Choosing the perfect name for your baby might feel like a big responsibility. You may want something beautiful and meaningful but not too common. Perhaps a simple pronunciation is important for you so your child doesn’t have to correct every teacher on the first day of school, or an easy spelling so she can learn to write her name early on.
Whatever your top priorities are in a baby name, chances are you’ve scoured lists of popular monikers and pages of family history to find the right title for your new baby. Here’s one more for your research; these 10 names are unique but meaningful, and might just be the ideal name for your new baby. Plus, many of them work for both boys and girls.
1. Ishi
If you want a name that’s truly multicultural, you can’t go wrong with Ishi. The name appears in Japanese, Hindu, Native American Yahi and Hebrew cultures, though with very different meanings.
In Japanese, Ishi is a female name that means “stone.” Additionally, many people learned Ishi was the last Yahi man, a subgroup of the Yana Indians who lived in Northern California, according to the University of California Berkeley.
In Hindu culture, Ishi is another name for the Goddess Durga, a warrior goddess who fights evil influences. Finally, Ishi appears in the bible several times, most often associated with “salvation.”
2. Nola
Nola may have been introduced as a nickname for Fionnuala, Enola, Magnolia (or even New Orleans), but this simple, sweet name works well on its own, too. It has Irish roots, meaning “little fair-shouldered one.” It’s also a city in Italy near Naples.
3. Juniper
Juniper is the name of a small, evergreen shrub. The name is derived from the Latin “junio,” meaning “youth,” and “parere,” meaning “to produce.” Put together, Juniper is one who’s always producing youth – the perfect name for an evergreen or someone who will always be young at heart.
4. Collins
Collins can either be a boy’s or a girl’s name, and it means “a win for the people.” One famous example of the use of Collins as a first name is Collins Tuohy, the sister of football star Michael Oher, as shown in the 2006 biography, “The Blind Side.”
5. Roman
Roman has a regal sound to it, and though it’s classically a boy’s name, it could also make for a unique yet powerful girl’s name.
6. Elliott
Another traditionally male name that’s also awesome for baby girls, Elliott has biblical roots as well as French ties. The name is also associated with famed poet T.S. Eliot.
7. Haskell
Haskell is a unique unisex name that means “wisdom.” One influential person by this name was Haskell Curry, a logician for whom the programming languages Haskell and Curry were named.
8. Cato
Cato is traditionally a boy’s name of Latin origin that means “all-knowing.” Cato is the first name of Pharrell Williams’ brother as well as Cato June, a former Indianapolis Colts linebacker.
9. Quinn
This Irish name can stand on its own or work as a nickname for Quinton, Quincy or Quinta. It once was primarily chosen for boys, but Quinn as a girl’s name has been growing in popularity since the ’90s.
10. Abella
This French baby girl’s name is incredibly adore-abella! The name means to breathe, to exhale and to exist. With such a beautifully peaceful meaning, it’s a wonderful name to give your new baby girl.
As you can see, you can’t go wrong with one of these unique baby names. But if none of these 10 resonate with you, check out our list of top 100 baby names; this is the most up-to-date compilation of baby names out there.
