Cutting Edge
Elizabeth and Frederick have dominated the charts for centuries, effortlessly standing the test of time! Parents love them for their vintage class and exquisite elegance that offers a multitude of nicknames for every life chapter. Names like these never go out of style - but they are not everyone’s style. Not all parents search for that classic posh name. Some parents want avant garde names that evoke fierce, independent, ruff and tumble trailblazers. We have the perfect names for them right here!
Cutting edge names for your badass daughter
Aella - This “Whirlwind” name comes from the Greek mythology warrior herself. Aella wielded a double-axe, being one of the first to attack Hercales when he came for Hippolyte’s gridle.
Alanis - The 90’s introduced us to alternative rocker Alanis Morissette. Alanis’ 1995 album Jagged Little Pill introduced us to radio staples, “Hand In My Pocket”, “Ironic” and “You Oughta Know”. Alanis is the feminine form of Alan, meaning “Cheerful, handsome”. Alanis is also an an anagram for the Latin name Salina.
Beretta - Founded in the 16th century, the Italian firearm manufacture was named after company’s founder, Bartolomeo Beretta, making the company the oldest active manufacture of firearm components in the world. Beretta firearms are used worldwide for civilian, law enforcement and militant workers. Beretta has supplied weapons for every major European war since 1650.
Freddie - While Frederick is a classic male name, Freddie for a girl brings some spark to the name. Freddie is a wonderful way to honor the late, great Freddie Mercury of the band Queen. Want to lengthen it? Try Frederica or Winifred!
Helena - Break out the black eyeliner, were bringing back the mid 2000s Emo phase with this one! Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge album opener “Helena” is a My Chemical Romance staple. The bands lead singer Gerard Way wrote the song in honor of his late grandmother Elena Lee Rush. This song is heavily recognized as one of the greatest goth tracks of all time.
Irena - Irena Sendler was a Polish humanitarian, nurse and social worker who put her life on the line rescuing 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto, giving them false identities to save them from the Holocaust. She was awarded for her wartime humanitarian efforts.
Jasira - Jasira is of Swahili origin meaning “bold and courageous” Two qualities you’d want to instill in your daughter. This name also offers spunky nickname option Jazz.
Lzzy - Elegant Elizabeth offers a plethora of fabulous nicknames too. There is Beth, Betty, Birdie, Eliza, Elle, Elsa, Libby, Liza, and lets not forget Lzzy. Lzzy is inspired by the lead singer of Halestorm. Born Elizabeth Mae Hale, Lzzy stated she is “the fourth Elizabeth Mae in her family”. The hard rock singer has had pivotal success over the last decade with her band as well as collaborations with fellow musicians, Amy Lee, Cody Marks, Eric Church, Lindsey Sterling and Machine Gun Kelly to name a few.
Marvel - Influenced by The Hunger Games and Marvel Comics, it’s no wonder this name is a ‘marvelous miracle’.
Milunka - Serbian heroine Milunka Savic fought in the Balkan wars and World War 1. Milunka was considered the most decorated female combat in the recorded history of warfare. If Mila, Luka and Luna are too popular for you, Milunka is a great namesake.
Raddix - This invented name was introduced to the world in 2019 after Hollywood starlets Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden welcomed their daughter Raddix Chloe Wildflower Madden into the world.
Raiden - This Japanese thunder god makes a great gender neutral choice, but I love it for a girl. Raiden, also spelt Rayden, fits in with classmates Aiden, Brayden, Jayden and Kaiden. While the name is commonly pronounced Ray-den it’s proper pronunciation is Rye-den. Pop culture references include Mortal Kombat character Raiden and Gwen Raiden from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff series Angel which aired in 1999.
Rebel - Actress Rebel Wilson brought this name to the forefront. Your little rebel will independently revolutionize her own path as she “rise against the masses”.
Shabina - This Arabic name means “eye of the storm” The eye is the calmest part of a hurricane located in the center, A pretty rad name for a hurricane baby!
Sheena - Amazonian comic book heroine bestows this name, Sheena was the first female comic book character with her own title in 1938. Sheena is an Irish variation of Jane.
