Ethan

Ethan, which was given a big boost via the name of the Tom Cruise character in the Mission Impossible film series, is now the third most popular boys' name in the country.

Ethan is a name that succeeds in being at once classic and fashionable, serious and cheery, strong and sensitive. There are several Ethans in the Old Testament, the most prominent of whom is praised for his wisdom.

His prime historic namesake is Ethan Allen, Revolutionary War hero; in literature the name is associated with Ethan Frome. A more current namesake is actor Ethan Hawke.