Decorating a nursery comes with a lot of decisions, but when it comes to baby prep, there's nothing more stressful than figuring out what the perfect baby name is for the little one-to-be. Fortunately, starting out with a theme is always good, and for some of us, that means beginning with our favorite genre of music: country. A lot of names are used in country music, but what about names inspired by our favorite country stars? There are plenty out there, and some of them might end up being exactly what we didn't know we wanted for our baby boy or girl.
From Taylor Swift to Darius Rucker and everyone in between, there are so many country singers, both new and legendary, whose names would be perfect to bestow upon our babies. Let's face it: Naming a baby after Dolly Parton could only bring her good things in life, right?
If anyone out there is looking for a little country-themed inspiration for their baby's name, look no further. Here are 20 country star baby names to help get those creative juices flowing. The perfect baby name is out there — it might even be on this list. Yeehaw!
Taylor
OK, so Taylor Swift has definitely made the transition over to pop, but before that, she had country roots, and because of the first chapter of her career, she also ranks solidly as a country singer. Taylor would be a great namesake — and her name would work for either a boy or a girl.
Rhett
Thomas Rhett (and his adorable wife and children) has become a household name over the last few years, and though Thomas is also a timeless choice, it can be pretty common. Going with a name like Rhett, though, is a bit more unusual for a baby boy, even if it is rising in popularity.
Carrie
Carrie Underwood's path to fame is a totally unforgettable one, and she's gone on to become one of the most successful American Idol winners of all time. Why not borrow her name for a baby girl? It's one of those names that isn't so trendy it'll sound outdated in the future, either.
Shelton
Blake Shelton has had a pretty noteworthy career, between his country stardom and making his mark as a hilarious coach on The Voice. And if "Blake" is just too common, why not consider Shelton for a boy? It's definitely uncommon, and will still let people know exactly who baby is named after.
Dolly Parton
When it comes to country music, Dolly Parton might just be the queen … and as far as we're concerned, that means that any baby named after this legend would be destined to live a life of greatness. Dolly might not be the most common name in 2020, but somebody's gotta bring it back!
Gentry
We're still having a hard time processing the unexpected loss of Troy Gentry in 2018, but his name would make a great one for a baby boy or a baby girl — especially for fans of the late singer and his band.
Reba
With a name like Reba, there will be no questioning who baby was named after — or what her parents' taste in music is like! At this point, Reba could certainly be considered a country music legend, and her name is perfect for parents who are looking for something that will help their kid stand out.
Johnny
There are few men who have had more of an impact on country (or music in general) than Johnny Cash has — and fortunately, his first name is a classic option for parents looking for one. Want something less traditional? Cash is a pretty cute name for a baby boy, too.
Shania
Feel especially motivated by hearing the words "Let's go girls" at the beginning of "Man, I Feel Like a Woman"? If so, the name Shania might just be the perfect pick for baby girl. After all, it's a gorgeous name, and we can't imagine there will be too many other Shanias in her kindergarten class.
Willie
Another legendary name for a legendary baby! It's hard to imagine country music without Willie Nelson, and while this is a name we don't hear as often these days, it might be the right time to bring it back for a Southern little boy.
Miranda
Miranda Lambert has broken so many country records, and after her split from Blake Shelton, she's come back stronger and better than ever before. The kind of sass Miranda's carrying around is something we'd wish on our daughters, so why not bestow her name upon them, too?
Tim
Tim is a strong, classic name for a baby boy — and it just so happens to also be the name of one of the biggest country stars of all time, no big! It's hard to find someone out there who doesn't think Tim McGraw is a good, talented dude, so his name is a pretty good one to consider.
Paisley
Yes, we know Brad Paisley is a male country singer … but there's something about his last name that would be so perfect for a little girl! If there's a fan of Brad's music out there who's looking for a baby girl name with all the Southern vibes, Paisley would be perfect.
Kane
Kane Brown might not have been around the industry as long as a lot of the other musical legends on this list, but his name is definitely worth considering for those looking for a country-inspired baby boy name. Kane is quirky and really cute … and we know he'll eventually be a much bigger star!
Kacey
It's hard to deny the impact that Kacey Musgraves has already had on music — and her name is pretty cute, too. Kacey's a free spirit, super talented, and gorgeous, which are all qualities we'd love to gift our baby girls if we could. The name works for boys, too.
Kenny
Since there are multiple Kennys in country music, it's only appropriate that this name also appears on this list. Whether it's Kenny Rogers, who died in 2020, or Kenny Chesney that the parents-to-be have in mind, they certainly can't go wrong.
Loretta
It doesn't get much more old-school country than Loretta Lynn! For anyone looking for a more classic, traditional Southern-style name, Loretta is a solid choice, and it comes with tons of nickname options, like Lori and Retta, which is a major plus.
Sam
For fans of more contemporary country who are looking for a baby name, Sam, after singer Sam Hunt, might just do the trick. It's simple, easy to say and spell, and it's not too obvious where the name came from for those who aren't looking for an overt reference to country music.
Faith
The name Faith will always stand the test of time, no matter how popular it is in a certain year — and it just so happens to also be the name of one of the most well-known and talented ladies in country music. If we're going to include Tim on this list, we have to include Faith, too!
Darius
We may have originally known him as the frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish, but he's since successfully made a major pivot to country music, making Darius a worthy candidate in the running for country music-inspired boy names. Plus, it's way less predictable than some of the others out there!
