Updated November 2023
Across 2 pages
of 2
English from German
"bright fame"
Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains…
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew…
German
"dominant ruler"
A classic old Norman name popular for a thousand years and favored for kings (Richard Nixon was named for Richard the Lionhearted), as well as the hoi polloi (as in every Tom, Dick and Harry),…
English
"free landholder"
A doubly Presidential name, via Pierce and Roosevelt, Franklin was given an initial boost via the fame of Benjamin Franklin. It also has a literary tie to the main character of the Wilkie Collins…
Latin
"young lion"
Lionel is one leonine name that hasn't taken off as cousins Leo and Leonardo have, though it did reenter the Top 1000 in 2010 after several years away; it was at its highest point in the 1920s and…
Welsh, variant of Mervyn
"sea hill"
Marvin has been neglected for so long that it's hard to believe that it has windswept Welsh roots. It also has some strong namesakes going for it -- singer Marvin Gaye, composer Marvin Hamlisch and…
Variation of Eloise, English and French
"healthy; wide"
Familiar in the UK where it has featured just outside or towards the end of the Top 1000 since the late 90s, this spelling was once a well-used option in the US too, peaking in the 1920s and 30s,…
Diminutive of Theodore or Edward, English
"gift of God; wealthy guardian"
Popularized by Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt Jr., Teddy is a sweet but substantial choice, similar in style to the likes of Charlie, Freddie, and Bertie. Appearing in the US Top 1000 for most of the…
English feminine variation of John, Hebrew
"God is gracious"
Joan was the perfect name choice for one of the leading characters on Mad Men , being a quintessential girls' name of the period. A Top 10 name in the 30s, a Top 50 name from the 40s through the…
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Combine the popularity of Betty White and Mad Men 's glamorous Betty Draper Francis, with the residual sweetness of Ugly Betty 's Betty Suarez, and the result is an impending return of the name. It's…
Irish
"swarthy"
An old Irish surname that was big in the 1960s, but would be an unexpected choice for a child now.
Lavon has multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the French surname 'La Von' or could be related to the Hebrew name 'Lavan' meaning 'white.' Alternatively, it might be connected to…
Leeroy is a name that originated as a variant spelling of Leroy, which comes from French le roi , meaning "the king." This name has historical roots going back to Norman times and was fairly common…
French surname
"from the forest of nut trees"
Popular President Franklin Delano Roosevelt inspired a brief fashion for this as a first name in the 1940s; almost never heard today.
Franklyn is a masculine name representing an alternative spelling of Franklin, which originated as an English surname meaning 'free landholder' or 'freeman.' The 'y' spelling variation gives the…
Hebrew
"light, or furrow, plowed field"
Symbolic name given to girls born on TuB'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
Delton is a masculine name with English origins, possibly derived from place names combining 'dell' (small valley) and 'ton' (town or settlement). It may also function as a variant of Dalton or…
Faustino is a distinguished masculine name with Latin roots, derived from 'Faustus' meaning 'lucky' or 'fortunate.' Popular primarily in Spanish and Italian speaking countries, it carries the essence…
Diminutive of Margery
Prime pert-teenager name in midcentury TV shows, replaced by Maggie.
English, Scottish
"valley between the hills; clean hill; from the dark glen"
With a hint of old-man clunkiness and modern surname style, Glendon is a name with Scottish and English origins. Connected to nature, it can mean "valley between the hills" (from its English roots)…