What about Knox Leon? not to mention Pax, Zahara, and the other who I can never remember. Brangelina's children, gorgeous kids with some really messed up names.

Alana, Maitland, Australia

lol they forgot Slash's kids name. He named his kid Cash. ROFLCOPTER!!! still love slash tho. dude, ur a guitar god-just name ur kid somethin normal.

Daniel, Pittsburgh, USA!!!

i predict a lot of name changing in these kids future!

melissa, bellingham, usa

I can't help but laugh at Penn's kids name...Moxie..

I was named something quite original and have heard nothing but positive...so it's possible to name your kid something cool without humiliating them.

phoenix, Montgomery, USA

I also gave my children names that are not likely to be duplicated in school and are also not likely to cause them any more distress than any child endures (my name was constantly made fun of and it's fairly common so kids can and will make fun of just about anything. My children Darius and Violet.

Dana Marcucci, Brampton, Canada

It would be so easy just to choose a different name from another country instead of inventing really weird ones. Let's name a few: Claudia, Monica, Olimpia, Diana, Alina, Raluca, Narcisa, Valentina, Casandra, Oana, Simona, Bianca (for girls) and Cosmin, Lucian, Alin, Ovidiu. So many....

Cristina Vinatoriu, New York, United States

My name is different. I like names that are differnet, not insulting. Poor Audio Science and Pilot Inspektor. Do you think these celebrity's were actually sane when they named their kids?! I think NOT!!!! Audio isn't terrible considering it is my middle name but come on SCIENCE!?

Slannon Audio Mansfield, San Diego, USA

a lot of these names are ok. I have always went with uncommon names just so my kids wouldnt be in class with a million other kids with the same name.
we currently have 3 girls
Willow Savannah is 5
Edyn (pronounced EDEN) Serenity is 2
and Lyric Destiny is 10 months

Martina Suchan, Lancaster Park, Canada

If we ever have a boy i love the name Corbyn Johnathan Cash
or twin boys
Corbyn John & Cash Adam

Martina Suchan, Lancaster Park, Canada

What's wrong with Brooklyn and Shiloh Nouvel?

Taylor, Cheshire, England

hi there im katie i have 2 boys and 1 girl my first born is kaii he is now 4 years old my second born was kayden-lee he is now 2 n my little girl is ianna (as in e-anna which spell ianna lol) she is just 7 months old. i prefer unusual names as they are not used very often.

katie, manchester, england

Hi my name is Janet and my husband is Ruben we have 3 sons, named Finley (12), Keanu (10) and Jack (2) and 3 daughters, Maisie (8), Toska (5) and Phoebe (2 months). I think our children's names are a little unusual without being crazy and I like that.

Janet, Hollywood, CA, Usa

Hi. My name is Caroline and I have six kids. 8 year old identical twin girls Anni Clare and Ava Evan. 5 year old Mallory Amron. 3 year old Vivian Alexis. And four month old twins Chase and Kathryn (Katy). I think these names are not very common (especially Mallory, Anni, and Vivian) but we like them

Caroline, Selmer,

my children are kiara (kee-yar-rah) rain cassidy (from lion king 2) and cortana (core-tawn-nah) sage. Pregnant again, thinking of katamaris (cat-ah-mar-iss) for a girl, cade for a boy.

kelly f, winnipeg, manitoba, canada

hi i live in turkey,my husband is turkish and im irish we have5 kids are oldest son adem our oldest daughter egypt our son ollie our daughther alexandra cleo and our baby ava diana

diana mushabqet, kusdasi, turkey

my hubby and I fell in love with the name caitlyn but we put our own twist to it KATELINN, and I also have a cousin named Motley and a cousin named Montanna Brookefalls,so I don't think these are as strange as some of those but a name is as great as the person who wears it.

Christy, Ellijay Ga, USA

hi my sons name is BLU i named him that in 1974 it brings him a lot of luck and people love it i have not found it on any name sites.thanks

ian, birmingham, england

I think the lot of you on this page that want to give or have given your kids "unique" names weren't thinking about them as much as yourself. Unique names are good, because there should be a limit to how many Ashleys there are, but names that are sheer nonsense?

Mary, Boston, United States

Hi my full name is Zenia Opal Evens I have two brothers and a sisters there names are...
(Oldest brother) Tem Storm Evens
(Sister) Savannah True Evens
(Me) Zenia Opal Evens
(Young Brother) Avi Tarlo Evens

Zenia, Melbourne, Australia

I'm thinking of thes names for my kids:
Jaqueline Zoe (girl)-zoe maybe as the middle name of part of first name
Coby (girl)
bronte (girl)
Lachlan (boy)
Riley (boy)
Jamie (either)
I think the names are not too common without being strange.
My name is Dominique and I love it. I get called Domi :)

Domi, Sydney, Australia

My previous roomates were life partners, Thursday and Dana. And Thursday was dead set on naming their first kid Door. Dana was very much against it and wanted to named their kid Julian Fox. Thursday said she preferred Door Fox... I had to disagree.

sara, Columbus, america

For A-list celebrities i think its fine, humorous, but acceptable. Their kids will obviously not have a 'normal' life surrounded by other kids called the same crazy names. For anyone else its child cruelty!!

k, manchester,

Ocean is not that crazy of a name in Canada there are three in my English class. Its pretty common.

Kienna Summer, Edmonton,

I have to defend Emma Thompson's daughter. Gaia (meaning Earth) is a very popular name here in Italy. So if she has any major teasing they can always move here to make her feel normal.

Sandra, Rimini,

Just imagine: in 60 or 70 years there is going to be an apple, a crimefighter, a pilot and Kal-El himself in retirement homes!

Chris, Atlanta, USA

I read through 24 pages of comments, and I can't believe that half of the comments were focused on Gaia and Audio Science, and NO ONE said ANYTHING about David Duchovny and Tea Leoni naming their kid KYD.

I would just like to point that out more emphatically...

---------------> KYD

Cherry, Düsseldorf,

They forgot Rob Marrow's daughter....Tu...

Just say it out loud and then you'll know why it should be on this list!

Mark, Brampton, Canada

my name is brita which was a perfectly beautiful name before the water filter came out...
i get made fun of a lot... haha

Brita, Foster, US

Most intelligent girls who are called silly names change them when they reach the 6th form. A friend teaches a class full of Mellows and Saffrons, who all become Emma at the age of 16. My name is at least a very old Irish name, although I use the phonetic version for convenience.

Dectora, London, UK

A guy from my school's dad is called Wayne Kerr.. :(
I know a kid called Hunter, but that's not really unusual.
And in New Zealand, a lot of names which are really common would be seen as odd in other countries such as Anahera, Tama, Kahu etc.

Julie, Tauranga, NZ

My brother is a science teacher in a secondary school in Essex. He says that in most cases kids with wierd and unusual names (and that includes unusual spellings of normal names) are predominantly at the bottom of the class and kids with more common names at the top.

Mark, London,

There's this kid in my friend's little brother's class named Grinnen Berrit. Its actually kinda cute. I mean who are we to judge? What do you think they said to the first woman to name her son John, or Jack?

Marisa, Tulare, CA, U S of A

Darn when i named my girls all the good names were taken like Fifi Trixibell and God'lss Love Stone so i had to go with Erica, Bridget, and Kaitlyn........

