Home Baby Names New York City-Inspired Baby Names We Love by Mimi O'ConnorJuly 23, 2022 Search more like this african americanbaby namesday paradedisney princesshaving a babyhumane societymusicmusic hallphilanthropistfictional characterrenaissancecoast guardwomanold fashioned Advertisement Trending Now Entertainment & Movies Netflix Finally Releases Trailer for Netflix Addams Family Spinoff ‘Wednesday’ Recalls 2 Million MamaRoo & RockaRoo Baby Swings Recalled after Infant Death Viral & Trending School’s Cell Phone Policy Goes Viral after Mom Refuses to Comply: ‘Nope’ News California Becomes 1st State to Provide Free Meals to Public School Kids News Nanny Job Listing Goes Viral Because It’s Bonkers Advertisement You live here, you love it, why not take inspiration from our great city when deciding what to name your kids? The options seem limitless, with history-makers, magnates, and iconic figures from every era and discipline, all hailing from, or making their mark on the Big Apple. We rounded up some of the usual suspects and lots of classic baby names, and also looked for some fresh kids’ names that pay tribute to NYC. No baby on deck? Maybe one of these will hit the spot for that dog you are adopting from the Humane Society. Shoshana R. via Yelp Anthony There are many famous Anthonys from NYC, but for now we’re going with Fauci, a hometown guy from Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. ApolloSure, it’s a lot to live up to, what with the god of the sun thing and all—but aim high and pay tribute to this legendary Harlem theater at the same time.AppleWith apologies to Gwyneth and Chris, we were the first Apple. Go big!Astoria/AstorOne of several neighborhood-inspired names on this list, Astoria is named for John Jacob Astor, a wealthy early 19th century investor in NYC real estate, but we think it sounds almost Disney-princess-like. Astor is also kind of royal.AudreyYes, Hepburn is strongly associated with NYC thanks to her iconic role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but we’re thinking of Audrey Munson, model for scores of major statues around New York City, including the figure atop the Manhattan Municipal Building—second tallest in the city, after Lady Liberty. Jiyang Chen/Wikimedia CC Bill CunninghamHave twins? Name one Bill, one Cunningham, and know that you are paying tribute to one of the most amazing New Yorkers ever to traverse, and document the city.BaldwinInspired by this Black poet from Harlem, this is an alternate to his first name James. BrightonA name pegged to a famous Brooklyn beach and neighborhood with Russian and Eastern European roots.BrooklynWhat might have seemed unusual at some point is now in danger of being too common. Still, it’s a great borough and the name shows true Kings County pride!CabIn addition to the omnipresent vehicle, Cab Calloway was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. (We also like “Taxi” for a cute girl’s nickname, but it’s not as subtle.)CarnegieAs in the Hall, named for steel magnate, businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.ConeyEmploy it as a nickname (for Cornelius?) or use it as a standalone, this one has lots of south Brooklyn spirit. Wikimedia Creative Commons DorothyMs. Parker, one of New York’s sharpest wits, would approve. (Parker works, too.) DukeWhile not an NYC native, Duke Ellington made the city his home and became a major cultural force during the Harlem Renaissance as bandleader of the Cotton Club. We like Ellington as well. EdA name that seems ripe for a comeback, this one pays homage to one of the most iconic, recognizable, “New Yorkiest” mayors the city has ever had, Ed Koch.EdithDowntown doyenne (and first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, thank you very much) Edith Wharton inspires this name from another era. EloiseSure, she’s a fictional character, but she’s one of the most famous little New Yorkers out there!EmilyWhen her husband Washington, chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge succumbed to an illness, Emily Warren Roebling saw the project to its completion. (She was also one of the first people to cross it when it was done!)EmoryWhile you may not be familiar with his name, architect Emory Roth designed so many of the iconic New York City buildings and hotels of the 1920s and 30s that you know and likely love. (Obviously, Roth could be a good choice as well.) Wikimedia Creative Commons Fran/Frances/FrancisFran Liebowitz has got to be one of the New Yorkiest New Yorkers out there.Frederick (Law Olmsted)Take your pick (and level of pretentiousness) with any part of the famed landscape architect’s name. (He’s one of the masterminds behind the designs for Central Park and Prospect Pack. For extra geek points and eyerolls, go for twins or siblings name Olmsted and Vaux, the name of his partnership with Calvert Vaux.)George GershwinEither one! The groundbreaking composer was born in East New York, Brooklyn and became a major force on the legendary Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, and beyond.GracieA nod to the official New York City mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, named for early 19th-century