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),…
Scottish and Irish
"born of fire, handsome"
Kenneth may have lost much of its luster now, but Kenneth has had its moments of glory. The first king of Scotland was Kenneth, and Sir Kenneth, a Christian crusader, was the hero of the Sir Walter…
Diminutive of Benjamin, Hebrew
"son of the right hand"
Benny is a diminutive form of Benjamin, which comes from Hebrew and means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." Benny can also serve as a nickname for other names like Benedict, Bennett, or…
Greek
"foreign woman"
Barbara is back and among the fastest-rising names of recent years! Credit goes to 2023's breakout movie Barbie , which gave a new stylish feel to the classic Barbara and set it up to rank alongside…
Diminutive of Sarah
"princess"
Sally is a cheerful, fresh-faced girl-next-door name that was originally a nickname for Sarah, but has long been used independently. Sally was popular in the eighteenth century and then again from…
English and Irish from German
"ruler with the spear"
Both a saint's name and a presidential one via Gerald Ford—who was born Leslie—Gerald is a quintessential 1930s-40s name, when it ranked as high as Number 19. Hence all those nice middle-aged and…
"sacred name"
Jerome has a bespectacled, serious, studious image, just like its namesake saint, who was a brilliant scholar. St. Jerome is the patron saint of students, librarians, and archaeologists. Musical…
Latin
"noble, patrician"
Patricia still sounds patrician, though its scores of nicknames definitely don't. Wildly popular from the forties (alternately Number 3 and 4 throughout the decade) to the sixties, Patricia has been…
French, diminutive of Jeanne
Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.
Variation of Laurence, English from Latin
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"
A variant form of Laurence or Lawrence which ranked in the #200s in the US from the 1900s through to the 1960s. It didn't fall off the boys' Top 1000 until the late 1990s, following the huge…
Darrel is a masculine name of Old French origin, derived from 'Darrell,' originally a surname meaning "open-hearted" or coming from the French place name d'Airelle. The name gained popularity in…
Arlyn is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Old English elements 'earn' (eagle) and 'lin' (lake), creating a meaning of 'eagle lake.' Alternatively, it could be a…
Ronal is a masculine name that functions as a variant of Ronald or a shortened form of Ronaldo. Ronald derives from Old Norse elements meaning "ruler's advisor" or "king's power" (from "Rögnvaldr").…
Arleen is a feminine name of Irish origin, typically considered a variant of Arlene. Derived from the Gaelic elements meaning 'pledge' or 'oath,' it carries connotations of loyalty and commitment.…
Harlon is a masculine name with English and Germanic origins, likely derived as a variant of Harlan. The name Harlan comes from Old English elements meaning 'army land' or 'hare land.' Harlon emerged…
Nature name
Gale for boys is more a storm name than a short form of Abigail. Since Gale has resurfaced as the name of Liam Hemsworth's daring character in The Hunger Games , it has new force for boys.
English
"one who lives by the alder tree"
Occasionally heard in Ireland, small chance of success here.
Marleen is a feminine name of Dutch and German origin, derived as a variation of Marlene or a diminutive of Maria combined with the suffix '-leen.' It gained popularity in the mid-20th century,…