Baby Girl Names From 2000s

Unusual baby names can be tough to find. If you're looking for a baby name that's uncommon, unusual, maybe even a little weird, here are 22 of our favorites. Gathered from hundreds of thousands of parents who've shared their baby's names with us, these names were given to just a handful of babies. With one of these uncommon names, you can rest assured that your child won't be one of many in class or on the playground.

Uncommon baby names

Unusual baby names come from many sources: exotic destinations (Berlin, Holland); foreign languages such as French (Anaïs, Fleur, Ciel, Francois); ancient Greece and Rome (Ajax, Cornelius); and the natural world (Oceana, Lake, Dove, Wolf). Adventurous parents also find inspiration in personality traits and attributes (Moxie, Rebel, Zen); favorite colors (Lavender, Golden); and famous historical figures (Booker, Darwin).

Uncommon baby girl names

Anaïs

Anaïs is the French version of Anna. It means grace or fruitful, and may have roots in Anahita, the Persian goddess of fertility and healing. The name was made famous by Anaïs Nin, a French-Cuban-American writer, as well as the Carachel perfume "Anaïs Anaïs." It has been popular in France since about 1980. In the past year, it has seen exponential growth in the U.S., but it's still rather obscure, falling outside of the top 1000.

Berlin

Berlin is an edgy alternative to the popular name Brooklyn, which ranks in the top 100 baby names. It can also be spelled as Berlynn and Berlyn. Berlin comes from the capital of Germany, the largest city in the country. From 1961 to 1989, Berlin was divided physically and ideologically into East and West. (Fun fact: David Bowie wrote the song "Heroes" about lovers separated by the Berlin Wall.) Now, the city of Berlin is a symbol for reunification and is known for its art and culture.

Ciel

Ciel is the French word for sky and heaven. If you're attracted to names like Sky or Skylar but want something less popular, consider Ciel, the Spanish Cielo, or the feminine Cielle, Ciela, or Ciella. Model Niki Taylor and NASCAR driver Burney Lamar named their daughter Ciel back in 2009, putting it on the map.

Devina

Devina is a Hindu name that means "resembling a goddess." A more common version is spelled Davina, like Davina Potratz from the reality show Selling Sunset. Unusual names with a similar vibe include Nova, Amara, and Ishanvi.

Dove

Dove follows in the footsteps of other bird names like Robin and Wren, with the added symbolism of peace. We love Dove's ethereal simplicity. The dove is a religious symbol in Christianity and Buddhism, and in Hebrew, Dov (hold the e) is a masculine name meaning "bear." This beautiful name is increasingly popular, probably thanks to actress Dove Cameron. The number of BabyCenter babies named Dove has doubled every year, so this name may not stay unusual for much longer.

Fleur

Fleur, which rhymes with pure, means flower in French. It's a less common alternative to Flora, which ranks in the top 1000. Though it's quite obscure in the U.S., with only a handful of babies taking this name every year, Fleur is in the top 50 in the Netherlands. If you're looking for a nature name that you won't hear anywhere else, consider Fleur.

Lavender

Lavender, with its fragrant purple flowers, is an unexpected twist on floral names like Rose, Lily, Violet, and Iris. Though unusual, Lavender has been growing in popularity for the last few years. A few famous literary characters are named Lavender – the best friend in Roald Dahl's Matilda and Lavender Brown, a witch in Harry Potter. Lavender is also a beautiful color and beloved scent.

Moxie

Moxie means spirited and determined, both worthy qualities to wish on your baby. The word came into American vocabularies in the 1930s when the beverage Moxie, one of the first mass-produced sodas, was marketed with the slogan "build up your nerve." As a baby name, Moxie has old-fashioned charm.

Oceana

Oceana, meaning ocean, is a lyrical name of Greek origin that's reminiscent of mermaids and myths. As the feminine form of Oceanus, this name appeals to fans of ancient Greece and the fictional Lemuria and Atlantis. With water covering 71 percent of our planet, inspiring infinite adventures and art, oceans are worth honoring with your baby's name.

Uncommon baby boy names

Ajax

Ajax is a name from Greek mythology meaning "of the earth." It appears in Homer's Iliad, an epic poem set during the Trojan War. Ajax is a hero described as being strong and brave and is sometimes referred to as "Ajax the Great." Ajax is also a successful Dutch football (soccer) club based in Amsterdam.

