Updated October 2026
Across 65 pages
of 65
English
"command of the valley"
Upscale and upstanding.
"cottage near the lake"
Similar in style or sound to Prescott, Maverick and Beckett, this far rarer name feels formal and strong. Notably borne by socialist Talcott Parsons, nicknames Tal or Otto might soften it a little.…
"dweller near the temple"
Rather formal word name that has been used occasionally over the years, most notably for the autism activist and animal expert Temple Grandin.
"temple settlement"
Butler name, and also that of the rat in Charlotte's Web .
"place with thatching"
The name of the famous British man of letters might just appeal to some English majors as a more interesting alternative to Zachary. An appropriate playmate for Russell Crowe's boy Tennyson.
Medieval form of Theobald
"from bold people"
Similar in sound to the French "Thibault", which is far more popular, Tybalt is best known as the bloodlustful and brawling cousin of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . Perhaps this…
"farm, village"
Brusque and charmless, two things you don't want your son to be.
Norse
"Thor the warrior"
Pleasant surname connected to humorist James Thurber, with a sound as happy as a baby's gurgle.
English and Scottish occupational name
"metalworker"
If you're tired of Oliver, you might consider this energetic three-syllable surname instead, so you could have a little Tolly instead of an Ollie. Tolliver is a not-too-obvious occupational Scottish…
English word and nickname
One of the magical words of childhood (and beyond), and associated with actor Treat (born Richard) Williams, whose nickname came from ancestor Robert Treat Williams, a signer of the Declaration of…
"divided in two"
Twain can be thought of as a modernization (and possible namesake) of the dated Wayne, seasoned with the humor of Mark Twain, who adopted it from a river term.
"yew-tree valley"
A secret nature name for boys.
"upper town"
Uppity name associated with muckraking novelist Upton Sinclair.
"upper forest"
Even more uppity than Upton.
"banner"
He'll have to prove his humility.
English, Irish
"from the marsh or fen; fair"
No, not Ben (you'll say a million times), not Van -- Venn. John Venn was a British logician and philosopher famous for introducing the Venn diagram, which is used in several fields, including logic,…
English from French
"alder"
Upper-class surname in England that might be prime for adoption here.
English nature name
Unusual and simple nature name worthy of further consideration.
English occupational name
"wagon maker"
A surname style name that could make an alternative to Wayne or Wyatt.
Place name
Place names for boys are few and far between; this one would make a singular choice. Prince William of Wales uses this as a surname when required, as in his military life; Jimmy Wales is the…