Musical Boy and Girl Names for Babies and Children

Choosing the perfect baby name is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll make as a parent. While every name carries significance, names inspired by music offer a special kind of resonance. Music has the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and capture the beauty of the world around us, making it an endless source of inspiration for baby names. 

Whether you’re a fan of classical compositions, modern pop, or anything in between, musical baby names allow you to pay tribute to the melodies and harmonies that have touched your life. These names can reflect the traits you hope your child will embody—strength, grace, creativity, or passion. From the names of famous composers and rock legends to terms from music theory and instruments, there’s a musical baby name out there that will strike a chord with your family. 

In this guide, we’ll explore girl, boy, and gender-neutral names, all inspired by the rich and diverse world of music. These names will not only honor the art of sound but will carry a sense of rhythm and harmony that your child can carry throughout life. 

Musical girl names

Each of these names draws inspiration from the world of music, whether through artists, instruments, or musical terminology. 

1. Aria – A melodic solo piece in an opera, symbolizing beauty and emotion. 
2. Cadence – A term for the rhythm or flow of a musical piece, representing harmony and grace. 
3. Carmen – Inspired by the fiery and passionate opera Carmen by Bizet. 
4. Celeste – Meaning heavenly, this name is associated with the celesta, a delicate keyboard instrument. 
5. Celine – Inspired by Celine Dion, one of the most powerful and celebrated voices in pop music. 
6. Chantal – A French name meaning song, symbolizing elegance and poise. 
7. Demi – Inspired by pop star Demi Lovato, symbolizing strength and resilience. 
8. Diana – From the legendary Diana Ross, representing glamour and influence. 
9. Ella – Honoring Ella Fitzgerald, the Queen of Jazz. 
10. Gwen – Inspired by Gwen Stefani, symbolizing creativity and individuality. 
11. Harmony – Meaning a pleasing combination of musical notes, representing unity and peace. 
12. Lyra – A name inspired by the lyre, an ancient string instrument. 
13. Madonna – Honoring Madonna, the Queen of Pop and an icon of reinvention. 
14. Melody – A sweet and lyrical name that means song or tune. 
15. Nina – From the influential Nina Simone, symbolizing power and activism. 
16. Opal – Inspired by singer-songwriter Opal Staples, symbolizing uniqueness and vibrancy. 
17. Patti – Honoring rock legend Patti Smith, known for her boldness and poetic lyrics. 
18. Piper – Meaning one who plays the pipes, symbolizing joy and celebration. 
19. Rihanna – Inspired by the global pop sensation Rihanna, symbolizing creativity and influence. 
20. Seraphine – Derived from the Seraphim, angels of music, symbolizing divinity and grace. 
21. Serenade – Meaning a musical performance, symbolizing romance and elegance. 
22. Stevie – From Stevie Nicks, representing mysticism and timeless talent. 
23. Viola – A string instrument, also the name of a Shakespearean heroine. 
24. Whitney – Honoring Whitney Houston, one of the greatest voices of all time. 
25. Yara – Inspired by Yara Shahidi, a name that reflects grace and inspiration.

Musical boy names 

These names capture the strength, rhythm, and creativity of the most influential male musicians and composers. 

1. Amadeus – Inspired by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, symbolizing genius and creativity. 
2. Bach – Honoring Johann Sebastian Bach, a master of classical composition. 
3. Beck – From Beck, representing alternative rock and musical innovation. 
4. Calypso – Named after the Caribbean musical genre, symbolizing rhythm and energy. 
5. Carlos – Inspired by Carlos Santana, a legendary guitarist known for blending rock with Latin sounds. 
6. Cole – Honoring Nat King Cole, the legendary jazz singer and pianist, known for his smooth voice and timeless hits. 
7. David – Honoring David Bowie, the king of reinvention and artistic expression. 
8. Drake – Inspired by Drake, a modern rap and R&B superstar from Toronto, symbolizing confidence and influence. 
9. Elton – Inspired by Elton John, representing flamboyance and brilliance. 
10. Elvis – From Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, who revolutionized the music world with hits like “Jailhouse Rock” and “Hound Dog.” 
11. Floyd – Inspired by the legendary band Pink Floyd, symbolizing creativity and depth. 
12. Hendrix – Honoring Jimi Hendrix, one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. 
13. Jackson – From Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, symbolizing stardom and innovation. 
14. James – From James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, representing rhythm and power. 
15. Jerry – Honoring Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead, symbolizing peace and creativity. 
16. Johnny – Inspired by Johnny Cash, representing strength and resilience. 
17. Lennon – Honoring John Lennon, symbolizing peace and creativity. 
18. Louis – From jazz legend Louis Armstrong, symbolizing joy and musical mastery. 
19. Marley – Inspired by reggae icon Bob Marley, representing freedom and positivity. 
20. Miles – Honoring jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, representing innovation and improvisation. 
21. Otis – Inspired by soul singer Otis Redding, symbolizing emotion and authenticity. 
22. Prince – Honoring Prince, symbolizing individuality and musical genius. 
23. Ray – From Ray Charles, symbolizing talent and resilience. 
24. Sam – Honoring Sam Cooke, a soul music pioneer whose smooth voice and heartfelt songs, such as “A Change is Gonna Come,” have inspired generations. 
25. Sebastian – Inspired by composer Johann Sebastian Bach, representing depth and wisdom. 

Gender-neutral names

For parents looking for names that transcend gender, these musical names offer beauty, versatility, and originality. 

1. Avery – A name meaning wise, inspired by musician Avery Sunshine. 
2. Billie – From Billie Holiday, symbolizing jazz elegance and strength. 
3. Blake – Inspired by singer Blake Shelton, symbolizing creativity and independence. 
4. Charlie – Honoring Charlie Parker, a jazz legend known for his influence on bebop. 
5. Harper – A name meaning one who plays the harp, symbolizing creativity and music. 
6. Indigo – Inspired by the color and the Indigo Girls, symbolizing depth and imagination. 
7. Jordan – From River Jordan, symbolizing peace and spirituality. 
8. Kai – Meaning sea in Hawaiian, it represents calmness and flow. 
9. Quinn – From The Mighty Quinn, symbolizing leadership and musicality. 
10. River – From River by Joni Mitchell, representing tranquility and reflection. 

Naming your baby after a musical inspiration is a beautiful way to honor an art form that has had such a profound impact on so many lives. Whether you choose a name from the world of classical music, rock legends, or jazz innovators, each one carries a story, a rhythm, and a melody all its own. 

Music is universal, and it transcends boundaries. A name inspired by music has the power to reflect your child’s individuality while paying tribute to the sounds and harmonies that move us. It’s a way to connect your little one to the rich tapestry of culture, creativity, and emotion that music represents. 

No matter which musical name you choose, it will be one that echoes through the life of your child, a timeless gift that harmonizes with their future. So, take your time, turn up your favorite tunes, and let the magic of music guide you to the perfect name. 

If you're interested in broader naming choices, be sure to check out our article on gender-neutral names, highlighting options that embrace individuality while crossing cultural boundaries.