Cool Baby Names Outside The Top 1,000 List
The yearly list of Top Baby Names is useful as a general “What Not To Name My Baby” reference – as many modern parents do – so this is the cool baby names list to consult.
Choosing a baby name is important, but you wouldn prefer if your child wasn’t just another Jessica/Michael/Sophia at school – named after a last initial. You moan and groan when your favorite formerly unique names (Henry, Penelope, Oliver) creep up into the “popular” zone, and you take your naming seriously.
And so I give you cool baby names that haven’t hit the Top 1,000 … yet:
Girl Names
1. Amalia
Meaning: Work
A less-popular alternative to Amelia.
2. Mabel
Meaning: Lovable
First of all, how about that meaning? Mabel is one of those old-fashioned granny names coming back into fashion — but not fast enough to make it into the Top 1,000. Use this as one of the cool baby names before it starts climbing.
3. Wren
Meaning: A bird
A sweet songbird of a name.
4. Etta
Meaning: Estate ruler
In a world where Emmas and Ellas abound, Etta is a similar yet jazzier cousin.
5. Aurelia
Meaning: The golden one
A more glittering, star-struck cousin to the Disney-inspired Aurora.
6. Emmeline
Meaning: Work
There’s something about “Em-“ names that are especially attractive (Emma/Emily/Emilia/Amelia), and Emmeline has the classic femininity without the modern trendiness.
7. Margot
Meaning: Pearl
Beyond the attractive meaning, Margot feels both classic and exotic, with a trendy o-ending.
8. Faye
Meaning: Fairy
This is an especially cool middle name option, similar to Mae and Rae. It’s also a vintage choice deserving a comeback.
9. Louisa
Meaning: Renowned warrior
Another one of those vintage cool baby names that’s starting to register on our radar.
10. Gwen
Meaning: White circle
It’s not so much “in” anymore, but it’s not so far out that it’s unfashionable. I think Gwen has a classic appeal.
11. Magnolia
Meaning: Flower name
Similar to Lily, Daisy, and Iris, Magnolia is an ultra-feminine flower name with a unique spin.
12. Cordelia
Meaning: Heart; Daughter of the sea
A sophisticated yet stylish name that’s hanging out just below the Top 1,000 list.
13. Rosie
Meaning: A diminutive of Rose
A perkier version of Rose.
14. Poppy
Meaning: Flower name
The spunkiest of feminine flower names, which is popular overseas (Poppy is in the UK’s Top 20).
15. Maisie
Meaning: Pearl
It sounds like friendly Daisy, but with the attractive nickname option of Mae. And it’s all wrapped up with a vintage vibe.
16. Delia
Meaning: “Born on the island of Delos”
A popular nickname for Cordelia (another Outside-the-Top-1,000 pick), Delia has a poetic feel
17. Remi
Meaning: Oarsman
Despite the slightly off-putting meaning, Remi has a modern quirkiness that’s very much in style right now.
18. Clementine
Meaning: Mild, merciful
This is a buzzed-about name in the online naming community, but still completely off the nation’s radar. Read: Your friends will think it’s cool, but your parents will give the stink eye.
19. Florence
Meaning: Flourishing, prosperous
Florence has all the qualities of a chart-climbing name — vintage, exotic, feminine, and it’s even a place name. Will Florence and the Machine give it a boost up? Maybe, but it currently ranks way down in “unique” territory. So have at it.
20. Sally
Meaning: Princess
Well, it means princess; we can start with that. And it’s also a super happy and friendly name — with a trendy mid-century flair.
21. Elodie
Meaning: Marsh flower
This one feels like it should be popular, but it’s totally not. So that’s probably exactly what you want in one of those cool baby names.
22. Maren
Meaning: Sea
Maren is a unique variation of Mary — so you could easily use it as a more modern namesake.
23. Astrid
Meaning: Divinely beautiful
Well she’ll always love the meaning of her name — that’s for certain. The name “Astrid” is pretty popular over in Sweden and Denmark, and it’s heard more frequently in the name-enthusiast community, but your little girl probably won’t have multiple Astrids in her class.
24. Ellison
Meaning: Son of Ellis
She might have to go through her life saying “N-no ELLison, not Allison,”but it’s a unique “Elle”/”Ellie” name.
25. Flora
Meaning: Flower
Flower names are extremely popular right now, but there are a few attractive options that haven’t fully caught on yet, like Poppy and Iris. Add “Flora” to that list. (Also: the Disney connection, obviously)
Boy Names
1. Grey
Meaning: Color name
The more formal version of Grayson/Greyson is quickly scooting up the ranks, Grey is an attractive color name that’s hanging just below the Top 1,000 list. It could be an especially awesome middle name choice.
2. Garrison
Meaning: Son of Garret
A more modern twist to the outdated Gary, and Garrison also has the trendy feel of a place name and/or surname name.
3. Taj
Meaning: Crown
Taj made two brief appearances in the Top 1,000 (1976 and 1998), and it has a cool vibe that consistently leaves it lingering in “unique but usable” territory.
4. Magnus
Meaning: Greatest
Magnus exudes power (and maybe a little ego), so it might require a strong personality. But with the right personality — man, it could soar.
5. Miller
Meaning: Grinder of grain
It’s still pretty unique, but it has the trendy “surname name” and “occupational name” qualities.
6. Ford
Meaning: Dweller at the ford
He might have to live with an association to cars, but it’s becoming a rising surname name.
7. Thatcher
Meaning: Roof thatcher
Another occupational-meets-surname name that’s trendy yet unique. It’s also a modern twist on Tyler and Taylor.
8. Bishop
Meaning: Occupation name
