Benson has outgrown its long association with a wisecracking TV butler with a fresh new association: singer songwriter Benson Boone. Parents may see it as an alternate route to nickname Ben, very different in image than the biblical Benjamin or the Latin Benedict, and more in tune perhaps with stylish with Bennett.

What with the resurgence of W names like Weston and Walter, the prominence of high profile actress Emma and golfer Bubba, and even the attention paid to Watson, the IBM computer on "Jeopardy" (named for IBM's founder, Thomas Watson) this name could be in line for a revival of its own.

The surname name Jenson is in the British Top 100 thanks to champion race car driver Jenson Button. Jenson might be an honorific for an ancestral John, the English form of Jens or Johannes, or even Jen.

Appealing way, à la Dawson, to honor an ancestral Lawrence. Lawson is also an English pop rock band. Lawson has history or use that dates far back, but it fell off of the charts in 1950. The name resurfaced in 2001 and has been climbing since. Lawson has that surname feel and -son suffix that parents are loving in recent years.

Judson remained in the US Top 1000 every year until it dropped off in 1987. In 2014, the named rejoined the list. With Hudson gaining in popularity, Judson—a possible alternative to Justin—could follow its path.

Updates Allison—which everyone will misunderstand it as. But it's definitely a fresh spin on the Ellie names, and a rising surname name choice for girls.

Few people would have considered the surname of this famous Victorian poet as a first name until Russell Crowe chose it for his son in 2006. But, as a rhythmic three-syllable patronymic, Tennyson has a lot going for it, not least of all the appealing nickname Tenny.

Nelson is a rather stiff and dated surname name that is sometimes used to honor distinguished South African activist Nelson Mandela, as Celine Dion did for one of her twin boys. Other notable associations are with the British Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, novelist Nelson Algren and movie operetta star Nelson Eddy. It was also the given name of "Rabbit" Angstrom, protagonist of John Updike's series of novels.

This name, once considered overly powerful due to the superhuman strength of the biblical figure, is now an option for parents in search of an unusual route to Sam. But you really don't need that p: Samson will do.

As parents were finding too many Tylers at the neighborhood playground, they began looking to Tyson as an alternative, no longer concerned with possible connections to Mike Tyson or Tyson chicken.

Scottish names that started as surnames are a class unto themselves. This old Scottish surname name debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2016 -- bolstered, no doubt, by the extreme popularity of Easton, just one letter away.

In the 90s, Michael Jordan inspired thousands of parents around the world to name their babies Jordan. Retired NBA star Allen Iverson hasn't yet had anywhere near that impact, but a respectable 64 baby boys born in 2016 were named Iverson. The "Iv-" beginning does feel distinctive.

Branson is a fairly recent addition to the Top 1000, first breaking in at Number 988 in 1995. While it may not be a common sighting yet, it fits the trend of more popular cousins Mason, Grayson, Hudson, and Carson.

The surname name Jetson may have originated as a variation on Judson, a patronymic related to Jordan, but it is more familiar to most Americans as the last name of the futuristic cartoon family. Jetson may appeal to parents as a proper form leading to the cool boy nickname Jet.

Jason with a K or Kase with an N or Karson without the R. Kason is one of many similar names that are extremely popular right now.

Pierson is a masculine name that originated as an English surname meaning 'son of Piers' (the Medieval form of Peter, ultimately from Greek meaning 'rock' or 'stone'). Following the trend of using surnames as given names, Pierson transitioned to first-name status primarily in the United States during the late 20th century. The name carries a distinguished, preppy quality that balances traditional roots with contemporary style. While never reaching the highest ranks of popularity, Pierson has maintained a steady presence, particularly appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth but not overly common. The name saw modest increases in usage during the early 2000s as part of the trend toward surnames as first names. Pierson offers a refined alternative to the more common Peterson or Pierce.

Thompson is not as popular as Jackson or Harrison, but a novel way to circumvent Junior for the son of a Thomas.

As Harrison is to Harry, Garrison is to Gary: both of the longer versions sound more modern and appealing. NPR's Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor was born Gary.

Carlson originated as a Scandinavian surname meaning 'son of Carl' (itself derived from the Old Norse 'karl,' meaning 'free man'). As a first name, it represents the modern trend of transforming surnames into given names, particularly popular in American naming patterns. Carlson carries a strong, masculine quality while honoring Scandinavian heritage. The name projects reliability and steadfastness, perhaps influenced by its literal meaning and traditional associations. While not among the most common first names, Carlson has maintained consistent if modest usage, particularly in regions with strong Nordic cultural influences. Parents might choose it seeking a distinctive name that still sounds familiar due to its recognition as a surname. It bridges traditional masculine naming conventions with contemporary style, appealing to those wanting a sturdy, recognizable name without excessive popularity.