50 Names People Once Encountered And Couldn’t Forget Because Of How “Yooneek” They Were

To understand why parents are choosing unconventional names for their children, Bored Panda got in touch with baby name blogger Abby Sandel.

In the US, Sandel observes that fewer children are receiving top-ranking names compared to fifty, twenty, or even ten years ago. She views this trend positively. “We’re less bound to traditions, freer to choose names that reflect our heritage, identities, and values, and just plain open to more creative names than in the past,” she explains.

This growing acceptance has paved the way for more unique options. “If we meet kids named River and Willow, we’re more open to choosing, say, Canyon and Marigold for our own kids,” Sandel notes. But not all modern names are as extreme. Nature-inspired, surname-style names like Wrenley, Oaklynn, and Wylder are particularly popular these days. However, in the quest for originality, parents sometimes end up with choices that sound quite similar. “Classrooms are filled with girls called Lily, Lilah, Lola, and Lyra. Four different names, but easily confused!”

Evolutionary biologist Dr. Mitchel Newberry believes there is an evolutionary reason behind why parents opt for less typical names. In his research, he analyzed databases of names in the US over the last century and found that they go through what he describes as ‘boom and bust’ periods.

When a name becomes very popular, it often ends up being perceived as too common by new parents. Consequently, the more popular a name gets, the less likely future parents are to choose it. This phenomenon is known as negative frequency-dependent selection.

“If people are always thirsting after the newest thing, it creates a lot of new options,” says Dr. Newberry. “Every time a new name is created, it gets attention, allowing rarer names to become more common, leading to greater diversity in the population.”

But while standout names like River and Wylder tend to be well-received, others raise quite a few eyebrows. God, Famous, Casanova, Elmo, and Vader are among the most eccentric baby names Sandel came across last year. “The line between strange-amazing-cool and strange-wait-what is pencil thin, shifts over time, and varies dramatically from person to person,” she writes on her blog.

“Assuming we choose unusual names with our eyes wide open, I think they can be great,” Sandel tells us. “Parents need to recognize that a really different name will require more frequent repetition and spelling, as well as questions. And even if you love that really different name, chances are someone in your life will not. That’s okay, but it’s best to be prepared that grandma might not like the idea of calling her grandchild Wonder, Givenchy, or Gnash.”

“Of course, your child might grow up and wish for a more conventional name,” she adds. “When in doubt, it’s better to name your child Wonder James than Wonder Givenchy. A little bit of balance can make a bold first name feel more wearable.” Ultimately, the decision is entirely in your hands.