Occupational Names

A wild word name with a poetic and fantastical feel, Stargazer fits in with celeb-style choices such as Whimsy, Poetry, Brother, Romance, and Locket. While it might not be practical as a first name, it could work as a bold middle name to honor someone who is into astronomy or astrology.

Farrar has two separate origins: an occupational name meaning "smith", and a Scottish river name, from a Pictish word meaning "to wind". Barely ever recorded as a first name, Farrar is a blank slate that fits with the surname style that's popular today.

Burrell is a masculine surname that has transitioned to use as a first name. It has Old French and Germanic origins, derived from "borel" meaning "reddish-brown" or possibly referring to coarse cloth. As a surname, it was often occupational, associated with cloth-makers or those with reddish complexions. As a given name, Burrell remains uncommon, giving it distinction and character. The name carries a certain dignity and traditional quality, often appealing to parents seeking uncommon names with historical roots. Burrell has maintained a steady but low profile in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.

Glover is a masculine name that originated as an English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold gloves. This heritage connects it to the tradition of surname-to-first-name transitions that became popular during the 20th century. While relatively uncommon as a first name, Glover carries a distinguished, professional quality with historical depth. Its most notable bearer is likely actor Danny Glover, which has helped maintain recognition of the name. As a first name, Glover peaked in limited usage during the mid-20th century in the United States but remains rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name's crisp sound and straightforward pronunciation combine with its occupational roots to create a name with understated strength.

An occupational surname that hasn't made the limelight like Carter, Baker, etc., but is equally stylish.

Latimer is an English occupational surname that referred to someone who translated documents to and from Latin. It was derived from the French latinier and latimier, of the same meaning.

The surname of the influential early Scottish inventor of logarithms could make an inspiring middle name choice for a mathematically inclined family.

Brewer is a surname turned first name that comes from the occupational name for someone who brews beer. Definitely a cool guy name.

Would be an obscure but winning entry in this category, except for its similarity to the word brassiere, which would certainly arouse unwanted attention in grade school.

Might make a good middle name for the child of a musician, though people could think you were honoring your BMW.

Barker may be appealing to parents looking for a name with many layers - not only does it share a meaning with the more common Shepherd and Tanner, it also brings to mind the bark of a tree, making this a surreptitious choice for nature enthusiasts.

Other occupational names would be more commonly accepted, though the Mad Men character has certainly brought it to the fore.

Sadler is another new entrant in the trendy occupational surname category, one particularly prime for a horse lover.

Cooper would be a more engaging C-starting occupational choice.

Miner is a masculine occupational name derived from the English language, referring to someone who works in mines extracting coal, ore, or other minerals. As a first name, Miner is uncommon and carries strong working-class connotations, evoking images of hard work, determination, and industrial heritage. The name gained limited use in America during the 19th century when occupational names were occasionally adopted as given names. While rare in contemporary usage, Miner might appeal to families with mining heritage or those seeking a unique, rugged name with clear meaning and historical significance.

An occupational name for the steward of an estate, but more people will know it as a word name from mathematics, meaning an important component. The rapper Graham Murawsky thought it was cool enough to use as his stage name.

A not uncommon surname in Northern England that remains uncommon as a first name everywhere.

Fowler is a masculine name of English origin that began as an occupational surname. It originally referred to a person who hunted wild birds or was a bird-catcher (from the Old English 'fugelere'). As a first name, Fowler is quite uncommon, representing the trend of using traditional surnames as given names. This practice became more popular in the United States during the 20th century, especially for boys. Fowler has a distinguished, somewhat aristocratic sound that appeals to parents seeking a name with historical roots and a professional tone. Its rarity as a first name makes it distinctive while still being recognizable and straightforward to pronounce and spell.

Male name from Irish mythology makes stylish-sounding choice for girls.