Are you a proud parent who also happens to be a self-proclaimed geek or nerd? Do you want to name your little one that reflects your love for sci-fi, fantasy, or tech? We’ll explore some of the coolest and most unique nerdy and geeky baby names.
To determine the popularity of these names, we turned to the Social Security Administration’s database of baby names in the United States. While some of these names may not be as commonly used as others, they all have a special meaning that will make your baby stand out.
In This Article
50 Nerdy and Geeky Names for Boys
Check out these 50 cool nerdy names for boys.
Aiden
Aiden has been used as a given name in Ireland for centuries and is associated with St. Aidan of Lindisfarne, an important figure in early Christianity in England. The name has since become popular around the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Albus
Albus is a Latin name meaning "white" and is often associated with purity and goodness. The name gained popularity after the release of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, in which the wise and powerful headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is named Albus Dumbledore.
Aric
Aric is a name of Germanic origin, meaning "ruler" or "leader". It is a variant of the name Eric and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Arthur
Arthur is a Celtic name meaning "bear". It has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages and is associated with the legendary King Arthur of Camelot.
Basil
Basil is a Greek name meaning "royal" or "kingly". It has been used as a given name since the early Christian period and is associated with several saints. The name is also associated with the herb of the same name, which has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes for centuries.
Beckett
Beckett is an English surname that originated as a place name meaning "bee cottage". The name gained popularity as a given name in the 21st century and is associated with the Irish writer Samuel Beckett, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969.
Bingham
Bingham is an English surname that originated as a place name meaning "homestead of the followers of Bynna". It is also the name of a town in Nottinghamshire, England. The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century.
Brady
Brady is an Irish surname that originated as a given name meaning "spirited". The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been popular in the United States since the 1980s. It is also the name of a city in Texas.
Caden
Caden is an Irish surname that originated as a given name meaning "son of Cadán". It is derived from the Gaelic name Cadán, which means "little battle".
Callum
Callum is a Scottish name meaning "dove". It is derived from the Gaelic name Calum, which is a variant of the name Columba. St. Columba was a famous Irish monk who is said to have founded a monastery on the Scottish island of Iona in the 6th century.
Calvin
Calvin is a Latin name that has been in use for centuries. It is associated with the theologian John Calvin, who played a major role in the Protestant Reformation. The name has a scholarly feel, and is often associated with intelligence and creativity.
Cedric
Cedric is a Celtic name that has been in use since medieval times. It has a noble and distinguished feel, and is often associated with chivalry and generosity. The name gained a boost in popularity with the character Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter series.
Dexter
Dexter is a Latin name that has been in use since ancient times. It has a strong and confident feel, and is often associated with intelligence and skill. The name gained popularity with the TV show Dexter, which featured a serial killer protagonist.
Duncan
Duncan is a Scottish name that has been in use since medieval times. It has a rugged and strong feel, and is often associated with bravery and courage. The name gained a boost in popularity with the character Duncan Idaho in the Dune series.
Elio
Elio is an Italian name that has been in use since ancient times. It has a warm and sunny feel, and is often associated with happiness and optimism. The name gained a boost in popularity with the film Call Me By Your Name, which featured a character named Elio.
Elliot
Elliot is a variation of the name Elijah and has been used as a given name since the 19th century. The name gained popularity after the release of the movie "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" which featured a character named Elliot. It is now a unisex name.
Emerson
Emerson is a surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. It is derived from the Germanic name Emery, meaning "brave" or "powerful". Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist and poet, is one of the most famous bearers of this name.
Emmett
Emmett is a name of English origin that has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "emete", meaning "ant", and was originally a nickname for a small or industrious person. The name gained popularity in the US in the early 20th century and has been used by several notable figures.
Felix
Felix is a name of Latin origin that has been used as a given name since ancient times. It was a popular name among early Christians because of its meaning, which is associated with blessings and good fortune. Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer of the Romantic era, is one of the most famous bearers of this name.
Finley
Finley is a unisex name of Scottish Gaelic origin that means "fair-haired hero". It was traditionally a boy's name, but has become increasingly popular for girls as well. Finley is also the name of several places in Scotland and Ireland, and has been used as a surname for centuries. In literature, it appears as the surname of Huckleberry Finn, the protagonist of Mark Twain's classic novel.
Gideon
The name Gideon has a strong and powerful meaning, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a name that exudes strength and confidence. It is also the name of several notable historical figures, including inventors and paleontologists.
