By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 755 pages
of 755
Norse, Scottish Gaelic, “summer traveler”
A rare and evocative name which calls to mind warm, endless summer days. This is an Anglicized form of the Old Norse name Sumarliði, also found in Scottish Gaelic as Somhairle (pronounced SO-ar-lee).…
English word name
"endure pain"
A shocking but real example of a name used among enslaved people from 19th century America that reflects the terrible existence of slavehood.
"nice, benevolent"
Puritanical choice used for both sexes. In the early 20th century, Pleasant was primarily used for baby boys. The tides turned in the midcentury when Pleasant became more female, but these days it's…
"starry"
A brilliant choice, but one that has more potential for baby girls.
Variation of Kwasi, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Sunday"
Quashee was used in America and the Caribbean — particularly Jamaica — among enslaved people. It is derived from the traditional Akan name for boys born on Sunday, Kwasi.
American variation of Kojo, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Monday"
A common name among enslaved men and boys who were born on a Monday, named in the West African tradition based on birthday. Joe was a common nickname. The female equivalent is Juba.
American variation of Kwaku, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Wednesday"
The form of Kwaku commonly used by enslaved people in America and the Caribbean in the 18th and 19th centuries. Quaco was sometimes nicknamed or Anglicized as Jack, Jacco, or Jacky.
American variation of Yaw, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Thursday"
Borne by early enslaved people in America and the Caribbean who were born on Thursday. This follows the traditional West African day naming tradition.
American variation of Kofi, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Friday"
Cuff and Cuffee were borne by enslaved people in the US and Caribbean in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are Anglicized forms of Kofi, the Akan name for boys born on Friday.
"good luck"
A virtuous and optimistic name whose most famous bearer is the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.
English surname
"Abram's son"
The surname of filmmaker J.J. Abrams, used as a first name. It first appeared on the US charts in 2020. The M1 Abrams is a model of army tank.
English, word name
Otter first came onto the baby name radar when Zooey Deschanel used it as a middle name for her daughter in 2015. It entered the US charts the same year, but as a boy name. Cute, sleek and wild, it's…
Spanish
"devil"
The Spanish word for "devil" makes for a very daring baby name, but in the era of babies names Hades, Azrael, Loki and even Lucifer, it feels like a plausible possibility. Indeed, 5 baby boys were…
Catalan form of Francis
A streamlined and little-known (outside Catalonia) member of the Francis/Francesco family of names. The nickname Cesc ("sesk") is now popular there in its own right.
Catalan place name
A Catalan county name used for both girls and boys in its homeland.
Irish
"nobleman"
Irish spelling of Paddy, the traditional short form of Pádraig (Patrick) that was so common once upon a time that it became a byname for an Irishman. Páidí is gaining in popularity in Ireland once…
