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These days, we all need to invite a little bit more joy and fantasy into our lives—and that is exactly why everything whimsical is trending right now. People are intentionally romanticizing their everyday lives and trying to notice whimsy in unexpected places. So it’s no surprise expectant parents are also searching for whimsical baby names. These are the kind of charming, playful, and lyrical names that feel straight out of a fairytale.
If this sounds like you, consider choosing a whimsical name for your little one. These 85 whimsical baby names capture all the fantasy, magic, and adventure a newborn baby brings with it into the world. The best part? There aren’t many rules here. Just pick a name inspired by anything that makes you feel happy and carefree—nature, fairytales, or whatever evokes whimsy for you!
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Why everything “whimsical” is trending
To embrace whimsy is to soak up those tiny moments of childlike joy. It’s a lighthearted and positive outlook that many members of Gen Z and millennials are adapting to ease the burden of stressors like work, money, news headlines, etc. Being whimsical means prioritizing small moments of connection with family and friends, leaning into the hobbies you love, and noticing the glimmers in life, no matter how small.
Whimsy has even found its way into parenting with trends like nostalgic ’90s parenting and butter moms. Moms are trying to let go of stress and expectations and lean into intuition, slowness, and a carefree spirit. As for whimsical baby names, they capture all of that magical, playful energy parents are chasing. Think of imaginative, magical baby names that are inspired by nature or fairytales. Celeb dads Scott and Mark Hoying, for example, just named their baby girl Birdie James—a choice that, in their words, is both musical and magical.
Whimsical baby names for girls
These baby girl names will help bring a little more fantasy and magic into her day-to-day life. Many of them can be found in storybooks, have ties to nature, or just have that irreplaceable, fantastical quality.
Alice
While Alice translates to “noble” and “exalted,” this German girl’s name gets its whimsy from its ties to the classic children’s tale Alice in Wonderland. If you’ve read the book (or watched the films), you’ll know all about the topsy-turvy, out-of-this-world dreamscape Alice finds herself falling into.
Arabella
Every name that ends with “ella” sounds pretty and lyrical—Isabella, Gabriella—but there’s something especially beautiful about Arabella. The Scottish name translates to “prayerful” and has a magical quality we love.
Birdie
A tribute to nature’s best music makers, Birdie is a feminine first name with strong ties to the earth and the outdoors. Scott Hoying and his husband, Mark, just named their baby girl Birdie!
Celeste
There’s something whimsical about the stars and outer space, and does it really get any more celestial-themed than Celeste? This Italian girl’s name means “heavenly” and is sure to belong to a little one with her head in the stars.
Cordelia
Cordelia is the perfect blend of romantic and vintage, translating to “heart.” With Roman roots and a lyrical, roll-off-the-tongue sound, this name is perfect for a little girl with a joyful spirit and huge heart.
Elodie
Translating to “foreign riches,” a little girl named Elodie is sure to lead a prosperous life. The name’s French roots give way to a light and melodic first name we can’t get enough of.
Evangeline
Evangeline is a Greek first name that means “good news.” Is there any better way to describe the feeling of welcoming a new baby into the world? Plus, it’s a gorgeous long girl’s name with a fantastical, storybook quality your little one will love.
Faye
Short and sweet for the win! Faye means “loyalty” or “belief.” It also stems from the old French word “fae,” which means fairy and is a great way to celebrate your kiddo’s sweet and mischievous spirit.
Hope
A name like this one is sure to honor a little girl with a positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life. Plus, a newborn baby brings so much hope, love, and light into the world.
Maisie
A modern twist on the more common Maisy, Maisie is a girl’s name with lots of joy and spunk behind it. It means “pearl” and captures just how special your little one is.
Melody
Is there anything more whimsical than music? A good song can bring us joy even in the darkest of moments, and Melody is a sweet baby girl name that captures all that magic in just three syllables.
