Choosing a baby name can be an intimidating process, and it's different for everyone — after all, what each parent-to-be is looking for in a name for their future child is so personal. But if you're expecting and one of your priorities in a baby name is something truly unique, look no further. Just when you thought you'd researched every baby name list out there, we've managed to find several names for boys and girls that you may never have heard before.
When it comes to baby names, there's such a thing as being too unique, but that's not what we're talking about here. Most of these names are creative spins on more popular, traditional choices, and many of them would work as a gender neutral baby name, too.
Read on for baby names you probably haven't heard of until now. If you choose to go with one of these, there's a good chance your child may not encounter another kid who shares their name — and to many people, that's definitely a good thing.
BRECKEN
Brecken is a boys' name we don't hear too often, even though it's a solid, interesting choice without being too out there. It has Irish roots and means "freckled," so if you're expecting a little one to inherit yours, it might be a good choice!
EMBRY
Like many of the names on this list, Embry is a gender neutral choice. It comes from English and means "flat-topped hill." If you like the sound of the name Aubrey but want something a little different and unexpected, Embry might be a great name to consider.
CASHTON
Ashton is a popular name for both boys and girls, but some parents have chosen to add a C to the front of the name, transforming it entirely. If you want a name with the suffix "ton" (or a name that insinuates your little one might grow up to have a fat wallet), Cashton might be the winner.
THANE
The name Thane has both Scottish and Old English roots, so if your family is of European heritage, it could be a fun choice. It's thought to mean "warrior," so it's a good, strong name for a baby boy — though it could certainly also be considered gender neutral.
ANOUK
Even though Anouk is sometimes used as the French form of "Anna," it's also used for baby boys. The name is Dutch and means "grace," which is a virtue many of us hope to instill in our future children — and it happens to be the name of a popular Dutch singer.
MATIX
A lot of people are big fans of the name Maddox, but it's become popular in the last few years. If you're hoping for something a bit less common, the spelling Matix offers virtually the same name, but there's little chance your kid will run into another with the same spelling.
INDIO
Indio is more than just the city in California where Coachella is held every year! Indio also makes a cute baby boy name — and one that you likely haven't encountered before. The name itself is a more unexpected variation of more popular names like Indiana and India.
GIN
If names like Brandy have stood the test of time, why can't we throw some other alcohol-inspired names into the mix? Gin is an uncommon choice for sure, but it would work for a boy or a girl — and it has a different meaning that has nothing to do with booze. With roots in Japanese, it means "silver."
BEXLEY
A lot of baby girl names out there end in some variation of "ley" — especially over the last few years — but this one is certainly different! Bexley might be a good alternative to those names, or to something more traditional and popular like Becky or Becca.
ASTRA
Celestial-themed baby names have become more and more popular in the last few years, but here's one that's different than "Luna," which we've heard a lot of lately. What about Astra? It comes from Greek and means "of the stars," as well as "divine strength."
LUNARIA
Speaking of Luna — here's a twist on that top 20 name that has nothing to do with the moon and the stars. The name Lunaria is actually a Latin name that means "flower," and it's a pretty, feminine name for anyone who is hoping to find one for their baby girl-to-be.
ELORA
The name Elora (which is sometimes spelled Alora) is a name that means "shining light" in Hebrew. It's thought to be a variation on the name Eleanor, which has been coming back into popularity over the last couple of years. And between shortened versions like Ellie or Laura, it comes with plenty of nickname potential.
BELLAMY
Bellamy is used for both boys and girls, though more recently, it's most commonly used for girls. It has European roots and means "fine friend" — who wouldn't want a baby to grow up to be someone others could depend on? If you're into girls names that were originally thought of as last names, this could be the one for you.
ZORA
Beyond Zoe, there aren't a lot of girls' names that start with the letter Z, but this one is an option! Also the name of famed writer Zora Neale Hurston, the name means "dawn" and can be used instead of the far more popular name Nora for a similar length and sound.
MIRELLE
"Elle" is a popular suffix for baby girls, but this name is still unexpected! It's thought to be a form of Miranda or Mira, and means "wonderful" and "prosperous" — two great meanings to place upon your baby girl in the beginning of her life. It helps that the name itself is pretty, too.
STARLEY
Another baby girl name that ends in "ley," but this one is far more creative! We've heard Starla before, but Starley is a bit different. It was originally an English surname and means "steer meadow," but it would make the most adorable name for a baby girl.
