In this Article
- Names Inspired By Science, Scientists, and Innovators for Baby Boys
- Names Inspired By Science, Scientists, and Innovators for Baby Girls
- Gender-Neutral Baby Names Inspired By Science, Scientists, and Innovators
- FAQs
Science makes the world go round, and our little world is stable and logical. If you are passionate about science, we’re guessing it reflects in the little things you do and your choices. You will probably want all things science in your home. And if you’re having a baby, you may even be tempted to name them after a scientist. So, if you’re secretly looking for names inspired by great scientists or speak of science in every possible way on the internet, your search ends here!
We bring you a list of science-inspired names for boys and girls. Explore the list of scientific baby names now.
Names Inspired By Science, Scientists, and Innovators for Baby Boys
Do you like the geeky guys you see on TV shows such as The Big Bang Theory? Here are some science boy names inspired by science for you to geek over!
1. Albert
Albert is one of the most prominent names that any science lover would first think of for their baby. If you love science, without a doubt, you will consider naming him after the genius Albert Einstein. The name belonged to a theoretical scientist, Albert Einstein, who significantly impacted science. He developed the relativity theory, one of the two pillars of modern physics. He was also a Nobel Prize winner. The name Albert has a German origin and means ‘bright.’
2. Alexander
This name is of Greek origin and means ‘defender of the people.’ It is inspired by Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone, and Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin.
3. Amedeo
This Italian name means ‘lover of God’ and is inspired by Amedeo Avogadro, an Italian scientist known for his work on the molecular theory of gases.
4. Aristotle
The name Aristotle originates in Greece and means ‘the best purpose’ in Greek. If you name your child Aristotle, you’ll name him after the legendary scientist Aristotle, who was born in 384 BC. Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and a polymath during the classical period in Ancient Greece. He gave theories on physics, motion, zoology, metaphysics, medicine, and biology.
5. Asteroid
As unconventional as this name is, it is just as fabulous! This name is borrowed from rocky, metallic, or icy bodies with no atmosphere floating in the Solar system. They are considered minor planets as they are neither big enough to be a planet nor can they be considered a comet
6. Atlas
This name belonged to one of the most famous Greek Titans. He was also known as the Titan of astronomy and navigation. The meaning of the name is ‘to carry,’ and the name has a Greek Origin.
7. Benjamin
This name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘son of the right hand.’ It is inspired by Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and made significant contributions to physics and electricity.
8. Bradbury
Bradbury is a meaningful name borrowed from the moniker of Norris Bradbury, a physicist who succeeded J. Robert Oppenheimer as the director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. It also references Ray Bradbury, a science fiction author best known for his book Fahrenheit 451.
9. Carl
Carl Sagan is the creator of the TV series Cosmos and was an astronomer. It is an elegant and timeless name. Carl means ‘a free man’ and is of German origin. You can also name your child Sagan after his surname.
10. Carson
This name pays homage to Rachel Carson, a conservationist and marine biologist whose books paved the way for environmental and marine conservation. As a name, this translates to ‘son of Carr.’
11. Castor
This Greek name means ‘beaver’ and is inspired by Castor oil, which is derived from the seeds of the castor plant and has numerous medicinal uses.
12. Charles
The meaning of the name Charles is ‘a free man’ and has German roots. This name belonged to the creator of the first mechanical computer, Charles Babbage, and it is an excellent name for your baby boy. His invention became a prototype for modern computers, so he is known as the ‘Father of Computers.’
13. Clarence
This name belonged to the founder of the technique of food freezing and the founder of the modern industry of frozen food, Clarence Birdseye. This name is Latin and means ‘clear’ or ‘bright.’
14. Darwin
If you and your spouse are passionate about science and evolution and want to name your child after a scientist, then don’t miss out on this name. Darwin was the surname of Charles Darwin, who was a naturalist, geologist, and biologist. He is known for his theory of evolution. The meaning of Darwin is ‘dear friend.’ A tremendous meaning, right? Consider this name while making your list of baby names for your child.
15. Edwin
The American astronomer Edwin Hubble played a vital role in establishing studies on extragalactic astronomy. The meaning of the name is ‘a wealthy friend’ and is an Old English name.
16. Erasmus
Erasmus means ‘beloved,’ ‘desired,’ and ‘worth loving.’ In the realm of science, it refers to Erasmus Robert Darwin, an English physician who made strides in the field of natural philosophy, physiology, and slave trade abolition.
