Bruce is a Norman place name made famous by the Scottish king Robert the Bruce, who won Scotland's independence from England in the fourteenth century. Hugely popular in the 40s and 50s, it has since declined in popularity, but nevertheless remains in the US Top 600 and has featured consistently in the latter end of the England and Wales Top 1000 since the 90s.

Rose and Briar are popular, and Hawthorn is cool – so why not the equally prickly Thorne? The E ending gives it a surnamey spin à la Hawthorne.

Shaw is a streamlined and more modern-sounding Shawn, with many notable surname namesakes.

There's a Perth in Scotland and a bigger one in Australia; this name could make a statement similar to Heath.

Heavy and horsey.