Sue, lancaster, USA

Tallulah is becoming very popular and it is a brilliant name. My cousin Gaia is four and she is very lucky to have a very pretty name with a lovely meaning (earth, our parents are quite hippy) and I think it is unfair to say to that Zola Ivy and Poppy Honey are crazy names I know lots of Poppy's.

Erin , London, england

And you have to remember that kids called things like Apple and Audio are not going to end up in a normal school they'll end up going to a posh private school with kids called things like Clementine and Chanel.

P.S Liberty isn't an uncommon name either - it's quite popular in the middleclass people

Erin , London, england

i picked unusual names for my children (reeve and leonie) but i have to say you have just gone way to far! the names are just daft!!!!!!!!

lucy, notts, uk

Gaia is a beautiful italian name.. it can be also an adjective that means "happy"!

veronica, Milan,

My granddaughters names are Gianna Paige and AAliyah Skye. I have to admit that I didn't like them at first but now that they match two precious little faces, I cannot imagine them being called anything else. The child can bring out the beauty in the name.

Rebecca, Houston, USA

My daughter's names are

Rubie Angel Niamh

Liegha Evie Princess

and Cyprus Summer Meadow

I am pregnant with another girl who will be called Autumn
Saphra Ocean

comments please

aime jordan taylor, birmingham,

I Have daighters, called Ruby, Saffron, Jade and Sky. I love my girls to bits, and they are my rainbow,. (Note: There names are Red, Yellow, Green, Blue.) I spent time thinking of special names for my special girls, to make them feel special.

Llewyn Harris, Bridgend, Wales

Our kids are called
-Aine Mairie (21)
-Soiorse Annette(16)
-Aoife Luise(11)
-Fioniann Luke(4)
-Jessica Mairead(6mths)
All these names are beautiful and traditional Irish.We are both full-Irish(and live there)Our kids appreciate their names, and announce them with pride.

Colm and Niamh Mc Coull, Kilkenny, Ireland

These names are not crazy, they are cruel. Camera? Poor kid will get teased rotten at secondary school.

Lora, Ipswich, Suffolk, England

MY children are called Charlea, Tallulah, Jonjo and Angel, and have recieved nothing but praise from all the people I know for thinking of creative names. There is a girl in Tallulah's class at school called Cashmere, she's the one I feel sorry for.

Lize Brunton-Fletcher, Herts, England

Saffron Sahara is really pretty...i love that name the most out of all the list! Personally I Think Robert Rodriquez Is Takin the mick....Rocket: Robert Rodriguez (also father to Racer, Rebel and Rogue) Not very mature is it?
And Pilot Inspektor!? Its Not A job..its a name for Gods Sake!
xxx

Martina Cooper, Norwich,

I think it is cruel that a celebriity would do that to a their own baby. I myself am still a child and i have the name Roly (short for Roland) which is unique but quite nice.

Roly B., Isle of Wight, England

i think that some celebritiys get a little bit over the top with names but i think tha some of the names are actually o.k, such as liberty, brooklyn, and many more but ones like princess thiamia (i dont know how too spell it!) are nice but a little bit over the top.

sarah, london, england

Whoa. Names like this are impossible! Diva Muffin! People hear that name and think Brat, then Dessert. Blue Angel. They think of some blue thing with wings dancing in the sky. Apple. I like apples. Wow! Suri is cute and so is Marquise. Shiloh is just ok. But Audio Science, Diezel? These are kids not brands of clothes and subjects at school!

Rachel Adams, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Celebrities are definitely not mentally sane if they are naming kids those names. I have no respect for anyone who would name their kid "Crimeeighter" or "Audio Science". Obviously these people have no sanity left, or have no respect for others. Yes it is hilarious and in a way cute to see a little newborn with a name like these 50, but let's face it, everyone I know laugh and joke about giving their kids names like that. No one ever follows through with it because we know how much of a burden that name will be for the kid, specially through his/her teenage years. I am honestly descusted that people would name their kids that! I see no problem in giving people a unique name. Take mine for example, Laurin. It is a name that is very rare. I am a guy, and it is just Lorne, but spelled for French pronunciation. But to name a kid Crimefighter is a crime all on it's own!

Laurin Bureau, Athabasca, Canada

Our family has a history of members called 'Cricket' - both male and female.

niall davidson petch, London, London

I think that Crimefighter is one of the greatest names I have ever heard. It took me about five minutes to stop laughing from that one. Strange names are all good and well until they become a burden for the child. My childrens' names are:

Adrian Oliver Leland
Julian Elijah Ronan
Tristan Roman Jude
Saoirse Briony Reagan
Marley Sybil Nneena
Keira Mairead Liya

Yes, I know it's a lot, but not a single one has complained(some are not old enough to yet!). If anything, their names create great conversation. Each individual name has a meaning and I think that's all that really matters.

Annaleah McSherry, Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, Ireland

I don't see anything wrong with giving your child an unusual name..within reason.If i have children in the near future, i would want something thats abit unique but not plain rediculous. I think you have to take the child's future in consideration as well when naming a child. As in you shouldn't give them a name that their going to be embarassed about for the rest of their lives.

Hannah, Middlesbrough,

My family has very unique names:
-Piper
-Teal
-Sienna
My name is Piper, the only Non-color!
But i fully support the use of unique names, and when celebrities do it, it becomes a trend!

Piper, Scarsdale,

I personally am not a fan of Bono but frankly, i love the name Memphis...I'm going to ask my husband if we can name our baby that!

Rachel Larson, Saint George , utah

"Audio Science"???? hahahaha :D:D

"Fifi Trixiebell"??? - named after their favourite dogs, I take it.

What are these people THINKING when they name human babies like this???

shammi, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Funny how history books tend to be full of plain old Johns, Janes, etc. and how often a ridiculous name, more suitable for a pedigree dog than a human, is its owner's only accomplishment.

Anna, London,

I personally liked the name Gaia, I don't see why is it so strange. SATCHEL is a strange name to give your baby :))))

Kaya, Bradenton,

i noticed a comment saying whats rong with john or katherine ect: but my name is katherine and i find it really boring!!! i would much rather my mum took time to think up a different name that not every one has. unusual names name people stand out and if they are nice ( and not to wierd) taats surley a good thing?

katherine, arbroath, scotland

I dont think Ireland is a weird name at all. thats what we wanted my brother to name my niece..its unique yet very pretty.

Taylor, chico,

Marquise is a very common name in the African-American community. I think it's a shame that Simon Crerar didn't do enough fact checking before publishing this article to see the racial bias behind his inclusion of 50 cent's son in a list of "outlandish" names.

Debby Jackson, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

My daughters name is ISCAH, (pronounced ish-ka), i know of 1 other person called Iscah because that is where i got the name from!
I always thought it was either: Hebrew, Indian or Russian. I have since been told it is Irish and means 'running water'.
My daughter loves it and being the only 1 in the school means she is remembered, for the good and bad things.
The only thing that annoys her is when people guess her name and call her Issac!

Sarah, Staffs, UK

One person's odd is another person's perfect I suppose. My son's name is Eryn, not typical, not unique. I think that some "extreme" celebrity baby names are more about the celebrity than the baby. "What will it say about ME if I name her Moxie Crimefighter?"...L. Little Richmond, Virginia

L. Little, Richmond, Virginia

As someone with an unusual name (Rowan ~ and I am female) can I just say that not everyone with unusual names grow up hating them. I didn't like it much when I was a kid but I would never dream of changing it now!

