Updated October 2026
Across 13 pages
of 13
Slavic variation of Christopher, Greek and Latin
"bearer of Christ"
Attractive attenuated form of the popular Christopher, well used throughout Europe, appearing as Christophe in France and Christoph in Germany.
Irish
"swarthy"
This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion. Duff…
Saraf is a masculine name with origins in several cultures. In Arabic, it means 'money changer' or 'banker,' derived from the word for currency exchange. In Persian and Indian contexts, it has…
Spelling variation of Rudolph, German
"famous wolf"
You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.
Jhef is a masculine name that represents a modern spelling variation of Jeff or Jeffrey. The traditional Jeffrey derives from Germanic elements meaning 'peace' and 'traveler' or 'district.' This…
Rodolf is a traditional masculine name that represents an older spelling variant of Rudolf or Rudolph. It derives from Germanic elements meaning "fame" (hrod) and "wolf" (wulf), combining to signify…
Turkish and Arabic
"first letter in the alphabet, slender"
This is the Turkish form of Alif, the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. Actor Natalie Portman gave another spelling to her son, Aleph. Elif can also mean "slender", from the Turkish…
Jef is a simplified, short form of Jeffrey or Geoffrey, names with Germanic origins meaning 'peace' or more precisely 'divine peace.' This concise spelling variation maintains the same pronunciation…
Clyff is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Cliff, which itself is typically a shortened form of Clifford or Clifton. These names derive from Old English elements meaning…
American nickname
The quintessential midcentury nickname, famously found in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman." Biff is late 19th century slang meaning to "hit", so Biff may have originated as a nickname for a…
English
"elf counsel"
Short form of Alfred that had fallen out of favor, but could come back alongside Alfie and other clunky old-style nicknames like Gus and Ike.
Hebrew
"chief, number one"
Alef was brought into the spotlight when Natalie Portman chose the alternate spelling Aleph for her son. This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, similar to calling your child Alpha or Primo.
Josiff is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Joseph, which derives from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' This particular spelling variation…
Randolf is a masculine name with Germanic origins, combining the elements 'rand' meaning 'shield' or 'rim' and 'wolf,' literally translating to 'shield wolf' or 'wolf shield.' This powerful…
Josif is a masculine name of Slavic origin, particularly common in Eastern European countries like Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Russia. It is a variant of Joseph, which comes from the Hebrew name…
Griff is a masculine name with Welsh origins, functioning both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of Griffin or Griffith. The name derives from the Welsh 'Gruffydd,' meaning 'strong lord' or…
Diminutive of Wilfred
A fairly common nickname in England that has never caught on in America. The rise of acronyms like MILF and DILF probably won't help its prospects going forward.
Swedish form of Gustav
"staff of the Geats"
A Swedish form of the Scandinavian classic, Gustaf was a Top 100 name in Sweden in the 90s and early 2000s. Pronounced as GUWS-stahv (uw like the sound in l oo k) in Swedish, but sometimes as…
Word name or diminutive of Gruffudd, English, Welsh
"rough; strong lord"
As an English word name, Gruff is rough round the outside with playful air, similar to Rowdy or Wilder, while as a Welsh nickname, it comes from the more stately Gruffudd meaning "strong lord". It…
McDuff is a masculine surname-turned-first-name with Scottish Gaelic origins. Derived from "mac Dhuibh" meaning "son of Duff" or "son of the dark one," it carries strong historical significance in…