By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 50 pages
of 50
Saed is a masculine name of Arabic origin, typically a variant transliteration of Sa'id (سعيد), which means "happy," "fortunate," or "blessed." The name has been used throughout the Arabic-speaking…
Short form of Thaddeus or variation of Tad
Thad is a tad too slight to stand alone as a name, though as a short form of the imposing Thaddeus it's as serviceable as Ted or Ed.
Spanish
"trinity"
Trinidad, an island off Venezuela in the southern Caribbean, is Spanish for ‘trinity’ and is a common unisex name in Latin America. Notable namesakes include performers Trini Lopez (male) and Trini…
English
"meadow, field"
An English surname derived from multiple place names, which ranked in the Top 500 for boys in the US until the turn of the 20th century.
English and Scottish surname
"from the ford in the woods"
Woodford is a vintage surname name that rejoined the charts in 2022 thanks to the recent trend of woodsy names for boys. You can take your pick of two stylish nicknames: Ford or Woods.
Diminutive of Zedekiah
Newer than Zac, cooler than Ed, Ned, or Ted.
"graceful protection"
Though slightly haughtier and less accessible than cousin Edmond, Esmond could appeal to some parents seeing a distinguished appellation. It began being used (albeit sparingly) in England in the…
Kennard is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements "kenn" (meaning "brave, bold") and "hard" (meaning "strong, hardy"), creating the meaning "brave strength" or "bold and strong."…
Kord is a masculine name with Germanic origins, likely derived from Conrad, which combines the elements 'kuoni' meaning 'brave' and 'rad' meaning 'counsel' or 'advice.' This gives Kord the meaning of…
German
"hardy, brave, strong"
Sometimes pronounced MAY-nerd, which is death to a name. However, the name Maynard was given to 25 boys in 2022.
"divine protection"
Osmund is a masculine name with ancient Germanic origins, composed of elements meaning 'god' (os) and 'protection' (mund). With roots stretching back to Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures, it was brought…
English from German
"powerful counsel"
Serious surname choices, the latter form known via award-winning author Reynolds Price.
Sahid (also spelled Shahid or Saeed) is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'witness' or 'martyr.' In Islamic tradition, the term 'shahid' refers to someone who bears witness to faith through…
Short form of Sidney, French
"Saint-Denis"
Sid originated as a nickname for Sidney, but we like it on its own, a la Sara Quin's and Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen's sons. Sid Vicious, member of the band the Sex Pistols, gives this name a punk…
"victorious peace"
Also spelled Sigfrid, this hefty German name has an appropriately majestic meaning: "victorious peace". Fittingly, a famous bearer was the English World War I poet and pacifist Siegfried Sassoon.…
"victorious protection"
The connection to Freud is a strong one, but this German name has a strong and interesting sound and great nickname potential: Ziggy, Iggy, Sim, Sid...
English word name
Actor Wood Harris, best known for his role as Avon Barksdale in The Wire , brought this one into the lexicon. Wood is Harris's nickname -- his real name is Sherwin David -- but it's the name he's…
Manx, Scandinavian, Norse
"God is the protector; divine protection"
Ultimately derived from the Old Norse Ásmundr, Asmund is the Scandinavian and Manx form, predominantly used in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In the case of Norway, however, it is much more popularly…
Ballard is a masculine name of English origin functioning primarily as a surname before its adoption as a given name. Derived from the Old English 'bal' (ball) and 'heard' (hard), it historically…
English variation of Beaufort, French
"beautiful fort"
Buford has lost any charm it once had. Try Beauford instead.