Rosella
While Rose is always an excellent choice for a little girl, Rosella is an Italian twist on the classic, translating to “rose” and “fame.” Floral names are the textbook definition of whimsical.
Sylvie
If you’re in search of an outdoorsy, earthy name for your little girl that still has a magical feel to it, consider Sylvie. The Latin name means “forest” and is also the first name of Romulus and Remus’ mother—the founders of ancient Rome, if you don’t know the story.
Violet
Meaning “purple” and “flower,” Violet is a much-loved girl’s name in the literary space. You may recognize it from famous children’s tales such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Disney’s The Incredibles.
Wren
Another nature-inspired name perfect for little ones with a big heart and lots of spirit! Wren means “small brown songbird,” and while still considered a unique whimsical name, it has been climbing up the baby name charts since 2012.
More whimsical baby names for girls
- Arielle
- Clover
- Dahlia
- Emerald
- Flora
- Fauna
- Greta
- Hazel
- Isadora
- Juniper
- Laila
- Lily
- Millie
- Pearl
- Pepper
- Posie
- Ophelia
- Rowena
- Willow
- Zora
Whimsical baby names for boys
Boys deserve some magic, too, and these boy names are strong and sweet, perfect for a happy little boy with a steadfast spirit. Make sure to save these whimsical baby names to your list.
Ansel
This German boy’s name means “under divine protection” and is a humble and honorable title perfectly suited for a sweet little boy with a kind heart.
Asher
To embrace whimsy is to feel happy and joyful, even when it would be easy not to. Asher sums up that feeling beautifully. The Hebrew boy’s name means “happy” and “blessed,” and is a strong and grounded choice for your kiddo.
Beau
Though traditionally used as a nickname, Beau has become more popular as a boy’s name in the last 50 years. It means “beautiful” or “handsome” and is an ideal choice for a little boy whose smile and spirit charm everyone around him.
Elio
With Italian, Latin, and Greek roots, Elio has a rich and varied history, though its central translation is “sun.” You may recognize this one as the name of the 2025 award-winning Pixar film. Anyone who has watched the movie knows that Elio is an adventurous and spirited boy with a big heart—your little one would be lucky to share his name.
Felix
Playful and modern, Felix means “happy” and “fortunate” and—similar to Asher—captures all of the whimsical feels in just two syllables. This one’s been popular for years and definitely won’t be going out of style any time soon.
Finn
With Irish roots, Finn means “blessed” or “fair” and has strong ties to Irish mythology. Fionn was a legendary hunter-warrior blessed with an extraordinary fighting spirit. He really is the stuff of fairytales, and Finn captures all those fantastical qualities.
Forrest
Meaning “forest” or “woodland,” Forrest for a boy carries with it all the fantasy and intrigue that the woods possess—danger, exploration, and shelter. This one’s also famous for the iconic film character Forrest Gump, a spirited and kind-hearted boy who is a worthy role model for your little one.
Jasper
Though its literal meaning is “treasurer” or “precious stone,” Jasper is a multifaceted name with a rich and varied history. You may recognize it as the name for one of the Magi—a.k.a. the Three Wise Men—who is said to have brought gifts to the newborn baby Jesus on Christmas Day. Or for the opaque quartz gemstone. Regardless, it’s a unique name or a little boy with a big spirit.
Jay
You probably know this one for its namesake, the blue-crested bird. But Jay also means “supplanter” or “healer.” It’s a simple, one-syllable choice your little boy will sport proudly.
Koa
Hawaiian baby names are trending this year, and Koa is the perfect choice for a strong little boy with lots of life to live. It means “warrior” or “valiant one” and really does feel like a name straight out of a storybook or superhero movie.
Luca
To be whimsical is to look for the light and joy in life, even when it’s hard to find—and Luca is an Italian boy’s name that captures that feeling beautifully. It translates to “light” and is bound to belong to a little boy who shines in every room he enters.
Milo
Milo is unique for its strong translation, ”soldier,” yet the name has a playful quality. A boy named Milo will have a steadfast spirit paired with a warm and joyful heart.
