By Alex Ungerman and Emily Krauser
9:38 AM PDT, May 13, 2020
You only get one shot to name your baby, so why not make it memorable? This mantra is clearly subscribed to by many in Hollywood who forego the standard names for their babies in favor of some monikers you don't hear every day. And sure, there's nothing wrong with Angelina or Jake, but hey... it takes all kinds! And as such, when some happy new parents go a little out of the box with what to call their bundles of joy, that's something we can celebrate, too. With that, here are some of the most unique celebrity baby names.
X Æ A-12
![Grimes and Elon Musk at 2018 met gala](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-955830354.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Unique and virtually impossible to pronounce! Elon Musk and girlfriend Grimes welcomed their son in May 2020, and fans were sent into a frenzy when the baby boy's name was announced on Twitter as they tried to figure out if the entrepreneur was joking and, if not, how the baby's name was pronounced. Grimes stepped in to explain how they came up with the truly unique moniker in the first place. Seemingly confirming that their child's name is, in fact, X Æ A-12, Grimes said each portion and character had a special significance. She tweeted that X stands for "the unknown variable," while Æ is "my elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence). As for A-12, that refers to an aircraft that is the "precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). No weapons, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent." She went on to explain that the A also refers to "Archangel, my favorite song." Musk then corrected her on the aircraft, writing, "SR-71, but yes." Got all that?
Raddix
![Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz in 2016](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-537759406.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden surprised fans when they revealed they welcomed a daughter in late 2019. Even more unusual? Her lengthy name: Raddix Chloe Wildflower. "We are so happy, blessed and grateful to begin this new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter, Raddix Madden," Diaz wrote on Instagram in January 2020. "She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family. While we are overjoyed to share this news, we also feel a strong instinct to protect our little one's privacy. So we won't be posting pictures or sharing any more details, other than the fact that she is really really cute!! Some would even say RAD :)."
Kulture
Here for the alliteration! Cardi B (real name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) and husband Offset (real name: Kiari Kendrell Cephus) graced their daughter with a major moniker to live up to: Kulture. Born in July 2018, the spelling appears to be a nod to her father's birth name. As for the word choice itself? "Anything else woulda been basic ??♀️Okrrrrrrruuu!??," the "Press" rapper wrote on Instagram after announcing the birth of her daughter.
Slash Electric
Yes, Amber Rose and boyfriend Alexander "A.E." Edwards did, in fact, name their son after Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. "Slash Electric Alexander Edwards.. the world is urs now ❤️ thank u @amberrose for loving me so much that u put ur body thru it 2 bring my sun in2 the world. I could never be as strong as u. Slash a rockstar ❤️," the proud dad posted to Instagram after his son's birth. The model is also mother to an older son, Sebastian Taylor, with ex Wiz Khalifa.
Stormi
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott welcomed daughter Stormi in February 2018. Three months later, the makeup mogul chatted with her big sister, Kim Kardashian West, for a Q&A in the English publication Evening Standard Magazine, in which she revealed that her little girl's name struck her and her boyfriend light lightning. "Her dad insisted it was him, but I feel like it was me," Kylie said of the unusual choice. "And that kind of just stuck with us. And then I didn’t really like just Storm -- I didn’t feel like that was her name. So, then it became Stormi. And it just stuck. There were a lot of other names that I might have even liked better, but I feel like Stormi picked her own name, like it was just her name."
Dream
Rob Kardashian's only daughter with ex Blac Chyna was born in November 2016 and given a sweet name that matches what she is -- an absolute dream.
Poppy Honey, Daisy Boo, Petal Blossom Rainbow, Buddy Bear and River Rocket Blue Dallas
All five of Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools' offspring seem to have nature-inspired, built-in nicknames. Poppy was born in March 2002, Daisy a year later, and Petal joined her big sisters in April 2009. Son Buddy made Oliver a boy dad in 2010, and youngest son River rounded out the family of seven in August 2016. "Jools is in charge, it’s nothing to do with me,” the celeb chef told the Irish Times in 2017 of his kids' names. "Just be aware that I made it the least painful as possible, it could have been 10 times worse."
Ace Knute
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson's daughters definitely have unique names -- their eldest is Maxwell and their youngest is Birdie -- but their middle child's name is definitely the one that's hardest to pronounce! Their son's first name is Ace, but his middle name is Knute, pronounced "ka-nute."
Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi
![Blue Ivy Carter Jay Z](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2018-01/1280_blue_ivy_carter_jay_z_gettyimages-634988974.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
All three of Beyoncé and JAY-Z's kids have very unique names. Daughter Blue Ivy was born in January 2012, and the first name was reportedly influenced by a passage from Rebecca SoInit's 2005 novel A Field Guide to Getting Lost, plus JAY-Z did once rap "My favorite hue is JAY-Z blue" on Young Jeezy's 2005 track "Go Crazy." Fans have speculated that Ivy represents the roman numeral for four, IV, which is a favorite number of both music artists. Then in June 2017, the couple welcomed twins, Sir and Rumi. Shortly after their birth, Jay told the podcast Rap Radar that their daughter, Rumi, was named after their favorite poet, while their son essentially bestowed the name upon himself. "Sir was like, man, come out the gate. He carries himself like that. He just came out, like, Sir," the rapper explained.
Kal-El
![nicolas cage and son kal-el](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-487989048.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Nicolas Cage and his third wife, Alice Kim, knew they wanted their son to have a unique name, and that sure did happen when Kal-El was born in October 2005. "My wife wanted a unique name and originally I thought of the name Kyle and then she said, ‘No, something more unusual but beautiful,'" he said at the time. "Then I remembered the old Superman comics and Kal-El was his original name on Krypton. So, I wanted a name that stood for something good, was unique and American, and that’s all three. I just thought it was a beautiful name and it had kind of a magical ring to it." Cage and Kim have since divorced, but their son will always have superhero status. The actor also has a son Weston, born in 1990, from a previous relationship to actress Christina Fulton.
Bear
![alicia silverstone and son in 2017](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-682483494.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Alicia Silverstone's son roared into her life in May 2011. Bear Blu was actually suggested by her then-husband, Christopher Jarecki's, mother. "We had narrowed our list to five boy names, and then we couldn't really decide," the Clueless star told Us Weekly shortly after welcoming her only child. "She suggested Bear or Blu, and I loved them both."
Kate Winslet also has a son named Bear, whom she and husband Edward Abel Smith -- previously known by his chosen name, Ned Rocknroll -- welcomed in December 2013 and gave the middle name of Blaze. Winslet also has a 19-year-old daughter, Mia, with first husband Jim Threapleton and a 16-year-old son, Joe, with second husband Sam Mendes.
Cricket and Birdie
Busy Philipps' daughters with husband Marc Silverstein are growing up so fast! Both Birdie Leigh, who was born in August 2008, and Cricket Pearl, who the couple welcomed in July 2013, both have animal kingdom-inspired names. In 2014, she explained the reasoning behind the names on the Today show, saying, "Since I grew up with a nickname -- Busy being short for Elizabeth -- when my husband and I started to have our babies, we decided that if wanted to call our kids something, we would just name them that thing that we wanted to call them." Shortly after Cricket's birth, she also joked on Twitter, "It's weird people think my kids will be in therapy because of their names. Guys, my kids will be therapy for LOTS of reasons, I'm sure."
Exton
![robert downey jr and wife in 2017](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-824401378.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
X marks the spot -- and the baby! Robert Downey Jr. and wife Susan Downey expanded their family when son Exton Elias was born in 2012. "My wife's great uncle was kind of eccentric. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin. When he was in the fourth grade he realized he didn't have a middle name, so he changed his name [to include Exton]," the Avengers: Endgame star shared on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno shortly after Exton's birth. Downey Jr. also shares son Indio, 26, with his ex-wife, Deborah Falconer.
Bronx Mowgli and Jagger Snow
Ashlee Simpson Ross and then-husband Pete Wentz brought their son, Bronx Mowgli, into the world in November 2008. The Fall Out Boy bassist told Ryan Seacrest that his son's middle name was inspired by The Jungle Book, explaining, "Kipling's really cool… The Jungle Book was something that me and Ashlee bonded over." As for the name Bronx, Wentz said they want to keep its origins intentionally mysterious. The Ashlee+Evan singer later welcomed a daughter, Jagger Snow, with her second husband, Evan Ross, in July 2015. The Ross' second child together is on the way, and we can't wait to find out what name the little one will be given!
North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm
All four of Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West's kids have names that stand out from a crowd!
