It's harder to imagine something cuter than your own new baby. And some parents want cute baby names to go with the adorable new life they've created.
People want different things when they name their baby. Some want a unique baby name, or a name inspired by nature, while others want more traditional names or look to other countries around world like Japanese baby names.
Whatever you're looking for, the chances are that the name you pick will boil down to the word 'cute'. We love hearing 'Oh that's cute!' when people ask our children's name.
So, we're serving up some of our favourite cute girl names, cute boy names, and cute baby names for boys and girls.
Table Of Contents
What makes a cute name?
There's no exact science as to what makes certain baby names cute. There could be sweet meanings behind the name which make it cute, or it could just be the way it sounds.
Any name with an 'ee' sound on the end immediately sounds cute. It's probably why so many parents add that sound on as a nickname. My wife and I do it! Our son is called Raife, but we often call him Raifey.
But baby names are subjective, of course. We all have our own opinions and different experiences with names. Take Alice, for example. As you'll see, it's the very first of the girl names on this list. But I knew an Alice at school, and she just wasn't a very nice person at all. But to someone else, it could be the most perfect name for their baby girl.
The most popular cute baby girl names
Some of the most popular names are chosen by parents so often simply because they're adorable names. There's just something so sweet about them that, combined with the gift of a baby, you can't help but think 'cute'.
Here are some of the most popular, cute choices for a new baby girl.
1. Alice
This sweet sounding name actually has a bit of strength behind it. Like Alfie it has German origins and means 'noble' or 'exalted'.
2. Amelia
Amelia has been one of the most popular name for a baby girl in recent years. It is of Latin origin and means 'work'.
3. Bella
Bella is a beautiful name. No, literally. It's a name of Spanish, Italian and Latin origin literally meaning 'beautiful'.
Some parents prefer to choose that name in isolation, or as the shortened version of Isabella or Arabella.
4. Bonnie
Bonnie is a Scottish girl's name simply meaning 'pretty'.
5. Daisy
One of the most popular nature names for a baby girl, Daisy is, of course, inspired by the flower that is loved by so many.
6. Ella
Originally from Germany, Ella is a very popular name in the West. And it has some beautiful meanings, including 'fairy maiden' and 'Goddess'. It can also mean 'other', which is less enticing.
7. Emily
Emily is a common and popular girls name of Latin origin. It comes from the Roman name 'Aemilia', which means 'laborious' and 'rival'.
Definitely one that sounds cuter than its meaning...
8. Evelyn
Evelyn combines the names Eve, which means mother of life (as in Adam and Eve!), and Lynn, which means lake. You'd think, therefore, it would mean something like 'mother of the lake'.
It's got a few meanings, including 'little bird', 'island in the water', 'strength'. But it's most common interpretations are 'wished for' or 'desired child'.
9. Freya
Freya is a name from Old Norse. Derived from Freyja, it means 'noble lady'. However, because Freya as an Old Norse Goddess, it carries connotations of love, beauty and fertility.
Freya actually reached the top 10 most popular names for a baby girl in the UK in 2021.
10. Lily
We think of babies as being pure. And that's exactly what the Lily flower means.
11. Olivia
Olivia has dominated the most popular girl names charts in the US and UK for a while now, and it's showing no signs of losing popularity any time soon.
It's a name of Latin origin and carries the meaning 'olive tree'.
12. Rosie
Roses are considered to embody absolute femininity, which is why it's such a popular name for a baby girl. Rosie makes it that extra bit cuter.
The most popular cute baby boy names
Interestingly, cute boy names tend to be quite traditional. Names that have either stood the test of time, or ones that were considered old fashioned not too many years ago.
Here are some of the most popular cute boy names around.
13. Alfie
Alfie is a really popular name in the UK with Spanish and German origin. It has connections with nobility and readiness. It also comes Old English moniker Aelfraed, meaning "elf counsel."
14. Archie
Typically the shortened version of Achibald, more and more parents are opting just for 'Archie'. It too has German origins and means 'genuine', 'bold' or 'brave'.
15. Ben
One of the most traditional names for a baby boy, Ben is is of Hebrew origin meaning simply 'son' or 'son of my right hand'. Benjamin is the most common full version, but you could also have Benedict, Benson or Bennett.
16. Freddie
Freddie is perhaps the most perfect example of the 'ee' sound making a name cute. I'd argue that not many people would describe 'Fred' as a cute name. Freddie, however, is another story.
Short for Frederick, it comes from the Germanic term 'Fred' which means 'peaceful ruler'.
17. Harry
Harry is another one of the boy names consistently near the top of naming charts in the UK. But it has an old German origin, meaning 'home ruler'.