businessman (and original owner of the house) Archibald Gracie.Gray (Lady)It’s the historic nickname of the paper that publishes “All the news that’s fit to print”—either could be the name of your New York City kid.GreenwichInspired by the artsy downtown village, this name offers a nice mix of funky flair and subtle sophistication. (Like the neighborhood itself!) Wikimedia Creative Commons HamiltonYou’ve heard of this guy. Founding father, first Treasurer of the United States of America, the man behind The U.S. Coast Guard, The New York Post, the Federalist party. And the blockbuster musical. He’s everywhere: Fort Hamilton Parkway, Fort Hamilton, etc.HeraldA cheeky alternative to the more common spelling, “Harold”, this one references Herald Square, named for the long-gone newspaper, the New York Herald.HermanThe author of Moby Dick (and other masterpieces) was born in New York, died in New York, and he’s buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. (For the record, we like Melville as a kid’s name, too.)HoytThere’s Hoyt Street in Brooklyn, Hoyt Avenue in Queens. They take their name from Edwin Hoyt, a 19th-century NYC businessman.HudsonAlready a popular moniker around these parts, this name pays tribute to a founder, the river named for the founder, etc. Plus, it’s got some gravitas.JackieShe wasn’t born here, but she made New York City her home. So much so that they named a reservoir after her.JaneShame on us if we didn’t suggest one of the champions of preserving so many parts of the city we love, Jane Jacobs.JenniferBig in the 70s, then abandoned for Brittany and Ashley, Jennifer—here inspired by Jenny (Lopez) from the Bronx blocks herself—is primed for a resurgence Wikimedia Creative Commons Lenny/LeonardOne’s a ground-breaking legendary downtown comedian (Bruce, which you could also borrow), the other is the longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic, a legendary composer, and more (Bernstein).LexingtonSounds fancy, can be shortened to “Lexy” or “Lex”. The famous NYC avenue gets its name from the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington, which actually took place in Massachusetts, but it was a big one.LibertyAn inspiring concept, a New York icon. It’s hard to go wrong with this one.LincolnA name with some very strong historical associations, this is also the namesake of one of our city’s most revered and iconic cultural institutions. (Which, interestingly enough, did not definitely get its name from honest Abe.)Lou/LouisTwo musical legends, of different genres. Go downtown cool and pay tribute to Lou Reed, or name-check jazz man Armstrong a New Orleans native who famously settled in Corona, Queens for decades. (You can still visit his house!)MacyIt’s “The World’s Largest Store!”. And what kid wouldn’t get a kick out of “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”, etc.?MadisonIt’s an avenue known around the globe, “The World’s Most Famous Arena”, a major park—all names that stem from the fourth president of the United States, James Madison.MosesIt’s a heavy name, no matter how you slice it. Tap your inner urban planner (you have one, right?) and pay tribute to Robert Moses, who, love him or hate him, shaped the city we live in today. Wikimedia Creative Commons PattiPay tribute to one of the coolest kids around, Patti Smith, with this one. Got twins? How about Patti and Smith? Patti and Robert? Patti and Maple? PeggyArt collector, patron and socialite Peggy Guggenheim left her mark on the city and the world with her wealth and taste. Rocky/RockefellerA builder and benefactor of the city, a center of midtown. However you slice this name—inspired by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., it’s got presence and gravitas.RoeA shortened version of Roebling, the surname of the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge and his wife Emily, who played a key role in the completion of the span after her husband fell ill.RoxySimilar, but different. S.L. “Roxy” Rosenthal actually worked with Rockefeller—he’s the showman behind Radio City Music Hall, the grand theater a stone’s throw from John D’s “City Within a City.”RuthUsed to sound old fashioned, now it’s fierce as hell thanks to this Flatbush, Brooklyn native. #RGB. Wikimedia Creative Commons ShirleyJust old-fashioned enough to be in style again, this name pays tribute to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States of one of the two major political parties.SmithA well-known street in the Boerum Hill area of Brooklyn, the thoroughfare gets its name from one of the borough’s original mayors (back when it was its own city), Samuel Smith.Teddy/TheoBorn here (Gramercy Park), Police Commissioner, Rough Rider, President of the United States. Take your pick with Theodore Roosevelt: Theo, Teddy, Roosevelt, TheodoreTiffanyNot the singer, the iconic jewelry store. (Maybe mix it up and name your child Tiffany Audrey.)Walt, WhitmanHero of Brooklyn and free, wild spirits everywhere, this poet offers plenty of inspiration and variation: Walt, Whit, Whitman. They all sound good to us.WhartonAnother nod to novelist Edith, but for boys. 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