By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 35 pages
of 35
Ocean name; from Latin
"tranquil"
Pacific is an adventurous kind of place-name, with the added bonus of the association with peace.
Latin
The name Pacificus has historical roots in Christian tradition, where it was adopted by several saints and religious figures for its peaceful meaning. Pacificus emerged during the early Christian era…
"villager, country-dweller"
While patriot Thomas Paine is a worthy honoree, the mere association with the word 'pain' knocks this name out of bounds.
"spiritual leader"
Pastor might be a brother for Parson and Deacon.
Latin and Basque
"happy"
Cute as a nickname, slight as a first.
French variation of Perry or Peter, English or Greek
"dweller near a pear tree or rock, stone"
Perine is an uncommon masculine name with French origins, likely derived from Pierre, the French form of Peter, which means 'rock' or 'stone.' Historically, Perine, sometimes spelled Perrine, has…
"passage"
The perv connection crosses this name off the list.
"five"
Roman statesman and Caesar rival whose name, like other classical choices, was occasionally used for enslaved people. The Pompeo version could rise again.
"first"
The revival of long-dormant Roman names would put this back in the lexicon if it wasn't so connected to a telecommunications network.
"official, administrator"
With the new fashion for occupational names, we may hear more of this one.
Latin or Greek
"crossing swords; strong"
Pronounced KILL-on, might lead a young boy astray--though that doesn't seem to have halted the progress of the popular Killian.
"a spearman, a warrior"
An adolescent boy might have problems with the first syllable.
Romanian, Bulgarian, Basque, from Latin
"from the Sabines"
Listed in the Quran as one of the "People of the Book," this male equivalent of Sabina is undiscovered and ripe for the adventurous baby namer. There was also an 8th-century Bulgarian Khan with the…
"savior"
The original version of an Old World name more often found as the Spanish Salvador or the Italian Salvatore.
Spelling variation of Sergeant, Latin
"to serve"
One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative, artistic association with painter John…
Sargent, as in Kennedy brother-in-law Shriver, is the more familiar and usable form of this name.
"mender"
Associated with both Renaissance painter Andrea del Sarto and a contemporary brand of shoes, this Italian surname name has a stylish, artistic air.
"staff or walking stick"
This surname of an ancient Roman invader of Africa is an intriguing, undiscovered option. Derived from a Latin word meaning "staff" or "walking stick", it can be pronounced as SKEE-pee-o in Latin and…
"scorpion"
Of all the astrological names —think Leo, Aries, Gemini— Scorpio probably has the most dramatically potent presence, which could prove something of a burden to a young boy. In the soap…
"the seventh son"
Septimus is one of the more dashing of the birth-order Latin number names that were revived by the Victorians. So even if you don't anticipate son number 7, you might be bold enough to consider this…
