Names That Mean Man

There have been manly men called Fran, like football great Fran Tarkenton and Hannah's boyfriend in one season of Girls, but that doesn't mean it works for babies anymore of either gender. Pope Francis may have inspired many little namesakes, but they're called Francis or Frances or Francesca....or maybe Frank or Frankie or Franny. Not Fran.

As a given name, Franky peaked for boys in 2007 when it was used 94 times.

The way the French allude to Charlie Chaplin could make a charming name on its own, or a hip nickname alternate to Charlie or Chuck. It's also used in the Creole community.

Might translate, thanks to Darren connection.

A handful of baby girls are still named Carlene every year, but today other feminizations of Charles or Carl, from Carly to Charlotte, are much more popular.

Obscure Japanese pick, recognizable to fans of the 1989 Japanese science fiction horror film Tetsuo: The Iron Man.

The double Ts are pronounced with a slight pause between them like in "nighttime."

Farquhar has a great meaning, but unfortunate potential for mispronunciation. It was originally a given name in the Scottish highlands, but is more commonly known today as a surname. It's occasionally given to children in Scotland, but rarely if ever elsewhere. (And no, the character in Shrek was Lord Farquaad.)

More often spelled ALBAN, Alben is an ancient and highly unusual name. Alben Barkley was Harry Truman's vice president.

If it's not too phlegmatic for you, this surname and name of a Scottish clan could honor a number of people, especially Alexander Fleming, the father of antibiotics, and Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.

Rising fast for boys both as a stand-alone name and as a nickname to Cassius or Cassian, Cash also has potential to cross over to the girls' side — either as an edgy word name, or as a diminutive of names such as Cassia and Cassandra.

Arabic or Islamic spelling of Adam

Army plus meaner equals an unappealing name.

Despite its virtuous meaning, Fergall - along with the more standard spellings Fergal, Ferghal and Fearghal - has never made it across the ocean. In the States, Fergall is a rare yet pronounceable name with strong ties to Ireland. In its native land, it's been worn for over a thousand years by everyone from chieftains to poets to sportsmen, and still appears steadily in birth records.

Retro nickname for Charles that has the potential for revival, a la Hal, Ike, and Gus.

Diandra is one of many variations on Diana, but lacks its classic class. Associated with Michael Douglas's first wife, who is of Austrian heritage.

Definitely a far stretch for any child.

Frisco is a frisky, roguish semi-place-name (San Francisco natives never call it that) that could make a lively, unusual o-ending choice.

The exact origins of Drace are unknown — it may be a form of Drake, meaning "dragon" or perhaps of Drees, a Dutch variant of Andrew, meaning "man". Has potential alongside rhyming names like Chase and Trace.

A form of Suleiman (the Arabic version of Solomon) especially used in France and francophone North Africa. The singer Slimane won the French version of The Voice in 2016. Actress Karima McAdams, who has Moroccan heritage, and rapper Professor Green, gave their son this name in 2021.