Updated October 2026
Across 180 pages
of 180
English
"tall one"
Longfellow is the first name of the eponymous hero of the classic 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town , later remade with Adam Sandler. But it's hard to imagine a modern parent using it except as a…
English variation of Jennifer
Does not improve on the pretty but overused favorite.
"ruler's hill"
Rarely heard surname name that lacks the lightness of other o-ending names.
Bulgarian, English
"raspberry; little warrior"
An international and unisex choice, Malin is a rare northern English name associated with the city of Sheffield. In this case, it would mean "little warrior". As a Bulgarian choice, it is a masculine…
"shared wood"
Not manly enough.
"spear man"
While not generally thought of as unisex, this is a male name that, like Perry and Barry, has occasionally been used for girls over the years.
English, Scottish, and French place-name
Some definite downsides: Massive, Messy.
"from the meadow"
Undiscovered single-syllable surname option, a friendly alternative to Reed.
"town by the lake"
Sounds like a displaced Dr. Seuss character.
Feminine variation of Frederick, English from German
"peaceful ruler"
Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness. The name…
"joyful"
Faine is a very unusual one-syllable option.
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.
"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.
English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel
Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.
"island-dweller"
Intriguing meaning, but stuffy sound.
English occupational name, carpenter or "nailer"
"nailer"
Unique name for the son of a woodworker.
Diminutive of Henrietta, English
"estate ruler"
It may take another generation or so, but this category of Hettie-Lettie-Lottie names could make a comeback.
"land or river bend shaped like a nose"
A family name that wouldn't appeal to many parents.