Cool and Unusual Gents

Hampton

English

"home settlement"

Names of classy places -- Aspen, Paris, and now, Hampton -- are in favor with aspiring parents. Associated with a stylish area of New York and with the stately Hampton Court Palace in the UK, the…

Harrell

Hebrew

"God's mount"

While everyone may think you said "Harold," this name sounds more up-to-date. And if you get tired of explaining, you can always call him Harry.

Hobson

English

"son of Robert"

An original way to honor an ancestral Robert. Hobson is outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for boys.

Hughes

English, Scottish, Irish surname

"mind, intellect; son of Aodh"

Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the…

Ibsen

Danish

"son of Ib"

Ibsen is a literary hero name possibility, after the great Norwegian dramatist, Henrik I. The name Ib is a short form of Jacob, so you might consider Ibsen as an honorific for or a twin of a Jacob.

Macsen

Welsh variation of Maximus, Latin

"greatest"

Macsen may sound like a modern invention, cousin to Jackson and Maxon, but it's a longtime Welsh variation of Maximus with evocative roots in legend. Macsen Wledig is another name for the Roman…

Maddock

Maddock is a masculine name of Welsh origin derived from the Welsh name 'Madoc,' meaning 'fortunate' or 'beneficent.' Historically, it was more common as a surname but has recently gained some…

Meade

Meade is a masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old English surname meaning 'meadow' or referring to someone who lived near a meadow. Alternatively, it may have evolved from the…

Meyer

German, Dutch, Hebrew, "tenant, farmer, leader; great; bringer of light, shining"

"tenant, farmer, leader; great; bringer of light, shining"

Old-fashioned but right on trend with the likes of Miller, Baker, Sawyer, and Major, Meyer has been borne by gangsters, businessman, sculptors, composers, and writers alike. A versatile choice in…

Raines

English

"from Rayne or Rennes"

The final s turns a nature name into a Waspy surname.

Rennon

English surname, meaning unknown

Unusual surname occasionally used as a first.

Roarke

Roarke is a strong masculine name with Irish and Gaelic origins, derived from the name Ruarc or O'Ruairc, meaning 'champion' or 'famous ruler.' This powerful name carries connotations of strength,…

Thane

Scottish

"clan chieftain"

This early Scottish title -- known to us via Shakespeare's Macbeth -- has recently surfaced as a baby name possibility, familiar sounding through its similarity to names like Zane and Wayne.

Torben

Danish and German

"thunder bear"

A familiar name in the Nordic countries that hasn't yet gained popularity in the English speaking world. But it could, now that Old Norse names like Thor and Odin are on the rise. It derives from…