Updated October 2024
Across 10 pages
of 10
English from French
"swelling"
Mythic lumberjack Paul may inspire some namesakes despite relation to similarly pronounced foot problem.
English
"riverbank where burrs grow"
Beautiful downtown Burbank -- about as glamorous a place-name as Akron...or Detroit.
"ford near the castle"
The stuffy-sounding name of a posh medieval village in the Cotswolds, in England, that some consider one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
"inhabitant of a fortified town"
Related to the word bourgeois; actor Burgess Meredith put this surname in first place.
"knotty wood; butler"
This name has a nicely fragrant woodsy feel, bringing it into the nature-tree name category. Its only well-known bearer, folk singer and Oscar-winning actor Burl Ives, had the full birth certificate…
"brown"
We don't see this one making it unless you have a compelling family reason.
"bristle"
Ruggedly appealing word name in the Thorn/Rider/Storm school of boys' names.
"dwelling place"
Most parents attracted to this name will be devotees of the author William and would be better off using it in the middle.
"shrub farm"
A busby is the English name for the fur military headdress originally worn by the Hungarian hussars . As a first name, Busby is also the unique name of iconic movie choreographer Busby Berkeley.
English occupational name
One occupational name unlikely to find a single taker.
"chief manservant"
An English occupational name and surname that brings to mind old, stately homes, black suits, and white gloves, Butler peaked back in 1919 when 30 boys were given the name. It hasn't appeared in the…
English contraction of "baron's home"
"baron's home"
Inevitable circus association.
"by the enclosure"
For fans of the (female) author A. S. ; makes an interesting alternative to Wyatt or the hotelish Hyatt.
English variation of Byron
Why not stick with the original.
"place cleared by burning"
Has some creative credibility via abstract painter Barnett Newman, but we'd prefer his nickname, Barney.
"grower or seller of barley"
A bit too bad-boy (think bars, beer, Harley) for us, as well as being the name of a grain.
"tanner"
Barker may be appealing to parents looking for a name with many layers - not only does it share a meaning with the more common Shepherd and Tanner, it also brings to mind the bark of a tree, making…
"beech tree"
If you prefer the woods to the ocean, you'll want to name your son (or daughter) Beech instead of Beach.
Word name or diminutive of Barbara
You can call your baby "babe," but don't name her that.
"axe-wolf"
Shakespeare's classic drunken fool. In fact, this name, carried to Britain by the Normans, was quite popular until it was brought into disrepute by the low-life character who haunts taverns with…