When it comes to naming your baby, you want to find something with meaning. Maybe you’ll name your little bundle of joy after a loved one or family member. Perhaps it’s a name that’s always had a special meaning to you. It could even be a random name you’ve always had picked out for your future child.
If you’re lost and can’t decide on a name for your baby–don’t panic! You’re not alone, and I’m sure everyone goes through the doubt and feels lost. Keep calm. If you don’t have a name picked out, there are still several options for you. You could go through a baby name book, or database or the popular names for boys and girls in any given year. However, chances are everyone else is doing that as, well. If you’re looking for a unique name for your child, that might not be the best route to go, as it is a list of popular baby names, after all. Instead, you could search unique baby names. That could yield some results and I’m sure you could find something. However, it might lack any personal meeting. To fix this problem, I’ve come up with a solution–find something Michigan-inspired.
Here in the Mitten, we’re surrounded by beauty and there are several names that may have a personal connection to you. Maybe it’s the city you and your family grew up. Maybe it’s a place you spent time on vacations every summer. There are no shortage of options around us here in Michigan that you might not have even thought of yet, and I am here to help.
Here are 11 Michigan-inspired baby names that might actually work in 2023. Are they different? Absolutely. Could they work? I think there’s a chance they could. I mean, celebrities are out here naming babies Apple and X Æ A-12. As random and out there as we get on this list, it doesn’t hold a candle to the name Elon Musk and Grimes selected for their baby, so we’ve got nothing to be concerned about! Let’s get to the list.
Oakland
via Cort Freeman on Canva
I was born and raised in Oakland County and think Oaklan isn’t a bad name. There’s something to it. You can shorted it to Oak for a cute little nickname. Little Oakland will also be pretty much guaranteed to be the only Oakland in class, so he won’t have to go by his first name and last initial or anything like the Michael’s in the class.
Livonia
via Cort Freeman on Canva
Aww I think Livonia would be a cute name for a baby girl. She could always go by Liv, but I think Livonia has a ring to it. It sounds like it could be a real name! Who’s with me?
Huron
via Cort Freeman on Canva
Huron is one of the Great Lakes, and that holds a lot of meaning for us Michiganders. I’ve never met somebody named Huron, but I think it still works as a name. There’s the artist Lord Huron and nobody questions that name. It rolls off the tongue nicely. Say it with me “Huron.” I especially like it if your last name starts with an H. I’m a sucker for alteration and think a name like Huron Harrison or Huron Hudson could be kind of cool!
Novi
via Cort Freeman on Canva
Have I ever met a girl named Novi? No. Do I think it makes for a good name? Yes. I think it’s eccentric and exotic sounding. If you’re looking for a name for a baby girl I think you should consider Novi.
Vernor
via Cort Freeman on Canva
Vernon is a name. Vernor is not, but here in Michigan it’s part of our day-to-day vocabulary. For me, this is like George Costanza’s obsession with the name Soda. It’s crisp, it’s bubbly, who doesn’t like Vernor’s? It works!
Auburn
via Cort Freeman on Canva
I’m not going to lie, Auburn could be a great name choice for a baby girl or a baby boy. Named after the wonderful city of Auburn Hills, I think any proud Michigander would be happy to sport the name of Auburn. You have Aubrey as an established name in our society, why can’t Auburn make it, too?
Ford
via Cort Freeman on Canva
It doesn’t get any more Michigan than Ford, does it? That’s proud Detroit, right there. Now that I’m thinking about it, Chrysler might work, as well, but I think Ford is the best choice here.
Troi
via Cort Freeman on Canva
Troy is a popular and cool name. Why not change the spelling a little to get some Detroit inspiration? deTROIt. You see it? How cool is that? Come on! One of us has to try it. It might have to be me. I’m in.
Woodward
via Cort Freeman on Canva
The most popular avenue in Detroit could make for a cool name. We’ve had Presidents with the name of Woodrow, so Woodward isn’t much of a reach. If the kid hates it they can go by Woody, problem solved.
Coney
via Cort Freeman on Canva
Don’t laugh! I think there’s something to the name Coney. Granted it kind of makes me think back to that whole Kony 2012 thing, but Coney is cute and you can’t tell me it isn’t as Michigan as it can get. We’re known for our Coney dogs. That could be a nickname even right there–Coney Dog. Coney Dawg. Maybe Coney is better off as a nickname for like Cornell or Connor. Don’t cross it off the list, yet. We’re onto something here, I can feel it.
Clarkston
via Cort Freeman on Canva
As a proud Clarkston native, this had to make the list. It’s unique, but at the same time it’s not weird. I truly think it could be a real name that one of us could use.