18. Noah
A popular biblical boy name, Noah is, of course, the man who built the Ark to save every species of animal as God sent floods to punish the Earth. As you'd imagine, it is of Hebrew origin and means 'rest' or 'repose'.
19. Ollie
Ollie is the shortened version of Oliver, which, like Olivia, has dominated the baby name charts for years. It too means 'olive tree'.
20. Teddy
We all think teddy bears are cute, don't we?! They're fluffy and cuddlyand cosy. I'm not sure there's a cuter name for a baby boy. It's actually a name with French origin, meaning either 'wealthy protector' or 'God's gift'.
21. Theo
Theo is the shortened version of Theodore, which is of Greek origin. As Teddy is often a nickname for Theodore, Theo also carries the meaning 'God's gift'.
22. Toby
Derived from the Hebrew name Tobias, Toby means 'God is good'.,
More cute baby girl names
There are still plenty more cute girl names for you to choose from. Some of these are so common and popular, you'll be wondering why we didn't include them in the list of most popular cute girl names.
Either way, they're definitely cute baby names for a little girl.
23. Adalyn
Often shortened to Ada, this one is quite peculiar because the shortened version and full versions don't sound the same. Adalyn is pronounced 'Add-uh-lin', whereas Ada is pronounced 'Aid-uh'.
It's a German name meaning 'noble'.
24. Amaya
Amaya is a sweet name with both Spanish and Japanese roots. It has a couple of meanings, including 'mother city', 'heavenly valley', and (ominously) 'the end'.
25. Arianna
Arianna (and it's many various spellings) is a name from Italian and Greek origin, meaning 'most holy'.
26. Ava
Ava is a name with different origins. Its Latin origin gives it the meaning 'bird' or 'birdlike', whereas its ties to Eva gives it the Hebrew meaning 'life'. It also has Persian origin, meaning 'voice' or 'sound',
27. Aurora
Aurora is an adorable name meaning 'dawn' in Latin. It's also the name of the natural world, the light displays seen in Earth's sky at high latitude regions.
28. Ayla
Ayla is a beautiful name from Turkish and Hebrew origins. In Turkish, it means 'halo of light around the moon'. As a Hebrew name, it is also taken to mean 'oak trees', 'deer' or 'Gazelle'.
29. Charlotte
One of the more traditional baby names for girls, Charlotte is French and means 'free man' or 'petite'. The ability to shorten it to either Charlie or Lottie gives this one that extra bit of cuteness.
30. Eden
A name that is arguably gender-neutral that leans on the side of girls, Eden is also the name of my little girl. With strong biblical ties, the name means 'paradise' or 'place of pleasure'.
31. Esme
A French name meaning either 'loved', 'esteemed', or 'emerald'.
32. Eva
As it's so close to 'Eve', this carries the same meaning 'life' or 'to live'.
33. Everly
Everly is a name of Old English origin that means 'woodland clearing', or boar'
34. Evie
Remember what we said about that 'ee' sound? Sure, Eve is cute. But Evie is even cuter. Like Eve and Eva, Evie means 'life'.
35. Harper
Harper is a name that sounds as sweet as the instrument that inspires it.
36. Hope
I'm not sure this one needs explanation. What could be cuter than filling your child's identity with hope!?
37. Hazel
Hazel is one of many nature-inspired baby names for girls, coming from the hazel tree.
38. Isabelle
Isabelle is a name from French and Hebrew origins, with several similar meanings - 'pledged to God', 'God is perfection' and 'God is my oath'.
39. Isla
Pronounced like Ayla, Isla is a Spanish name meaning 'island'.
40. June
We all know it as the sixth month of the year, but June is also a name with Latin, French and Middle English origins. The most common interpretation is 'young'.
41. Juniper
The name Juniper comes from the juniper tree, and carries the meaning 'evergreen'.
42. Kaia
Kaia (pronounced KY-UH) is a girl's name with plenty of different origins. It's primarily Scandinavian, but also has roots in Japan, Greece and Estonia. Regardless of where in the world it comes from, the meanings are the same; 'the sea', 'life' or 'pure'.
43. Lana
Lana is the shortened version of the Slavic name Svetlana. Despite its fairly singular origin, it has many meanings including 'precious', 'blessed', 'ltitle rock' and several others.
44. Lola
Lola is definitely a 'sounds cuter than it means' name. It's Spanish and means 'sorrows', or 'lady of sorrow'.
45. Luna
As you'll probably know, Luna is the Latin word for 'moon'.
46. Mabel
Mabel simply means 'loveable' so you can definitely file this one under cute baby names!
