Strangest celebrity baby names often make headlines, as celebrities are known for setting trends and pushing boundaries, and that extends to the names they choose for their children. Over the years, Hollywood stars and famous musicians have bestowed some truly unusual, creative, and eyebrow-raising names on their babies. Whether it’s an homage to something they love, a word that carries personal meaning, or simply a desire to be different, the reasons behind these unique names are as interesting as the names themselves. Here’s a round-up of ten of the strangest celebrity baby names and the unusual stories behind them, along with the stories (or speculations) behind them:

10 of the Strangest Celebrity Baby Names Explained

Strangest celebrity baby names illustrated with playful colorful concept art — A playful, colorful concept illustration — representing the quirky world of celebrity baby names.

X Æ A-Xii (X “Ash” A Twelve) – Parents: Elon Musk & Grimes

Perhaps the most talked-about baby name of the past few years, X Æ A-Xii is pronounced “Ex Ash A Twelve.” This unconventional name sparked a wave of confusion and internet memes. According to the explanations given by Elon Musk and his partner, the name is a combination of elements: “X” is simply the unknown variable often used in math, “Æ” is a symbol the couple interprets as “Ash,” and A-12 was the name of a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane (the couple’s favorite aircraft). They also said A-12 could stand for “Archangel 12,” which was a codename for the plane and happens to be the name of a favorite song of Grimes. California law actually required them to modify the name slightly – from X Æ A-12 to X Æ A-Xii (changing the 12 to Roman numerals) – to comply with birth certificate regulations. They’ve nicknamed their son “X” for short, which is certainly easier to say!

Blue Ivy – Parents: Beyoncé & Jay-Z

When superstar couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their first daughter Blue Ivy, it immediately made headlines. At first glance, “Blue” might simply reflect a favorite color, but Jay-Z revealed a sweet story: while Beyoncé was pregnant, they affectionately called the unborn baby “Blueberry” as a nickname after seeing an early sonogram (she was so small and round). They later shortened that to Blue. The middle name Ivy is often said to reference the Roman numeral IV (4), a number that holds special significance for the couple – Beyoncé’s birthday is September 4th, Jay-Z’s is December 4th, and they married on April 4th. Ivy (like IV) symbolizes the number 4. Jay-Z mentioned in an interview that Blue was almost named something else (they had considered “Brooklyn”), but the blueberry nickname took hold and “Blue” felt right. Now Blue Ivy is practically a celebrity in her own right, even winning awards for her contributions to her parents’ music projects. Blue Ivy remains one of the strangest celebrity baby names to become mainstream.

Apple – Parents: Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin

When actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin named their daughter Apple in 2004, it kicked off the modern trend of quirky celebrity baby names. At the time, it was considered very unconventional. Why Apple? Paltrow explained on The Oprah Winfrey Show that she chose the name because apples are wholesome and sweet. She said, “Apples are so sweet and they’re wholesome, and it’s biblical,” noting that it sounded “so lovely” to her. The name has since grown on people – what once seemed bizarre now feels almost normal in a world where far stranger names have emerged. Interestingly, Apple’s middle name is Blythe, which is Gwyneth’s mother’s first name – a very traditional choice to balance out the uniqueness of “Apple.” Apple has shifted from one of the strangest celebrity baby names to a more accepted choice over time. This shift shows how the strangest celebrity baby names can eventually shape mainstream culture.

Pilot Inspektor – Parents: Jason Lee & Beth Riesgraf

Actor Jason Lee (known for roles in My Name Is Earl and Alvin and the Chipmunks) gave his son perhaps one of the most head-turning names: Pilot Inspektor. The name sounds like a job title or a character from a story, and indeed, inspiration came from music and fiction. Jason Lee has said that Pilot was inspired by a song called “He’s Simple, He’s Dumb, He’s the Pilot” by the band Grandaddy – a track that Lee and his then-partner Beth really loved. As for Inspektor (spelled with a “k”), it’s speculated that it might have been a whimsical addition, perhaps to give the whole name a quirky, storybook vibe. When the name became public, it was the butt of many jokes in media and late-night shows, but Jason Lee took it in stride. Now that his son is a teenager, the unique name certainly ensures he stands out in a crowd. It remains a classic example often cited among the strangest celebrity baby names.

