Names That Mean Counsel

Solid and intellectual, with just a touch of ruggedness thanks to that rad ending, Conrad has appeared consistently in on the US popularity charts since the 19th century. Over the years, it has been leant a literary air by the writer Joseph Conrad, a pop of rock energy by the Elvis-like character in the movie Bye, Bye, Birdie, and more recently, a serious, kind-hearted, and handsome feel by The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Raif (or Raef, Rayif) is a Muslim name usually given in reference to the Qur’anic verse "God is most compassionate and most merciful to mankind." A notable bearer is Saudi writer, dissident and activist Raif Badawi.

Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in several European countries, especially England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Now seen as the chap in the smoking jacket in a 1930s drawing-room comedy, Reginald has actually been on the US popularity list every year since 1880.

Raul and French brother Raoul are much more appealing than flat-footed daddy Ralph. Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia, who starred in the Addams Family movies, brought fame to the name before his death in 1994.

Old time nickname that's starting to sound fresh again, à la Alfie and Freddie.

Alfredo, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese variation of Alfred, is most familiar as the romantic lead in Verdi's evergreen opera La Traviata. On a less romantic note, Alfredo is also the name of a pasta sauce.

More familiar to most English speakers in its Italian form, Tancredo, this Old School name is one to consider if you want something both authentic and highly unusual.

Also spelt Aethelred, this was the name of two Saxon kings of England. The most famous is Ethelred II "The Unready", who actually reigned as King twice: from 978-1013 and from 1014-1016. His nickname comes not from the modern word "unready", but rather from a pun on the Old English unræd "poorly advised" (Ethelred means "well advised" or "noble counsel").

Short form of Alfred that had fallen out of favor, but could come back alongside Alfie and other clunky old-style nicknames like Gus and Ike.

German, Scandinavian and Polish spelling of Konrad, borne by several German and Polish rulers throughout history, as well as the German chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

The surname Reynolds derived from the given name Reynold, which was common during the Middle Ages. Reynolds Woodcock was the name of the designer character played by Daniel Day Lewis in Phantom Thread. Reynie is a possible short form.

A name rich in historic, poetic, and operatic allusions, and an interesting Italian alternative to the more ordinary Giovannis and Giorgios. A current prominent surname bearer is Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo.

Serious surname choices, the latter form known via award-winning author Reynolds Price.

An undiscovered surname option that resembles the trendy choice Everett and boasts the stylish nicknames Levi, Rett, and Lev.

This marvelously medieval name had a moment in the 1910s and 1920s but has dropped completely off the radar now.

Derived from Germanic kuni "clan, family", but also a short form of Konrad, meaning "brave counsel". Konrad I, Duke of Swabia is also known as Kuno of Öhningen.

Alve is rising up the ranks in Sweden, but neither it nor Alf will be featured on American birth certificates anytime soon.

A truly gender-neutral surname name used equally between the sexes.

Back in the day, Con was a nickname for Cornelius and Conrad. Today it feels like a pet form of Connor.