Names That Mean Dweller
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About this list
The names
Hallie
English
"dweller at the meadow by the manor"
Hallie -- it rhymes with alley and is not to be confused with Halle or Hailey or Holly -- is one of those comfy nicknamish names that are in favor in these complicated times. Hallie's popularity has…
Ashley
English
"dweller near the ash tree meadow"
Ashley was a sensation in the 1980s and 1990s; it hit Number 1 in 1991. Ashley is still pretty but more and more parents are turning to newer names like Ashlyn and Aubrey, and spellings such as…
Blair
Scottish
"dweller on the plain"
In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former…
Forrest
English
"dweller near the woods"
Forrest is one of the earliest appealingly sylvan, outdoorsy choices, borne by newsman Sawyer, actor Whitaker, and football Hall of Famer Gregg. Forrest Gates was a character on "Buffy the Vampire…
Ford
English
"dweller at the ford"
The long association to the Ford Motor Company doesn't stand in the way of this being a strong, independent, single-syllable name. Owen Wilson named his son Robert Ford—although the baby's name was…
Lamar
English from French
"dweller by a pool"
While it may sound a little dated, Lamar is a name that has never been outside the US Top 1000, but it is in danger of falling off the list. Lamar Odom is a retired professional basketball player.
Heath
English
"the heathland dweller"
Rugged and outdoorsy, Heath was an obscure choice until the 1960s when it was used in the television series, The Big Valley for character Heath Barkley. It peaked in the 70s when it reached the US…
Halie
Greek mythology name
"dweller in the sea"
Halie is the name of several figures in Greek mythology, most of them sea nymphs. The most prominent mythological Halie was the mother of Rhodos, who gave her name to the island Rhodes, and six sons…
Chanel
French
"dweller near the canal"
Fans of the classic French designer would now more fashionably choose Coco.
Hollis
English
"dweller at the holly trees"
Hollis is a surname-name used quietly for both genders. At last count, it was given to over 200 baby boys and 160 baby girls in the US. Now a Top 1000 name for boys, it could well break into the…
Kelby
English
"dweller at the farm by the stream"
This British last-name-first-name could make a more masculine alternative to Shelby.
Beverly
English
"dweller near the beaver stream"
The remarkable success of the girls' name Everly makes a revival of the name Beverly seem possible. More commonly a masculine name in the 19th century, it began to be used for girls in the early…
Brandt
German
"dweller on burnt land"
Less commercial-sounding than Brand.
Blair
Scottish
"dweller on the plain"
One of the first generation of cool surname names, now largely used for girls in the US, but still popular for boys in its native Scotland. A prominent association for Brits is former prime minister…
Ashly
Variation of Ashley, English
"dweller near the ash tree meadow"
Ashley lost some of her substance.
Ashley
English
"dweller near the ash tree meadow"
It may have peaked at #1 for girls in 1991 and 1992 in the US, but Ashley actually has a long history as a male given name, as evidenced by the sensitive Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind . It's…
Perry
English
"dweller near a pear tree"
It's a long time now since this casual but suave name was linked to velvet-throated, cardigan-sweatered singer Perry (born Pierino, son of Pietro) Como's day... and this could be the moment for a…
Brent
English
"dweller near the burnt land"
One of several blunt B names just this side of the gender divide. While its short and to-the-point sound may feel modern, it has been declining steadily since the 1980s. David Brent is Ricky…
Alton
English
"dweller at the old town"
The sort of formal surname name more popular in another era; Dalton's a more modern relation.
Baer
German
"bearlike, dweller at the sign of the bear"
Reversed vowels make it seem less fierce.
