Clunky Cool Names
Across 5 pages
of 5
Earnest
Earnest is a masculine name of English origin that developed from the word 'earnest,' meaning 'serious,' 'sincere,' or 'determined.' The name gained popularity during the Victorian era when virtue…
Ethelmary
English combination of Ethel + Mary
"noble + drop of the sea, bitter, beloved"
A unique and vintage-feeling combo name, borne by silent child film star Ethelmary Oakland.
Drusilla
Latin
"fruitful"
Drusilla is an ancient Roman name, (probably) borne by descendants of Antony and Cleopatra, and is one of the 'illa' names that are ready for a comeback, especially with its cute short form Dru.…
Eudora
Greek
"generous gift"
Eudora is the name of five minor goddesses of Greek mythology and a major goddess (in the person of Pulitzer Prize-winning Eudora Welty) of modern American literature. Eudora is pleasant and…
Eusebios
Greek
"pious"
A pious and saintly name of Late Greek origin, Eusebios translates more literally to "good worship". It may be more familiar (though still rare) in its international forms, Euseby, Eusebio, and…
Gibson
English
"Gilbert's son"
An undiscovered patronymic surname, Gibson blends the cool, rugged feel of names like Bridger, Riggs, and Hudson with the clunky charm of names like Gilbert, Wilbur, and Digby. Associated with the…
Gilbert
German
"shining pledge"
Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style…
Gulliver
Irish
"glutton"
Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors…
Gwydion
Welsh
"born of trees"
A name from Welsh mythology. In the Mabinogion , Gwydion was a powerful magician who made his nephew a wife from flowers (Blodeuwedd, meaning "face of flowers").
Hamilcar
Phoenician
"brother of Melqart"
A historical name with a modern sound, best known for Hamilcar Barca, a 3rd-century BC Carthaginian general and father of the famous Hannibal. The name's meaning, brother of Melqart, refers to…
Avdotya
Russian form of Eudocia, Greek
"to be well pleased"
A Russian variant of the Greek Eudocia, Avdotya appears in Dostoevsky's novel, Crime and Punishment in which it is borne by the strong-willed sister of the protagonist. She is often referred to by…
Howard
German, English
"high guardian; brave heart"
Howard, once hugely popular in the Top 50 from the 1870s to early 1950s, hitting Number 24 in 1920 -- has been stuck in Dad-Grandad limbo for decades, but is showing some signs of stirring back to…
Horatio
English variation of Latin Horatius
"hour, time"
Like Horace, Horatio is a variation on the Latin Horatius, but its Shakespearean and optimistic Horatio Alger pedigree makes it an attractive up-and-comer, especially with its cool final o. A modern…
Dorothea
Greek
"gift of God"
Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off the charts since…
Hubert
German
"bright, shining intellect"
A name that sounds so old-fashioned some parents out there might conceivably find it quirky enough for a comeback, along with other one-time fuddie-duddies like Oscar and Homer. Along with other…
Ingrida
Lithuanian, and Slovakian form of Ingrid
"Ing is beautiful"
While snappy, vintage Ingrid is more widely used, the Lithuanian and Slovakian form shares the "clunky-yet-elegant" feel of Theodora, Dorothea, Gwendolyn, and Agatha. Derived from the Old Norse fríðr…
Leonardas
Lithuanian fom German
"brave lion"
Leo names are globally popular right now, and this form of Leonard is among the Top 20 boy names in Lithuania.
Lieselotte
German variation of Liselotte, combination of Liese and Charlotte
"pledged to God + free man"
Also spelled Liselotte, this is a clunky-but-cute compound name of German, Danish, Swedish, and Dutch origin. It combines elements of popular Elizabeth with popular Charlotte to create a name with a…
Honora
Latin
"woman of honor"
Honora and Honoria are two ways of softening the severity of Honor, while retaining its righteous meaning. They were predominant until the Reformation, when the Puritans adopted the abstract virtue…
Havelock
Scandinavian
"sea competition"
A name from medieval romance with an endearingly clunky sound, à la Sherlock. The most famous modern wearer was twentieth-century psychologist/sexologist Havelock (born Henry) Ellis.