Apple and Moses
Gwyneth Paltrow and ex-husband Chris Martin welcomed daughter Apple in May 2004 and son Moses in April 2006. Paltrow discussed her daughter's name while talking with Oprah Winfrey, explaining, "Apples are so sweet and they're wholesome... I just thought it sounded so lovely!" As for her son's unusual moniker, he was named after the Coldplay song "Moses," which Chris originally wrote for his wife.
Heiress
T.I. and ex-wife Tameka "Tiny" Harris, welcomed their daughter in March 2016 and threw their little girl a lavish first birthday befitting her regal name. The former couple also share two sons with unique names, Major Philant Harris and Clifford King.
Diezel and Denim
![toni braxton and her sons](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-1038265364.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Though these sound like words one thinks of while perusing the jeans section of a department store, they are actually the names of Toni Braxton's sons, Diezel Ky, 17, and Denim Cole, 18.
Rocket Ayer
![Pharrell Williams, wife Helen Lasichanh and son Rocket Ayer Williams at hollywood walk of fame ceremony in 2014](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-460666286.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Pharrell Williams and wife Helen Lasichanh had a very specific reason for blessing their firstborn with a unique name. "In the same way that the Indians name their children like behind a force or an animal or an element, we named him after a manmade machine that was meant to go up. Meant to ascend," the GRAMMY winner told Oprah Winfrey in 2014. "And metaphorically, it was because of, you know, Stevie Wonder’s 'Rocket Love,' Elton John’s 'Rocket Man' and Herbie Hancock’s 'Rocket.' All of my favorite musicians. And his middle name is not Man. It’s Ayer after Roy Ayers.” Rocket was born in 2008, and the couple also had triplets in 2017, but they have been kept out of the limelight and their names have not been revealed.
Rainbow Aurora
![Holly Madison and daughter in 2016](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-539377036.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Both of Holly Madison's kids with ex-husband Pasquale Rotella have names that seem to be inspired by nature. Her youngest, son Forest Leonardo Antonio, was born in August 2016, but it's his big sister, born in March 2013, who has an even more unique moniker. "I wanted to give my daughter a unique name," the former Girls Next Door star told E! shortly after her little girl's birth. "Growing up, there was a girl in my school named Rainbow and I was so envious of that name. I thought it was so pretty and unique!"
Egypt and Genesis
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz' (real name: Kasseem Dean) bestowed grand names on their boys. They welcomed Egypt Daoud in 2010 and Genesis Ali in 2014. Beatz also has three children from previous relationships. He shares sons Kasseem Dean Jr., 13, and Prince Nasir, 19, with ex-wife Nicole Levy and daughter Nicole, 12, with singer Jahna Sebastian.
Kingston, Zuma and Apollo
![gwen stefani and blake shelton with her kids](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-1145521008.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
All three of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale's sons have names that stand out from the crowd! Eldest Kingston was born in 2006, followed by Zuma Nesta Rock in 2008 and Apollo Bowie Flynn in 2014.
Sparrow James Midnight
![nicole richie and joel madden with their kids in 2010](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-107176931.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Nicole Richie and Joel Madden gave son Sparrow a very whimsical name, which they thought went well with his big sister's moniker, Harlow Winter Kate. "We have different tastes in names. Sparrow was one we both liked. I liked the way it sounded with Harlow, and there’s the Captain Jack Sparrow connection," Richie told People shortly after their son's birth in 2009. Madden added, "It reminded me of the Johnny Cash song 'A Boy Named Sue.' My worry raising a son in Hollywood is what will he have to struggle for? I wanted to give him a name that he’s going to have to stand up for. I love it; I think it’s a beautiful name."
Spike and Sunday Molly
![mike myers aand wife in 2015](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-464395576.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
During a visit to The Late Show With David Letterman after his daughter's birth in 2014, Mike Myers explained that "me and my wife Kelly hate Sundays," so they named their baby girl after the day in hopes of turning that around. As Letterman pointed out, "That sounds like a song from the '60s." The couple's oldest child, son Spike, was blessed with an equally unique moniker in 2011. Their youngest, daughter Paulina, rounded out the family in 2015 and has the most common name of the bunch.
Mason Dash and Reign Aston
The eldest son of Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick was born in December 2009, and his name appears to be kismet. "Right before he was born, I told my aunt we were thinking about going with that for a name," Kourtney told Life & Style. "She told me that Mason means the same thing in English that Kardashian means in Armenian: stone worker... When I heard that, I thought, 'Oh my god, it's meant to be.'" As for her other two kids, her youngest child, son Reign Aston, was born in December 2014 and given quite the royal moniker. Only daughter Penelope, born in July 2012, has a common name.