I still hate my middle name though. ~ Francis. Bleugh! spelled the male way too.

My little girl is Skye Caelia (pronounced kay-lee-ah) Skye is a scottish island and Caelia derives from the latin for Sky/Heavenly. And no she's not named after Sky from neighbours. I just thought Skye was a pretty name and it suits her.

Remember, there are plenty of Sarahs and Johns etc who hate their names too!

Rowan, Bristol,

Hey, my kids are named Pixie, StellinaAdara, Jingle, Tru and Aphrohilla and none of them have a problem with that! It is just different.

Manilla, Ypsilanti, Michigan

I think rumor is very cute, i like unusual names but some of them are just CRAZY!

Catharine, Lufkin, Texas

Dear god...do these people not realise they're naming CHILDREN not dogs? Admittedly some of those names are kinda cool...but some...geez. Princess is a title, not a name for a human child...get over yourselves Mr and Mrs Andre, contrary to your own egos you are not all that and celeb status does not give you the right to condemn your children to many painful memories and years.

Craig, Ipswich,

My daughter is also called Tallulah and I have to say that she's recieved nothing but wonderful compliments on her name - certainly no mick taking - ever!

Kerri, chelmsford, essex

My son is called Lennon (Lennie for short), he's named after his late paternal grandmother as it was her maiden name. We love that it's unusual and has a special meaning, we don't think it's crazy at all!

Becki, Devon, UK

Are any of these parents responsible enough to have children with these names. They must all be barmy - hope they all go to the same school because if any of these mites enter a state school they will be bullied because of their names.

gil, bristol, england

Has anybody noticed, if you shorten the name of Angelina and Brad's baby, it's Shovel!!! Poor thing!!

Karen Mccarthy, Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan, Wales

I laughed out loud when i saw the name 'Atherton' as a name! Atherton is a small town populated by grannies and scallies next to Leigh (a popular girls name although im pretty sure it didnt come from the town!) and between Wigan and Bolton!

Maybe the parents are fans of pasty barms and cheap beer!? :D

Be, Mcr, UK,

What were Jamie and Jules Oliver thinking when they named their son or daughter Poppy Honey? Was she wanting to go to the bathroom?

Clara, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I dont think the celebs really care if their kids get bullied. I think they just want the publicity.........They will regret it when their child is 12.

Crazifox, Glasgow, Scotland

Can you imagine these kids in the playground picking on little Johnny cause his name is weird....

Witty Sam, Sydney, NSW

"Here Timmy, Here Johnny, Here Pilot Inspektor!!"
poor kid.

shelby, long island, ny

what about Geri Hellewells daughter Bluebell Madonna? sounds like a cat! My friend was in the supermarket in Yorkshire and she heard a mother call out" Germoline Germoline, come here"(its a pink anteseptic ointment ) Whats wrong with Paul, Michael ,Sarah or Katherine? at least the poor kids wont be ridiculed, can you imagine? "Pilot Inspektor come here"

Jackie, port talbot, Wales, UK

i think names like Audio Science, Abcde, Story, Moon Unit, Pilot Inspektor, Pirate, and so on, are cruel. as someone else said, imagine on the class roll:
Mary
James
George
Abcde
it's absolutely cruel! how can a parent do something like that to their own child??????
it's wrong, unique names are fine, but Story, Moon Unit, the children will be embarrassed to introduce themselves, didn't the parents think of that?

Justine, Melbourne, Victoria

In fairness to Bono, Memphis Eve and 'Elijah Bob Patricus Guggi Q', are actually known to all as Eve and Eli. His two other children are Jordan (a girl born in 1989 - so before this name was popular) and John Abraham (known simply as John). All four of his children's names are related to the Bible - the River Jordan, Eve (the first female), the Prophet Elijah and John the Baptist. So not actually as odd as you would first think!

Ciara, London,

its all good an well callin your child sage moonblood but how would you go on in an interview and be taken seriously for godsake poor child

laura&tammy, doncaster, england uk

I think there is nothing wrong with giving your children very unusual names.Its better than having a very common name.
I think Shiloh is a very lovely little girls name.Also i have 4 children with unusual names; Talullah 1 , Tahla 2 , Kingston 3 and Jayden 4 and everybody who meets them our hear of there names think they are fab names.My sister also named her children with unusual names; Taneia 1 (pronounced tahneeuh) Bailey and Neio (pronounced neyo).

Jade , Bridge Street, leeds

I think its lovely to give your child an unusual name that everybody remembers after all nobody remembes John or harry but everybody remembers kiefer or suri

marti, dublin, ireland

I love Brooklyn, Shilo and Gaia, but Pilot Inspektor (come on). Before I had my little girl our final two names were Anika and Aurora. she just looked more like an Anika, but I couldn't imagine having looked at her for the first time and though hmmm you look like a sage moonblood or a moxie crimefighter.

Naomi Watson, Lismore, NSW Australia

liberty is a lovely name my daughter is lyberti it can be shortend to libby her middle name is nirvana daft you all think well no different yes

vikki, leek, staffs

Gaia is not crazy it is very pretty. It is just uncommon. Some other uncommon but not crazy names:

Brooklyn
Liberty
London
Marquise
Sage
Shiloh
Suri
Tallulah
Willow

A, Kenosha, United States

I dont mind some unusual names but some are a joke. take the names Pixie , Pilot Inspectktor, Dwezil , Really daft. It may be cute for the parents but not when the kids tgo to school!!

Could you imagine the register?

Example

Ann
john
pilot Inspetkor

hahaha!!

WENDY CLOW, colchester, , UK

I protest too for the name Gaia!
I'm Italian, in Italy is a very common, simple and pretty name for girls!
I think it has nothing in common with incredible names such as Pilot Inspector!!!!

Roberta, milan,

I protest, Gaia is not a crazy name :)
Actually, in Hungary, our baby will be the first to be called Gaia. I know, because it was not listed on the allowed names, so we had to apply for a permission, which has been given, naturally.
I wonder why this beautiful name has not been considered by other parents.

Gabor, Szeged, Hungary

I protest, Gaia is not a crazy name! :)
In Hungary our baby will be the first Gaia. It was not listed on the allowed names by the Academy, so we had to apply for a permission, which we received, naturally.
I wonder why other parents have not considered this name so far in our country?

Zsuzsi, Szeged, Hungary

those poor kids have got to grow up with those names can you seriously imagine 'pilot inspektor' bein read out by the teacher with a straight face

stacey, Worcester,

Thanks for the advice, but please read all of a posting not just the bits that make you seem clever:

"All words are made up"

I know uhuru is the actual swahili translation of freedom.

I stood at the top of Kilimanjaro and have a lovely photograph of myself with "Uhuru Peak" in yellow letters behind my head.

RICHARD BOYCE, HAYWARDS HEATH, Sussex

thats quite mean people, you don't like the names doesn't give you any right to be sooooo nasty. my name is shinjini. very rarely one comes across this name still i am proud of it. parents keep their children's name very affectionately but this is so mean.

shinjini, delhi, india

i am a HUGE fan of alice cooper, and my name is sonora! i had NO idea that i shared his daughter's name! how cool is that??

sonora, wishiwereinbritain, usa

Aww I Think Most Of The Names Were Cute And If U Dont Like A Name Theres No Need To Be Nasty About It Its Not Like Its Your Kid So Whats The Big Deal Its Nice To Be Different !! And I Think Princess Tiaamii Is A Really Pretty Name Even If It Is Different .