17. Erwin
This German name means ‘friend of the army’ and is inspired by Erwin Schrödinger, an Austrian physicist who developed the famous Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment.
18. Fleming
This name is of English origin and means ‘from Flanders.’ It is inspired by Alexander Fleming, who discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin.
19. Galileo
A very popular Italian astronomer who worked on discovering more about the heavens, Galileo was the first to discover Jupiter’s moons and the various phases of the planet Venus. It is an excellent traditional pick. The meaning of the name is ‘from Galilee.’
20. Gregor
The founder of modern genetics, an Augustinian monk, Gregor Mendel, is another name you must consider. At the monastery he was living in, he observed the pea plants and figured out the inheritance of genes. His discovery is even followed today and established a way for modern gene studies. The meaning of the name is ‘vigilant,’ and the short form of this name is Greg.
21. Hans
This German name means ‘God is gracious’ and is inspired by Hans Christian Oersted, a Danish physicist who discovered the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
22. Hawking
One of the most outstanding scientists to have ever lived, this name references Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist best known for his theories on the black hole’s explosion and the universe’s origin. This name means ‘hawk-like.’
23. Hooke
Hooke is a name of English origin that stands for ‘place at the hook of a land’ or ‘river bend or bend in a hill.’ It is inspired by Robert Hooke, a polymath who practised physics, astronomy, meteorology, architecture, and geology. He is best known for being one of the first scientists to study living matter under a compound microscope that he built for himself.
24. Isaac
This Hebrew name means ‘laughter’ and is inspired by Sir Isaac Newton, a physicist and mathematician known for his laws of motion and universal gravitation.
25. Jacques
This French name means ‘supplanter’ and is inspired by Jacques Cousteau, a French explorer and conservationist who invented the Aqua-Lung and made significant contributions to marine biology.
26. James
James Watt’s invention of the steam engine played a crucial role during the popular industrial revolution. He, along with Matthew Boulton, designed a steam engine. The condensing chamber he built enhanced the efficiency of steam. The meaning of the name is ‘supplanter,’ and it is an Anglo-Saxon name.
27. Karl
This German name means ‘free man’ and is inspired by Karl Benz, who invented the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine.
28. Kelvin
This name belonged to a great scientist who lived in the 17th century. Kelvin is also a unit of measurement for temperature. William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, wrote about the need for a scale of ‘infinite cold.’ The meaning of the name is ‘river man.’ It is a beautiful chemistry baby name.
29. Leo
This name is a short form for Leonardo da Vinci, a geologist, astronomer, mathematician, botanist, engineer, and inventor. He was also considered the father of palaeontology and proposed building a parachute. The Latin meaning of the name is ‘lion,’ and the boy who bears this name is bound for extraordinary things.
30. Leonardo
This Italian name means ‘brave lion’ and is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath who significantly contributed to art, science, and engineering.
31. Louis
If you name your child Louis, you’ll be naming him after the father of microbiology. Louis Pasteur was a French microbiologist, biologist, and chemist. He is known for his discoveries in the field of medical sciences. He invented the pasteurisation technique and discovered the principles of many vaccinations that are still used today. The meaning of the name is ‘a renowned warrior.’
32. Maurice
This French name means ‘dark-skinned’ and is inspired by Maurice Wilkins, a New Zealand-born British physicist who played a vital role in the discovery of the structure of DNA.
33. Michael
A mighty name that translates to ‘as powerful as God’ or ‘one who resembles God,’ this name is famous worldwide. In science, it refers to Michael Faraday, who studied electromagnetism and electrochemistry and discovered the principles of electromagnetic induction and electrolysis, among other things!
34. Newton
This is a name that all science lovers would consider for their baby boy. Sir Isaac Newton is recognised as one of the most influential scientists ever. He was a mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and theologist. Sir Isaac Newton is known for his laws of motion. You’d pay tribute to him by naming your child after Issac Newton.
35. Nicolaus
This Latin name means ‘victorious people’ and is inspired by Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronomer who developed the heliocentric model of the solar system.
36. Nikola
A name borrowed from inventor and electrical and mechanical engineer Nikola Tesla, this name means ‘victory of the people’ or ‘triumph of the nation.’ Tesla’s contributions to science include designing the modern alternating current electricity supply system.
37. Oswald
This English name means ‘godly ruler’ and is inspired by Oswald Avery, a Canadian-American biologist who demonstrated that DNA is the hereditary material.
38. Pascal
This French name means ‘from the town of Passy’ and is inspired by Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to geometry, probability theory, and hydrodynamics.
