Wonderful, Whimsical Steampunk Names for Boys Girls
If the term “retro-futuristic” sounds both intriguing and impossible, welcome to the world of steampunk! These steampunk names embody the bold vintage spirit of the aesthetic, while still being viable in the modern baby naming landscape (read: they’re unique, but nothing eyebrow-raising).
So what’s steampunk, anyway? If you aren’t familiar with the term, it’s a pop culture genre that represents the Victorian era with a technological twist — perhaps best described by author Douglas Fetherling: “How different the past might have been if the future had arrived earlier.”
Steampunk is a fusion of elegance and industry: think gleaming copper and bronze, leather and lace; cogs, gears, and gadgets. It’s whimsical and imaginative, a flight of fancy into a world with one foot in reality and one in science fiction, a renaissance of invention and innovation. And like the genre itself, steampunk names have an abundance of old-fashioned Victorian charm — but instead of being stuffy and proper, they’re infused with a sense of offbeat playfulness. Quirky, but in the absolute best way!
So put on your goggles, hop in your airship, and let’s go full speed ahead into our list of steampunk names, which features fun picks for both boys and girls.
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Phineas
The name Phineas is a variation of Phinehas, which is said to mean “serpent’s mouth.” It’s a decidedly cool meaning, but to add another layer of coolness, the name is often associated with Phineas Gage — a 19th century railroad worker who survived an accident that helped him make a mark in history as the first patient of neuroscience.
Keturah
Keturah is a more-phonetic spelling of the Hebrew name Qe?ura, meaning “incense.” It’s a Biblical name, but still such a unique choice, as it never caught on in the same way as its fellow Biblical names like Rachel, Sarah, or Hannah.
Gideon
Another Biblical choice, Gideon is from the Hebrew element gada, meaning “to cut” or “to hew” — indicating someone who chops wood. It’s an old-school name with a fresh and contemporary feel.
Odette
Odette is the French diminutive — or shortening, kind of like a nickname — of the more formal Odilia (which could also be a beautiful steampunk name; so could Ottilie, which is the German version!). It means “fortune” as in riches and wealth.
Zebulon
Zebulon is a zippy and unique name that comes from the Hebrew word zevul, meaning “exalted dwelling.” Other sources say it comes from another Hebrew word: zebed, meaning “gift.” Either way, it comes with the punchy nickname possibility of Zeb, which has such a cool-kid vibe.
Jules
Jules is one of those perfect gender-netural names because it can come from either Julia or Julian. It’s also the French version of the male name Julius, meaning “downy” (as in fine-haired). What makes it the perfect steampunk name, though, is its association with Jules Verne — one of the most famous science fiction writers of all time, who authored books such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
Jarvis
The quirky and upbeat Jarvis is an anglicized, shorter version of the name Gervasius, whose origins are debated. While some say it’s from a Germanic element meaning “spear,” others say it comes from the Greek geraios, meaning “old” (yes — the same root of the word “geriatric!”). Either way, it’s one you don’t hear very often!
Ophelia
From the Greek work ophelos, meaning “help,” Ophelia is as stylish and ornate as you’d expect a Victorian name to be — but still strong and confident-sounding, which makes it a perfect steampunk name pick.
Gabriel
Meaning “God is my strength,” Gabriel is a timeless classic, popular not just in the U.S., but all over the world. It’s easy to pronounce, easily recognizable, yet not so overused that people get sick of hearing it.
Lysette
Lysette is a light, pretty, and polished name that comes from what may be a surprising source — like Beth, Betsy, Liz, and Elisa, it’s an offshoot of Elizabeth! It means “my God is an oath” and has an elegant sound, but unlike some other Elizabeth nicknames, this one isn’t heard a whole lot.
Benedict
Benedict comes from the Latin elements bene and dicte, meaning “good” and “speak” respectively — as in, to bless. So the name means “blessing,” and it’s a great alternative if you like the popular Benjamin but want something that feels a little less mainstream.
Aurelia
Aurelia glows like the polished metal of the steampunk world — because it means “golden” or “gilded!” It’s a gorgeous choice, from the Latin root aurus, meaning “gold.”
Philo
Given the fairly recent popularity of the name Milo, Philo is a similar (and underrated!) choice. It’s pronounced like Milo — FY-lo — not like “pillow.” It comes from the Greek philos, meaning “lover” or “friend,” and is a perfect steampunk pick, especially if you like Milo but want something a little less trendy.
Piper
There’s no real mystery behind the meaning of the unisex name Piper — as you might guess, it has been used throughout history to denote someone who played the pipe or flute. Its origin is actually super cute, though; it comes from the Latin pipere, meaning “to peep.”
Bronson
It’s a surname that means “brown” — or, more accurately, “Brown’s son” — but we think Bronson’s buttoned-up sound gives it a more distinguished feel, perfectly befitting of a steampunk name!
