Men in Suits
- Alexis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"defender"Description:
This name leapt into the female column via vixen Alexis Carrington on 'Dynasty" in the 1980s. It's more popular for girls, but it's still a widely used boys' names and is one of the most popular unisex names in the US today.
- Lars
Origin:
Scandinavian from Latin LaurentiusMeaning:
"crowned with laurel"Description:
Lars is a perfect candidate for a cross-cultural passport: it has been heard often enough here to sound familiar and friendly, yet retains the charisma of a charming foreigner.
- Orlando
Origin:
Italian variation of RolandMeaning:
"famous throughout the land"Description:
Orlando, the ornate Italianate twist on the dated Roland, with a literary heritage stretching back to Shakespeare and before, has appealing book-ended o's, and is open to combination with almost any last name, a la British actor, Orlando Bloom.
- Laurence
Origin:
English from LatinMeaning:
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"Description:
Lawrence is the dominant spelling in the US, but in the UK Laurence and Lawrence are given in almost equal numbers each year, often with the adorable nickname Laurie or Lawrie. British actor Sir Laurence Olivier is a famous bearer.
- Eugene
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Eugene is a classic that has rather lost its way. On the one hand, it's a grandpa, even great-grandpa name that hasn't been one of the cool kids recently—or to quote Jim Carrey, who bears this name in the middle spot, "You can never get too cool with a name like Eugene." The hero of Disney's Tangled felt the same way, when he changed his birth name of Eugene to the more romantic Flynn.
- Ives
Origin:
English variation of YvesMeaning:
"yew wood"Description:
Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
- Quinton
Origin:
English or LatinMeaning:
"queen's manor; fith"Description:
Quinton is among several attractive Q-beginning, n-ending two-syllable names for boys, that also includes Quentin (the most popular iteration) and Quenton. They only suffer from their similarity and possible spelling confusion, ala girls' names Kristin, Kirsten and sisters.
- Jerome
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sacred name"Description:
Jerome has a bespectacled, serious, studious image, just like its namesake saint, who was a brilliant scholar. St. Jerome is the patron saint of students, librarians, and archaeologists.
- Ptolemy
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"aggressive, warlike"Description:
Pronounced "TAHL-a-mee," this was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals and several Greco-Egyptian rulers, as well as the name of a famous Greek astronomer. Actress Gretchen Mol brought it into modern times when she chose it for her baby.
- Aramis
Origin:
French literary nameDescription:
One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.
- Lancelot
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"servant"Description:
In Arthurian legend, Lancelot was one of the most dashing of the Knights of the Round Table who eventually had an affair with Queen Guinevere: it makes for a romantic story-- but perhaps overly romantic-- name.
- Clovis
Origin:
Teutonic, French, early form of Ludwig or LouisDescription:
An aromatic, unconventional name.
- Augustin
Origin:
Greek variation of AugustDescription:
This form and its German variant Augusten are moving up fast as the preferred long forms of the trendy Gus.
- Esmond
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"graceful protection"Description:
Though slightly haughtier and less accessible than cousin Edmond, Esmond could appeal to some parents seeing a distinguished appellation. It began being used (albeit sparingly) in England in the nineteenth century, possibly influenced by William Makepeace Thackeray's novel The History of Henry Esmond.
- Florent
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"flowering"Description:
Historically, the French and English name Florence was used for both sexes. And Florent is a steady classic in France, booming there in the 1980s. Maybe it's time to import it, and show that boys can be floral too.
- Everard
Origin:
English spelling variation of EberhardMeaning:
"hardy"Description:
An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the Rings. Yet, even now that Ever- names are the height of style, Everard hasn't been seen on the charts for decades.
- Hilary
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"cheerful, happy"Description:
The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.
- Vitalis
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of life, vital"Description:
Borne by a number of early saints, it comes from the Latin word for life.
- Aimery