Griffin
The name Griffin has a fierce and powerful meaning, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and unique name for their child. It is also a popular name in pop culture, with several notable actors and personalities bearing the name.
Hal
Hal is a short and simple name with a meaning that reflects power and authority. It has been borne by several notable figures in the world of film and music, including directors and songwriters.
Holden
Holden is a unique and distinctive name with a literary connection to the famous protagonist of "The Catcher in the Rye." It has gained popularity in recent years, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a name that is both classic and modern.
Hugo
The name Hugo has a rich history, dating back to the famous French poet and author Victor Hugo. It has a strong and intellectual meaning, making it a popular choice for parents who want to give their child a name that exudes intelligence and creativity.
Isaac
Isaac is a name that has been popular for centuries and has significant religious and historical associations, including the biblical Isaac, son of Abraham.
Jasper
Jasper is a name that has been used since ancient times and has connections to gemstones and royalty, as well as literature and art.
Kelvin
Kelvin is a name that has scientific connotations, as it is a unit of measurement for temperature named after the physicist Lord Kelvin.
Kepler
Kepler is a name with astronomical significance, named after the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler who made significant contributions to our understanding of the solar system.
Lachlan
Lachlan is a Scottish name with connections to nature and the Scottish landscape, as well as Scottish history and culture.
Linus
Linus is a name with a Greek origin that means "flaxen-haired." It is also associated with the Peanuts character, Linus van Pelt, who is known for his blanket.
Milo
Milo is a Germanic name that means "soldier" or "merciful." The name has been used by many notable people, including actor Milo Ventimiglia and writer Milo Yiannopoulos.
Newton
Newton is an English name that means "new town." It is most commonly associated with the famous physicist Isaac Newton.
Oliver
Oliver is a Latin name that means "olive tree." The name has been used by many notable people, including director Oliver Stone and political leader Oliver Cromwell.
Orville
Orville is a French name that means "gold town." It is most commonly associated with Orville Wright, one of the Wright brothers who were the first to successfully fly a powered airplane.
Otis
The name Otis has been used since the Middle Ages, but it was popularized in the 19th century. Otis is also the name of an elevator company that was founded by Elisha Otis, who invented a safety mechanism for elevators in 1852.
Percy
Percy is a Norman French surname that was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It became popular as a given name in the 19th century, possibly due to the romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Quentin
The name Quentin was originally used as a Roman surname. It was introduced to England by the Normans and became a popular given name in the Middle Ages. Quentin is also the name of a town in northern France that was the site of a World War I battle.
Quincy
Quincy is a Norman French surname that was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It became a popular given name in the 18th century, possibly due to the influence of the Adams family, which included two US Presidents named John Quincy Adams.
Reed
Reed is an English surname that was originally used to describe someone who lived near a reed bed. It became a popular given name in the 19th century, possibly due to the influence of the American naturalist John Reed.
Roland
Roland was a popular name among medieval knights and was made famous by the 11th-century epic poem "The Song of Roland." The name has been used in various literary works throughout history.
Rupert
Rupert has been used as a character name in various literary works and has been adopted by several members of royalty throughout history. The name is associated with intelligence and prestige.
Sheldon
Sheldon is a locational name that originated from a place in England. The name has been used as a first name since the late 19th century and has been associated with characters who are intelligent and studious.
Soren
Soren is a Scandinavian name that has gained popularity in recent years. It has been used in several works of literature and is associated with strength and seriousness.
Spencer
Spencer is an English occupational name that originated from the Old French word for "dispenser." The name has been associated with literary figures and has been used in several popular TV shows and movies.
Theodore
Theodore is a classic name that has been used for many notable figures throughout history, including several US presidents. It also has literary ties, as the author of the popular children's book series, Dr. Seuss, was named Theodore Geisel.
Thorne
Thorne is a surname that has been used as a first name in recent years. It has a nature-inspired meaning and could be a unique choice if you're looking for an uncommon name.
Tobias
Tobias is a biblical name with a positive meaning. It has literary ties, as Tobias Smollett was a prominent 18th century Scottish novelist.
Truman
Truman is a surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. It has political ties, as Harry S. Truman was a US President who led the country through the end of World War II.
Wesley
Wesley is a surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. It has a nature-inspired meaning and could be a good choice for parents who like classic, yet not too common names.
50 Nerdy and Geeky Names for Girls
Check out these 50 unique nerdy names for girls.
Ada
Ada is of German origin that means "noble" or "nobility." The name was popularized in the 19th century by Ada Lovelace, a mathematician who is widely regarded as the world's first computer programmer.
