Updated October 2026
Across 105 pages
of 105
English surname name
"friendly"
The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
English, variation of Foster
"scissors maker"
Forster, a variation of Foster or potentially even Forester, is associated with British novelist E.M. Forster, author of A Passage to India , Howard's End , and A Room with a View . But if you choose…
Scottish and English, medieval variation of Nicholas
Often used in England, but here likely to be confused with the feminine Nicole. Nicol Williamson was a Scottish-born actor once described by playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since…
Variation of Geary, Irish or English
"spear or fickle"
You might want to honor premier U.S. architect Frank Gehry--even though he was born Ephraim Goldberg. Gehry, pronounced like the more common surname Geary, may be a spin on the name Gary, which means…
English
"moor, meadow clearing"
Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.
Scottish
"little saint"
Excellent candidate for use as an undiscovered surname name. Niven is the Anglicized spelling of the Irish name Naomhan, a diminutive of the word naomh which means saint. This handsome but unusual…
Scottish occupational name
"producer or seller of table linens"
The surname of the influential early Scottish inventor of logarithms could make an inspiring middle name choice for a mathematically inclined family.
"near the stony meadow"
Perfect example of how your perception of a name can change when you apply it to the opposite gender: when used for a girl, Stanley suddenly becomes an attractive, upper-crusty name ala Ansley or…
"river with alder trees"
Scottish nature name that could prove a tongue- twister for the younger set.
Word name
Doctor is an honorific used as a name, somewhat like names such as Bishop, King, and Princess. Banned in New Zealand, Doctor can lead to the kind of confusion you may feel would be only positive for…
Word and occupational name
"writer"
An occupation name with a preppy, scholarly air, Author could fit in alongside Arthur and August or Chosen and Booker, in terms of sound and style. Author saw more usage that you might think in the…
English occupational name
Plummer might be an occupational name for someone who works with pipes -- yes, like a plumber -- or with feathers, from the Olde English (from the French) plume. Or it could indicate someone who…
Scottish nickname
"my pet"
Mungo is one of the most classic Scottish names but perhaps also among the most difficult names to carry. There is a St. Mungo whose proper name was Kentigern; he is the patron saint of Glasgow. It…
"son of Simon"
Try Simon. Or Homer.
English word name
"a group operated under unified control"
Fleet is one of the uncountable number of new word name possibilities, and a particularly cool choice at that. Connoting speed, Fleet beats Rush any day. Might be short for Fleetwood, but we prefer…
"dweller near the moor"
A common family name in Scotland, occasionally used as a first.
Verle is a rare masculine name with Germanic origins, possibly derived from words meaning 'truthful' or 'honest man.' It may also be a variant of Verlin or Verlon, which share similar etymological…
English surname and place name
"Cyneburga's meadow"
Kimberly is a variation of the South African (and Australian) place name Kimberley, named after John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley. The name comes from a Norfolk earldom (first spelled…
"mouth of the river Ro"
Takes Monroe out of the Dead Presidents category and gives it new life.
Scottish surname of Norman origin
"to reside, abide"
Traditionally pronounced "ming-iz" and thus the relationship to the jazzy Mingus, Menzies is an old Scottish surname related to the more common Manners.