Nerdy Boy Names: Geek Chic Cool
- Adlai
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is just"Description:
Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.
- Herbert
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright army"Description:
Names ending in bert have long been in limbo, but with the return of Albert, maybe there's hope for Herbert. who could share the Bertie nickname. Herbert is a name that's been used by English speakers since medieval times, and was in the Top 25 in the US in the late 1920s, around the time of the presidency of Herbert Hoover, but there's been no sight of Herbert in the 21st century. Some Herberts, including novelists H. G. Wells and H. E. Bates, have preferred to go by their initials.
- Lemuel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"devoted to God"Description:
Lemuel is a neglected Old Testament name, with the friendly nickname Lem, that we're surprised hasn't been picked up on by parents who have known too many Samuels.
- Digby
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"town by the ditch"Description:
Digby is a place-name in Lincolnshire turned surname turned quirky first name that is starting to get some attention.
- Horatio
Origin:
English variation of Latin HoratiusMeaning:
"hour, time"Description:
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 reference is the charismatic TV character Horatio Caine played by David Caruso in CSI: Miami.
- Homer
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"security, pledge"Description:
Homer is a name that has traveled from the ancient Greek scribe of the great classical epics to Bart Simpson's doltish dad, and has also become the surprise hot celebrity pick of such parents as Richard Gere (his father's name), Bill Murray, and Anne Heche. Simpsons creator Matt Groening has both a father and a son named Homer.
- Griffith
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"strong lord"Description:
A classic Welsh name, softer than Griffin and friendlier to spell than Gruffudd - that hasn't had as much love as it deserves elsewhere. Namesakes range from medieval kings to the philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith, who left land to the city of Los Angeles. It's great in full, but Griff is cool too.
- Boris
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"to fight"Description:
Boris is one of the old Russian names being revived by chic Europeans; it hasn't quite made a comeback yet in the U.S., but it does have potential.
- Truman
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"loyal one"Description:
Truman is an upstanding presidential name that radiates an aura of integrity and moral truth, values any parent would want for a child. It seems definitely headed for a revival.
- Gulliver
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"glutton"Description:
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 Damian Lewis, of Homeland, and Helen McCrory also have a son named Gulliver.
- Giles
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"young goat"Description:
One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.
- Earl
Origin:
English aristocratic titleDescription:
Earl is a title name - brought to England by the vikings - that's out of fashion right now, unlike King and Duke. Its peak popularity was in the 1920s, which gives it a dusty great-grandpa feel, but there are also younger Earls in pop culture, like the reformed criminal in "My Name is Earl".
- Jarvis
Origin:
English variation of Gervase, meaning unknownDescription:
Jarvis, one of the original two-syllable nouveau boys' choices, is a saint's name with a certain retro charm and a nice quirky feel. Though Jarvis peaked in the late 1880s, he is beginning to sound fresh again.
- Dudley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"Dudda's meadow"Description:
It's easy to love a name that rhymes with "cuddly" and is also attached to the surname Do-Right -- once you ignore the "dud" connection.
- Whitman
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"white man"Description:
Whitman, a namesake surname for poet Walt, would be much more suited to a boy, probably because of that "man" part. Whit or Witt makes an uplifting short form which can be used on its own.
- Melvin
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"council protector"Description:
This once perfectly respectable surname has suffered decades of abuse, not least by Jerry Lewis's character in the fifties. NFL running back Melvin Gordon stars for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Llewelyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"lion"Description:
A distinctively Welsh name that's feeling more and more usable these days.
- Gunther
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"battle warrior"Description:
When it's spelled with two dots over the 'u' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the name of a character in Friends.
- Levison
Description:
Levison is a surname-derived masculine name with English origins, coming from the patronymic form meaning 'son of Levi.' Levi itself has Hebrew roots, meaning 'joined' or 'attached.' As a first name, Levison is uncommon and distinctive, offering a formal alternative to the more widely used Lewis or Levi. It carries a sophisticated, scholarly quality while maintaining the trendy pattern of using surnames as given names. Though rare in popularity rankings, Levison has appeal for parents seeking a traditional-sounding name with both Jewish and English heritage connections. The name offers the friendly nickname options of Lev or Levy.
- Sigmund
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"victorious protection"Description:
The connection to Freud is a strong one, but this German name has a strong and interesting sound and great nickname potential: Ziggy, Iggy, Sim, Sid...