Updated October 2026
Across 65 pages
of 65
English
"home of the Wassa people"
Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not.
"from farm by a spring"
Although it connotes a sense of well-being, not likely to be a popular choice.
"from the western brook"
Pompous and pretentious.
"from the western cottage"
If you find West not substantial enough, this would make a more solid path to it.
"from the white ford"
Quintessentially, stylelessly preppy.
"farm near the willows; willow town"
Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an…
"friend's farm"
This spelling of Winton has gotten considerable buzz via jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.
"friend's village"
Proper Bostonian.
"cottage near a stream"
One of many stuffy British W surnames that would subject an American boy to years of teasing before growing into it at age fifty.
"dweller at the white cliff"
Haitian-born rap superstar and humanitarian Wyclef ("Fugees") Jean has lent this name a powerful musical beat.
"battle stone"
Dignified first name of poet W. H. Auden, less exposed than his currently stylish surname.
English surname
"wood clearing"
Yardley is an English surname with a distinguished vibe, a la Chauncey and Clancy. Extremely rare for either sex, it would make a stand-out choice that still fits in with current trends.
Scottish, English
"the gates"
Admirers of the haunting works of esteemed Irish poet and playwright William Butler Yeats might consider this surname-style name, especially for the middle spot. Ultimately derived from the Old…
English literary name
Alas, poor Yorick, your name is fated to remain locked forever as a skull in Hamlet .
"from the yew estate"
Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and…
"winter solstice"
A possible Christmas name for a baby boy, if you find Noel too mundane. But we fear it doesn't sound very festive.
"beech tree"
If you prefer the woods to the ocean, you'll want to name your son (or daughter) Beech instead of Beach.
English word name
"bird"
The name of the teenaged son on the dear departed television show "Huff."
English, from German
"son of intelligence"
All the Fitz names are hard to carry, but this one has a wonderful meaning and might be a good middle name choice to honor a brilliant lineage.
"female goat"
Cheever has a nice, cheery sound, literary ties to novelist and short writer John Cheever and also, sideways, to the Edward Arlington Robinson narrative poem "Miniver Cheevy," as well as a subliminal…