Baby Names Inspired By Glee That Deserve A Standing Ovation

Attention, Gleekers: if you are expecting a little superstar, then what better place to look for baby name inspiration than "Glee"? This hit musical series was a staple of the early 2010s, with its incredible pop song covers, dramatic and funny storylines, and characters that were totally camp. It's also coming back, with a reboot announced by Disney+ and Hulu, though there's no official release date yet.

If you grew up in musical theater or show choir, then you wished you were part of the New Directions glee club at William McKinley High School. (That is, if you didn't mind giving up the lead to Rachel Berry.) We fell in love with these characters like they were our own friends, finding confidence along with everyone on the show. Now, you can carry on the spirit of this entertaining Ryan Murphy series by selecting a show-stopping baby name from "Glee." Whether you are loud and proud about your love for the series or you are just looking for some unique baby names for boys and girls, this show is ripe with inspiration.

Santana is a Spanish name belonging to Santana Lopez, a co-caption of the Cheerios at William McKinley High School on "Glee," and would make for a pretty name for your little girl. It means "holy" or "saintly Anne," and it represents the patron saint of unmarried women, housewives, grandmothers, and women in labor, which is pretty cool for those looking for an unconventional feminine name.

Don't give your daughter the name Mercedes unless you want her to grow up as a strong person, like Mercedes Jones on "Glee." This bold, beautiful high school student delivered some of the best songs on the series with a name that means "gracious gifts" or "benefits." It's also the name of a luxury car. No matter how you look at it, Mercedes is special.

Whether you like Artie for his charm or despise him for his arrogant ways, we can all agree that his name is super cute for boys. Short for Arthur (but great on its own, too!), Artie is of Celtic origin and means "bear" — whether your son will be ferocious or a teddy is to be determined.

Finn is the beloved quarterback and singer at William McKinley High School, who tragically died too young after the actor who played him, Cory Monteith, died in real life. Honor him with a strong name for your son, Finn, which is an Irish name that means "fair." It's also one of the most popular on the U.S. Social Security Administration's baby name list for 2025, ranking at No. 206.

Azimio is a Swahili word that means "resolution," and it's the name of a complicated football player who often harasses the members of New Direction. But don't let that negativity stop you from recognizing the beauty of his name. A resolution is a promise and a goal to be better or try something new, which would be a perfect reminder for your baby boy.

There is no "Glee" without Rachel Berry, the talented, dramatic, scene-stealer, and co-captain of the New Directions glee club. Copy her last name for a beautiful and unique moniker for your daughter. Berry is the name of fruit, obviously, but it also means "noble," "bright," and "victory bringer." It's cute with total main-character energy.

Former mean girl and Cheerios member Kitty has the sweetest animal-inspired name. Traditionally, Kitty was a nickname for Katherine, but it's also a name on its own (albeit a rare one). It means "clean," "clear," and "pure," which is adorable for your newborn. Just be warned: your little Kitty might be sweet, but she will have some sharp claws, too.

You can't get a more unique name for your baby than Unique, after Unique Adams on "Glee." She is a beautiful, powerful singer and the first openly transgender character on the show. Her name means "only one," "sole," and "unique," which is just amazing. It's a unisex name, so you can use it whether you're expecting a boy or a girl.

McKinley, after the William McKinley High School the "Glee" kids attend — and the 25^th U.S. President — makes for a cool first name for your baby. This gender-neutral name means "son of the fair hero," and despite that, it's more popular for girls. Whether you love Mr. Schue, Cheerios coach Sue Sylvester, or any of the other characters on "Glee," this subtle tribute honors them all!