Lauren, Manchester, England

My son has one of the most poplular boys names at the mo...Aiden, yet my daughter has a so called boring, traditional name...Emily.
What catagory of mother would i be put in?

ps, I'm expecting my third child in february...need a girls name...HELP?

Sue, Doncaster,

I have 5 children and they are called, Emy-Leigh, Lexi-Jae(twins 6), Harris(4), Coco(2) and Maiden(8mths). I don't think there is anything wrong with calling your children someting a bit different. They will probly become quite popular in a few years.

Amelia, Birmingham, UK

Thanks for the lovely article. I agree with ColinG. In Zambia a child is named anything that comes to mind. I have Zambian friends called 'Anybody' and 'Gearbox'. Poor kids...

Kate, Herts,

saffron is a beautiful name,it is not a wacky name at all,not all the names on that list were weird,we don't all have to name our kids drab names like sophie or emily etc,however when it comes to princess it sounds naff and should only be used as a title

lucy ellis, birmingham, england

I just want to say, I love my mum (Gail Elizabeth Catherine) so much for naming her four children with what I think are lovely names. There's me, Melissa Catherine (23), Victoria Anne (20) although this is shortened to Vicki, Bethaney Louise (16) and Jacob William (12). I also have a half sister named Sophie Jayne (15)

I think my parents did a good job on that one!

Melissa, Hull, England

I was in my local health centre and a mother said to her son of about five-years-old, "Don`t touch that Chevron!". I`m afraid my opinion of the mentality of these people is well nigh unprintable.

Mike B, Shepperton, UK

Sage Moonblood is very close to a name I used for a character in a reallly weird alter-universe story...I called her Sage MoonSWORD. Mind you, I'd never heard of this kid before. So, odd coincidence.

Victoria, Boston, Massachusetts

Gaia is a pretty name. So's Willow Camille Reign, Suri, and Luna. Some are just plain creepy!

Maddy-Elle Jacobs, Bluebell, Wisconsin

I say Audio Science is the worst

JEn, Georgetown, Georgia

GAIA is very common here in Italy. Plus, Francesco Totti (well-known Italian footballer) called his newborn daughter CHANEL.

Francesca, Tropea, Italy

After the reasoning behind 'Brooklyn' Beckham was given. My Mum proudly announced that I would have been called 'Front Room' if she used David and Victoria's reasoning.

That can scar you for life a comment like that...

Maddie Ladele, Portsmouth, UK

Gaia (Emma Thompson's daughter) is actually very common, given that it is the name given to Mother Earth. Aanisah (Macy Gray's daughter) is a variation of Anisa - a common name given to girls born in India/Pakistan.

Some more research into the origin of some of these 'unusual' names is needed and then maybe we'd get some perspective on just how unusual they are. Call a child Jane in Brazil and take note of the quizzical looks you'll get.

Carys Mathews, Chester, uk

I have named my daughter Shardonnay, and i get moaned at all the time.. i.e either saying im a chav coz of it was a name on footballers wifes, saying im cruel naming her after a wine or just plain stupid because it will take her so long to learn to write it- espescially changing the original c to an s. But amongst all this everyone agrees that it suits her and she is a beautiful little girl.. and at the age of 2 she can already manage to write S!. She does get called Nay or Naya and has always get the option of shortening it to Donnay. In my husbands family.. there is Sue and Stuart (his mum and dad where the S originates from) there four boys Stuart, Stephen, Shaun and Sam and in turn their kids Shane, Shannon, Shantel, Stephen, Shardonnay and Shaydon. My point is you may have to keep family traditions but we changed it a bit.. but it does not affect the child who probably prefers a name that has a meaning behind (like Brooklyn) than something basic like jack, emily etc. how boring!

Gemma Greatbatch, Banbury, England

i thought it was funny when they asked frank zappa about his kids names in an interview once, he said, "it's the last name that's going to give them problems!".. lol rip frank we still love you!!

laura, san marcos, usa, ca

Sigh! As an American, I have a surname ( last name) as my given name. In fact all my names are surnames and within my names lies my history. It took me a long time to call myself by my given name and then people wanted me to explain my nick-name ( the one i went by until I was about 27.). I happen to love my given surname, but the Brits find it odd and the regristrar of my daughter's birth almost didn't allow it! She'd have to put it as an erratum. "Well, do it then!" said I in fury. My father had a long name and it was assumed he'd have a middle name or initial at least. His pay cheques were made out to S..... None V....... There was a man who tried to get around this who had only initials as his first 2 names. His cheques were made out to Ronly Bonly Jones! As a teacher, I enjoyed the variety of names I got on my class register. Some were unfortunate in English, but they spoke loud and clear of their heritage. The wierdest one we had was a Jerome, with accents all over the place!

Carlyle Braden, Croydon, U.K.

Hi well these names are all great. i have named my 3 daughters unusual names too and think its great to have somethin different than somethin middle of tha road. my girls are Alannah Blue(8yrs old), Mitzi Olivia(4yrs old) and Finniqua Luise(15mths old) known as Finny. (Finniqua coz my names Fiona and my partners name is Niquan )so we wanted something half and half. but Finny suits her name! my sister's lil boy is Blaize Jemaine he's the cutest thing ever!(4mths old already!).

Fiona, Chigago, ILLINOIS

well my little girl is called jaune( pronounced joan) sunshine and she loves it we call he sunny for shorth tough and we feel its a beautifully unique name

elisa, london,

I can understand naming your kid something unique because a name really becomes someone and becomes part of someone. They just want them to be unique, but on the same note some are taking it a little far (pilot inspektor). But it is personal choice, I just hope they're not mad if the child changes their name later on! lol I would be glad though if I had a unique name like some above, at least people take notice. Common names are so plain now days...

Jsun, louisville, usa, ky

I have some cousins named Talon and Blade...

Alexandra, New Orleans, US

I actually know a lot of people with these names...

katie, longview, washington

Actress Jenna Elfman and her husband just named their new child "Story"...Audio Science is absolutely incredible..

Vince Wiggins, Springfield, USA

The thing I find most hilarious is people (there's one on here somewhere) who say "Oh it's so weird: we called our child Ruby (or Harrison or Poppy or Freddie) when it was really really original and unique, and now s/he's five, well there are loads of them around."

Yes, right. Swarms of other parents have either copied your insignificant little child's name because they have somehow heard about you and moreover think you are really cool, or by some strange million-to-one coincidence they happened to pick the same "original" label as you. WEIRD.

No, not at all that you picked a name that was very much "in" but totally kidded yourself that you were the first one to discover (or rediscover) it...

So many people do this!

Janet, Reading,

This isn't complete without Marc Bolan (glam rock star of T Rex) fame) naming his son Rolan.

Kevin Smith, London, England

My husband's neice named her daughter Abcde. It's pronounced Abs see dee. Just hope she doesn't name the second one Fghij!!!

Lindey, Pensacola, FL

Audio Sciene, Moon Unit and Pilot Inspektor are DEFINITELY the worst. Poor kids. They sound like the names of space probes, not children.