Booker

Booker was originally a last name given to bookbinders or scribes, but it became known as a first name thanks to African-American leader Booker T. Washington. The name Booker symbolizes hope and tenacity in the face of discrimination. Booker is also associated with the Booker prize, a prestigious literary award. It became a celebrity baby name when actress Thandie Newton named her son Booker in 2014.

Chauncey

Chauncey means chancellor, or head of government. It's an old-fashioned version of Chance, a rising baby name for boys. While Chauncey was last popular in the 1800s and early 1900s, this baby name may be making a comeback thanks to basketball coach Chauncey Billups and football players Chauncey Rivers and Chauncey Gardner.

Cornelius

The Latin origin of Cornelius means horn, but this name has a far broader meaning in history. In the New Testament, Cornelius the Centurion was a prominent Roman commander whose baptism was a defining moment for the early Christian church. In the 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt was an American business magnate who expanded and improved upon the country's transportation infrastructure. Cornelius "Neeley" Nolan is the protagonist's younger brother in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Cornelius Agrippa is a celebrated German wizard in Harry Potter, and Shakespeare used the name for characters in Hamlet and Cymbeline. Cornelius is also the given name of actor Chevy Chase and protagonist Cory Matthews in the 90's ABC sitcom Boy Meets World.

Darwin

Darwin is of old English origin and means dear friend. Most famously, it's the last name of Charles Darwin, who contributed the theory of natural selection to evolutionary sciences. If you like the sound of Darwin but want something less scientific, Edwin, Erwin, and Darin all have a similar vibe.

Dex

Dex is a simple yet strong name reminiscent of Dexter, which has Latin roots meaning skillful and dexterous. Dex has become a common name for video game characters. Other meanings include right-handed and fortunate. Dex Carvey, son of comedian Dana Carvey, is an actor born in 1991. You're unlikely to meet anyone named Dex, though you may come across Dax, Daxton, and Knox.

Francois

Francois, of French origin, means free. It's the equivalent of the English name Francis. Notable people include two French presidents: Francois Mitterrand and Francois Hollande, who's known for legalizing same-sex marriage. Though the name is more common in French-speaking cultures, Francois is an unusual choice in the U.S.

Wolf

Wolf is a fierce baby name honoring an animal that's prominent in legends and myths. Saint Francis is said to have tamed a wolf by agreeing to feed him, illustrating the value of cooperation over competition. In Roman mythology, twins Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf before Romulus founded the city of Rome. Classical music lovers may choose Wolf to pay homage to Wolfgang Mozart. Wolf can also be spelled Wolfe, which is more commonly used as a last name.

Uncommon unisex names

Golden

Gold symbolizes honesty and authenticity. Give your baby an extra glow with this dazzling color name that peaked in popularity in the late 19th century. Award-winning actress Golden Brooks has brought recent attention to the name, as has the song "Golden" by Harry Styles. Other variations include Goldie and Golda.

Holland

Holland has steadily climbed the charts since the '90s, entering the top 1000 in 2014, though it's still rare relative to other European place names like London and Paris. Holland, meaning wooded land in Dutch, is a region within the Netherlands (though Holland is sometimes used to refer to the whole country) Emmy award-winning actress Holland Taylor, who appeared in Two and a Half Men and on Broadway, has lent sophistication to this elegant name.

Lake

Surprisingly rare, Lake follows the flow of water names such as Bay, Ocean, River, and Brook. Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady named their daughter Vivian Lake in 2012. Actresses Veronica Lake and Lake Bell have also brought attention to the name. It appeals to parents seeking nature names that evoke serenity.

Rebel

Rebel is a gutsy, modern baby name that suits boys and girls equally. Australian comedic actress Rebel Wilson has brought new attention to the name. Robert Rodriguez, an American filmmaker who directed the Sin City and Spy Kids films, named his son Rebel. If you want your kid to have the edgiest name on the playground, Rebel is a good pick.

Zen

Are you hoping for a chill baby? Consider Zen, a name with Japanese origins and a form of Buddhism that combines Indian Mahayana Buddhism with Taoism. Zen Buddhism emphasizes meditation, intuition, and altruism. Actress Zoe Saldana named her youngest son Zen in 2016, boosting the name's popularity (though it remains outside of the top 1000).

Where to go next:

• Top 100 names of the year
• Baby name trends of the decade
• Look up a name and see how it ranks

Baby Girl Names From 2000s

Source: https://www.babycenter.com/0_uncommon-and-unusual-baby-names_10388919.bc

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