named Ute, pronounced as "Ooohta"). There's also Nanette (turn of the century), Pia, Lucy, Jemma (as in socialite Jemma Khan), Ouida, Marlise, Phoebe, Valeria (the true Italian spelling of "Valerie"), Jocelyn (a name I've always personally really loved), Ada, Maddie, Macrina, and Marcianne. Another unusual name for a baby girl? Forest. Yes, I have a friend who named her daughter Forest. (Forest Elizabeth, to be exact.) If you do choose a name that is somewhat ambiguous and unsual like "Forest", I would strongly suggest that you add a very feminine middle name.

Whatever name that you choose for your daughter, it will be hers for life. Choose carefully and wisely; take your time. If you have any doubts, ask others what they think of the name. You don't want to burden your daughter with a name that has a questionable connotation (Apple!)

Best wishes and best of luck to you and your family on the arrival of its newest member! Selecting your child's name is one of the most precious and important tasks - in a long list of many to come in the future - that you'll undertake.