Aria
Aria is of Italian origins that means "air" or "song." The name has become increasingly popular in recent years, perhaps due to its use in the popular TV show "Game of Thrones."
Astrid
Astrid is a Scandinavian name that means "divinely beautiful." It was popularized by the Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren, who wrote the "Pippi Longstocking" series.
Aurelia
Aurelia is of Latin origins that means "golden." The name was popular in ancient Rome and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Bernice
Bernice is of Greek origins that means "victory bringer." It was a popular name in the early 20th century and has been used by various notable figures throughout history.
Bianca
Bianca is a name of Italian origin and means "white" or "pure". It is a popular name in Italy and is also used in other countries around the world. Bianca has been used as a name for several notable people, including social activist Bianca Jagger and Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu.
Calliope
Calliope is a name of Greek origin and means "beautiful-voiced". In Greek mythology, Calliope was the Muse of epic poetry and eloquence. The name has been used for several notable people, including Greek-Dutch composer Calliope Tsoupaki and Hong Kong actress Calliope Wong.
Cosima
Cosima is a name of Italian and Greek origin and means "order" or "harmony". It has been used as a name for several notable people, including German composer and wife of Richard Wagner Cosima Wagner, British actress Cosima Shaw, and Australian singer Cosima De Vito.
Darcy
Darcy is a name of Irish and French origin and means "dark one".
Delphine
The name Delphine is of Greek origin and means "dolphin". In Greek mythology, dolphins were often associated with Apollo, the god of music, prophecy, and healing. The name has been used by several notable figures throughout history, including the notorious socialite Delphine LaLaurie, who lived in New Orleans in the early 19th century and was known for her cruel treatment of slaves.
Edith
Edith is a classic name that has been popular for centuries. It was the name of several saints and royals, and gained popularity in the 19th century due to the popularity of Edith Wharton's novels.
Elara
In Greek mythology, Elara was a lover of Zeus and the mother of the giant Tityos. The name has gained popularity in recent years, possibly due to its similarity to the popular name Lara.
Elodie
Elodie is a beautiful name of French origin that has become more popular in the English-speaking world in recent years. It is a popular name in France, and has also gained popularity in the UK and Australia.
Ember
Ember is a unique and modern name that has gained popularity in the past few years. It is often associated with the warmth and coziness of a fire, and has a trendy and modern sound.
Estelle
Estelle is a beautiful and classic name of French origin. It was popular in the early 20th century, and has gained popularity again in recent years. The name is often associated with the stars in the sky.
Evangeline
Evangeline is a beautiful name with a spiritual meaning. The name has been used in literature, music, and pop culture.
Felicity
Felicity is a cheerful and upbeat name that has been used in various forms since the Middle Ages. It has a sweet and charming sound, making it a popular choice for baby girls.
Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn is a Welsh name that has been used since the Middle Ages. It has a romantic and elegant sound, making it a popular choice if you want a traditional yet sophisticated name for your baby girl.
Hazel
Hazel is a charming and sweet name that has been popular for over a century. It has been used in literature, film, and music, and has been a favorite of many famous parents.
Imogen
Imogen is a beautiful and unique name with a rich history. It has been used in literature, theater, and film, and has gained popularity in recent years as a stylish and sophisticated choice for baby girls.
Isadora
Isadora is a Greek name that means "gift of Isis." Isis was the Egyptian goddess of fertility and motherhood, and the name was popularized in the 19th century through the dancer Isadora Duncan.
Jocelyn
Jocelyn is a German name that means "joyous." It was first used in the Middle Ages and became popular in the 20th century. Famous bearers include astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell and actress Jocelyn DeBoer.
Juniper
Juniper is a Latin name that means "juniper tree." The name was first used in the 19th century and has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is associated with the Juniper Networks computer networking company.
Kaida
Kaida is a Japanese name that means "little dragon." The name is often associated with strength and power. It is not very common in the US, but it has become more popular in recent years.
Lark
Lark is an English name that means "songbird." It was first used in the 19th century and has never been very common. Famous bearers include actress Lark Voorhies and the TV series Lark Rise to Candleford.
Lenore
Lenore is a name of Greek origin meaning "light" that gained popularity in the 19th century due to its use in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven."
Lyra
Lyra is a name of Greek origin meaning "lyre," a stringed instrument. The name gained popularity after being used for the protagonist of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman.
Maeve
Maeve is a name of Irish origin meaning "intoxicating." The name is associated with Queen Maeve, a legendary queen of Connacht in Irish mythology.
