NBA Baby Names: 349+ Slam Dunk Choices (BEST Ideas!)
Are you looking for some inspiration for your little one’s name? Why not consider drawing from the world of professional basketball? Many parents have named their children after successful NBA players, with a variety of unique and sporty baby names to choose from.
The NBA has gifted us with numerous fascinating names that can show your love for basketball and allow your child to carry on the legacy of some of the greatest athletes. In this article, we will explore some popular and lesser-known NBA baby names, giving you a wide selection to find the perfect name for your future superstar.
Table of Contents
Best Names
In this section, we will explore the top NBA-inspired baby names that have gained popularity over the years. Let’s take a look at these unique names that have made their mark on the baby name scene.
1-25 Best Names
- Kobe
- Amare
- Kyrie
- Jalen
- Shaquille
- LeBron
- Carmelo
- Zydrunas
- Dwyane
- Giannis
- Dirk
- Steph
- Klay
- Luka
- Trae
- Zion
- Jamal
- Kristaps
- Kawhi
- Damian
- Jimmy
- Gordon
- Alonzo
- Dominique
- Vince
26-50 Best Names
- Russell
- Isiah
- Steve
- Penny
- Reggie
- Magic
- Hakeem
- Tim
- Ray
- Grant
- Charles
- Kevin
- Larry
- Larry (Bird)
- John
- Arvydas
- Detlef
- World B.
- Manute
- Spud
- Muggsy
- Kareem
- Wilt
- Elvin
- Clyde
51-75 Best Names
- Oscar
- Moses
- George
- Jerry
- Bill (Russell)
- Bill (Walton)
- David
- Patrick
- Amar’e
- Latrell
- Rasheed
- Shareef
- Boniface
- Uwe
- God
- Ruben
- Cherokee
- Rock
- Horace
- Maurice
- Kermit
- Othella
- Vincent (Askew)
- Ervin (Johnson)
- Jamaal (Wilkes)
76-100 Best Names
- Orlando (Woolridge)
77.Mitch (Richmond) - Antoine (Carr)
- James (Donaldson)
- Hot Rod (Williams)
- Cedar (Rapids)
- Sidney (Moncrief)
- Hollis (Copeland)
- Otis (Birdsong)
- Lonnie (Shelton)
- Slick (Watts)
- Lloyd (Free)
- Foots (Walker)
- Gus (Williams)
- Phil (Ford)
- M.L. (Carr)
- Eric (Money)
- Bubbles (Hawkins)
- Fred (Brown)
- World B. (Free)
- World (Wide Wes)
- Sidney (Lowe)
- High School (Diop)
- Slava (Medvedenko)
- Chris (Mihm)
From popular names like Kobe and LeBron to more unique choices like Zydrunas and Manute, you can find inspiration from the NBA when naming your baby. These lists are based on various sources, such as the Social Security Administration and baby name databases, so you can trust that they are representative of popular NBA-inspired baby names. With a wide range of name options to choose from, you and your partner are sure to find the perfect name for your little MVP.
Good Names
1-25 Good Names
In this section, you’ll find the first set of 25 good NBA baby names that may inspire you. Here they are:
- LeBron
- Dwyane
- Chris
- Carmelo
- Kobe
- Russell
- Kevin
- James
- Stephen
- Kyrie
- Damian
- Kareem
- Shaquille
- Magic
- Larry
- Michael
- Tim
- Bill
- Oscar
- Dirk
- Charles
- Scottie
- John
- Dominique
- Isiah
26-50 Good Names
Continuing with the list, here are the next 25 NBA-inspired baby names that you may want to consider:
- Hakeem
- David
- Clyde
- Karl
- Reggie
- Dikembe
- Ray
- Tracy
- Jason
- Vince
- Pau
- Paul
- Chris
- Blake
- Derrick
- Klay
- Draymond
- Yao
- LaMarcus
- Andre
- Jimmy
- Gordon
- Zion
- Luka
- Trae
51-75 Good Names
The list continues with another selection of 25 NBA baby names that might catch your eye:
- Kemba
- Brandon
- Bradley
- Devin
- Khris
- Kristaps
- Jayson
- Ben
- Joel
- Rudy
- Mike
- Jrue
- Tobias
- Kawhi
- Kyle
- Steven
- Al
- Marc
- Lamelo
- Ja
- Jamal
- Nikola
- Donovan
- Bam
- Pascal
76-100 Good Names
And finally, here are the last 25 good NBA baby names for you to consider:
- Fred
- Myles
- Jerami
- Christian
- Julius
- Serge
- Bobby
- CJ
- Rajon
- Montrezl
- Justise
- Gary
- Thaddeus
- Kentavious
- Evan
- Kelly
- Seth
- Avery
- Danny
- TJ
- Ish
- Wesley
- JaMychal
- E’Twaun
- Deonte
With these 100 NBA-inspired baby names, you now have a variety of options to choose from for your little future basketball star!
More Name Ideas
In this section, we will provide you with 100 NBA-inspired baby names. The names are split into four subsections for easy navigation.