39. Phoenix
This Greek name means ‘reborn from the ashes’ and is inspired by the Phoenix lander, a NASA spacecraft that successfully landed on Mars in 2008.
40. Rene
This French name means ‘reborn’ and was inspired by René Descartes, a philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who made significant contributions to modern philosophy and the development of mathematics.
41. Sirius
This Greek name means ‘glowing’ and is inspired by Sirius, the brightest star in the sky and a significant component of Canis Major’s constellation.
42. Thomas
An ode to Thomas Edison, a brilliant inventor best known for creating the light bulb, motion picture camera, and phonograph, this is a handsome name for your name. It is also a timeless classic Hebrew name for ‘twin.’
43. Tycho
This Danish name means ‘home ruler’ and is inspired by Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of astronomy and the scientific method.
44. Vinci
Another wonderful name borne from the moniker of polymath Leonardo Da Vinci. This name is of Latin origin and translates to ‘conqueror.’
45. Wallace
This English name means ‘foreigner’ and is inspired by Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist who co-discovered the theory of evolution through natural selection with Charles Darwin.
Names Inspired By Science, Scientists, and Innovators for Baby Girls
Women have made quite a lot of progress in Scientific fields. Whether you’re inspired by science or want your little one to be, here are some scientific baby names to encourage you and your little one!
1. Aber
A name of Welsh origin meaning ‘mouth of the river.’ Aberystwyth, a Wales town home to the Institute of Mathematics and Physics, inspires this name.
2. Ada
Ada Lovelace was the very first lady who excelled in the computer programming field. She worked on early computers and created the first algorithm that the machine could use. The meaning of the German name is ‘nobility.’
3. Agnes
Agnes Robertson Arber was a Fellow of the Royal Society and is considered one of the first woman botanists. She was a plant morphologist and anatomist. She was also a historian of botany. Agnes is a Greek name, and it means ‘pure.’
4. Alice
Alice is a popular baby girl name. If you name your little girl Alice, you will be naming her after Alice Hamilton, who made her mark in toxicology and occupational medicine. She was also the first woman faculty at Harvard University. Alice Hamilton was the ‘First Lady of Industrial Medicine.’ It has a Germanic origin, and it means ‘of the nobility.’
5. Alicia
This stunning name is of Spanish, German, and Latin origin. It means ‘noble,’ ‘honourable,’ and ‘exalted.’ It also refers to Irish mathematician Alicia Boole Stott, who coined the term ‘polytopes,’ which refers to solid convexes in four or more dimensions.
6. Andromeda
This is the name of the closest galaxy to the Milky Way and is named after a Greek princess who, according to mythology, became a star. It is a unique name that means ‘ruler or man.’
7. Anna
A Hebrew and Greek name that translates to ‘favour,’ ‘grace,’ and ‘gracious one,’ this name pays homage to Anna Mani, an Indian meteorologist and physicist who served as the Deputy Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department.
8. Aurora
Though Aurora is a character from the Disney stories, the name has a scientific root because it is the name of the polar lights that shine in the night sky. It is seen in the Antarctic and Arctic regions; nothing is more beautiful. It has a Latin origin, and the meaning of the name is ‘dawn.’
9. Beatrix
A name of Latin origin meaning ‘she who brings happiness.’ This name is inspired by Beatrix Potter, the English author and illustrator best known for her children’s books featuring animal characters such as Peter Rabbit. In the field of science, she is known to have produced hundreds of valuable and detailed images of mushrooms after studying how they are produced.
10. Beryl
Beryl is an adorable name of Greek origin that stands for ‘colour of the sea’ and refers to the crystal of the same name of varying colours. It is also inspired by Bernard Beryl Brodie, a biochemist and neurochemical pharmacologist who made significant advances in understanding drug therapy and how different drugs interact with the body upon ingestion.
11. Cadmia
Cadmia is the Latin term for cadmium – a zinc oxide or cobalt ore type. It is a unique science girl name to bestow upon your bright angel!
12. Caroline
This name belonged to a German astronomer who was the first woman astronomer to have discovered eight comets. She was also the first woman to have her discoveries published by the Royal Society. Caroline is a name of Italian origin which means ‘strong.’
13. Cecilia
A name of Latin origin meaning ‘she who brings happiness.’ This name is inspired by Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, an astronomer and astrophysicist who discovered that stars are made of hydrogen and helium.
