Expert reveals 10 rarest baby names parents should pick in 2023 (2024)

Hester

Fewer than five girls

It features in one of the most famous books in American literature - but Hester has fallen out of fashion in recent years.

Urging bookish parents to make the most of the rare moniker now, Pamela said: 'The heroine of The Scarlet Letter has a fresh modern image thanks to the hot new novel Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese, which reimagines the book from Hester’s point of view.'

Romilly

Five girls

It might have started out as a boy's name that translates as 'man of Rome' in Latin - but Romilly is now used for girls too.

She noted: 'Emma Thompson used it as her daughter Gaia’s middle name in 1999.'

Bee

Eight girls

Beatrice is one of the most traditional names in the world - but if you want to give it a modern edge, Pamela suggests shortening it down.

The expert said: 'This spelling turns the short form of Beatrice into an on-trend nature-themed name.'

Lilac

25 girls

While the ever-popularViolet recently appeared on the University of Birmingham's list of 50 'most beautiful' sounding names, Lilac is a much more unique alternative.

Pamela said: 'Color names are cool and so are double L names [like Willow or Ella]. For a different spin on the popular Violet and Lila, try Lilac.'

Ottilie

25 girls

Since 2010, Otis has climbed 285 places in the Office of National Statistic's rankings - and its influence is reflected in the female version too.

Pamela said: 'Otis is on the way up for boys thanks to Sex Education, and this female version is trending for girls.'

It hasFrench origin meaning 'prosperous in battle'.

Zebedee

Nine boys

Although it has a traditional heritage, the expert says this unique moniker still appears to some younger couples.

Pamela said: 'Z names are cool for Gen-Z, and this variation of the New Testament Zebediah is zippy.'

Lorcan

13 boys

Pamela said: 'An Irish name meaning little or fierce, this was the name of several ancient kings.'

An increasingly rare moniker, Nameberry notes that 13 baby boys were given this name.

Rafferty

18 boys

Jude Law and Sadie Frost famously used this Irish name for their son in 1996 - but despite this, it's continued to be a rare moniker.

According to Pamela, just 18 parents named their sons Rafferty - which has Irish origins meaning 'abundance and prosperity' in 2021.

Grover

23 boys

It's most commonly associated with the 22nd President of the United States Grover Cleveland.

However, a mention in Lena Dunham's Girls reimagined this traditional moniker for a younger generation.

Describing how it was given to 23 boys in 2021, Pamela said: 'When Lena Dunham’s character used Grover for her baby at the end of Girls, it gave a cool modern image to this old school presidential name.'

Ajax

23 boys

He was one of the classical Greek heroes who battled on the fields of Troy - but Pamela says Ajax is a name that isn't being utilised enough by parents.

She said: 'Atlas is popular, but this strong Greek hero name is fresher and has a trendy x ending.'