WNBA fever is still at a high pitch given the current 2024 WNBA draft. Parents-to-be and fans alike are looking at names of the players to give them ideas for their very own babies and future basketballers.
The Women’s National Basketball Association was formed only 28 years ago on April 22, 1996. Their season runs from May to September, with the All-Star game in July. The WNBA finals usually run from the end of September until the beginning of October.
The 2024 season was the 29th draft in WNBA history, and all eyes are on Caitlin Clark, who broke several NCAA records, including all-time leading scorer – men’s and women’s. We’ve curated this list from the 2024 WNBA draft which includes some unique and inspirational names you might consider for your new “bouncing” baby.
Caitlin Clark
The name Caitlin is of Irish origins and means “pure.” Caitlin Clark was the overall first pick for the WNBA 2024 draft.
Cameron Brink
The name Cameron is of Scottish origin and means “bent nose.” Cameron Brink was the second pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Kamilla Cardoso
The name Kamilla is of Italian origins and has an unknown meaning. Kamilla Cardoso was the third pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Rickea Jackson
The name Rickea is of American origins and means “brave ruler.” Rickea Jackson was the fourth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Jacy Sheldon
The name Jacy is of American origins and could either be a variation on the name Jace or the initials J.C. Jacy Sheldon was the fifth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Aaliyah Edwards
The name Aaliyah is of Arabic origins and means “sublime or high.” Aaliyah Edwards was the sixth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Angel Reese
The name Angel is of Greek origins and means “messenger of God.” Angel Reese was the seventh pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Alissa Pili
The name Alissa is of English origins and means “of noble kin.” Alissa Pili was the eighth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Carla Leite
The name Carla is of Italian origins based on the name Charles, which means “free man.” Carla Leite was the ninth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Leila Lacan
The name Leila is of Arabic origins and means “night or black.” Leila Lacan was the tenth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Marquesha Davis
The name Marquesha is of American origins. It is a variation of the name Marquis, which means “borderland ruler.” Marquesha Davis was the eleventh pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Nyadiew Puoch
The name Nyadiew is from Sudan and means “purpose.” Diew is also a common surname in Sudan. Nyadiew Puoch was the twelfth pick of the first round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Brynna Maxwell
The name Brynna is a variation on the Welsh name Bryn, meaning “mound, hill.” Brynna Maxwell was the first pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Nika Mühl
The name Nika is of Slavic origins and means “bringing victory.” Nika Mühl was the second pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Celeste Taylor
The name Celeste is of Latin origins and means “heavenly.” Celeste Taylor was the third pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Dyaisha Fair
The name Dyaisha is of American origins and has an unknown meaning. Dyaisha Fair was the fourth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Esmery Martinez
The name Esmery is of unknown origin but may be based on the French name Esme, meaning “loved.” Esmery Martinez was the fifth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Kate Martin
The name Kate is a diminutive of the name Catherine, meaning “pure.” Kate Martin was the sixth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Taiyanna Jackson
The name Taiyanna is of American origins and combines the names Tai and Anna. Taiyanna Jackson was the seventh pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Isobel Borlase
The name Isobel is of Spanish origins and means “God is my oath.” Isobel Borlase was the eighth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Kaylynne Truong
The name Kaylynne is of American origin and combines the names Kay and Lynne or a variation on Kaitlyn. Kaylynne Truong was the ninth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Helena Pueyo
The name Helena is of Greek origins and means “light.” Helena Pueyo was the tenth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Jessika Carter
The name Jessika is of Hebrew origins and means “God beholds.” Jessika Carter was the eleventh pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Elizabeth Kitley
The name Elizabeth is of Hebrew origins and means “God is my oath.” Elizabeth Kitley was the twelfth pick of the second round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Charisma Osborne
The name Charisma is of Greek origins and means “personal power, attraction.” Charisma Osborne was the first pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Mackenzie Holmes
The name Mackenzie is of Scottish origins and means “Son of Kenneth.” Mackenzie Holmes was the second pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Leilani Correa
The name Leilani is of Hawaiian origins and means “heavenly flower or child of royalty.” Leilani Correa was the third pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
McKenzie Forbes
The name McKenzie is of Scottish origins and means “Son of Kenneth.” McKenzie Forbes was the fourth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Jazmin “Jaz” Shelley
The name Jaz is a diminutive for the name Jazmin, a variation on the name Jasmine. Jaz Shelley was the fifth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Nastja Claessens
The name Nastja is of Slavic origins and means “resurrection.” Nastja Claessens was the sixth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Kiyana “Kiki” Jefferson
The name Kiyana is of unknown origin but is identified with the brand name of a synthetic material, Qiana, created in the 1970s. Kiki Jefferson was the seventh pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Matilde Villa
The name Matilde is of French origins and means “battle strength.” Matilde Villa was the eighth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Ashley Owusu
The name Ashley is of English origins and means “from the ash tree field.” Ashley Owusu was the ninth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Abbey Hsu
The name Abbey is of Hebrew origins and means “joy of the father.” Abbey Hsu was the tenth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Kaitlyn Davis
The name Kaitlyn is of Irish origins and means “pure.” Kaitlyn Davis was the eleventh pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
Angel Jackson
The name Angel is of Greek origins and means “messenger of God.” Angel Jackson was the twelfth pick of the third round of the WNBA 2024 draft.
So whether you’re cheering from the stands or following along from home, the WNBA never fails to inspire and entertain. So grab your jersey, rally your friends, and get ready to witness the sheer joy and passion of women’s basketball in the 2024 season. The WNBA is more than just a sport; it’s a celebration of women’s talent, dedication, and the power of the game to bring people together.
Mallory Moss is the co-founder of BabyNames.com and co-host of The Baby Names Podcast. Mallory has a PhD in psychiatric nursing and has written articles for The Huffington Post on names and name trends. She has one grown daughter, Veronica, who lives in Austria.