Parents are always on the lookout for unique baby names that aren’t too strange, yet unique. Celebrities are clearly setting the bar this generation, with their children’s names being incredibly unusual and individual. All parents want to give their new baby the best name possible, but deciding on one can be difficult! These days, unusual baby names are all the rage, with inspiration derived from flora, mythology, and even science fiction. Finding a name that hasn’t been overused and isn’t too strange isn’t simple, but with a little ingenuity and study, you’ll be able to come up with something that works!

Westerners are adopting Eastern spiritual practises such as meditation, mindfulness, and yoga as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. The pursuit for a more Zen lifestyle is also driving baby name choices for some new parents.

Peace achieved 66 percent popularity among infant girls, Harmony 15 percent, and Hope 10 percent. For boys, Shanti (which means peace in Sanskrit) is up 34%.

Names that pay homage to the natural world have also become increasingly popular. For girls, Dawn (up 16 percent), Aurora (up 17 percent), and Rainbow (up 26 percent) are on the rise. Ocean (up 31 percent), Fern (up 55 percent), and Sky (up 38 percent) are among the most popular boys’ names.

Rhys is a unisex name that is more commonly spelled Reese than it is Rhys. Rhys was not included in the top 1000 names in the United States until 2004, when it was ranked #979. According to Nameberry, it is currently ranked #442, making it the most popular name of the century! Rhys is a Welsh name that meaning “ardour” in English. It’s a popular surname as well as a given name in Wales. Jonathan Rhys Meyers portrayed Henry VIII in the Tudor period. Another modern celebrity with this name is Welsh actor Rhys Ifans. Rhys was the name given to Joey McIntyre’s son by the New Kids on the Block. Rhys, Reese, and Reece are all excellent options, but traditional Welsh spelling is particularly distinctive.

Fortnite, an online multiplayer game, has officially become a cultural phenomenon, with over 125 million players in its first year. Drake, Travis Scott, and Joe Jonas were among the celebrities who helped promote the game.

It might seem surprising that a third-person survival game might inspire baby names. However, many Millennial and Gen Z parents are playing – and are intrigued by names inspired by Fortnite, such as Ramirez.

Baby names have evolved from the names of the “skins” worn by costume players. For males, Leviathan is up 46 percent, Bunny is up 30 percent, and Rogue is up 47 percent for girls and 21 percent for boys.

Dakotaz, a professional Fortnite player, gave the name a boost.

Millicent, the German brand hasn’t had a lot of success. It first appeared on the American list of popular names in 1880, went through several ups and downs on the chart, once breaking into the top 500, and then was totally phased out in 1965. It’s made a comeback in recent years. Millicent is a German name that means “worker’s strength.” The name Millicent first appeared in the Middle Ages. Millicent is an English name derived from the French name Melisende. Millicent has appeared in works of literature such as Anne Bronte’s classic The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and the Harry Potter series. It’s also the middle name of Barbie.

With three high-profile pregnancies and kids (Stormi, True, and Chicago) this year alone, the Kardashian-Jenner family continues to influence baby names. Some parents followed in the footsteps of first-time mom Kylie Jenner (whose daughter’s name Stormi has increased by 63 percent) and Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna (whose daughter’s name Dream has increased by 42 percent). The popularity of the name Nori (a nickname for North, Kim Kardashian West’s and Kanye West’s daughter) has increased by 14% among females.

Saint, the name of Kim and Kanye’s third kid, has increased by 42 percent, while Reign, the name of Kourtney’s third child, has increased by 27 percent.

Kim and Kanye’s names are also becoming more well-known. Kanye has risen 22% on the boys’ name list, while Kim has risen 19%.

Bruno is one of the top 100 boy’s names in over five nations, but it hasn’t been particularly popular in the United States in recent years. When it first joined the top names list in 1880, Bruno had a very solid start in America. By 1915, it had climbed to #259, but by 1948, it had plummeted almost totally out of the top 1000. According to Nameberry, Bruno is resting at position #583 in early 2021. Bruno is a German word that means “brown.” The Carthusian order of monks was founded in 1084 by Saint Bruno of Cologne. In the Irish novels Bruno’s Dream and Sylvie and Bruno, Bruno is a character. Dancing with the Stars is a reality show that airs on ABC. Bruno Toniolo and musician Bruno Mars are two well-known celebrities with the name Bruno.

This Hebrew name has only been on the American charts since last year, peaking at #765 at its highest point. This name has been mostly disregarded, particularly by parents looking for a Biblical name for their child. The feminine form of the male name Aviv is Aviva. It means “spring-like, fresh, dewy” in Hebrew. The Hebrew term abib, which means “a period of year when the ears grow into grain,” was used to create Aviv. It’s also the name of a day during Passover known as the Holiday of Aviv. Aviva is a new spin on the popular names Vivian and Vivienne. Aviva is light and lovely, as well as ancient and refined. It’s a lovely name for a spring-born or conceived baby girl.

Soren is a Danish import that debuted in the United States in 2003 and peaked at #955 on the charts. Last year, it was ranked #551 on the American Top Ranked Boys Names list. Soren is a Scandinavian and Danish variant of Severus, which means “stern.” For such a sweet name, the connotation is harsh, but the gentleness of the name compensates. Soren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century philosopher, poet, religious author, and theologian, is one noteworthy historical figure with this name. Characters from The Matrix Reloaded, Guardians of Ga’Hook, Charlie and Lola, and Underworld are more recent name bearers. Soren is a one-of-a-kind name that’s on its way to becoming a household name.

Researching and finding unique names for your child can be a daunting task but taking inspiration from celebs, movies, books and people around you can be a great way to start.