Unique Names from History

Durant

English and French from Latin

"enduring"

Durant's meaning signifies staying power, a good quality to impart to your child. Notables with the surname Durant include Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Will and Ariel Durant, most famous for their…

Erasmus

Greek

"beloved, desired"

Erasmus has long retained the image of the bearded and bespectacled Dutch philosopher, but could be one that the audacious baby namer just might dare to dust off. The fourth century Saint Erasmus was…

Catullus

Latin, meaning unknown

Bearded, fusty name of great old Roman lyric poet; just what the bold vanguard baby namer might be looking for.

Genghis

Mongolian

"universal ruler"

Everyone has heard of Genghis Khan, 12th century warrior and founder of the Mongol empire. The name was brought into the modern world by soccer star Hope Solo and football player Jerramy Stevens, who…

Gervase

Variation of Gervaise, French

"skilled with a spear"

This venerable name was introduced to England by the Normans after the conquest of 1066 and was relatively common during the Middle Ages. Saint Gervase, a Christian martyr from Milan, has lent the…

Giffard

English

"puffy cheeks"

A popular first name in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, giving rise to surnames Gifford et al. Could enjoy a comeback thanks to trendy Griffin.

Gilgamesh

Akkadian from Sumerian

"the [kinsman] is a hero"

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an Akkadian poem from Mesopotamia and one of the oldest works of literature that survives today. It follows the story of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian king who journeys to find the…