Names That Mean Fort

Cashel is one of the many appealing Irish names that have not yet emigrated to the US. Cashel was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller for their son.

A punchy modern Cornish name derived from a place name, which is of disputed origin. It is sometimes said to derive from a rare Welsh name, Maeldaf, plus dinas, the Cornish for "fort". Another theory is that it comes from Cornish ty "house" plus malsai "eel" – likely a reference to Cornwall's fishing trade.

Buford has lost any charm it once had. Try Beauford instead.

Noted bearers of this surname include a metaphysical poet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a baseball Hall of Famer, so there's plenty of hero-name inspiration.

Most parents would prefer to leave the car part parked in the garage.

Combine the charm of Beau with the strength of Ford and you’ll get Beauford, an attractive French surname waiting to be discovered. The most notable bearer is Beauford Delaney, a modernist painter who participated in the Harlem Renaissance.

This evocative word name conjures up royalty, drawbridges, and medieval chain mail knights. The word castle was derived from the Latin castellum, meaning "fortified place." Castle was first recorded on the charts all the way back in 1916, when it was given to five baby boys. After the better part of a century, Castle reappeared in 1998 and has been trending upwards ever since.

A common French surname, typically for someone who was from one of the numerous places called Beaufort in France. A refined route to laid-back nickname Beau.

An offbeat form of Buford that you're unlikely to find on birth certificates today. Maybe for a pet.

Possibility for fans of science fiction writer Ray.