By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 73 pages
of 73
English
"day-bright"
Problematic, even if not for Dilbert.
"marsh town"
Fenton is the kind of surname name that's starting to sound almost like a normal first name these days. While it made a brief appearance on the Top 1000 in the late 1800s, today it's distinctive but…
"heathery hill"
Rarely heard Hayden alternative -- though, mark our words, you'll spend your life correcting everyone's pronunciation and spelling.
"heathery field"
Hemingway readers will recognize this as the name of Papa's first wife (and, eventually, actress Mariel's grandmother). But in Victorian times, Hadley and Hedley were actually more popular for boys.
English variation of Hywel, an eminent Welsh king
A familiar and usable last name turned first. Or you could look at it as a homophone of the verb howl, which gives it a wilder feel.
"valley of the river Kent"
Variant of Kendall
"a small salamander"
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
English word name
"rejoice"
Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.
"turbulent, stormy"
Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble? Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people…
"sandy ford"
A dated fifties surname name that led to the nickname SAndy.
"stony ford"
Even if you're a loyal alumnus, consider something less ultraupright, like Yale or Cal.
"fortress; strong leader who defends."
Warrick has recently come into the spotlight as the character Warrick Brown on the TV show CSI . The more conventional spelling is Warwick, a medieval English noble name.
English occupational name
"weaver"
Webster is one of several W-starting surname names back on the drawing board, now that it has recovered from its childlike eighties sitcom identity. Webster was used in respectable numbers in the…
Literature, compound of Arabella and Aminta, Greek
"loveable; unyielding + defender; unfading"
Araminta is a poetic and enchanting eighteenth-century invention with plenty of elegance and a touch of old-fashioned clunkiness. It first appeared in William Congreve's 17th century comedy The Old…
"dwelling in an enclosure"
Severe surname choice.
"wool carder"
Highly unusual but stylish-sounding occupational name, with a pleasant association with gardens.
"hilly land, from the cliff"
A presidential and place-name that's not a stand-out in either category.
"woman from Magdala or high tower"
Biblical name long associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen, now rising improbably into the ranks of the fashionable among parents hungry for classic yet distinctive girls' names. The…
English, diminutive of Melvin
"council protector"
Though most Mels are playing pinochle with Murray and Morris, there was a notable Saint Mel. He is one of the earliest Irish saints, a nephew of St. Patrick. He became a priest, then built a great…
English or Hebrew, spelling variation of Avery or feminine short form of Avraham
The name recently given to their daughter by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr. is pronounced like Avery and may be seen as a kree8tiv spelling variation of that popular unisex name or a girlish short form…