Sovereign - Celebrity babies not only rule the Hollywood kingdom, some names are actually titles. King, Major and Royalty have all been influenced by high honors and Sovereign fits the criteria too. Sovereign is a Monarch King or Queen who has supreme rule and authority. Reign is another celebrity influenced option.
Xiomara - X names already exude that edge factor and Xiomara is no exception. Xiomara is a Spanish origin name meaning, “ready for battle”.
Zeppelin - It’s a bird? It’s a plane? Nope, it’s actually an airship. Inventor Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin pioneered the rigid airship entering the 20th century. The airship influenced the 1968 band name Led Zeppelin after The Who drummer Keith Moon stated Led Zeppelin “would go down like a lead balloon”. Fun fact - this is my niece’s middle name.
Cutting edge names for your daring son
Axel - This rockstar moniker is associated with Guns n Roses front man Axl Rose. Definitely fitting the cutting edge vibe, but its “peaceful” meaning is far from it. Axel is the Scandinavian form of the Biblical Absalom, the son of King David. Another Ax-cutting choice to consider is Axton.
Binx - Binx’s brings to mind Thackery Binx, the Hocus Pocus character who was transformed into an immortal feline. This Halloween film favorite was released in 1993 and was originally written in 1984 by Mick Garris. Binx would also make an adorable nickname for Bellatrix or Bingham.
Blaze - Fires blazing! This name is coming in hot! Ranking in at 910 on the SSA 2019 list, this name is perfection for any baby born under a fire sign. I’m looking at you Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider gave his son Blaze as a middle name; as did actress Jennifer Gareis. UK based rock band Wolfsbane lead singer professionally goes by the name Blaze Bayley.
Cobain - 90’s grunge pioneer and Nirvana lead singer, Kurt Cobain brought this Irish surname to center stage. Cobain changed the music scene as we know it as the band found worldwide success with their hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The bands legacy was sadly cut short after Cobain’s passing in 1994.
Creed - Another post-grunge influenced name is Creed. The Tallahassee native band Creed formed in 1994 and had success in the late 1990s and early 200s. Creed is a “belief or guiding principle”. Teen mom star Kailyn Lowry recently gave her son this name. Other pop culture references include The Office character Creed Bratton and video game series Assassin’s Creed.
Haider - This Arabic name means, “as brave as a lion”.
Hawke - Avian names are severely underrated and Hawke is one of them. Hawks are courageous warriors that symbolize freedom, flight and protection. Another avian name to consider is Talon.
Kodiak - The Kodiak bear, also known as the Alaskan Brown Bear is one of the largest bears alive today. The name Kodiak means, “Grizzly Bear”. Another badass bear name to consider is Bjorn.
Matrix - Actor Keanu Reeves stared in this Sci-fi action film series. Matrix means “womb” is also known to signify any allegorical, metaphorical, or physical gestational environment. Max-names Maxine and Maxwell may have some competition alongside Matrix.
Ragnar - Ragnar is an Old Norse Viking name with a long history of Scandinavia roots meaning, “Army Counsel, Judgement or Warrior”.
Ransom - While this hostile word name may turn people off, it may be the bad boy image that drew you to it. Ransom was actually quite popular in the 19th century but lost its stamina in the 1930s.
Rogue - Edgy meets fandom, this troublemaker stole our hearts in the X-Men series. While Rogue is a female name in the Marvel Comics, Rogue is more popular as a boy’s name.
Ryatt - This spirited name is Ryan meets Wyatt but could also be considered a fun spin on the word Riot. Ryatt fits in next to Gunner, Maverick, and Rebel.
Tormund - Tormund Giantsbane is a fictional character in the George R. R .Martin novel series A Song of Ice and Fire. The novel was later created into a television series better known as Game of Thrones.
Warwick - This Anglo-Saxon surname meaning, “leader who defends” comes from the county of Warwickshire in the county of Cumberland. Actor Warwick Davis stared in, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Labyrinth and Star Wars.
Wolfgang - Animal inspired names Bear, Fox and Otter have been increasing in activity, so why not bring back Wolfgang? Classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Australian-American chef Wolfgang Johannes Puck and Van Halen musician Wolfgang William Van Halen all have this great name.