Star Trek Baby Names That Work Beyond The Final Frontier

"Star Trek" has more than lived up to its promise "to boldly go where no man has gone before." Not only has the series been an important part of TV history, it has been ahead of its time ever since its 1966 debut. From the multicultural crew of the starship Enterprise to its topical messaging and technological foresight (Touch-screen tablets! Medical scanners!), the series has both entertained us and offered us a glimpse of a hopeful future.

If you're an expectant mom who knows the difference between "Deep Space Nine," "Discovery," and "Strange New Worlds" (one of the newest additions to the Trekverse), why not give your new arrival a name that honors the iconic franchise? Just as "Little House on the Prairie" spawned baby names worth reviving, 60 years of "Trek" have produced a legion of characters with names that sound as good on kids today as they did (will?) in the 23rd century.

We understand if you'd rather not give your baby one of the more, um, exotic "Trek" names. (Still, we'd give anything to see a teacher calling attendance: "Gowron Bailey? Seven of Nine Jones?" But with 10 TV series and 15 movies in the canon, there are plenty of other choices that both sound great and that give a nod to your favorite Starfleet characters. Try these options out for size, and may your little one live long and prosper!

Many of "Star Trek"'s human characters have timeless 20th-century names, including the OG Enterprise captain James Kirk (played by William Shatner). James is never too trendy, and it always sounds totally regal. Another fine choice is Benjamin, as in Capt. Sisko of "Deep Space Nine" (played by Avery Brooks), who ranked second only to Kirk in The Washington Post's list of best "Trek" helmsmen. 

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" featured the mother-son team of Dr. Beverly and Wesley Crusher (Gates McFadden and Wil Wheaton). These two classic names deserve a comeback. Beverly (meaning "dweller near the beaver stream") became popular for girls in the early 20th century before dropping from favor. With its country-tinged flavor, Wesley (meaning "western meadow") is another fine choice for parents who love nature. 

Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell, seen here) of "Deep Space Nine" was a Trill, the human host of the Dax symbiotic life form. Though the character's name sounds as invented as her species, Jadzia is actually a Polish name meaning "battle maiden." Talk about girl power! On the show, the name was pronounced "Jahd-ZEE-yah," but the more accurate pronunciation is "JAHD-zyah" or "YAH-zhah." However you say it, Jadzia belongs on your "Trek" name list.

One of the most beloved characters in the "Trek" universe is Geordi La Forge, the blind chief engineer of "Next Generation" who uses a special device to see. (LeVar Burton, of course, is equally loved for his longtime hosting stint on "Reading Rainbow.") His name is unique to the show, and it sounds close enough to George to keep it from sounding too, um, spacey. 

Lt. Uhura, the Enterprise's first communications officer, was a groundbreaking character played by Nichelle Nichols. True "Trek" fans know that Uhura's first name is Nyota, which is a Swahili word meaning "star." You can honor your own little star by giving her this lovely name. It's pronounced NEEYOH-ta, with the emphasis on the first syllable. 

On "The Next Generation," Counselor Deanna Troi (played by Marina Sirtis) was a human-Betazoid hybrid with empathic abilities. Derived from Diana, meaning "divine," Deanna is a good example of an alternate spelling that can make a popular baby name look less common. If you're looking for a more distinctive choice, you could name your daughter after Deanna's mother, Lwaxana. 

A number of "Trek" names could be used for babies of any gender, such as Beckett, a Starfleet officer played by Tawny Newsome in the animated series "Star Trek: Lower Decks." The Irish-English name means "bee cottage" and sounds equally smart for any baby. Also in that category: Julian, as in Bashir, the chief medical officer of "Deep Space Nine," played by Alexander Siddig (seen here). The name has been popular as a boys' name for decades, though you may find the occasional girl using this moniker that means "youthful."