This name was consistently in the boys' Top 200 until WW2. It's a name with so many dimensions to it: the hyper-masculine meaning, the surname-as-firstname trendiness, and the softer sound and connotation since homophone Carol was favoured in the 1940s and '50s for daughters. We think it's time for a resurgence of Carrolls amongst the boys.

Also spelled Bronisław, this Polish name has a strong, rugged meaning. It was briefly popular in France in the first half of the 20th century and has been notably borne by Polish anthropologist, Bronisław Malinowski and Polish Prime Minister, Bronisław Komorowski.