By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 47 pages
of 47
English
"town by the lake"
Sounds like a displaced Dr. Seuss character.
English nickname
The mute, horn-honking Marx Brother's real name was Adolph -- so Harpo represented a huge step up. Also, it's Oprah's production company (her name spelled backward).
"ridge where charcoal is burnt"
Name of a poet, this will be one for consideration by literary parents. The name fits well with the current trend towards surnames as given names, but beware the three syllable pronunciation, which…
"beyond the cottage"
Upstanding New England patrician name.
, English, diminutive of Clement
Laid-back and humble, with a distinctive down-home charm.
English place-name
"the moors"
Moore is recommended as a rich and satisfying middle name choice, whether it relates to your own family history or not. Of the numerous outstanding Moore-surnamed namesakes, count sculptor Henry,…
"moor, meadow clearing"
Gently pleasant English family name long associated with 60-Minuteman Morley Safer.
"of the cliff"
Best known from actor-comedian Cleavon Little, Cleavon feels less soap opera than Cliff and quite really on-trend right now.
"dead sea"
Other kids might see a teasible connection to mortician or mortuary. Mortimer is an English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses; it was Walt Disney's original choice…
"town near the moor"
An English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses, but hardly heard since th 1950s.
"hill of the church"
Distinguished though it is, it will never shake its portly cigar-smoking image.
English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel
Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.
English word name
"Christ festival"
Very occasionally given to babies born on December 25th, Christmas is a bold, declarative choice. When it is used, it is usually in the middle spot, with notable bearers including Danish politician…
"island-dweller"
Intriguing meaning, but stuffy sound.
English occupational name, carpenter or "nailer"
"nailer"
Unique name for the son of a woodworker.
"maker of breeches"
One of the most distinguished names in literature could become a hero name in a family of poetry-lovers -- or be seen as a trendy new occupational name.
"land or river bend shaped like a nose"
A family name that wouldn't appeal to many parents.
"new building"
Surname choice that's neither new nor bold. Newbold was the middle name of Edith Wharton.
"new borough, new settlement"
A name only a bully could love.
English variation of Neville
One of several surnames beginning with New that nevertheless sound anything but.
