Oregon Trail era names - boys

Valerian

Latin

"strength, health"

This name of a Roman emperor and of a sedating plant is still used quietly, given to about a dozen baby boys in the US last year. It has a strong, rhythmic sound and could make a modern-feeling honor…

Valerius

Latin

"strength, health"

Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for boys may inspire a revival…

Wealthy

English word name

"prosperous, rich"

Wealthy was used for girls in the late 19th and early 20th century, with a meaning that implied a wealth of blessings. Today, it's difficult to see Wealthy and not think cash, but luckily names that…

Willoughby

English

"farm near the willows"

Willoughby is an energetic last-name-first route to the popular short form Will, livelier than any of the two-syllable options. It could be picked up by parents attracted to the Willow sound for…

Wilmot

Manx variation of William, German

"resolute protection"

Wilmot has the sort of old-school bookish charm of other surname-sounding names like Beckett, Everett, Griffith and Weston. This could be a good choice for families wanting to honor that special…

Windham

Windham is a masculine name of English origin, derived from a place name meaning 'home by the windy hill' or 'windy homestead' in Old English. This distinctive surname-turned-first-name carries…

Wulf

Wulf is a masculine name with ancient Germanic roots, directly meaning 'wolf' in Old Germanic languages. This powerful, single-syllable name carries historical significance as both a standalone name…

Zacheus

Zacheus is a masculine name with ancient biblical roots, being a variant spelling of Zacchaeus, who appears in the New Testament as a tax collector who encountered Jesus. The name derives from…

Zenon

Ancient Greek and Polish form of Zeno and Zeus

"sky, shine; gift of Zeus"

Zenon is a relative of Zeno, which is a form of Zeus, used in both ancient Greece and modern Poland. With the new rise of all names mythological, this one may deserve a fresh look.

Zenos

Zenos is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from the word 'xenos' meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner.' It shares roots with the more common Zenon or Zeno, names associated with ancient Greek…

Zerah

Hebrew

"to arise; dawn"

The Biblical Zerah is etymologically related to such names as Zora, which also means dawn. While the vowel sound at the end of the name does not sound as feminine to our modern ear as it once did,…

Zimri

Hebrew

"my music, my praise"

This unusual and spunky biblical name was one of the Kings of Israel as well as one of Judah's grandsons and has a wonderful meaning. We'd like to see Zimri being used more, and we think it has…

Hopper

English or Dutch

"leaper, dancer; hop grower"

Sean and Robin Wright Penn chose this name for their son to honor their friend Dennis Hopper; others might associate it with the painter Edward. Couldn't be more spirited.