Isolde
Isolde (pronounced ee-ZOLD, just FYI) is the elegant French variation of the Germanic name Iseult, which is said to mean “ice battle” — which is one of the coolest meaings we’ve ever heard, no pun intended!
Hugo
Coming from the Old German element hugu, this quirky name means “mind,” “thought,” or “spirit” — but it’s also associated with a very steampunk thing: the famed Hugo Award for achievements in science fiction!
Clementine
Speaking of science-fiction, that brings us to the feminine version of the French male name Clement: Clementine! It’s a vintage name that means “gentle” or “mild,” but is often associated with a character who has a much different personality — Clementine Kruczynski from the sci-fi romance Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, played by Kate Winslet.
Percival
Around the year 1100, French poet Chrétien de Troyes wrote a poem called Perceval, le Conte du Graal (“the story of the grail”). It’s the story of a young boy who wishes to become a knight, and it’s where we get the name Percival! There’s no argument that the name was created by de Troyes, but its inspiration remains a mystery; some say it’s derived from the Welsh name Peredur, meaning “hard spear,” while others say it comes from the Old French perce val, meaning “pierce the valley.”
Violet
From the Latin viola, referring to the flower, the name Violet has enjoyed lots of popularity throughout the centuries — it’s a vintage favorite that still sounds just as fresh today, thanks in part to its vibrant V-sound.
Florian
Finding a flower name that’s predominantly for boys is rare, but Florian fits the bill — it comes from the Latin flor, meaning “flower.” And its polished feel makes it fit in perfectly as a steampunk name!
Phoebe
The Greek word phoibos — the root of the name Phoebe — means “bright.” And one of the name’s most famous uses gives it the perfect steampunk backstory. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were known as the “Golden Age of Railroads,” and travel by train was popular, though many passengers complained of sooty clothing due to the coal-fired steam locomotives. A fictional advertising character (think Jake from State Farm or Flo from Progressive) by the name of Phoebe Snow was created to help boost the popularity of cleaner-burning anthracite trains, and she was a spunky socialite who loved to travel on these trains wearing all white.
Archibald
Archibald originated as the Germanic name Ercanbald, which was made up of erkan (“pure”) and bald (“bold and brave”). Later, thanks to the Greek influence of names beginning with archos (“master”), the first part of the name was replaced to become Archibald. It’s a turn-of-the-century charmer that has the benefit of the adorable (and contemporary!) nickname Archie.
Thalia
From the Greek thallo, meaning “blossom,” Thalia is a gorgeous and unique name that you don’t hear often despite the fact that it’s been around for thousands of years. To note: it has multiple possibilities for pronunciation, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing! THAH-lee-ah, thah-LEE-ah, TAH-lee-ah, THAY-lee-ah, thay-LEE-ah, TAHL-ya and THAL-ya, to name a few.
Edison
There’s no question about why Edison makes the perfect steampunk name — it’s closely associated with inventor Thomas Alva Edison, whose innovations brought us revolutionary things such as the light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera!
Evangeline
Evangeline is of Greek origin and means “good news,” and it embodies everything steampunk: it’s antique yet still modern, and both bold and intricately elaborate.
Lucian
It’s not as popular as Sebastian or Julian, but that might be part of Lucian’s appeal — it’s familiar, but still unique enough to stand out. It originates with the Latin lux, meaning “light,” alongside a similar name that also fits the steampunk vibe: Lucius.
Lucius
Fidelia
Fidelia is a feminine twist on the Latin word fidelis, meaning “faithful.” Its delicate ending is befitting of a flowery Victorian name, yet its strong consonant sounds at the beginning and middle convey a sense of boldness and strength — the perfect blend!
Soleil
Soleil is actually the French word for “sun” — and it’s an elegant-sounding name for a steampunk-perfect energy powerhouse!
Cyrus
Though most sources agree that Cyrus is probably derived from the Greek kyrios, meaning “lord,” some have argued that it may come from the Persian name Kuru? (“young”) or the Persian word kurshid (“sun”). Whichever meaning you choose, it delivers a powerful energy. Cyrus Field laid the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 1800s, and Cyrus Smith is the protagonist in the 1875 novel The Mysterious Island, written by none other than sci-fi legend Jules Verne.
Eudora
Eudora was among the most popular names for girls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so it’s a vintage classic that’s due for a resurgence. Plus, it has the most eu-dorable meaning: it comes from the Greek elements eu and doron, meaning “good gift.”
Lysander
Unlike Alexander, which sounds more refined, Lysander has that edgy uniqueness befitting of a steampunk name. It’s the Latin form of the Greek name Lysandros, meaning “liberator.”
Millicent
Funnily enough, Millicent is a fairly rare name, though it has been around in some form for thousands of years. It has never reached higher than the 400s out of the top 1000 most popular girl names, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration — though its nickname, Millie, was all the rage at the turn of the century. It means “unceasing and strong,” which gives it a powerful and pioneering spirit under that pretty, feminine sound.
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