20 Interesting Baby Names You Probably Haven't Heard Before

When it comes to baby names, it can often feel like there's nothing truly new under the sun. Because we're living in the age of technology it feels like it's getting harder and harder to come up with names that are truly unique, since everyone else is scouring for the same ideas. So, if you're looking for a name that's off-the-beaten path or that no one else has probably heard of before you should probably read this list. I scour baby names lists regularly and most of these were new to me. Even if you're skeptical, read on…some of these names just might surprise you!

1. Marin: (pronounced: mare-in), meaning: "Latin, of the sea." I think this would be a cool and modern take on Marie or Mary - especially if those happen to be family names you'd like to use in an updated way.

2. Sender: meaning: "English occupational name". This has such a tough guy ring to it and would be great for a little man.

3. Svea: meaning: "Sweden". Has a cool girl ring to it like Freya, but even more unique.

4. Harding: meaning: "Son of the courageous one." So, I'm sure you've heard this as a surname, but I've never heard it as a first name and I kind of love it as well as its strong meaning.

5. Onalee: I couldn't find a meaning for this one, but read about a girl's grandmother who had the name and I think it's lovely for a little girl.

6. Reeve: meaning: "English occupational name, bailiff". Reece has been done before, but Reeve? Now that's got a fresh feel to it. The name is unisex, but I find it particularly adorable for a little girl.

7. Waller: meaning: (German) "Army ruler", (English) "Mason". I don't know what it is about this name, but I just think it's kind of interesting. Definitely not one you'd forget!

8. Berwin: meaning: "Bright Friend." I've heard of Bronwyn and Bertrum, but never Berwin and I kind of like it. It has a nerdy chic ring to it.

9. Hagan: meaning: "Little fire". I think this one is just cute. I'm pretty sure I've also heard this as a last name, but I really like it as a first name.

10. Camber: This one is actually a newer "made up" name; a combination of Cameron and Amber. I saw it pop up in a baby names forum I was reading and thought it was kind of catchy.

11. Anselm: meaning: "With divine protection". This is a name of German descent and has an international feel without being over-the-top.

12. Aris: I couldn't find a meaning for the name Aris, but I still think it has good potential.

13. Neva: meaning: "Spanish, white snow". I've been hearing the name Nera lately and the name Eva and this feels like a perfect blend of the two.

14. Sem: meaning: "Name". Apparently this name is popular in the Netherlands, but I'd never heard it before. Seems like an interesting twist on the more common Sam.

15. Hadassah: meaning: "Myrtle tree". I tried to sell my husband on this name for our daughter's middle name, but it was a no-go. Hadassah was the Hebrew name of the Biblical queen Esther - one of my most favorite stories. While it's definitely popular in Israel, many people in the U.S. won't be likely to have heard of it.

16. Thessaly: meaning: "Greek place name". I really love this one. I saw some people discussing it in a baby names forum and I was instantly drawn to it.

17. Jovie: Apparently Jovie is a made up name, but it's so cute. If you've seen the movie "Elf" then you've heard it before, but other than that I'd never heard it before.

18. Arrington: Another name I wasn't able to track down a meaning for - likely an invented name - that I stumbled upon from a names forum. Seriously - there are so many name gems in these forums! Could be a cute name for a boy or a girl and I like the option of having "Arri" as a nickname.

19. Elowyn: I came up with the name Elowyn as a variation of Elwyn when reading a post about baby names inspired by authors. Author E.B. White's first name was Elwyn and it made me think what a lovely name Elowyn would be. I'm certain I'm not the only one to come up with it, but I definitely hadn't heard it before.

20. Cadman: meaning: "Warrior". Caedmon has been done, but Cadman feels a bit more fresh and interesting - although both are nice names.

- By Lauren Hartmann