One of the more popular parts of the The Perfect Baby Handbook, it seems, are the tips on finding unexpected sources for unique baby names on p. 6. Those readers who’ve been pleading for more, equally sound advice on this topic are in luck: When writing the book, I researched several extra lists that didn’t ultimately fit because—for reasons I still don’t understand—book pages are not as large as Persian carpets. Today’s bonus moniker mine: The works of William Shakespeare! (Remember that for every perfect baby name a source yields, an imperfect name is lurking seductively, so beware.)

Perfect Shakespearean Baby Names

WINNER: A Midsummer's Night Name.

• Balthazar
• Bianca
• Conrade
• Cordelia
• Cymbeline
• Edmund
• Grandpré
• Helena
• Iris
• Oberon
• Octavia
• Olivia
• Patience
• Portia
• Prospero
• Sebastian

Imperfect Shakespearean Baby Names

BEASTLY ALTERNATIVE: Less appealing.

• Abhorson
• Cobweb
• Curio
• Dorcus
• Dull
• Elbow
• Floritzel
• Fluellen
• Froth
• Goneril
• Mopsa
• Pinch
• Scarus
• Shallow
• Snout
• Violenta

Related Posts
• Horribly Flawed Baby Names
• Charlie Sheen, Palindrome-lovin’ dad
• Perfect Remnants, March 13-18