Updated October 2026
Across 20 pages
of 20
Egyptian
"son of God"
Ramses was the name of several kings in Ancient Egypt, including the long-reigning Ramses II, known as Ramses the Great. Unfortuntely, some may associate it with the condom brand name.
English
"son of Anne"
Anson has always been rare, though you might think of actor Anson Williams, best known for playing Potsie Weber on 1970s sitcom Happy Days . As a direct result of the show's popularity, Anson charted…
"son of Garret"
As Harrison is to Harry, Garrison is to Gary: both of the longer versions sound more modern and appealing. NPR's Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor was born Gary.
Literary invention
"son of all"
German author Michael Ende created the name Atreyu for the protagonist of his 1979 novel The Neverending Story . In the original German translation of the book, the hero was Atréju — Atreyu is the…
English surname
"son of Evert or Eve"
An established surname that fits well with today's trend for the "Ever" sound – and a similar-yet-different alternative to Emerson. Historically, it denoted a descendent of Evert, a form of Everard,…
"son of the unspoiled forests"
Has that blunt masculine feel -- à la Cole and Kyle -- that many modern parents are drawn to.
Spelling variation of Carson
"son of the marsh-dwellers"
Carson is finally beginning to fall slightly after a nearly 2-decade reign of popularity, and we suspect its many spelling variations will follow suit.
Modern invented name
"son of Marcus"
Popular in the African American community, the De- prefix makes this a choice for sons of Marcuses.
Scandinavian
"Olaf's son"
An alternative to Oliver, Orson, or Colson, this Scandinavian surname is no longer tied exclusively to the well-publicized twins, Ashley and Mary-Kate. Instead, it fits in with other surname-style…
"Hugh's son"
Climbing the charts for boys, and has just begun to cross over for girls, despite the macho "hud" sound followed by the "son" syllable.
"son of Adam"
Despite its origin as a patronymic meaning "son of Adam", Addison really caught on for baby girls in the US around the turn of the millennium, following in Madison's footsteps to peak at #11 in 2007…
"son of David"
A surname style name used more popularly on boys but also given to about 100 baby girls in the US in a recent year. Associated with the American teen drama, Dawson's Creek , this last-name off shoot…
Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surname
"son of Jens"
The number one surname in Denmark could make a sophisticated and stylish girl's name. Jensen Huang is the (male) cofounder of AI giant Nvidia.
Spelling variation of Carson, English and Scottish
"son of the marsh dwellers"
The Y ending gives Carson a feminine spin. Carsyn is used for girls more than 70% of the time.
Latin or Irish,
"fourth, born fourth; son of Uaid"
Quade is a confident, contemporary-sounding name that would fit right in with classmates Cade, Zade, Slade and Jade, boasting the quirky Q-beginning. Quade Cooper is an Australian rugby star. With…
Welsh
"son of Rhys"
Some names referring to expensive things -- Tiffany, Armani, Porsche -- are in fact declasse, but Price transcends that label with its simplicity and strength.
"son of Tom"
Thompson is not as popular as Jackson or Harrison, but a novel way to circumvent Junior for the son of a Thomas.
Irish and Scottish
"son of Gerald"
Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.
"son of Neil"
Perfect name for TV Frasier's effete brother. In the 2020 film Palm Springs , Andy Samberg plays a character with the updated spelling Nyles.
"son of Henry"
Bulky surname honoring Grandpa Henry or Saul Bellow's Rain King.