1-25 Name Ideas
Here are 25 NBA baby names to inspire you:
- LeBron
- Kobe
- Carmelo
- Amare
- Kyrie
- Jordan
- Derrick
- Blake
- Isaiah
- Damian
- Luka
- Giannis
- Devin
- Jayson
- Zion
- Klay
- Draymond
- Kawhi
- Stephen
- James
- Russell
- Kevin
- Chris
- Anthony
- Dwyane
26-50 Name Ideas
Here are 26-50 NBA baby names for your consideration:
- Paul
- Dirk
- Karl
- Tim
- Shaquille
- Hakeem
- Larry
- Dennis
- Scottie
- Charles
- Patrick
- Dominique
- Reggie
- David
- Clyde
- Alonzo
- Gary
- Vince
- Ray
- Grant
- Penny
- Steve
- Tracy
- Yao
- Jason
51-75 Name Ideas
For more handsome names, here are 51-75 NBA baby name ideas:
- Baron
- Brent
- Tyrone
- Alvin
- Muggsy
- Corey
- Elton
- Antawn
- Rasheed
- Antoine
- Latrell
- Jermaine
- Allan
- Nicolas
- Peja
- Ben
- Chauncey
- Rip
- Shane
- Tony
- Damon
- Emeka
- Caron
- Kenyon
- Mike
76-100 Name Ideas
Finally, here is the list of 76-100 NBA baby names:
- Greg
- Joakim
- Thaddeus
- Evan
- Kyle
- Rajon
- Danny
- Serge
- Monta
- Rudy
- Nene
- Dion
- Jrue
- Omer
- Spencer
- Avery
- Tobias
- Harrison
- Andre
- Terrence
- Jonas
- Gerald
- Robin
- Jameer
- Sam
We hope that these NBA baby name ideas inspire you to find the perfect name for your future little athlete!
More Name Ideas (Continued)
1-25 Name Ideas
Here are some name ideas for your little future NBA star:
- LeBron
- Kobe
- Kyrie
- Carmelo
- Amare
- Dwyane
- Damian
- Giannis
- Russell
- Kawhi
- Blake
- Steph
- Shaquille
- Tim
- Dirk
- James
- Steve
- Larry
- Magic
- Kareem
- Charles
- Scottie
- Penny
- Allen
- Vince
26-50 Name Ideas
Here are even more name ideas for your basketball-loving heart:
- Hakeem
- Patrick
- Kevin
- Grant
- Karl
- David
- Dominique
- Gary
- Isiah
- Reggie
- Alonzo
- Ray
- Paul
- Tracy
- Yao
- Ben
- Chris
- Manu
- Tony
- Derrick
- Rasheed
- Rajon
- Nash
- Bill
- Michael
51-75 Name Ideas
If you’re still looking for inspiration, check out these names:
- Clyde
- Dennis
- Moses
- Walt
- Julius
- Jerry
- Oscar
- Elgin
- Willis
- Baron
- Jason
- Zach
- Andre
- Monta
- Lamar
- Jermaine
- Sam
- Mike
- Doug
- Bo
- Ron
- Jamal
- Richard
- Muggsy
- Shawn
76-100 Name Ideas
Finally, here are the last set of NBA-inspired names for your consideration:
- Rik
- Glen
- Terry
- Joe
- Eddie
- Kenny
- Gerald
- Horace
- John
- Robert
- Keith
- Antoine
- Mark
- Maurice
- Wayne
- Clifford
- Lenny
- Sidney
- Brad
- Tom
- Don
- Al
- Jimmy
- Lou
- Chuck
Now you have a comprehensive list of NBA-inspired baby names to choose from. Happy naming!
Tips For Brainstorming The Perfect Name
When it comes to choosing a baby name inspired by NBA stars, there are many factors to consider to find the perfect name. Let’s dive into some tips to help you make the best decision.
- Research: Start by making a list of your favorite NBA players and their names. This initial list can guide your search as you look for inspiration. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box as you explore variations, nicknames, or even their last names.
Examples:
- Michael Jordan
- Magic Johnson
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
-
Family: Consider incorporating family names or connections into the basketball-inspired name you select. Including family heritage or paying homage to a beloved relative can give the name deeper personal significance.
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Meaning: While you may not focus on the meaning of each NBA star’s name, understanding the larger context of how the name resonates with your family and its history can be valuable. Delve into the origin, cultural significance, and popularity of a name to ensure it’s the right fit for your baby.
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Heritage: Take into account your own cultural background and lineage. You might find an NBA player who shares a similar heritage or has a name that complements your family’s roots, making the name choice especially meaningful.
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Personal Significance: Lastly, make sure the NBA-inspired baby name holds a special place in your heart. Whether it’s because of a player’s unique story, their incredible achievements, or simply your personal connection to the game of basketball, the name should evoke a sense of pride and joy in your family.
Remember to have fun and be creative when brainstorming the perfect NBA-inspired baby name. As you explore these factors and narrow down your choices, you’ll find a name that suits your little one beautifully.
NBA Influence On Names
The world of basketball has and continues to showcase some legendary players that not only make a mark on the court but also leave a lasting impact on fans. Consequently, many people name their children after these NBA stars, bestowing upon them names filled with aspirations and athletic prowess.
Kobe Bryant was one such player whose name gained significant popularity. The late Lakers legend inspired many parents to name their kids Kobe, which saw a 175% boost in popularity after his tragic passing. Similarly, his daughter Gianna’s name experienced a 216% boost during the same period.
Other NBA-inspired baby names include those of Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan. To give you a better sense of choice, we’ve compiled a list of popular NBA-inspired names:
- Kobe
- Carmelo
- LeBron
- Jordan
- Shaquille
- Kyrie
Apart from these household names, there are other NBA players whose names have gained popularity among new parents. Here is another list with some notable mentions:
- Amare
- Dwyane
- Dirk
- Giannis
- Steph
- Magic
It’s not just limited to NBA stars; even WNBA players have inspired parents to name their children after them. However, it’s essential to be cautious when choosing a name for your child. Ensure it’s a name that you and your child can be proud of and one that will age well.
One last piece of advice: remember that although these athletes have inspired many people with their skills and dedication, it’s essential to let your child develop their own unique personality, interests, and talents. Embrace the sporty, energetic spirit these names represent but also encourage your child to find their path.