Matilda
Matilda is a name of German origin meaning "battle-mighty." The name was popularized by the heroine of Roald Dahl's book "Matilda," which was later adapted into a movie and a musical.
Melisande
Melisande is a name of French origin meaning "strength and gentleness." It gained popularity due to the character of Melisande in the play "Pelleas and Melisande" by Maurice Maeterlinck.
Nerida
In Greek mythology, Nerida or Nereida was one of the fifty sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus, who were known for their beauty and grace. The name Nerida means "sea nymph," making it a lovely choice for a child born near the sea or with a love for the ocean.
Octavia
Octavia is a Latin name that means "eighth," and was traditionally given to the eighth-born child in a family. It was also used in ancient Rome as a title for the sister of the emperor. Today, the name is associated with strong and intelligent women, making it a popular choice for fictional characters in literature and film.
Ophelia
Ophelia is a name that has been used in literature, music, and film, most famously in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The name means "help" or "aid" in Greek, and was once associated with mythological characters who provided assistance to others in need. Despite its tragic association with the character in "Hamlet," the name has a poetic and romantic quality that many parents find appealing.
Penelope
Penelope is a name that has been used in Greek mythology and literature, most famously in Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey." The name means "weaver," and was associated with the character's skill in weaving and unweaving a burial shroud for her husband. Today, the name is associated with intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Persephone
Persephone is a popular figure in Greek mythology, known for being the daughter of Zeus and Demeter and for her abduction by Hades, which resulted in her becoming the Queen of the Underworld. Her story is often used to symbolize the changing of the seasons and the cycle of life and death. The name Persephone has a strong and mysterious quality that may appeal to those interested in mythology or looking for a unique name.
Phoebe
In Greek mythology, Phoebe was one of the Titans, and also the grandmother of Apollo and Artemis.
Primrose
The name Primrose gained popularity as a first name in England after the publication of the book "The Hunger Games," which featured a character named Primrose Everdeen.
Raven
In many Native American cultures, the raven is a symbol of transformation and change.
Rosalind
The name Rosalind is a combination of the names Rosa and Linda, and is also the name of a character in Shakespeare's play "As You Like It".
Seraphina
In Christian tradition, seraphim are the highest order of angels, and are often depicted with fiery wings.
Sorcha
Sorcha is an Irish name that means bright or radiant. It has been a popular name in Ireland for centuries, and is starting to gain popularity in other parts of the world. Two famous bearers of the name are Sorcha Cusack, an actress, and Sorcha Faal, a pseudonym for an unknown individual who writes about conspiracy theories.
Sybil
Sybil is a Greek name meaning prophetess or oracle. It was popularized by a character of the same name in a popular novel from the 1800s. Famous bearers of the name include Sybil Ludington, a heroine of the American Revolutionary War, and Sybil Thorndike, an English actress.
Tahlia
Tahlia is a Hebrew name meaning dew from heaven. It is a name that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Famous bearers of the name include Tahlia Giumelli, an Australian model, and Talia Shire, an American actress.
Theodora
Theodora is a Greek name meaning gift of God. It was a popular name among early Christian women and has been borne by several saints. The most famous bearer of the name is Theodora, a Byzantine empress who co-ruled with her husband, Emperor Justinian I, in the 6th century.
Ursula
Ursula is a Latin name meaning "little bear." It has been used since ancient times and was a popular name for early Christian martyrs. One of the most famous namesakes is the villainous sea witch Ursula from Disney's "The Little Mermaid." Despite this association, the name has a charming and timeless quality that has made it a favorite among parents who appreciate its vintage charm.
Vesper
Vesper is a unique name that comes from the Latin word for the evening star. It has been used in literature and pop culture, and is a great option for parents looking for a more unusual name.
Waverly
Waverly is an English name that means "meadow of quivering aspens". It has a peaceful and natural feel, and is a good choice if you want a name that is not too common but still easy to pronounce.
Winifred
Winifred is a Welsh name that means "blessed peacemaking". It was popular in the early 20th century, and has a vintage charm that is coming back into fashion. It has several cute nickname options, including Winnie and Freddie.
Xandra
Xandra is a modern variation of the classic name Alexandra, which means "defender of the people". It has a cool and edgy sound, and is a good option for parents looking for a unique twist on a traditional name.
Yara
Yara is an Arabic name that means "small butterfly". It has a delicate and feminine feel, and is a good choice for parents who want a name that is both unique and easy to pronounce. It has gained popularity in recent years thanks to its use in pop culture.