10 Music-Inspired Baby Names

Each year, the Social Security Administration updates its database to include the most popular baby names from the previous year. Some of the most popular trending boy baby names in the last year include Noah, Liam, Oliver, Elijah, and Mateo. The top five girl baby names are Olivia, Amelia, Emma, Ava, and Sophia.

Historians and social scientists have been studying the popularity of baby names for decades. Baby names often come from movies, music, books, celebrities, and pop culture. However, in a recent Journal Storage article “The Science of Baby Name Trends,” 20% of British parents surveyed said they regretted choosing a trending baby name and no longer care for the name they picked for their child.

So, what to do? Should you go with a popular trending name? Experts advise not to focus too much on how popular or unique your baby’s name is. “Each of us thinks, well, I just happen to prefer uncommon names. But really, that’s our whole generation,” Laura Wattenberg, founder of the former Baby Name Wizard database, told NPR. “The most common opinion you can have is to not like things that are common. Popular just means well liked. No child’s life was ruined by having a popular name.”

If you’re not really into trending baby names like Liam and Olivia but love poetry, literature, and music, you’re in luck. There are plenty of beautiful baby names that will be music to your ears.

1. Cadence
The girl’s name Cadence is of Latin origin and means “with rhythm.” The male variant of this name can be Caden, which was a trending baby boy name from 1994 through 2004.

2. Aria
The female name Aria is of Italian origin and means “solo melody,” as is usually found in an opera. Variations of the name are Ariana and Arianna, meaning “holy.”

3. Melody
Melody comes from the Greek word “meloidia.” The name is of English origin and means “song tune.”

4. Viola
Viola means purple in Latin amd is also the name of a tenor stringed instrument in the violin family. It also means “violet” in Italian.

5. Sonnet
The name Sonnet is of English origin and is the term for a type of 14-line poem.

Mom of three Sonnet Consigli talked to Mom.com about having a unique and poetic name.

“I didn’t appreciate my special name until later in life,” she told us. “Kids typically don’t want attention brought to them. However, looking back, I loved it then and I love it even more now. It’s a fun ice breaker talking about all the funny history behind my name and my siblings’ names: Storie, Novyl, and Rhuel.”

If these baby names are putting a song in your heart, here are a few more inspired by music:

6. Carol
Carol is a gender-neutral name of English origin meaning “freedom” or “song.” At the height of the name’s popularity, babies born near the Christmas holidays were often named Carol.

7. Harmony
This female name of English origin refers to a combination of musical chords.

8. Allegra
The name Allegra originates from Latin and means “joy.” In music it is considered the lively portion of a composition.

9. Octavia
The name Octavia comes from the French “octave,” meaning eighth or the eight notes on a musical scale. The masculine version is Octavio.

10. Piper
Made popular by pop culture — think the Marvel Universe and the television series, Charmed — the name Piper means someone who plays the bagpipes or flute.

Consigli finds value in being the only “Sonnet” in her circle. “Having a creative name helped to shape me into who I am today. I also think that as an adult it has helped me. It’s a differentiator and quite memorable,” she told Mom.com. “Sometimes though, when I don’t want the attention at Starbucks or while picking up a pizza, I like to just say my name is ‘Amy.’ Easy-peasy and depends on the mood.”