Megaa
Not Megan. Not Mega. Not Megatron. Nope, Omarion's son, born in August 2014, was given the name Megaa. Double the vowels, double the fun!
Bluebell and Montague
![geri horner with husband and kids](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-669189398.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Geri Horner's kids have quite the unique -- and very British sounding! -- names. The Spice Girl shares 13-year-old daughter Bluebell Madonna with her ex, Sacha Gervasi, and she and husband Christian Horner have a son, Montague George Hector, who was born in 2017 and goes by the nickname "Monty." The racecar driver also has a daughter named Olivia with his ex, Beverley Allen.
Moxie CrimeFighter and Zolten
![Penn Jilette and wife Emily Zolten with kids Moxie CrimeFighter and Zolten](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2018-02/penn_jillette_gettyimages-165732791.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Magician Penn Jillette and wife Emily Zolten welcomed daughter Moxie in June 2005 and son Zolten in May 2006. The illusionist reflected on the one-of-a-kind names to The Insider in 2007, saying, "I think it’s pretty cruel to give a kid a name that others are going to have. I think it’s very important to have a unique name within any group you’re likely to be in."
Audio Science and Mortimer
![shannyn sossamon in 2010](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-99605194.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Shannyn Sossamon was one of the first of the early aughts to really scratch heads when she revealed that she and then-boyfriend Dallas Clayton welcomed a son named Audio Science in May 2013. She reportedly said that they wanted "a word, not a name," and that Clayton read through the dictionary three or four times. They opted for Science as the middle name rather than the first, because they didn't want people to think it was "Sci" as in "Simon." Eight years later, she welcomed a second son, Mortimer.
Pilot Inspektor
![Jason Lee and Pilot Inspektor](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2018-02/jason_lee_gettyimages-77358843.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Jason Lee and ex-fiancée Beth Riesgraf welcomed their son in September 2003. Lee told Us Magazine that his son's name was inspired by the Grandaddy song "He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's the Pilot." The inspiration behind the oddly spelled Inspektor, however, remains a mystery.
Hopper
![sean penn with daughter dylan and son harper](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-631189686.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Former couple Sean Penn and Robin Wright named son Hopper Jack after two acting legends who also happened to be family friends, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson. An actor now in his own right, Hopper was born in 1993, while his older sister, Dylan, came into the world in 1991.
Kyd
![Tea Leoni and her son Kyd Duchovny in 2018](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-1065957228.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Tea Leoni and ex-husband David Duchovney have two children together, but only one's name is a bit of a head-scratcher. They welcomed their oldest, daughter Madeline, in April 1999, and three years later, they graced their son with the moniker Kyd.
Rocket, Racer, Rebel and Rogue
![robert rodriguez with kids in 2009](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/GettyImages-89817298.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
All four of director Robert Rodriguez's sons have names that begin with the letter "R," as does his daughter, Rhiannon, though her moniker is a bit more common, especially in England.
Reign Beau and Freedom
Ving Rhames and Deborah Reed's daughter was born in 2000 with a spin on a hippie name: rather than "Rainbow," she is Reign Beau. Her brother's name is just as whimsical: Freedom was welcomed into the world in 2002.
Briar Rose
Rachel Bilson and ex Hayden Christensen channeled Sleeping Beauty when blessing their daughter with her name in 2014. "There is a Disney reference there," Christensen confessed in 2015. "The original Sleeping Beauty was called Briar Rose." He also said at the time that Bilson was a huge Disney fan, which was the main reason Briar's name came to be, admitting, "We both love all things Disney, but Rachel especially was very keen on the name."
Maple
![jason bateman with wife and daughter](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-823218206.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Jason Bateman and wife Amanda Anka welcomed their second child in February 2012, giving the baby girl the sweet name of Maple Sylvie. The couple's older daughter, born in 2016, is named Francesca Nora.
Banjo
![Rachel Griffiths and son Banjo Taylor](https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/640xh/public/images/2020-05/gettyimages-507465960.jpg?width=1024&quality=80)
Rachel Griffiths and her husband, artist Andrew Taylor, named their son, born in 2003, after a famous Australian poet, journalist and storyteller named Banjo A.B. Paterson. Their daughters have the very proper names of Adelaide and Clementine.