Moon Unit (and Siblings Dweezil & Diva) – Parent: Frank Zappa

Legendary rocker Frank Zappa was ahead of the curve in the unusual-names game. Back in the 1960s and 70s, he named his children some truly one-of-a-kind names. His daughter Moon Unit Zappa perhaps got the most peculiar moniker. “Moon Unit” sounds like a NASA project, and indeed Zappa had a fascination with spacey, countercultural ideas. Moon Unit later said that while she didn’t love her name as a child, she grew to appreciate its uniqueness. Zappa’s other kids also have creative names: Dweezil Zappa (son) – Dweezil was actually a nickname for one of Frank’s wife’s toe deformities, believe it or not, but they liked the sound of it for their baby; Ahmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa (son) – a mouthful blending references to composers and a pterodactyl from a monster movie; and Diva Thin Muffin Zappa (daughter) – supposedly “Diva” because she screamed a lot as a baby, like a diva, and “Thin Muffin” as playful silliness. The Zappa kids certainly had a lot to carry in their names, but they’ve all embraced them as part of their artistic family legacy. The Zappa family is frequently mentioned in lists of the strangest celebrity baby names because of their bold creativity.

Jermajesty – Parent: Jermaine Jackson

The Jackson family is known for showmanship, and Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine made sure his son’s name would turn heads. He coined the portmanteau Jermajesty for his boy, essentially blending “Jermaine” and “Majesty.” The grandiose name certainly makes a statement – it’s as if he declared his child royalty from birth, with a built-in title! Jermajesty’s full name is Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson, keeping the father’s name as well. Jermajesty stands out as one of the strangest celebrity baby names in the Jackson family. The choice drew chuckles from the public, but Jermaine Jackson defended it, saying a unique name builds character. One can only imagine first-day-of-school roll calls with a name like Jermajesty. Interestingly, Jermaine isn’t alone in regal-themed names: his brother Michael famously named his own sons Michael Jr. (Prince) and Prince Michael II (nicknamed Blanket). In a family of Princes, Jermajesty stands out as the true “Majesty.”

Audio Science – Parents: Shannyn Sossamon & Dallas Clayton

Actress Shannyn Sossamon, known for films like A Knight’s Tale, chose the name Audio Science for her son in 2003. According to interviews, Shannyn and the child’s father, author Dallas Clayton, wanted a word name and spent months reading the dictionary for inspiration. They eventually settled on Audio Science because they loved how the two words sounded together, almost like a combination of art and logic (audio representing sound/music, science representing knowledge). The name certainly sparked commentary – some found it poetic, others found it perplexing. Sossamon has kept a relatively low profile about her parenting, but one thing’s for sure: little Audio Science had one of the coolest and quirkiest names on the playground. It’s a name that sounds like it could be a band or an album title, which perhaps suits a child of two creative parents. Audio Science still stands out today as one of the strangest celebrity baby names chosen in Hollywood.

Moxie CrimeFighter – Parents: Penn Jillette & Emily Zolten Jillette

Magician and comedian Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller fame) is no stranger to humor and showmanship, so it’s not too surprising that he gave his daughter a wildly unexpected name. Moxie CrimeFighter is her full name. “Moxie” means boldness or courage – an old-fashioned term that fits well with Penn’s quirky style. But CrimeFighter as a middle name? Penn joked that he and his wife Emily chose CrimeFighter because, and he quipped, “we have no middle name, so we thought it would be funny to give her one, and why not something silly?” He’s also joked that if someday a police officer pulls her over for speeding and asks for her license, the name might give them a laugh and get her out of a ticket. Penn Jillette’s offbeat sense of humor aside, Moxie is actually an adorable name on its own, and paired with CrimeFighter it becomes unforgettable. Their son, by the way, is named Zolten – a nod to Penn’s wife’s maiden name – which is comparatively conventional next to his sister’s superhero-sounding name.

