By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 47 pages
of 47
English
"dweller by the wood"
With the current taste for last names first, this sounds a lot cooler than Shawn; it also has creative connections to the great Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, novelist Irwin Shaw, and Big…
"place on a ledge or bank"
We're not too surprised that Shelton Lee changed his name to Spike.
"shield-wolf"
Randolph is a timeworn classic that had its last hurrah in the 1940s, when Randolph (born George) Scott was starring in westerns, but then was probably done in by its tricky nickname Randy (which,…
English, a contraction of Wilkins
Try Abraham or Lincoln instead.
English, contraction of Dennison
This could be a possible replacement for the overused Tyson, though it has something of a commercial feel related to the brand of vacuum cleaners.
English occupational name
"shearer of woolen cloth"
Not quite as over-the-hill as Herman, but not far behind either.
English word name
This shimmery Age of Aquarius unisex flower child name is making a comeback, along with metal and gem names like Steel, Jade, and Ruby.
English, diminutive of William
"resolute protection"
Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names.
"dweller at the farm by the stream"
This British last-name-first-name could make a more masculine alternative to Shelby.
"son of Matthew"
Madison was at one time a strictly boys' presidential name, reaching as high as Number 311 at the end of the nineteenth century. That all changed in 1985 when it entered the girls' list, zooming up…
"descendant of Moses"
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies…
"son of the gray-haired one"
Waspy surname-name most closely associated with visionary magazine editor (Edward) Graydon Carter, who created Spy and Air Mail and was the longime editor of Vanity Fair . More substantial than Gray,…
Variation of Auberon
"elf king; noble bear"
The Shakespearean character Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream is King of the Fairies, but the name, with its bold 'O' beginning has plenty of strength alongside its magical qualities. Oberon was…
"path hill"
This could be a new variation on the megapopular Braden-Caden-Haden bunch, or a nonmilitaristic form of Patton.
"dear friend"
A twist on Darwin with the same friendly meaning. Its lovable-nerd feel is given a cool edge by several football players with the name.
"son of Vincent"
For Grandpa Vincent.
English, diminutive of Walter or Wallace
A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?
"weaver"
This pleasant single-syllable surname might be especially appealing to someone involved with the internet (and who isn't?)--even if some others might see it as a drawback. Webb is one of those names…
"Charles' town"
A surname name, most popularly associated with actor Heston, has a blue-blooded ring to it. Charlton is also a more unusual pathway to evergreen nickname Charlie.
English word and nature name
"to swindle"
It feels like Finch should be a modern bird name that's as popular as Wren or Lark, but that's not the case - so it's one to consider if you're looking for a nature name that's familiar but rare.…
