15 Totally Unique Baby Names Inspired by the 2023 Oscars

Calling all movie lovers! The 2023 Academy Awards take place on March 12, and the list of nominees can double as baby name inspiration.

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

Hollywood has an unavoidable influence on baby names. The monikers of actors, singers, and fictional characters manage to climb ranking charts every year. For example, Nameberry predicts that 2023 parents will be inspired by TV shows Bridgerton and Stranger Things, musician Billie Eilish, and other pop culture trends.

Are you searching for some star-studded inspiration yourself? You might get some from the 95th Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars, which is scheduled for March 12, 2023. The Oscars recognize excellence in the American film industry. Looking at the list of nominees this year, you’ll likely see some familiar names (like Jamie Lee Curtis and Steven Spielberg) and some fresher ones (such as Austin Butler and Ana de Armas).

If you’re expecting a baby, it might be worth tuning in to the Oscars—not just for movie recommendations and red carpet fashion, but also for famous baby name inspiration. One of the award winners just might inspire the name of your future film lover!

Related: 10 Baby Name Trends for 2023

Elvis

Based on the King of Rock & Roll himself, Elvis received eight Oscar nominations in 2023, including Best Picture and Best Actor. The movie stars Austin Butler as Elvis Presley. A child named Elvis might live up to their namesake as an iconic symbol of progress and unconventionality. Trendy parents-to-be could also take baby name inspiration from Elvis Presley’s wife, Priscilla.

Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick is the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun, both starring Tom Cruise as aviator Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. The movie scored six Oscar nominations—and it also gives parents a unique baby name idea. The strong-sounding, gender-neutral Maverick means “independent” and “nonconformist.” It’s been climbing the charts in recent years, currently ranking around the 50th most popular name for boys in the U.S.

Ramonda

The Marvel cinematic universe is vast, but it just received its first acting Oscar nod: Angela Bassett was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her strong female character has a unique name, Ramonda, meaning “wise protector.” Surely a daughter called Ramonda will rule a kingdom someday like her fictional namesake!

Ruben

Ruben Östlund is in the running for Best Director for his dark comedy Triangle of Sadness. Although the filmmaker hails from Sweden, his name has Hebrew origins, meaning "behold, a son." An alternative spelling is Reuben (yes, like the sandwich!).

Related: The 10 Luckiest Baby Names

Marilyn

Since Marilyn Monroe is an iconic pop culture figure, her name might always be on the radar for Old Hollywood fans. Even so, it’s never climbed high on the popularity charts in America. That might change after Ana de Armas starred as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde; the role gave her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Rian 

Alternative spellings can elevate a traditional name, as demonstrated by Rian (pronounced like “Ryan”). The gender-neutral Irish name translates to "little king." Rian Johnson, a nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, is one person who brings the title to life.

Felix

According to Nameberry's predictions, 2023 is the year of “X,” as the edgy letter is popping up in the beginning, middle, and end of names. If you want to join the trend, consider calling your child Felix. It’s inspired by actor Felix Kammerer, who plays protagonist Paul Bäumer in Oscar-nominated All Quiet on the Western Front. The Latin name means “happy” and “fortunate.”

Padraic

Played by Colin Farrell, Pádraic Súilleabháin is the protagonist of The Banshees of Inisherin, which got nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards. This Gaelic version of Patrick is pronounced “Paw-rick''.

Siobhan

Another Irish name from The Banshees of Inisherin is Siobhan. That’s because actress Kerry Condon is an Oscar contender for her role as Siobhán Súilleabháin. Need some help with pronunciation? Try saying “shiv + awn.” The moniker is reminiscent of another traditional Irish name that’s been gaining popularity recently: Saoirse (thanks to actress Saoirse Ronan).

Related: 80 Cottagecore Names for Bucolic Babies

Jobu

Stephanie Hsu's portrayal of Joy Wang/Jobu Tupaki in Everything Everywhere All at Once landed her a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Jobu isn’t a typical name, but it could resonate with parents wanting a sweet-sounding moniker off the beaten path. 

Florencia

A variation of Florence, this name has Latin origins and means "flourishing” or “prosperous." It also fits Nameberry’s prediction that “maximalist” names (such as Francesca, Cassiopeia, and Persephone) will gain traction in 2023. Florencia Martin, the production designer of Babylon, shares this feminine-sounding moniker.

Neytiri

Unless you’ve seen Avatar: The Way of Water, which was nominated for four Academy Awards, you’ve probably never heard the name of its main character, Neytiri (pronounced nay-tee-ree). But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for your little one! In fact, a few years back, hundreds of parents named their child “Daenerys” or “Khaleesi” after a fictional Game of Thrones character.

Judd

Judd Hirsch is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in The Fabelmans. Prospective parents might be inspired by this medieval form of the name Jordan, which means “flowing down.” The short moniker has a nickname quality, but Judd still manages to sound strong all on its own.

Related: 91 Short Baby Names for Boys and Girls

Ehren

Here’s another alternative spelling that we love! Ehren Kruger, who cowrote the screenplay for Top Gun: Maverick, pronounces his name like “Aaron.” The German boy’s name means “honorable,” and it could work just as well for a little girl.

Waymond

Never heard of the name Waymond? You’re not alone. It was given to Ke Huy Quan’s character in Everything Everywhere All at Once; the portrayal won him recognition in the Best Supporting Actor category. We love the originality!

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