Saga Blade – Parents: Megan Fox & Machine Gun Kelly

Actress Megan Fox and musician Machine Gun Kelly (real name Colson Baker) welcomed a baby boy in 2022 and gave him the fierce name Saga Blade. This recent addition to the roster of unusual names has a dramatic, fantasy flair. “Saga” implies an epic story or legend – fitting as the couple has been known for their almost storybook-like, very public romance. “Blade” adds an element of sharpness and strength. On announcing the name, the pair called their child “the ultimate gift” and seemed delighted in choosing something that embodies a sense of grandeur. Megan Fox’s older children with actor Brian Austin Green have more nature-themed names (Bodhi, Journey, etc.), so Saga Blade stands out even among his siblings. Fans have speculated that the name could be inspired by comic books or video games, given Machine Gun Kelly’s edgy aesthetic and interests. Whatever the inspiration, little Saga Blade is sure to have a cool story behind his name when he’s old enough to ask about it.

North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm – Parents: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West

We finish the list not with one name, but a quartet of uniquely named siblings. Reality star mogul Kim Kardashian and artist Kanye West (who now goes by Ye) have named their four children with a mix of directional, saintly, geographical, and biblical themes. North West, their first daughter, was initially met with disbelief since it sounds like a compass direction. But Kim explained that “North” meant the highest point or “highest power” for the couple, a name given with positive intent. Their son Saint West got his name because he was considered a “blessing” after a difficult pregnancy – almost like the couple viewed his birth as a miraculous event, hence Saint. Chicago West, their third child, was named after Kanye’s hometown of Chicago, as a tribute to the city that shaped him. They often call her “Chi” (shy) for short. The youngest, Psalm West, has a name of Hebrew origin referring to the sacred songs or hymns in the Bible, reflecting perhaps a spiritual note (Kanye’s turn to gospel music and spirituality around the time of Psalm’s birth may have influenced this choice). Kris Jenner, Kim’s mother, reportedly loved the name Psalm for its spiritual meaning. While each of these names on their own is unconventional, the four together have become some of the most recognized celebrity baby names in the world. Over time, the uniqueness has worn off a bit – North is now a young fashionista regularly photographed at events, and people have come to embrace her name as part of her celebrity identity.

Why Strangest Celebrity Baby Names Fascinate the Public

Closing Thoughts

Strangest celebrity baby names often spark trends (after Gwyneth named her daughter Apple, other parents grew bold with noun names; after the Kardashian-West kids, names like Saint and Psalm saw upticks in usage). While not everyone will name their child Moon Unit or X Æ A-Xii, these names highlight the creativity and personal meanings that celebrities invest in their choices. Love them or hate them, unusual names ensure that these celeb kids will likely never share a classroom with another child of the same name. And behind each name is a story – one of music, love, humor, or inspiration – that reflects something about the parents and the world into which these children were born.

Mini-FAQ

Are these names real and used on legal documents?

Yes — though some required tweaks to comply with local naming laws (e.g., switching numerals to Roman numerals).

Do celebrity baby names influence naming trends?

Often. High-profile choices can spark interest in similar styles (word names, spiritual names, place names).

Why do celebrities pick unusual names?

Personal meaning, artistic identity, family tributes, or simply a desire to stand out — reasons vary by family.

Will unusual names affect a child’s life?

Experiences differ. Some embrace uniqueness; others may prefer nicknames. Many families choose flexible short forms.

10 of the Strangest Celebrity Baby Names (and Why They Chose Them)

Strangest Celebrity Baby Names and the Stories Behind Them

Introduction