Hannah, Minneapolis,

there was a comment about a Scandinavian country having an approved-names-list somewhere...this is true,at least I know that Denmark has one,in which you are not allowed to name our child anything that could be considered "harmful",in effect a name like Tarzan or the like would never be approved...BUT when thats said,one of the APPROVED danish names (boy) is "Skat"..which means "honey/darling"(i.e a common romantic pet-name) or "taxes"!!! (the kind you pay)?? It just goes to show that you can never regulate cookiness..

Rikke, copenhagen, dk

I don't really know how Bono's Memphis Eve got up there if he named one of his sons Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q (That's his first name)

Vanesa, acton,

i hope you all realise that lots of these aren't the real names of the celebrity kids in question

obviously the parents give out fake names to the press, making the kids impossible to track by their names, ergo ensuring their safety

Roxanne, Herts,

I always thought Jonathan Davies, the lead singer from the band Korn, had the craziest names for his kids (Zepplin and Pirate), but I now stand corrected/

Robin, Manchester,

Suri/Souri is a persian name and means red rose=)

Mitra, Oslo, Norway

Ironically, the car name Mercedes, was named after Mr Benz daughter. The company was then Daimler-Benz and a particular model of car was named after her. The Mercedes. So in actual fact, the name existed and a girls name long before it was a car.
The same is true of the Ford Edsel. Son of Henry

Alex carling, Stockholm, Sweden

Frank Zappa and his family are the originators of the wacky celebrity kid namingz. Everything he has done has been outside the lines. Dweezil and Moon Unit are in their 40's now as opposed to most of these kids, who are babies to teens. As a side note, Dweezil and Moon Unit are actually named after Frank's nickname for 2 of their mother's toes.

Juan Sanchez Villalobo Ramirez, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

i do not think GAIA is a weird name. in Italian is very common (Gaia should be the monther hearth).

valeria, barcelona,

In Romania gipsies name their children after favourite car manufacturers (Mercedesa =female name), or jewelry pieces (Coroana meaning the crown,or Bratzara meaning bracelet),after fashionable electronic things,such as Telefon (meaning obvious) or Nokia,and the list can go on to movie stars or soap opera characters.Esmeralda,Bruce Willis,Rambo,Rocky,etc etc. Chaotic name giving resulting from a chaotic culture where words have lost their importance/magic/ weight.
It is said our name defines our later destiny. How sad for all the kids with ridiculous names.

Lyudmila, bucharest, romania

People shouldn't be judgmental. Many traditional names are quite odd. Think of saints' names or Biblical names, how truly weird-sounding many are - and yet in Christian societies, especially amongst older generations, they are common and not seen as silly. I know a Eusebius, an Eleazar, etc.

In Spain, it's common for women (especially older) to have names like Asuncion (Assumption), Milagros (Miracles), Maria Trinidad (Mary Trinity), Inmaculada Concepcion (Immaculate Conception)... So it's all relative.

These "celebrity" names may not belong to saints or be sanctined by a religion, but as someone pointed out, every conceived name starts off as "made-up", doesn't it?

N.H., Southampton , UK

I don't get Emma Thompson's GAIA as a weird name
Is the transcription of the ancient greek word for "earth", and is actually a common name in Italy

I., Venice,

Don and Kelley named thir child Atherton! Perhaps they have fond memories of nights out in that small town between Leigh and Bolton....

Phil S, Málaga, spain

Alex James formerly of Blur has Geronimo, Artemis and Galileo! I thought I was used to funny names until I heard this!

LittleFlower, London, UK

I like the name "Trailor Park Trash". Is that taken?

The media gives too much exposure to stupid people (although I am a bit surprised at Steven Spielberg).

Michael, Sydney, Australia

Remember your great uncle Bert, or Edna and Harold who used to live round the corner when we were kids, or Edith and Alfred Jones at No.39 who died about 15 years ago?

The kids of celebrities (and plebs) who are given silly names with short shelf-lives will in due course end up sounding as old-fashioned and mannered as my imaginary examples above.

My advice to all parents: stick to simple, classic names for your children and you and - more importantly - they will never regret it. Don't forget Zowie Bowie. He prefers to be called Joe...

Francis Brennan, Toronto, Canada

Hey! We are also naming our daughter Moxie. Then again, my wife is a bit of a celebrity :P

Erik, Southport, Australia

Come on, Shiloh Pitt is a name waiting for a spoonerism, she'll be traumatised by the time she hits 10.

Bob, Cheam, England

Rumer Godden managed perfectly well on her name last century. What's the problem?

Jane, Oxford, UK

Reception-class teachers hear all the best names! A friend of mine had a pupil called Alfponso - "they knew there was a P in it somewhere".

TJ, Birmingham, UK

Poor Richard Boyce.
You've named your daughter "Uhura" when the correct swahili translation for freedom is "Uhuru"!
Only one thing worse than applying apparently significant names to one's child that will complicate their lives... is getting it wrong.

Samuel, Nairobi,

A lot of these are fine if you treat them as a first name and a middle name. Poppy honey only sounds daft when you use both together, surely the kid will just use Poppy?

Emma, Loughborough,

You forgot Coco Arquette. I don't think some names are so bad like Shiloh or Brooklyn. Those are places just like "Madison". The rest are for the birds and I hope that these kids dont get a complex over their bizzare names.

Kiki, Los Angeles,

How about "Zak", the name Ringo Starr gave to his son? Or "Zowie", kindly given by David Bowie to his son?

Dave Nesbit, Jakarta,

Well, i do have a sister named Berit! NOt so unusual - althought few have ever heard it, and we always have to spell it out!

jane, Hollywood, FL

Every time I see an article on baby names, I'm reminded of two things:

A A Gill related (this may be true) how he took his daughter with him to a supermarket. When the cashier discovered her name was Flora, she said "Fancy naming your child after a margarine".

When I worked in Zambia many years ago, one mine worker had a name given to him after his mother had seen a certain product in a pharmacy. The name was Elastoplast.

ColinG, Doha, Qatar

so funny.. I knew a girl once who named her baby girl Demi-Krystal... what's that about? .... Little Demi-Krystal must be about 19 now so her own kids are probably starting middle school..

siouxie aka susie, singapore, singapore

Polynesian Rugby League players have interesting names too, how about Apollo XIII Perelini, or the brothers Starsky and Hutch Ma´iva ?

Phil S, Málaga, spain

alaina - your comment on wrong spelling is amusing - I quote: "My biggest pet pieve is when people name there kids common names and then spell them wrong. Even simply ones like: Aimee, Lynzi, Alekzia, and so on. If you want your kind to be unique them give them a unique name; this just looks like parents are unable to spell."
My biggest pet pieve? Surely "peeve". And "...people name there kids..." Alaina (and what a lovely name you have) - tut tut - it's "their kids". And bad spelling needles you? LOL

stickler, venice,

Safron Sahara, Amber Rose, Tallulah Pine?
Sound like air fresheners to me!

A .Cooper, Plymouth, UK

tallulah is a lovely (traditional) name and shouldn't be on the list (along with gaia, etc).

and, stupid as most of these millstones are, it doesn't get any worse than brangelina's spoonerism.

jem, london, uk

These are names befitting Chaves... a reflection on the way the world is going...ask david bowies son what it's lke to have one of these name

john mullen, Durham,

I like the name "Lennon"... it's different, but not bizarre like some of the other names on the list. They also forgot Coco Cox-Arquette.

Jenn, Lacey, NJ

Gaia is actually a very ordinary name in Slovenia (where I live) and in other Balkan countries.

