Nicholas

Nicholas, though it has lost some ground (it was in the Top 10 from 1993 to 2002), is still a popular classic that would make an attractive, solid choice. A Greek name stemming from Nike, the goddess of victory, it is a New Testament name also well used in literature, as in Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby.

And then there's St. Nicholas who, in addition to bringing bags of toys once a year, is also the patron saint of schoolchildren, mechanics, sailors, scholars, brides, bakers, travelers, and Russia, where the name was a star of the czarist dynasty.

Along with this historical depth, Nicholas, and nicknames Nick and Nicky, projecs an aura of masculine panache, and has long been a favorite of writers for rich boy, Romeos, thugs and detective characters.

Offshoots Cole and Colin have long had lives of their own.