14. Cori
Gerty Cori discovered how the human body’s muscles create lactic acid from breaking down glycogen, which is then reabsorbed and stored for energy. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in medicine. This scientific name is an English name that means ’round hill.’
15. Dian
A name of Indonesian origin meaning ‘divine.’ This name is inspired by Dian Fossey, an American zoologist and primatologist who studied gorillas in Rwanda.
16. Dorothy
A Greek name that is popular worldwide, this name is definitely a blessing from above. It stands for ‘gift from God’ and is also an ode to Dorothy Hodgkin, an English chemist best known as a Nobel Prize winner for her work in advancing the field of structural biology.
17. Elizabeth
A name of Hebrew origin meaning ‘God is my oath.’ This name is inspired by Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.
18. Ellen
Ellen is a French and Greek name that translates to ‘light,’ ‘torch,’ ‘shining one,’ ‘bright light,’ and ‘brilliant one.’ It also references Ellen D. Williams, an American scientist who researched nanotechnology and surface properties. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.
19. Evangelista
A name of Spanish origin meaning’ bearer of good news.’ This name is inspired by Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist and mathematician best known for inventing the barometer.
20. Florence
A name of Latin origin meaning ‘blossoming.’ This name is inspired by Florence Nightingale, the English social reformer and founder of modern nursing.
21. Galilea
A name of Hebrew origin meaning ‘God is my strength.’ This name is inspired by Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer and physicist often called the ‘father of modern science.’
22. Gerty
A variation of the German name Gertrude, this cute name means ‘strong spear.’ It also pays homage to Gerty Cori, an Austrian-American biochemist and the third woman to win the Nobel Prize for her work on discovering the course of the catalytic conversion of glycogen.
23. Hedy
A Hebrew name that translates to ‘sweet one’ and ‘warrior,’ this is the perfect name for your precious princess! The name is also inspired by Hedy Lamarr, an Austrian and Hungarian-born Hollywood actress who developed the concept of ‘frequency hopping,’ which is the basis of modern wireless communication applications like Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
24. Henrietta
Henrietta Swan Leavitt was an American astronomer who discovered the relationship between the period of stars and luminosity. Henrietta is a French name which means ‘the keeper of the hearth.’
25. Hypatia
A name of Greek origin meaning ‘highest’ or ‘supreme.’ This name is inspired by Hypatia of Alexandria, a Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who was one of the first women to make significant contributions to the field of mathematics.
26. Ida
A name of Germanic origin meaning ‘hardworking.’ This name is inspired by Ida Hyde, an American physiologist and biologist who was the first woman to receive a PhD in physiology from the University of Heidelberg.
27. Jane
Jane Goodall is a modern-day scientist and a famous anthropologist who has spent more than five decades studying the family and social interactions of the Tanzanian chimpanzees. This name has a French origin, and the meaning of the name is ‘Jehovah has been gracious.’
28. Jocelyn
A name of French origin meaning ‘joyful.’ This name is inspired by Jocelyn Bell Burnell, an astrophysicist who co-discovered the first radio pulsars.
29. Katherine
A name of Greek origin meaning ‘pure.’ This name is inspired by Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who played a vital role in the early years of the US space program.
30. Laura
A name of Latin origin meaning ‘laurel.’ This name is inspired by Laura Bassi, an Italian physicist and academic who was the first woman to earn a professorship at a European university.
31. Lise
A pretty name of Hebrew and English origin, Lise stands for ‘God’s promise.’ It is also borrowed from the moniker of Lise Meitner, an Austrian-Swedish physicist who is one of the scientists credited with discovering nuclear fission and the element Protactinium 231.
32. Madeline
Madeline is a Hebrew and English name that means ‘high tower.’ This name is also an ode to Madeline Lancaster, a developmental scientist studying brain diseases and neurological development.
33. Mae
A name of English origin meaning ‘pearl.’ This name is inspired by Mae Jemison, an American astronaut and physician who was the first African-American woman to travel in space.
34. Margaret
Margaret Huggins was an Irish astronomer who discovered spectroscopy with her husband. Margaret Huggins even found a spectroscopic phenomenon that helped gauge a star’s motion. Margaret is a Persian name which means ‘pearl.’
35. Marie
It’s one of the best names you could give your little girl. The name belonged to a pioneer in radioactivity, Marie Curie. She won two Nobel Prizes for her work and has left an incredible mark in the field of science. This is a Biblical name meaning ‘lady of the sea.’
36. Mars
This name belonged to a Roman God. Mars is also the fourth planet from the sun in the solar system. The planet is also called the red planet, and its name has a very brave ring. It has a Latin origin. You could name your child Mars!
