These Baby Names Feel Rare But Are Way More Popular Than You Think

Choosing a name for your little one is a big decision. On one hand, parents might be inclined to stick with timeless choices. For instance, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, William has been in the top 20 names for over 120 years. Then again, parents may find themselves on a quest to choose a distinctive moniker, while also trying to avoid a name that's so unusual it carries unforeseen complications. For instance, names with special characters can make filing formal records, like birth certificates, more difficult. 

Fortunately, there's a middle ground. While alternate spellings can make a popular name look less common, another option is to choose a name that's the perfect mix of rare and popular. These choices can be a cool way for your child to stand out, while also enjoying camaraderie with other people who share their name. Some of these names have a pop culture connection that could be responsible for their newfound fame. For others, their rise in popularity is more mysterious. Either way, families will likely have a thoughtful origin story about the name they picked that they can share with their child as they grow.   

This celestial choice means "dawn," and in the United States, Aurora was the 15th most popular girls' name of 2025. Interestingly, despite being the name of a Disney Princess, Aurora didn't become super popular after "Sleeping Beauty" came out back in 1959. However, it's possible the name's rise to prominence in the last decade could be due in part to the success of 2014's "Maleficent," which features Elle Fanning as Aurora.

While this name means "independent," collectively, a lot of parents are choosing to name their sons Maverick. It was No. 49 in the U.S. in 2025, and the success of 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick" could be responsible. Then again, Tom Cruise played Maverick in the original 1986 film, and the name didn't start to make the top 100 until 2017. Movies aside, it's a cool-sounding name, which could be a major reason for its current appeal.

Flower-inspired baby names are a winning choice, and, in 2025, Iris came in at No. 61 in the U.S. This colorful name means "rainbow" in Greek. Although Iris sounds like a blast from the past, it rarely made the top 200 names during the 20th century. Some of the name's current dominance could be due to people rediscovering and falling in love with "Iris," the classic '90s song by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Penelope also feels rooted in antiquity, and the name's meaning of "weaver" is connected to a character in Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey." Between 2010 and 2025, Penelope's popularity rose from No. 200 to No. 22 in the U.S. Although it's not clear what catalyzed this trend, the 2020 TV series "Bridgerton" (featuring the character Penelope Bridgerton) seems to have contributed to the momentum. In addition, the 2026 film "The Odyssey" will likely help Penelope maintain or surpass its current ranking.

Gael is a name that refers to Gaelic culture. In 2025, it reached No. 86 in the U.S. for boys' names. However, despite ties to a language that's over 2,000 years old, Gael's popularity as a name is fairly recent. It only made the top 1,000 starting in 2002 and the top 100 in 2023. Some people attribute this rise as a nod to actor Gael García Bernal. Although this name is considered gender-neutral, Gael is still a rare choice for girls' names.

Rowan is a delightful nature-based choice that connects to the tree of the same name. While the red-berried tree is the subject of a song in "Lord of the Rings," it's likely that the more recent "Throne of Glass" books boosted Rowan's popularity as a name. This gender-neutral choice has been on the rise since the beginning of the 21st century. However, it's more popular for boys (No. 59 in 2025) compared to girls (No. 249).

Paisley is a name full of international appeal. The mesmerizing Persian pattern is associated with eternity, and in the ancient world, it was used for the most prestigious garments. It's also a tribute to the town in Scotland that helped make the design globally famous. As a baby name, however, Paisley's only been in the top 100 since 2013. This name was No. 67 in 2025 — only a slight dip from its all-time high at 45th in 2015 and 2017.

Callum means "dove," and this name's a choice that's starting to win over many parents' hearts. It was ranked No. 118 for boys in 2025. Callum's rise in popularity has been swift, since it's only been in the top 500 since 2019. While this change could be a coincidence, it's also possible Callum's popularity is due to the character in Netflix's "The Dragon Prince."