47. Maeve
An old Irish name that has climbed the popularity ranks in recent years (no doubt thanks to the character from Netflix's Sex Education), Maeve means 'she who rules', or.... 'intoxicating'.
48. Maggie
Originally a shortened version of Margaret, Maggie has taken on a life of its own over the years. It's a Greek name meaning 'pearl'.
49. Maisie
You may be surprised to learn that this Scottish name is considered a nickname for Margaret. It's no surprise, though, that it also means 'pearl'.
50. Margot
There have been a flurry of Margots born in recent years, perhaps inspired by actress Margot Robbie. This one is also derived from Margaret, so Margot means 'pearl', too.
51. Maya
Pronounced either MAY-UH or MY-UH, it means 'illusion' or 'dream'. Also, it's the alternative name given to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, who presides over wealth, fortune, power, beauty and prosperity.
52. Mia
Pronounced MEE-UH, Mia originates from Spain and Italy, and simply means 'mine'.
53. Millie
Originally a nickname for Millicent and Mildred, Millie has since become its own name. It means either 'gentle strength' or 'strong in work'.
54. Nora
Also spelled Norah, it's a Latin name meaning 'shining light', with strong links to 'honour'.
55. Olive
Popular with parents who like Olivia but find it a bit too common, Olive also means 'olive tree', as you'd expect.
56. Poppy
Poppy is a name of Latin and English origin, obviously inspired by the beautiful red flower that carries the same name.
57. Rosemary
Although it's often used as a longer version of Rose, rosemary and roses are obviously two very different plants. As well as the name of the beautiful smelling plant, Rosemary also means 'dew of the sea'.
58. Ruby
Ruby is, of course, the name of the precious stone that is deep red in colour. As a name, it originated in Latin and French languages.
59. Sage
Another plant-based name, Sage is another Latin name and means 'wise' or 'prophet'.
60. Sophia
Some might say that Sophia is the slightly cuter version of Sophie. Both are Greek names meaning 'wisdom'.
61. Summer
I hope this doesn't need explaining...
62. Talia
Talia has Hebrew and Aramaic origins. In Hebrew it means 'dew of God', while it generally has connotations with 'flourishing' or 'blooming' in Aramic.
63. Willow
The name Willow comes from the willow tree, which is known for its elegance.
More cute boy names
Although these boy names didn't make it onto the 'most popular' list, there are still some incredibly popular cute baby boy names in this section.
64. Albie
A shortened version of Albert, a Latin name meaning 'white', 'bright' or 'noble'.
65. Arthur
A classic name for a baby boy, with the legend of King Arthur the inspiration. Arthur is thought to mean 'bear' in Latin.
66. Bobby
Originally a nickname for Robert, Bobby has established itself as a name in its own right. It's a German name and, like Albie, means 'bright'.
67. Caleb
A popular Christian name, Caleb means 'faithful' or 'whole-hearted'. Many also believe it means 'devotion to God'.
68. Dylan
The first Welsh name on this list, Dylan means 'son of the sea'.
69. Elliott
Gender-neutral but leans towards boys, Elliott was derived from Elijah. It means 'the Lord is my God',
70. Ellis
In Welsh and Greek, Ellis means 'kind' or 'benevolent'. It also has Hebrew roots, giving it the meaning 'Jehovah is God'.
71. Ethan
Derived from the Hebrew name Eitan, Ethan means 'strong', 'enduring', or 'form'. It's a popular choice for religious parents who want to instil an enduring love of God in their baby boy.
72. Ezra
Another Hebrew name for a baby boy, Ezra means 'help' or 'helper'.
73.Felix
Felix means 'happy' in Latin. And that just makes it such a cute name for a baby, doesn't it!?
74. Finley
A name with Gaelic origin, Finley means 'courageous one' or 'hair hero'. It was originally a common surname in Gaelic regions, but became a first-name over the centuries.
75. Henry
Henry is German and, similarly to Harry, means 'house ruler'.
76. George
One of the most undeniably classic names for a baby boy, you may be surprised to learn that George is actually a Greek name. It means 'farmer' or 'earthworker'.
77. Hugo
Hugo came from the German name Hugh, and some would argue Hugo is the cute, more charming name. It has links with 'intellect', 'soul', 'heart', and 'mind'.
78. Isaac
Another popular Bible-inspired name, Isaac means 'one who laughs or rejoices'. That's super sweet, isn't it?!
79. Jack
Jack is another religious name, and another one that is consistently near the top of the naming charts. This one means 'God is gracious'.
80. Jacob/Jake
Jacob, and its shortened version Jake, add another biblical name to the list. They typically means 'to follow', but in a more sinister turn, can also means 'to supplant'.
