Baby Names Inspired By Your Favorite Hallmark Actors

Whether you're collecting aspirational names for a hypothetical infant or preparing for a baby who's already on the way, inspiration can be found all around you. Some parents-to-be look to nature for ideas or dive into their genealogy for family names. Others pull their shortlist from classic media — after all, Old Hollywood-inspired baby names can sound so glamorous. But for something more contemporary, why not turn to New Hollywood? For instance, the Hallmark Channel has a roster of uniquely named performers just waiting to spark joy on your baby name list.

Hallmark movies may take flak for being a little formulaic and saccharine, but we'd argue that the soothing, easygoing energy behind these films gels perfectly with baby-naming conventions. They feature a dash of adventure, a hint of romance, and the comfort of a happy ending. What more could you want for your kiddo? With that in mind, we've rounded up a few Hallmark actors with lovely, meaningful names that would look fantastic on a newborn's birth certificate.

While Lacey is historically considered gender-neutral, this airy name has been more popular for girls, such as Hallmark Channel mainstay Lacey Chabert. Chabert has appeared in more than 40 Hallmark films like "Love on Safari," "A Royal Christmas," and "The Wedding Veil" movies, making her a fan favorite — and, potentially, a fantastic namesake for any diehard Hallmark viewer.

The name Lacey means "cheerful," stemming from French and Latin roots, and pairs well with many popular middle names. Just imagine your own little Lacey Marie, Lacey Jane, or Lacey Grace. This versatile name also comes with various spelling options. If Lacey doesn't appeal, you can mix it up with variants like Lacie, Lacy, or Laci. And, of course, you can go against the trend to revive the unisex use of Lacey for a boy. Right now, The Bump reports that Lacey is ranked as number 760 in its database of boy names, placing it in the top 1000 — so maybe it's poised to stage a comeback.

For parents looking forward to a bold little boy, Niall is another wonderful option. Coming from old Irish words for "champion" or "cloud," Niall balances a brave and determined spirit with dreamy, blue-sky energy — which may be why it suits Hallmark star Niall Matter so well. Before he started appearing in Hallmark Channel movies like "Holiday Hotline," "Come Fly with Me," and the "Aurora Teagarden" mysteries, Matter worked on an oil rig. There, he experienced a serious accident and had to forge his way through physical therapy to walk again — and eventually pursue his real goal of acting. In short, the definition of a tenacious dreamer.

Now, Matter is a familiar Hallmark heartthrob and worthy inspiration for your growing cache of baby names. And he's not the only one who's done justice to this Celtic moniker. Besides Niall Horan of One Direction, who may be the best-known modern-day Niall, there have also been a number of ancient Irish kings who lived and ruled under this name. Pretty epic.

If you're looking for a girls' name that really captures the Hallmark spirit, you can't go wrong with Holly. First of all, this moniker is well represented by Holly Robinson Peete, one of the channel's most prolific and beloved actors. Peete has appeared in Hallmark Originals like "Holiday Heritage," "Hats Off to Love," and the "Morning Show Mysteries" series, winning viewers over with her grace and charm. (Not to mention her beauty — she's one of the Hallmark stars over 50 who are aging like fine wine.)

On top of Peete's excellent example, the name Holly also resounds with Hallmark's notorious holiday spirit. Inspired by the festive red-and-green holly tree, this botanical name carries connotations of peace and good fortune and has close associations with Christmas. In fact, the Hallmark Channel has used this name for a main character in at least three of its own holiday films: "Holly and Ivy," "One Starry Christmas," and "Christmas with Holly." If you're hoping to sneak a hint of Hallmark magic into your little one's name, Holly is a solid choice.

Christopher is a classic and consistently popular boys' name. Not only does it rank as number 57 in the Social Security Administration's top names of the 2020s, but it also counts among the SSA's top names for the last century, coming in as the 10th most popular moniker for boys since 1926. Still, many parents hesitate to pick something so hyper-traditional or widely used, wanting to gift their special baby with an equally special name. So why not opt for a less common spelling, like Hallmark star Kristoffer Polaha?

A magnetic leading man, Polaha has appeared in plenty of Hallmark Channel favorites like "Missing the Boat," "The Christmas Quest," and "Haul Out the Holly." He even starred in "Dater's Handbook" opposite former royal Meghan Markle. His spelling of Kristoffer, while not often seen today, peaked in the 1970s and '80s — which tracks, since Polaha himself was born in 1977. Now, enough years have passed to make this alternate feel fresh again. If it still doesn't quite suit your vision, you can find more retro inspo among other popular baby names from the 1970s that deserve a resurgence.

Actor Danica McKellar has appeared in many Hallmark favorites, such as "Christmas She Wrote," "Very Very Valentine," and the "Matchmaker Mysteries" films. But it's not just her cheery, girl-next-door energy we love — we're also enchanted by her name. Hailing from the mythology of Eastern Europe, Danica means "morning star," evoking bright light and new beginnings. Not only would this be oh-so-fitting for a baby born around dawn, but "morning star" usually refers to the planet Venus, which is in turn associated with love and beauty. What could be a more wonderful wish for a new baby girl?

Further recommending her as a namesake, Danica McKellar is also an admirable real-life role model. On top of her acting skills, McKellar is a skilled mathematician who's passionate about encouraging other women to pursue STEM careers. She's even written multiple primers to help girls excel in math. We recommend checking them out for the young ladies in your life — and don't forget to explore other highly rated books by Hallmark stars to add to your TBR list.