Anna, Ljubljana, Slovenia

What about Zowie Bowie, who chnaged his name to Duncan

steve, London, London

Some of these names are pretty good! but they really stink! i feel bad for some of these children! its alright to be original but please...sometimes its not worth thinking.

endy, emporia, USA/ Kansas

While some of these names are truly awful, some are just uncommon in the UK. I have heard of several American girls with Egyptian heritage named Aanisah with various spellings. It is also somewhat popular here to name children after cities or countries that have significance to the parents.

Cheryl, Austin, TX

"Aanisah" is actually a very common arab name, I think it means "nice". It's often spelled "Anissa" though.
(like Aaliyah=>Alia, Rihanna, Shakira, and so many others)

moon, Lyon, France

Aanisah, common muslim name

Nad, nad, nad

I used to work for a bloke called Captain Salmon, and his secretary was a Miss Fish.

Weird or what ?

pondlife, an englishman in france, France

What...no Harley Quinn Smith (daughter of Kevin Smith and Jennifer Schwallbach Smith)? For those who don't know. Harley Quinn is a villain from Batman.

ACS, Waltham, MA

During Soviet times in the USSR it was quite popular at a certain point to give babies names formed out of words connected with communism and revolution. To give an idea, names which few elderly people have now are Vladlen (for males) and Vladlena (for females), which were taken from the name of famous (rather notorous) Soviet revolutionalist Vladimir Lenin. And these ones are the most well-souding. What a pity babies are not asked when being given their names..

elena drozdova, St Petersburg, Russia

'A boy named Sue' springs to mind.
There's going to be some 'kicking and gouging in the mud and the blood' in the years to come. But then if your called Arpad Busson, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Erykah Badu or 50 Cent you may have an excuse. As for the rest they should learn to fight old and dirty.

Nigel Graham-Miller, Valencia, Spain

Actress Susan St. James named her first two children Harmony and Sunshine back in the 70s.

I went to school in the early 60s with a Sunny Ann Rainey and a Rocky Mountain (meaning those kids were born in the late 40s).

Anyone remember what Grace Slick and Paul Kantner called their daughter when she was born? "god" - they said they would refer to her as "Little G." Later the name was changed to China.

Sharon, Oregon, USA

I used to have a cat called Tallulah. I'm just saying.

Caroline, Oxford,

I work with a lady with the unfortunate name of Vegina, I had always known her as Gina, it only came to light on the phone list.

PJ, London,

I worked at a US school where there was a little girl named 'marijuana' - with some extravagant spelling. It makes one wonder...
My own (Dutch) name at least had the advantage of being 'warp-proof' during school years.

P.S. All the comments are so interesting and funny to read, but James Hargreaves, London, takes the biscuit.

Antje Schelberg, Germany,

Clearly, celebs have too much time on their hands. But I like Ivy. That's pretty.

Ivy, NY, US/NY

Skye/Cosmos/Scout/Tallulah/Poppy Honey/Daisy Boo?

What they're saying is:

"We're so rich that our daughters will never have to work and can just flit about in the rich pages of magazines, find rich husbands and breed"

Dr Daisy Boo?
Judge Tallulah?

Ain't ever going to happen!

Louise, London,

Jump ahead 20 years and ask these kids if they like their names and I bet the answer is a big fat no! These parents are not doing their kids a favor giving their children these strange names and most cases made up made names. Char's daughter does not like her name and has stated that in print! When it came to naming my sons, I went with regular there you go names. They like their names.

Lyn, St Geo, utah

In my country there was this guy, who was such a huge football fan, he wanted to change his name (the one his parents gave him) to Manchester United! Yes, no joke, Manchester for first name and United for family name. Well, he managed to have his first name changed, but the court refused for the family name. He's now appealing and even threatening to sue the state before an international court if he's refused again. So, parents are not always to blame!

Eva, Sofia, BG,

I love all of these names (and some I have heard on "ordinary" people) but ultimately it's just people looking at their babies and trying to think of names befitting gods and goddesses. All time respect has to go to the names Audio Science and Moon Unit for taking originality to an all new level. My name is so boring!

Emma Moore, Ormskirk, UK

When I called my son Finian, it was still original. Now we know 2 more!

starling, Lancaster,

I know a boy called Splynter.

It's not snobbishness, Lucy, it's just that a lot of us think that giving your child a ridiculous name is cruel.

starling, Lancaster,

Richard, Uhura is not Swahili for freedom, the word is Uhuru, so either you spelt your daughter's name wrong on the board or you spelt it wrong on her birth certificate. Aanisa, on the other hand, is a straightforward Arabic name. Nothin odd about it.

Ruth, London,

In Newfoundland religious names were popular and one kid in St John's got called Psalm CIV. Pronounced Pizum Siv.

I have a daughter with a middle name of Gaia, named after the goddess. Her sisters have Dionysia and Esta as their middle goddess names.

Carol, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Some of these names are not that unusual at all but rather twists on names we've all heard of - "Sosie" sounds like only Susie spelled differently and isn't "Aanisah" a variation on "Anita". That said Simon and Yasmin Le Bon's children sound like names for air fresheners!

Anne, London, England

As a budding paediatrician in Malta many years ago I treated quite a few Eltons, a Denzel or two but my favourite was a little girl called Pearl Haber!!

Philip, Oxford, UK

In the 1990s I was at university with a woman called Amaryllis Broomhead, whose name has since cropped up in a David Mitchell novel, which made it even more freaky

Chris, London,

I am apalled at some of the knee-jerk snobbishness displayed by some of the comments in this list - mainly, I am afraid, from the Brits.
It is not just parents on council estates or schoolgirl mums who like to give their children unusal names or spellings and yet there are several sneering responses inferring that is the case.
I myself chose what I believed to be completely normal names for my girls - Daisy and Tabitha - but both (and my alternative choices of Arthur for a boy and Edie for a girl) appalled my grandmother, which just goes to show that what one person finds beautiful, another may find hideous - no matter where they live or from what background they are from.

Lucy, East Yorkshire,

I was lucky enough to go to a posh all girls school so i was very much in the minority with my incredibly normal name, but i'm proud to count amongst my friends such wonderful oddities such as:
the three sisters, Skye, Cosmos and Starburst, the beautiful Alehandra-Rosalba, the splendid Dora-Lys, the vibrant Fuschia, the fanciful Papaya, the charming Suki-Alannah, the autumnal Hazel-Mckenzie, and the unfortunate....Fabienne Cleft.

Odd yes. but i can personally vouch for the fact that they are all witty, intelligent and as normal as one can expect for catholic convent school girls.

Katherine, London,

I was given the Hebrew name Arielle (before that 'Mermaid' movie came out!) and throughout my life everyone has struggled to pronounce or spell it correctly. It's a very unique name and I love it - except ever since that 'Mermaid' movie everyone now refers to me as a mermaid and I see countless little girls with the same name! Argh

Arielle, Norwich,

One's cultural or lingual backgrounds aren't the only factors to whether names sound peculiar or not. Being Greek, the name "Gaia" (Greek for "earth", also the Goddess of Earth) is familiar to me but I would still find it odd to meet someone named that. When uniform is the major trend worldwide, from urban planning to coffee pots design, it seems that the quest for individuality desperately boils down to first names. By the way, my name is Eleftheria which means liberty, and if it sounds exotic to you, it's a very common, down to "Gaia" kind of name here.