37. Mina
A name of German origin meaning ‘love.’ This name is inspired by Mina Bissell, an Iranian-American biologist who has significantly contributed to cancer research.
38. Nora
A name of Irish origin meaning ‘honour.’ This name is inspired by Nora Stanton Blatch Barney, an American civil engineer and suffragist who was the first woman to earn a degree in civil engineering from Cornell University.
39. Nova
This is not a scientist’s name, but it is undoubtedly related to science. Nova is an astronomical event, the sudden appearance of a ‘new’ star that fades over a few months. It is a Latin name which means ‘new.’
40. Pearl
A name of English origin meaning ‘pearl.’ This name is inspired by Pearl Kendrick, an American microbiologist who co-developed the first successful vaccine for whooping cough.
41. Rita
A name of Spanish origin meaning ‘pearl.’ This name is inspired by Rita Levi-Montalcini, an Italian neurologist who discovered nerve growth factor, for which she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986.
42. Rosalind
This name belonged to one of the founders of genetics, Rosalind Franklin. She had to convince her father that she could become a scientist, and she made her mark in DNA studies. It has a Latin origin, which means ‘beautiful rose.’
43. Sagan
A name of Irish origin meaning ‘little wise one.’ This name is inspired by Carl Sagan, an American astronomer, cosmologist, and science communicator who popularised science through his books and TV series, making it one of the excellent science baby names.
44. Tesla
Tesla is the last name of Nikola Tesla, a famous physicist and electrical engineer. He helped design and experiment with the alternating current electricity supply system and is considered an early visionary for wireless communication and lighting. The meaning of the Slavic name is ‘from Thessaly.’ His last name would make an excellent first name for your baby girl.
45. Vera
A name of Russian origin meaning’ faith.’ This name is inspired by Vera Rubin, an American astronomer who provided evidence for the existence of dark matter, which makes up most of the matter in the universe.
Gender-Neutral Baby Names Inspired By Science, Scientists, and Innovators
Here are some quirky and funny science names
1. Adriaan
This Dutch name means ‘man from Hadria’ and is inspired by Adriaan van Maanen, an astronomer who discovered several galaxies and worked at Caltech for over 50 years.
2. Chien
This Vietnamese name means ‘dog’ and is inspired by Chien-Shiung Wu, a physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project and made significant contributions to the study of nuclear physics.
3. George
This Greek name means ‘farmer’ and is inspired by George Washington Carver, a botanist and inventor who revolutionised agriculture in the Southern United States.
4. Ieke
This Dutch name means ‘oak tree’ and is inspired by Ieke Moerdijk, a mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of algebraic topology.
5. Janaki
This Sanskrit name means ‘daughter of Janaka’ and is inspired by Janaki Ammal, a botanist who made essential contributions to the study of cytogenetics and plant breeding.
6. Kristen
This Scandinavian name means ‘follower of Christ’ and is inspired by Kristen Nygaard, a computer scientist who co-created the programming language Simula.
7. Lee
This English name means ‘clearing’ and is inspired by Lee Smolin, a physicist who developed the loop quantum gravity theory.
8. Robin
This English name means ‘bright fame’ and is inspired by Robin Warren, a pathologist who co-discovered the bacterium responsible for peptic ulcers.
9. Sam
This Hebrew name means ‘asked of God’ and is inspired by Sam Yau, a mathematician who significantly contributed to the study of partial differential equations.
10. Taylor
This English name means ‘tailor’ and is inspired by Taylor Wilson, a nuclear physicist who built a fusion reactor at
FAQs
1. Why choose a science-themed name for your baby?
Choosing a science-themed name for your little one is a beautiful way to inspire curiosity, motivate them to follow their dreams, cultivate curiosity, pay homage to historical achievements, and open your baby’s mind to a world of endless possibilities.
2. What are some uncommon science-inspired names?
Some uncommon names inspired by science include Nova, Asteroid, Andromeda, Hedy, Ieke, Galileo, Cadmia, and Gamma, to name a few!
3. Can science names inspire curiosity or love for learning?
Absolutely! Bestowing your child with a science-inspired name will pique their curiosity and motivate them to learn more about their namesake. It will also open their minds to the hard work required to achieve the wonderful things that the scientists who came before them did.
These are some science-related baby names. We hope you like these names and that they help unlock your inventiveness! Write down the ones you want in that long list of names you make for your child. Happy baby naming!
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