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Sometimes a common baby name just won't do, and you want something a little different and unique; something lighthearted and carefree to match their spirit. After living through a global pandemic, parents are now seeking out positive baby names.
"Parents are attracted to these positive meanings right now, reflecting the optimism a new baby brings to your life, even when times are dark," Pamela Redmond, founder of the baby-naming website Nameberry, told The New York Times.
More from Mom.com: 10 Music-Inspired Baby Names
Whimsical girl names that are also types of birds
Nothing says whimsical more than a bird that can just pick up and fly off to wherever its heart desires. Birds represent freedom and hope, and are the perfect inspiration for how you'd like your free-spirited little one to live their life. Here are some whimsical girl names inspired by our fine-feathered friends.
1. Birdie
Naming your daughter Birdie will put you in the ranks with celebrity moms like Busy Phillips and Jessica Simpson, both free-spirits in and of themselves. The baby name Birdie was once popular in the fifties but the name is making a comeback.
2. Piper
Originally the name of one who played a pipe or flute, in Britain this whimsical baby name gained folkloric popularity and referred to someone who could easily influence others. The name Piper has gained popularity in recent years — it currently ranks #113 in popularity in the United States — likely a result of older Gen Z parents' love of the character in the TV show, Charmed.
3. Wren
In Celtic folklore, wren songbirds were associated with the creatives of the time, and what could be more whimsical than a poet or musician. Wren was the 284th most popular name used in 2022, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website.
No matter which name you choose for your baby, not everyone is going to like it, and that is ok. Breann, a young mom from California, shared her son's name, Coast, in a TikTok video that went viral. Not everyone on the internet loved it, but Breann had a solution in the event that her son wound up hating his name: she gave him a more conventional middle name that he could use later on.
“[He] smiles every time I call him Coast!” Breann said. “And his middle name is Jackson. He can always ask to be called Jackson when he is older.”
More from Mom.com: 20 Gorgeous Baby Names Inspired by Mother Earth
Sweet baby names with a touch of whimsy
Your little squish deserves a name that's just as sweet and adorable as they are and these whimsical baby girl names do not disappoint.
4. Sadie
The name Sadie is of Hebrew origin and means "princess," which of course describes your little one perfectly. According to the SSA, the baby name Sadie was the 68th most popular baby girl name in 2022.
5. Aria
If you're looking for a music-inspired baby name, Aria, which means "melody," has a nice ring to it. It's typically a girls name in the United States but is a popular boys name in other countries, making it a whimsical gender-neutral baby name for your newest arrival.
6. Ellory
The name Ellory means "someone who is full of happiness and joy," making it the epitome of whimsical baby names. While the name is a form of the English name, Hilary, it is also a gender-neutral baby name.
7. Maisie
The Scottish name Maisie, often also spelled Maisy, means "pearl" and also "child of light." The name stands on its own quite well, but can also be a nickname for Margaret. In recent years it has steadily ranked in the top 300-400 most popular names according to the SSA.
Baby names meaning "playful"
These fun and lively names might be the perfect fit for your bouncing, bountiful, bundle of joy.
8. Jocosa
If you're looking for a truly unique name, Jocosa, derived from Medieval English, means "merry" or "playful." Shortened to Jo it's a cute and fitting name for a playful spirit.
9. Nandita
From the Indian word for "joy," Nandita is a beautiful-sounding girls name with just the right amount of whimsy. The name is most commonly given to babies born in the UK and United States.
10. Jett
Meaning "fast-paced" or "full of wit," the name Jett is a solid boys name that has been quite popular in the U.S. in recent years. In 2022 it was the 210th most popular name given to boys according to the SSA.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to naming a baby; those who believe the most unique names will set their child apart, and others who feel that a name that stands the test of time is the most important. When it comes to the latter, parenting educator Michael Grose has very strong opinions. According to Grose, parents should not choose a "distinctive" baby name.
“I call it the boardroom test, imagine your kid walking into an important meeting and introducing themselves, then picture the reaction of others,” Grose told The New York Post.
Judgemental opinions aside, if you're preferences lean toward unique and distinctive, a playful and whimsical baby name might be a good fit. After all, how many of us are really hanging out in boardrooms anymore?
