What’s your favourite baby name you never got to use?Â
Most of us have a bank of baby names hidden in the back of our minds. They may be names that we loved, at one stage or another, but that we chose not to use for our own kids, for whatever reason.
This could be because the name reminds us of someone, or someone used the name before we got a chance. It could be because our husbands vetoed it or our neighbour named his cat the same name. Or it could be because we were blessed with three daughters so never got a chance to use our picked-out boy’s name.Â
Whatever the reason, we recently asked our mums what are some of the favourite baby names that they never got to use. Thousands of mums replied with thousands of different name choices, all beautiful in their own way.Â
With over 2,000 comments, we noticed a few trends, but one trend that really stood out to us was several of the names that didn’t make the birth certificate are quite unique. Names you wouldn’t hear every day and certainly not ones that belong in the top 100 list.Â
The appeal of unique baby names
Unique baby names are nothing new but many parents are hesitant to use them. There’s something a lot safer about going with a popular or well-known name, one that people already know how to spell and that perhaps already has a certain feel to it.
The name, Jack, for example, is a pretty solid, strong boy’s name. Another popular boy’s name – William – comes with a very regal vibe. Mia, another common name, comes with notions of sweetness while Bella is synonymous with beautiful.Â
Unique baby names, on the other hand, aren’t well-known enough to come with these connotations. They can also be trickier to spell and to say and, you may find that you are defending your name choice everywhere you go. Thus, many parents will have unique baby names on their shortlist, but decide to go with something a little more traditional when baby does make their appearance.Â
However, the great thing about unique baby names is that they grow with your child and they offer a chance to name your little one something that is as individual as they are.
We wanted to share a few of the unique names that never got used by our Mum Central readers – out of the thousands of names, these were 50 uncommon options that really stood to us. Hopefully, they get to see the baby naming stage one day!Â
25 unique girl’s names that never got used
- Kenadee
- Elorah
- Rebel
- EnoraÂ
- Kezia
- Lyndie
- Knightly
- Nixie
- Noa
- Holland
- XavieriaÂ
- Inara
- Navy
- Wrenly
- Orla
- Saffiah
- Rawlings
- Alaska
- Magnolia
- Anniston
- Poet
- Prairie
- Ryah
- Salem
- Aquila
25 unique boy’s names that never made the cutÂ
- Egon
- Brighton
- Deion
- Kaeo
- Laken
- Blakely
- Cove
- Humphrey
- Huxley
- Lux
- Leonidas
- DimityÂ
- Jarryn
- Cordell
- Canter
- Linke
- Ragnar
- StirlingÂ
- Calix
- Ezekiel
- Banjo
- Ralston
- Brecken
- Rylan
- Milan
Of course, there were thousands of other lovely names that, for whatever reason, were not picked.Â
Common names that readers loved but never used
Below are 20 of the more common names that continued to be brought up as favourites that weren’t chosen (in no particular order and for various reasons):Â
Girls
- Lily
- Summer
- Jasmine
- Everleigh/Everly
- Daisy
- Hannah
- Amelia
- Ivy
- Maeve
- Maisie
Boys
- Ziggy
- Hunter
- Tobias
- BowieÂ
- LeviÂ
- Arlo
- Hendrix
- Aiden
- Zane
- MichaelÂ
If you are looking for the perfect name for your little one, check out our ultimate baby name generator. Simply select your due date and see what names match (both boy and girl options given). It’s easy to use, good fun and free – check it out here.
More baby name ideas
Be sure you also visit our baby name section. We’ve got thousands of naming ideas and lists for all trends and naming types including:Â
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