The Wolfe spelling shifts this name from animal name to surname-name, aggressive to aristocratic, much like Wilde does for Wild. Some sources suggests that the original bearers of the Wolfe family name were all fierce and cunning, or worked as hunters of wolves, though it may be worth bearing in mind that "Wulf" was used as an element in a number of Old English given names too.

Tessin is a German surname drawn from several places in or near the Mecklenburg region of northeastern Germany. Rare as a first name, it can work for boys or girls.

A name that's long been popular for dogs on Chicago's North Side is now gaining traction among human babies. Wrigley Field is the Chicago Cubs' historic ballpark, originally named after the Wrigley Company, which made and sold chewing gum.

Wylie is one Celtic surname with as much appeal for girls as for boys. Wylie is ripe for spelling variations: Wiley is as appropriate as Wylie but when you spell it Wylei, as Corey Parker did for his son, you're getting into yooneek naming territory.

A German surname, Tessin is drawn from several places in or near the Mecklenburg region of northeastern Germany. This rare first name can work for either sex.

This lofty sounding surname might put in mind soaring skyscrapers, old castle turrets, or a city in France, but as a given name Towers has yet to catch on. Associated with Lord of the Rings, Mallory Towers, Fawlty Towers, Tim Powers, and a whole variety of other towers worldwide, there is the possibility that some may immediately think of the Twin Towers and understandably not wish to use the name.

With an easy-going and interesting sound, the surname-inspired Keyes might fit in with the likes of Hayes, Reese, Kai and Keegan. While Keyes has never appeared in the US stats, Key (perhaps as a variation of Kay or Kai) is given to a handful of boys each year.

With Leon and Leo both popular options, Lionel on the rise, and other lion-inspired names such as Ariel and Leandro gathering attention, Lyons might work for a contemporary baby.

This single syllable, plural-sounding name evokes ideas of travel, of standing and looking up to different skies. With its sharp sounds and sweeping meaning, it feels like it could fit in with Ocean and Atlas, or with Kai and Silas. Plus, while the Sky- names are currently more popular for girls in the US, the surname style of Skyes could perhaps lend it a slightly more masculine quality, as in the case of Brooks vs. Brooke.

A tumultuous nature-inspired option, Storms is A bold name that conjures up imagery of fork lightning and heavy clouds, awe-inspiring in both an impressive and formidable way. This could feel like quite a heavy association to carry off, but the word itself has a gentle quality, in tune with Story, Cam, or Rory.

Like a mash up of Hayes, Blaze, and Brooks, the surname style Bayes feels like it could fit in with other single syllable choices like Tate and Rhys. Deriving from either the Middle English baili meaning "bailiff" or the Old French baile referring to the outer, protective wall of a castle, Bayes is also associated with Bayes Theorem. Developed by philosopher, statistician, and reverend, Thomas Bayes, in the 18th century, it provides a mathematical formula for calculating the probability of a cause when you are given its effect.

Ridge and Riggs have already made the US Top 1000, and Ridges feels like a possible progression. Rugged, rough-and-tumble, and cool, Ridges could be an unexpected root to vintage nickname Reggie.

With Gabriel, Gage, Abel, and Gael in the US Top 1000, and the Anne of Green Gables a well-beloved book series and the inspiration for Anne with an E, Gables could make an off-beat but familiar choice. While Gable is given to a small handful of boys each year, Gables has yet to catch on.

Summer, Summers, Sommer, and Somer are used nearly exclusively on girls, whereas the literary Somerset reads as more masculine. Perhaps the surname style of Somers might be a compromise.

Levander combines the poetic qualities of Leander with the might Evander, and then adds in a dash of Lavender too. Sometimes used as a surname, it could be a sound-alike to the Italian Levante, a twist on the Leo variant, Levan, or a play on the aforementioned Greek Leander.

The Vanderbilts were America's wealthiest family for almost a century, giving this name a strong association with luxury and industry. The Vanderbilts got their surname from their hometown in the Netherlands, De Bilt (meaning "low hill"). The genitive Dutch word van means "from".

This modern mash up of Kendrick and Hendrix felt almost bound to happen. Perfect for parents wanting something cool and contemporary but also familiar, Kendrix has in fact been quietly used since the 70s. Given to 145 baby boys in 2024, up from 110 the year before, the increased popularity of the name is likely owing to rock musician Jimi Hendrix, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and (female) Power Ranger, Kendrix Morgan.

While Kendrix is predominantly used on boys — likely owing to its musical namesakes, Kendrick Lamar and Jimi Hendrix — the most noteworthy Kendrix (as yet) is in fact Kendrix Morgan, also known as the Pink Galaxy Ranger from the Power Rangers franchise.

An attractive Irish surname that is currently used exclusively for girls in the US, likely due to the feminine associations with the first name Kerry and with skating champion Nancy Kerrigan.

Royal and Rory are both in the US Top 1000 for girls where they join a number of surname-inspired names ending in -son, from long-time favorite Madison to the newer Emerson. The yet to rank Royson could be a new consideration with its rosy feel, but tougher edge.