Occupational Names

Two completely different images come from its national pronunciations -- BOY-err or boy-AY -- the latter giving it an effete French accent.

Associated with archetypal folksinger Pete Seeger.

Adventurous and unusual choice from this trendy group in the wild new world of baby names.

Pell makes an unusual middle name choice. And if grandpa Seymour was a fur trader, you might do better to honor him by naming the baby Pell.

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.

This name's all-male occupational roots help it break the Barbara bonds, but still not the most inspiring surname choice.

So tied to being Jacqueline Kennedy's maiden name that it's best saved for a girl.

Driver seems prime for adoption as a first name, with the rise of occupational names ranging from Archer to Ranger to Sawyer.

Any name that combines two big trends -- in this case, occupational and western names -- has potential.

Conjures up a tweedy English country gentleman with a large paunch.

Offers much less than Bay.

The surname of humorist Ring is a new entry in the trendy occupational class -- but watch the lard.

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.

This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.

Unique name for the son of a woodworker.

An extreme example of the newly possible ecclesiastical brotherhood that includes Deacon and Bishop. This one might work better in the middle spot.

Also an English surname, Sender derives from Alexander and has an attractive modern sound. Though given to only a handful of baby boys per year, it nevertheless is in step with the brotherhood of er-ending choices fashionable today.

Hack is, unfortunately, both an unappealing word and sound.

With the new fashion for occupational names, we may hear more of this one.