81. Jasper
I'll admit, I expected this one to be another Hebrew name from the Bible. But Jasper is a Persian name, meaning 'treasurer'.
82. Joseph
We couldn't go TOO far without a Hebrew/biblical name now could we?! Joseph is another super popular name, and means 'God shall add'.
83. Joshua
You guessed it, religious name. Joshua (and Josh) is Hebrew and means 'Yahweh is salvation'.
84. Kit
Although it may feel a bit more modern and coooool, Kit was a fairly commonly used baby name for boys in early Christian communities. It means 'bearing Christ'.
85. Louis
A French name that has really gained popularity in English-speaking countries, Louis means 'famed warrior'.
86. Mason
There are some names that come a profession, and Mason is one. It comes from old English, meaning 'stone worker'.
87. Milo
Milo is always considered one of the more cute baby names. It comes from Slavic languages and means 'dear' or 'beloved'.
88. Oscar
Despite its popularity in the UK (England in particular), Oscar actually has origins in Irish folklore. It can mean either 'God spear', 'deer lover', or 'champion warrior'.
89. Reggie
Originally a nickname for Reginald, Reggie is another one of those names that has become its own entity. It means 'King's counsel' or 'Queen's counsel'.
90. Rory
Rory comes from the Old Irish name Ruaidhri, which means 'red king'.
91. Rowan
Rowan is similar to Rory, in that it has Irish and Scottish roots and means 'little red-head'.
92. Thomas/Tommy
Another extremely popular boy name, Thomas has Aramaic origins and simply means 'twin'. Thomas is considered the fuller, more classic name, while Tommy is a bit more cute and playful.
93. William
There's a reason parents have continued to call their baby boy 'William' for centuries. Despite sometimes being label 'classic' or 'traditional', it's cute.
Cute baby names that are gender neutral
There are, of course, plenty of cute names that work for a baby girl or a baby boy. Gender neutral names are growing in popularity around the world, particularly in western cultures.
In fact, it's not just 'typical' gender neutral names that are being used. There appears to be a growing number of parents choosing baby names typically associated with the opposite sex. Take Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, for example. They named their daughter 'James'.
94. Alex
Arguably the best known and most popular gender-neutral name, Alex is, of course, short for Alexander (boys) and Alexandra (girls). It's Greek and means 'defender of humankind'.
95. Arlo
Sometimes spelled Arlowe or Arlow, this is an Old English name meaning 'fortified hill'. It's become particularly popular over the past decade or so.
96. Billy/Billie
Given Bill is the shortened version of William, it's no surprise that it also means 'resolute protector'. Billy is usually the spelling for boys, with Billie used more often for girls.
97. Blake
Blake means 'dark', 'black', or 'pale'. Good thing it sounds cute!
98. Charlie
Charlie is another of the more common gender-neutral names. For boys, it's the nickname for Charles, whereas its typically a nickname for girls called Charlotte.
99. Jamie
Despite meaning 'he who supplants', Jamie has also been a popular choice for girls since the 1970s.
100. Maddison
Traditionally a boy name, Maddison has gained traction among girls over the years. It's a German name meaning 'mighty in battle'.
101. Morgan
Morgan is another lovely name of Welsh origin related to the sea. It means either 'circling sea' or 'white sea dweller'.
102. Robin
Robin is a Germanic name meaning 'bright', 'shining' or 'famous'. Although it's a little more common to use the spelling 'Robyn' for girls, both are seen frequently.
103. Riley
Riley is probably the one name on this list more heavily skewed towards girls. It has both Old English and Irish roots, meaning either 'valiant' or 'woods clearing'.
104. Sam
Up there with Alex as one of the most common gender-neutral names, Sam is short for Samuel for boys, and Samantha for girls. Both are Hebrew and mean 'God has heard'.
105. Taylor
Like Mason, Taylor gets its meaning from the profession. It comes from the Norman French word 'tailleur', which means 'to cut'.
FAQs
What makes a cute name?
There's no right or wrong answer as to what makes a cute baby name. It's all subjective. Some people think a name just sounds cute, while other people look at the meaning behind the name.
What's a cute gender neutral name?
Alex and Sam are easily the most commonly used gender-neutral names. Arlo/Arlowe is growing in popularity in the UK and US.
What are cute names inspired by the natural world?
There are plenty of cute baby names inspired by nature. In fact, some are considered cute because they're beautiful, delicate flowers - Daisy and Lily are two of the most popular choices for girls. However, both Olivia and Oliver, which are the most popular boy and girl names in the UK, mean 'olive tree'.