Eleftheria, Athens, Greece

What about the unprintable "two dogs" joke. Obviously not known in celebrity circles.

adrian , London, U.K.

My son's name is Rocky Tarzan. He doesnt like it but my wife and me think it's cool name.

Peter, Manchester, UK

Twins conceived early in the morning should, naturally, be called "Bacon" and "Eggs".

Clive Britcher, Caracas, Venezuela

A friend in the US told me that a friend of hers, wanting to give her baby a Scottish name, insisted that "Paisley" was the beautiful choice. Obviously she's never been there.

Heather, too close to Paisley,

Gaia is a pretty common name here in Italy...

Benedetta, Italy,

I don't think some of these really count. Spike Lee's kid Satchel, for instance, is obviously named for Satchel Paige, a famous American baseball player. And Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Tallulah is most likely named for the famous actress Talullah Bankhead. It's not like giving you kid a name from the planet Krypton, or stringing random syllables together.

Anthony Glassman, Cleveland, Ohio, UCA

What about David Bowies son Zowie? Zowie Bowie anyone?

Ewan Carmichael, Middlesbrough, Teesside

What's the matter with these parents? Unique is one thing, but (most of) these are ridiculous! Of course, if you consider the source...
JJ, Turlock, CA

Jenifer Jackson, Turlock,

I don't think you can have a complete list without Rob Morrow (star of Northern Exposure and currently on Numbers). He named his daughter Tu. That's right Tu Morrow.

Ryan, Minneapolis, MN

I love the name Tallulah, we were going to name our daughter that but when we told people, they all looked askance. We chose Miranda in the end which is also beautiful, and not so terribly common. I hate the traditional ones where there are a dozen in each school class. Just by the by, I had a cat called Scout after the girl in To Kill a Mockingbird, not so suitable for a child, after all, the character's actual name was Jean Louise.

Wendy, Canberra, Australia

I suspect Macy Gray's daughter was probably supposed to be christened Annabel but the vicar sneezed at the critical moment!

Rufusgrey, Brentwood,

These are scrabble names! Hugely entertaining. The parents had to make do with whichever letters were left over at the end of a game, with (of course) 8 ponts for an x ... My cousin named her son Brooxe. Horrific.

Karen, Lytelton, New Zealand

I went to school with sisters named Heather elly and Emerald Greene. And recently I was introduced to a pair of brothers named Thunder and Lightning Weatherly. :)

Jeriann, Phoenix, USA, AZ

Sara M just so you know, Nikhil is a very common Indian name probably as common as Darren in India

Tony Sachdeva, Essex, UK

All words, and hence all names, are made up.

Why is it wrong to show confidence in your own judgement; to teach your child that they are unique and should revel in their individuality?

My daughter is Lily-Joy Uhura (Swahili for freedom) Rose. I don't care what you think.

Better to be different. The most popular boy's name in the UK has been Jack for over five years. Is that not more appalling?

ps What does Peter mean? Rock!

Richard Boyce, HAYWARDS HEATH, Sussex

Bill Lear - maker of the Learjet, named his kids Chanda and King. I had a friend named September Bliss. And best of all there was the gorgeous Ima Hogg, daughter of Texas Governor.

katie, Plattsburg, MO

Sometimes it's not just the forename that's weird but the whole name. I went to school with two brothers who had the most unfortunate names if said quickly one after the other: Chris Peacock, Andrew Peacock!

John, Manchester, UK

Yes, the world is changing(!) and some parents are not continuing the previous generations' choice of names. At my son's NZ primary school there are many Maori and Pacific Island names which often sound very similar to the ridiculed 'Tiaamii' -- granted, it's a different culture, different country, but she could move to NZ and be right at home. In the schoolyard there's a new generation who bear names like Jahstice, Blade, Raven and yes, Princess, and many children are named by their parents' unique spellings of trad western Judaeo-Christian names. And who is going to tease them? The ostensibly strange has a funny way of becoming everyday and familiar over time.
And by the way, John is my real name.

John, Wellington, NZ

My oldest and youngest daughters have pretty and classic names ( Gwendolyn and Emma). But I fell in love with the Gaelic name Aislinn, and my second daughter is named that. I know it is still used in Ireland ( see the Edge's partner for that). But here in Canada, it's hardly used outside of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Where I am in Alberta, it's hardly used, and is constantly mispronounced. My daughter is so used to being called Aizlynn, she told me to stop calling her Aishling ( the traditional pronouciation). I have also met a half dozen little girls with the same name and pronounciation. So she is now Aizlynn, still spelt Aislinn, and it's driving my father crazy. I feel no pity for him, he named me Kirsten, and no one has ever called me that ( it's always Christine).

Kirsten, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I work at a nursery and we have a "Merritt," "Sayler," "Nikhil," "Ireland," Kendall," "Adalynn" and a "Brooklynn."

Our most popular are "Aidan," "Owen" and "Addison"

Like several others, I think "Gaia" is a wonderful name.

Sara M, Kansas City, USA

My cousin's name is Tiffany Crystal. It's a good thing she only wants to be called by her first name. Her parents did not even think what both names mean put together.

RG, NC, US

my sister has a girl at school called Tequila, how awful is that! you can tell what type of mother she has (ie about 15) its disgusting.

i like the name Marques for a boy, pronounced Marcus.

jen, hampshire, uk

Just goes to show no amount of money can buy class. The sad thing is the next generation of Lizzie Duke clad chav scum who seem to think Jordan is some sort of serious role model will now follow suite. There is already a generation of Kyles, Keanus and Chesneys flinching at loud noises in the playground. There are thousands of normal names out there, save your kids from misery by picking one of them!

Chris, Milan, Italy

My friends named their son Hendrix - for obvious reasons!

Kate, Rochester,

@roberta, sassari,

"It's certainly not a name that has been made up or has any other meaning except 'happy'. "

Gaia certainly has no meanings than "happy". The best known of course if the greek goddess of the earth. It's also used to talk about the spirit of the earth. Try looking Gaia up on Wikipedia.

Ryan, Ottawa,

I am neither weird, or a celebrity, and I wasn't teased at an inner city state school.
My name is Gaia.

Gaia, UK,

These are just as bad as people on council estates naming their kids after soap stars. (interestingly in the same way there are Kylies / Charlens / Shannons here, in Poland the same is true of conspicuous Brazilian names for the same reason).

Tom Breslau, Worcester,

! The coolest kid in town according to his Grandparent

???

Jon Bird, Owaka, New Zealand

Now what's wrong with the name "Marquise" (50 Cent's child)? Plenty of black people have that name here in the US (including myself). You got something against blacks?LOL

Marquise, B'more (Baltimore), USA

Suri is a very popular jewish name. It is short for Sarah.

Mir, Brooklyn,

Oh, for crying out loud. THAT is the list you come up with for weird names? I count at least 15 that seem, if not ordinary, at least not terribly mockable -- and I loathe bizarre baby names. Some of them are fairly ordinary first names with oddball middle names, but so what? I don't know any kids who regularly share their middle names with all and sundry on the playground; I certainly didn't as a child.

Laura, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

John Mellencamp and Elaine Irwin named their son Speck. Not a nickname, that's his real name. Yikes

Jeanette, New Hampshire, USA

Just for curiosity's sake: don't know about other countries, but it's a very common situation here in Brazil for parents to mix both father's and mother's name... literally. For example, if the father is called Marcelo, and the mother is called Cristina, you can easily have a daughter named Marcina, or a son named Cristelo... Take common English names, like William and Elisabeth, and you could have a Willelis for a boy, or Elisiam for a girl (or vice-versa, I guess). This custom usually results in really, really dreadful names...

