Names of Nobel Prize Winners

Like many names that have strong political connotations, the attractiveness of the name Clinton will be affected by your world-view. But, taking politics out of the equation, Clinton has a lovely pastoral meaning, a strong sound and a tremendously wearable nickname - Clint - all which would seem to be in its favor for at least a second thought.

Evans is an historic Welsh patronymic surname, derived from Evan, which is a form of John. With Evan's popularity in the U.S. and the U.K. -- it's a Top 50 names -- the stylish s-ending version may also be on the rise.

A widely used Hebrew form of Joseph, with a sophisticated and continental air.

Giulio is a Top 50 name in Italy, and we think Giulio is a good candidate to follow, especially now that Giovanni and Gianni are in up in the US charts. It's an interesting alternative to popular cousins Julian and Julius. And of course the most famous Giulio of all is the Emperor, Giulio Cesare.

Forbes is a business magazine in the U.S., long led by Malcolm Forbes, with a buttoned-down Brooks Brothers image. If you name your son Forbes, you're definitely implying a connection to the prominent and wealthy family -- which may be exactly what you're intending. But if you have a more down-to-earth image in mind, try Field.

Johannes never caught on in the US, but popular European short form Hannes may be more accessible.

Ángel is a masculine name with deep Latin roots, directly meaning 'angel' or 'messenger.' This spiritual name appears across numerous cultures, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries where it ranks consistently among popular choices for boys. The accent mark in the Spanish version gives it a distinctive pronunciation emphasis on the first syllable (AHN-hel). The name carries religious significance in Christian traditions, referring to divine messengers and guardians. Beyond its spiritual connotations, Ángel suggests qualities of protection, goodness, and moral virtue. The name's cross-cultural appeal has helped maintain its popularity through generations, appealing to parents seeking a name with both spiritual meaning and international recognition. Its relatively short length combined with rich symbolic meaning contributes to its enduring charm.

This name has a hauntingly appropriate meaning for its most famous bearer, Pakistani women and children's right activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousefzai. The name itself is derived from the more traditional Malalai, which was the name of a 19th century female Afghan freedom fighter. If you're looking for a soft sounding female name that packs a punch in history and in meaning, Malala is definitely a strong contender.

Strongly identified with peace-accord-seeking Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat.

Strongly connected to Elie Wiesel — Holocaust survivor, Nobel laureate, and author of the influential book Night.

Lawrie is a masculine name with Scottish origins, derived from the name Lawrence, which means 'from Laurentum' (an ancient Roman city). It developed as a diminutive or nickname form of Lawrence in Scotland and northern England. Lawrie has a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a traditional feel. While not among the most popular names in recent decades, it offers an appealing alternative to the more common Larry or Laurent. The name carries connotations of strength and dignity inherited from its root name, which was popularized by Saint Lawrence, a 3rd-century Christian martyr. In Scotland, Lawrie has maintained steady, if modest, usage throughout the generations.

In the 1940s, Toni began to surpass its progenitor, Antonia, but it peaked in 1960 and has since dropped back below the US Top 1000.

Godfrey was very popular in the Middle Ages, but today you're more likely to hear it as a surname than a first name. It has a solid, old-man charm, but a couple of possible deal-breakers: the first syllable being God, and no obvious nickname. Goff, maybe? For a different feel, we also like the Italian artist's version Giotto.

Here, it's strictly for girls, though Celine Dion's boy Rene-Charles reminded us of its masculine origins.

Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew

One of the cute and bouncy nicknames so popular in the 1960s and 70s, but that hasn't made a comeback in the way Eames chairs and miniskirts have. Think of it as one of the original but now old-school unisex names starting with J, ala Jamie and Jessie.

You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.

Lively Russian choice born by several saints.

Feels akin to Brooks and Rivers, two other boys' names that double as plural nouns. It's been used as a first name for centuries, including by a two time governor of Virginia.