Nash
A nature-inspired boy’s name, Nash means “at the ash tree” or “by the ash tree.” In the British Isles, ash trees were once known for their healing properties, and were even thought to purify water. Your little boy will surely embody all of that strength and light.
Wesley
Meaning “western meadow,” a name like Wesley will encourage your little boy to embrace all parts of the natural world, from rolling fields to open skies. Plus, nicknames like Wes are totally adorable.
Wilder
Part of being whimsical is finding your wild side and taking risks. There’s no name that captures that feeling quite like Wilder. Translating to “wild” and “untamed,” a little boy with this title is bound to have an adventurous spirit.
More whimsical baby names for boys
- Albie
- Ames
- Caspian
- Evander
- Ezra
- Finch
- Gale
- Julian
- Kai
- Laurie
- Lucien
- Micah
- Niall
- Otto
Whimsical gender-neutral baby names
Looking for something more gender-neutral? Check out these unisex baby names that will give your little one a little extra fantasy and magic to carry around with them.
August
Derived from the Latin Augustus, August means “great” or “exalted” and is a unisex option with all the summer feels. Is there any better time to be extra whimsical than in the summertime?
Arden
Arden finds its roots in the legendary Forest of Arden, a home for myth, imagination, and literary inspiration. It is most famous as the magical setting for William Shakespeare’s play As You Like It, and is the home of several compelling characters.
Avery
If looking for a fairycore name, it doesn’t get more magical than Avery. Meaning “elf ruler,” this Old English name has leadership and whimsical vibes.
Briar
Translating to “thorny bush of wild roses,” Briar is a nature-inspired first name with lots of spunk and spirit. It reminds parents (and kids) that every rose has its thorns—so take the good and the bad with every situation!
Indie
Indie is a whimsical first name with strong American roots. It translates to “independence” and will remind your little one to embrace the unknown and forge their own path.
Kit
Kit has multiple cultural associations, from Kit-Kat candy bars to the legendary Jedi Kit Fisto from Star Wars. It also means “musical instrument,” an extra whimsical translation for a kiddo who connects deeply with music.
Percy
This name most notably stems from the Greek name Perseus, an ancient hero and slayer of monsters. While it’s traditionally for a boy, characters like the famous protagonist Percy Jackson and Harry Potter’s Percy Weasley have captured an entire generation. If you want to imbue your little one with a sense of magic and fantasy, this is the name to do it.
Remy
Of French origin, Remy is a modern first name with lots of spunk. You may recognize it as the name of the lovable little chef from Disney’s Ratatouille.
Skye
There isn’t a name on this list that exudes more of a light, breezy nature than Skye. The Scottish first name translates to “island of clouds” and has an undeniably fantastical quality.
Story
Whimsical names often stem from fairytales and storybooks, so why not give your little one a title that honors the power of the written word? With a name like Story, your kiddo is bound to live a grand life with lots of tales to tell.
Wells
With British roots, Wells means “spring stream” or “springs” and produces images of tranquil rivers and streams—quiet places to unwind and think. Short and sweet, this surname boy’s name that ends with s could be the perfect pick to manifest a chill ‘lil dude.
More whimsical gender-neutral baby names
- Atlas
- Brighton
- Ever
- Fable
- Fern
- Ivy
- Jovie
- Oak
- Sage
- Winslow
FAQs about whimsy baby names
What are some popular whimsical girl names?
Willow, Violet, Lily, Hazel, Alice, Melody, and Juniper are all whimsical girl names within the top 100 most popular girl names, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.
What are some whimsical boy names?
Whimsical names for boys include popular picks like Asher, Finn, and Luca, plus unique boy names like Lucien, Nash, and Wilder.
What are some fairycore names?
Fairycore names blend folklore and nature into whimsical picks like Faye, Avery, Fern, Briar, Willow, Fable, Ivy, Finch, and Gale.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
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This article was originally published on The Everymom