Graciela, Guarulhos, Brazil

some of these names are scandalous (audio science??? no kidding) but stars are not the only weirdos. I read once that some parents wanted to name their child 'Périphérique', meaning 'ring road', obviously because the child was born in the car on that road. Fortunately, a law here prohibits such name for the child's sake
On the contrary, Ocean is well known in france and not at all weird (Océane actually) and the french version of Apple(=Pomme) is known as well (I have observed that it was met especially in quite wealthy or aristocrat families)
At last, one name can be good in a language and ludicrous in others : in France, the Bryan, Kevin and so on are ridiculised because it is said that it's copied from soap operas and thus that their parents have not lot of brains ( and so neither the child whose name, poor thing, is Cindy, Brandon, etc...)!!!!

louise, soissons, France

Without a word of a lie, when I was seven I was in a class with a boy named Tuna, and also with twin brothers called Benson and Hedges

McCav, Auckland, New Zealand

My mum's name is Columbine Berry

Marian, Guernsey, Channel Islands

My husband and I have 2 kids named Coyote and Gypsy.. they go to school with other children named Rocket and Zylon, etc. It's not just a celebrity thing.. I just don't particularly care for Sarah and John.

JLM, Athens,

The legendary late, great comic/actor Richard Pryor named his daughter Rain. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Jeff, Miami, FL USA

How could you not include Zowie Bowie?!

Ally, London,

My biggest pet pieve is when people name there kids common names and then spell them wrong. Even simply ones like: Aimee, Lynzi, Alekzia, and so on. If you want your kind to be unique them give them a unique name; this just looks like parents are unable to spell. Society will always spell names as they are meant to be spelt so why do that to your kids. I had also just ready that Bruce Willis and Demi Moores daughter Tallulah is legally changing her name. This names are all cute and cuddly until the kid reaches 10 years old. These are not puppies, there children.

Alaina, Cloquet, MN

I'm rather fond of naming one's children after the location where they were conceived. Our children Potting Shed and Backseat don't of course share this view.

James Hargreaves, London,

I always thought Dances with Wolves was a silly name.

James Lear, City, London

suri is actually a very common hebrew name (i go to school with at least 10 suris) and i dont think it should be compared with Pilot Inspektor or Camera

shira, detroit, michigan

It's not just that the names are ridiculous but some become even more ludicrous when put with their surname. 'Jaz' is an unusual name but 'Jaz Agassi' sounds even more bizarre! And as for 'Shiloh Pitt', that's not a name you want to spoonerize!!

Jon Ward, Solihull,

If she's named after Peter's & Jordan's mothers, shouldn't her second name be 'The-amy' (pr. 'The Army')?
And will her full name be shortened to the prettier 'PriTia' when she's older?

Stella, Ruislip, UK

Hey Gaia isn't a crazy name!!!!!! Gaia is an ancient Greek goddess (or something lol). But really, I have a frend called Gaia, and she's so getting this email. She says it means Sky. I say down wth crazies. In fact down with names in general. We hould all be called our telephone number. Hey they laughe at Wayne Rooney, no wit. Umm.....

Steven, Dublin,

5 years ago I decided to name my daughter Philippa. I live in Canada were most people have never heard the name. I often get remarks like, oh that is different did you make that up.

sue, canada,

Diane that is so true.
Gaiia and Scout and Tallulah are OK,
but silly names are not new.
My family had a Cinderella in 1893 and when I searched the birth records I found 4 other Cinderellas, so there.
I also found a "Fortunatus Fox"

H.Brown, Colac, Vic, Australia.

Always remember you are unique . . . just like everyone else.....

Chantel, UK,

Macy Gray's daughter Aanisah sounds normal to me. It feels as though it is a perfectly sensible word from a non-English language. I also felt immediately that Gaia seemed like a proper word. Some names will always sound strange to an english speaker if they have their origins in another language.

There are plenty of completely ridiculous names on that list though using english words out of context and completely made up words. Perhaps the parents should spend a day being addressed as a weird name and see how they like it. What about banana for Gwyneth Paltrow and pineapple for Chris Martin.

Jennifer Hale, Southampton, UK

I had chinese friends whose "english" names were Washington Dy Sy and Vincent Van Go.

theia, lausanne, switzerland

There is a considered statute in France that allows a registrar of births to reject a name for a child if he or she believes it will be injurious to it. Looking at the list of names (Audio Science?? God'Iss Love Stone???) it seems like Beverly Hills needs something similar. Its obvious that these names are not about setting the child on a different path to others or giving it some postulated headstart, its about the parents, for whom children are a fashion accessory.
And by the way, what babysitter on earth will come to look after four boys called Rocket, Racer, Rebel and Rogue...?!

Luke, Geneva, Switzerland

I am sure I read somewhere that in one of the Scandinavian countries there is a list of approved names and that you can only choose from these. Seems like a good idea considering the above list.

John, scotland,

I was cursed with the name, Mugwump. In order to claim my inheritance I had to keep the name until the age of thirty. I faced scathing ridicule but now can look back and laugh as I tool down the freeway in my Porsche.

mug, reno, usa nv

My favourite is a boy born in 1957 and named Sputnik Eisenhower.

D J Keane, Cork, Ireland

"My brother just named his son Maximus... is that weird?

Dan, Everett, WA"

Actually, I think it's rather nice. It means "the greatest". What's wrong with any dad thinking his son is the greatest? I find that rather touching and, in any case, if the son doesn't like it he can always shorten it to Max.

Nicky Butler, London, UK

Aanisah (Macy Gray's choice) is the Arabic word for "Miss". Etymologically speaking, the word gives the idea of "one who brings happiness".

Neville Kilford, Bristol,

In my native language it is rather normal to have a name made up from two parts, and as we have some pretty funny traditional names already... or how would take it if your name was Happines Dear (Onni-Armas)?
Or Brother Victory (Veli-Voitto)?
Berry Sister (Marja-Sisko)?
Bunch of Berries (Marja-Terttu)?
Summer Wind (Suvituuli)?
Sea Wind (Merituuli)?

And all above are real life names, very common among people around 50 or older.

I also know some less traditional people like Dewdrop (Kastehelmi) and Bluebell (Sinikello).... When you add the lastname it can get even worse, in case the last name also means something.

Hemminki, Helsinki,

I have them all beat. I have a grandson named Exclaimation Mark but you have to use the symbol ... !
Sort of like the artist formerly and once again known as Prince.

In his defense. He is the coolest kid in the world.

RHK, Lubbock, TX

Very Ordinary? That's an unusual name!

Alegna, Liverpool,

Heh. I get a real kick out of these names, since my name is pretty unique too. Indigo Moss. I really like my name though.

Indigo Moss, Zephyrhills,fl,

I am sure most if not all of these parents are excellent parents, but I read years ago that social researchers have found a correlation between odd names and child abuse. I suspect that for some disturbed people, a child may be a suitable vehicle for a favourite thing or concept, rather than a child needing good parents. It is understandable that many celebrity parents may wish to give thier children unique names if they predict their children will also be celebrities. But I am at a loss for how a child will be served by some of the names on the list. For more ordinary folk, it may be a creative ch