How to chose a unique baby name as Michelle Keegan shares newborn's moniker

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
·5-min read
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright, who have welcomed a baby girl. (Getty Images)
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have welcomed a baby girl and have shared their newborn's unique name. (Getty Images)

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have welcomed their first baby, sharing a picture of the newborn and revealing the unique baby name they have chosen.

Alongside a black and white image of the new arrival wearing a cute crochet outfit, the Fool Me Now, actor, 37, and her husband, 38, announced that she had given birth to a baby girl on 6 March.

"Together we have a new love to share…Our little girl. Palma Elizabeth Wright 06.03.25," the message read.

Since sharing the news fans were quick to congratulate the couple and praise their choice of baby name.

"Oh my gosh this is the sweetest. Congratulations to you both, and what a beautiful name (and outfit)," one well-wisher wrote.

"Awww congratulations and what a beautiful name," another added.

Others speculated the name could be linked to the capital of the Balearic island, Mallorca.

"I wonder if they were in Majorca 9 months ago. An unusual but beautiful name," one fan wrote.

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A post shared by Michelle Keegan (@michkeegan)

According to the baby naming site UKBabynames.com the name Palma is often associated with palm trees.

"It carries with it a serene and refreshing imagery, often associated with the palm tree, a symbol of peace, victory, and eternal life in various cultures throughout history," the site explains.

"Palm trees are known for their resilience, towering presence, and ability to thrive in harsh conditions, often seen as an oasis symbol in deserts," the site continues. "This connection imbues the name with a sense of strength, endurance, and triumph over adversity."

Keegan and Wright aren't the only celebrity parents to reveal an unusual name pick, with Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright and her husband also opting for an out-of-the-box choice for their son, Elio Oceon Wright Lococo.

Kate and Rio Ferdinand chose to call their baby daughter, Shae, which is a variant of the name Shea and means "full of majesty".

Meanwhile Rihanna and A$AP Rocky chose an unusual pick for their son, naming him after Wu-Tang Clan leader with the moniker RZA Athelston Mayers.

And in 2023 Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury shared the unique name they had picked for their newborn – Bambi.

Baby names are becoming unique.
Parents are increasingly opting for unique names for their offspring. (Getty Images)

Sure you can take inspiration from the most popular lists. But, lead by celebrities, parents are increasingly looking to avoid being one of five Olivias on the pre-school register by opting for a moniker that stands out from the baby-naming crowd.

While research has revealed this is becoming more and more difficult, if you've been inspired by Wright and Keegan's unusual choice, there are still some methods to uncover a moniker that's a little more unusual.

Baby name expert SJ Strum, creator of the podcast Baby Name Envy, recommends visiting Names.darkergreen.com which shows a name’s popularity over the last 10 years.

"Some names are shown as zero ranked which means fewer than three babies were given that name in any year, which means you’re highly unlikely to meet another child with the same name in the playground," she says.

Strum says popular ways to create your own name include blending syllables from the parents’ names or family members. "The trend took off in the UK when Katie Price and Peter Andre’s daughter Princess Tiaamii was named after Peter’s mum Thea and Katy’s mum Amy. However, it’s not a style which suits everyone," she says.

And avoid choosing a name from a favourite TV show, film or book. "No matter how obscure the character, others will have the same idea and instead of having a unique name, you may find your choice in the top 100 names for that year," Strum warns. "Plus, these name choices also tend to date very fast."

Strum suggests choosing a name nearing the bottom of the popularity cycle. "Know many Beryls, Sues, Pauls or Brendas? Probably not," she says. "If you want a name which stands out but is still well-known, this is a smart option – and it will come back into fashion eventually."

Parents are on the look out for distinctive baby names. (Getty Images)
Parents are on the look out for unique baby names. (Getty Images)

"The city where you first met your partner like Oxford or holidayed like Hudson for New York or a name associated with your favourite colour like Sage or Indigo is another option," Strum says.

Try using letters from your favourite popular name to inspire other more unique choices. "One of my most popular baby name list on YouTube is 'daring alternatives to popular baby names'," Strum says. "So use sounds and letters to inspire you – for example James could become Amos. If you love Olivia; why not choose Verity?"

"Most people use A-Z baby name books or lists; but during a baby name search it's important to spend most time finding the theme you love – it could be bohemian girl names, vintage boy names, or one syllable names to suit your last name," Strum advises.

"Then you can discover more unique and daring names you may not have come across like Fable, Gilbert or short and sweet Seth."

To unleash some old-fashioned gems. "One of Megan Markle's ancestors was named Wisdom and doing some digging into your own family tree can see you branch out with a truly unique name which will also carry meaning for your family," says Strum.

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