By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 47 pages
of 47
English
"nail maker"
This is an occupational surname for one who made nails and has been used by one Berry to honor a Canadian World War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude…
Literary surname
Crusoe, as in castaway hero Robinson, is a literary invention by author Daniel Defoe. In the novel, the character says his name is an Anglicization of the German Kreutznaer, which may be a place name…
English word name
"moral depravity or corruption"
This scary word name was given to five baby boys in the US in 2013, entering the lexicon for the first time. Are the boys named Vice destined for a life of crime, or the creation of a media empire?
Word name
"fiream"
A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the…
"man from Flanders"
If it's not too phlegmatic for you, this surname and name of a Scottish clan could honor a number of people, especially Alexander Fleming, the father of antibiotics, and Ian Fleming, the creator of…
Invented name
Riggan found fame as the first name of the hero of the Oscar-winning film Birdman, played by Michael Keaton. Riggan has the two-syllable n-ending surname feel so trendy for boys' names today. It may…
"village with oak trees"
This name's buttoned-up British vibe is what makes it cool - that, and the fact that it was chosen by Anne Bronte as her pseudonym - Acton Bell. That's quite the literary - and may we add feminist -…
"slow, sad, songs of lamentation; a music genre of black American folk origin"
While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase…
"meadow of oak trees"
Acker is a surname name that has not seen much use to date, but given it's lush nature meaning (and the fact that it also means "friend" in Somerset slang) this could be a cute choice for parents…
English surname
"grower of darnel"
Darnel, the plant from which this name derives, is an intoxicating plant, which used to be grown to make medicines and poisons.
"flood plain"
Rarely heard name that could sub for Graham.
English from Hebrew
"grass"
New Testament, Texas, and Kansas place-name more fitting for a girl.
"son of Robert"
An original way to honor an ancestral Robert. Hobson is outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for boys.
"woods with a stream"
For die-hard Fleetwood Mac fans, though Fleet is definitely a cool short form.
"son of Roger"
A possible nod to grandpa Roger, though somewhat stuffy.
"from the island in the river"
Possible middle name for devotees of detective Sherlock...or the actress Katie.
English occupational name
"shepherd's hook"
fuhgeddaboutit.
"wooded hill"
As a surname, it's most familiar as Hearst -- publishing magnate William Randolph and kidnapped granddaughter Patty. Few would use it if it wasn't their own family name.
"gray settlement"
Sweet and southern-feeling, maybe thanks to Horton Foote, author of Tender Mercies and The Trip to Bountiful, not to mention the Dr. Seuss connection.
"place in an enclosure"
A family name, a bit haughty.
