By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 73 pages
of 73
Scottish, English
"the gates"
Admirers of the haunting works of esteemed Irish poet and playwright William Butler Yeats might consider this surname-style name, especially for the middle spot. Ultimately derived from the Old…
English literary name
Alas, poor Yorick, your name is fated to remain locked forever as a skull in Hamlet .
English
"from the yew estate"
Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and…
"winter solstice"
A possible Christmas name for a baby boy, if you find Noel too mundane. But we fear it doesn't sound very festive.
"queen"
A bit too close to "quandary" and "queen".
"freezing"
Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names…
English and French surname derived from a place-name, Gerville
Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
"kite"
Keats is both poetic and easier to pronounce (it's keets) than Yeats (which is yates).
"trumpet-shaped flower"
Literary heritage: the "Loony Tunes" girlfriend of Porky Pig. But with the increasing popularity of all kinds of unusual botanical names, Petunia may be a name we start to hear more of.…
"gates"
Yeats, the strong name of the great Irish poet, would work better for a boy. Also has possible pronunciation problem with people who might think it rhymes with Keats. Yeats rhymes with the word from…
English surname and place-name
A rather formal British surname that originated as a place name in the county of Lancashire.
English fruit name
Unlike the other fruit names that are just coming onto the baby name menu, Peaches is an old-timey nickname previously reserved for spangled showgirls, and now would be considered an outrageous --…
English nature name
Soft and creative update of Marsha.
"at the river crossing"
An established male name that might cross over to the girls' side -- though if it's a water name you're after, there are so many prettier choices.
"blond"
Place name and surname that sounds a tad snooty.
English and Cornish variation of Pascale
"Easter"
Updates the old religious day name.
English flower name from French
"thought"
Pansy is an early floral name that lost credibility when it became a derogatory slang term for gay people. Better these days: Posy or Poppy.
"rocky water"
One art name that sounds distinctly more masculine. Unless you're a big mobile fan, keep thinking.
English, from French, nature name
"falcon, a bird"
One of the bird names that's more appropriate for a boy, though it works for a girl too.
English word and nature name
"to swindle"
Bird name possibility, rarer than Lark and Wren but with the same short, punchy feel. Only five baby girls were named Finch in the most recent year, and four times as many baby boys.
