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Fancy Boy Names

  1. Boniface

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate, of good fate"

    • Description:

      A name borne by nine popes and several saints, which carries strong Catholic connotations. British politician Jacob Rees-Mogg named his sixth child Sixtus Dominic Boniface Christopher in 2017.
  2. Tristram

    • Origin:

      Medieval English variation of Tristan, “noise or sorrowful"

    • Description:

      This version of Tristan, known to English Lit students from the novel Tristram Shandy, is rarely used in this country, but, though its similarity to the popular Tristan could prove confusing, still makes an interesting literary choice.
  3. Wellington

    • Origin:

      English surname from place name

    • Meaning:

      "people living in the hamlet in the cleared area near the temple"

    • Description:

      Wellington is a tony-sounding English surname turned baby name by pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who calls her son Wells for short. It's also the middle name of one of the Sweet Home sextuplets, Blu Wellington.
  4. Fairfax

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "blond"

    • Description:

      If this name makes you think of Victorian novels, it's because Fairfax was part of Mr Rochester's name in Jane Eyre, and the surname of a minor character in Jane Austen's Emma. It has a distinctly aristocratic feel, despite its straightforward meaning. Fairfax is also a city in Virginia.
  5. Balthasar

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "God protects the king"

    • Description:

      Balthasar was one of the biblical Three Kings who visited the infant Jesus, also used by Shakespeare and in the oil-rich Getty family; offbeat and intriguing. Balthazar is another, equally appropriate spelling.
  6. Barthelemy

    • Origin:

      French form of Bartholomew

    • Description:

      While Barthelemy does not garner much attention these days, it has a storied history in French-speaking countries. Notable bearers include geologist and explorer Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, philosopher Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, and historian and writer Jean-Barthélemy Hauréau, to name a few.
  7. Fitzhugh

    • Origin:

      English, from German

    • Meaning:

      "son of intelligence"

    • Description:

      All the Fitz names are hard to carry, but this one has a wonderful meaning and might be a good middle name choice to honor a brilliant lineage.
  8. Dartagnan

    • Origin:

      French fictional name

    • Meaning:

      "From Artagnan"

    • Description:

      The name of the protagonist of a trio of novels by French author Alexandre Dumas, most notably The Three Musketeers. D’Artagnan is an aspiring musketeer who travels to Paris in search of fortune and adventure. The character is based on real-life musketeer Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d’Artagnan. Artagnan is a small village in southwest France.
  9. Wainwright

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "wagon maker"

    • Description:

      A surname style name that could make an alternative to Wayne or Wyatt.
  10. Yardley

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "wood clearing"

    • Description:

      Yardley is an English surname with a distinguished vibe, a la Chauncey and Clancy. Extremely rare for either sex, it would make a stand-out choice that still fits in with current trends.
  11. Bacchus

    • Origin:

      Roman mythology name

    • Description:

      Only if you're hoping for your son to become a wine-besotted poet. To the ancient Romans, Bacchus was the god of agriculture, wine and fertility.
  12. Lancaster

    • Origin:

      English place-name

    • Description:

      British place-name unlikely to evoke much passion in any baby namer.
  13. Radcliff

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "red cliff"

    • Description:

      Harvard's sibling.
  14. Chauncy

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "gamble, fortune"

    • Description:

      A popular American name in previous centuries in honor of famed Harvard President, Charles Chauncy. This name is burdened by an incredibly pompous sound and best left in the past.
  15. Launcelot

    • Description:

      Launcelot is a medieval masculine name derived from the Arthurian legends, a variant of Lancelot, who was King Arthur's most trusted knight and renowned for his affair with Queen Guinevere. The name likely originated from Germanic elements or possibly from an Old French diminutive. Historically, the spelling 'Launcelot' appears in some early Arthurian texts and Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice.' While never extremely common, the name carries associations of chivalry, bravery, and romantic passion. Despite the character's popularity in literature and film, the name Launcelot remains relatively rare as a given name, though it may appeal to parents with an appreciation for medieval history and Arthurian legend.
  16. Belvidere

    • Description:

      Belvidere is an unusual masculine name derived from Italian place names meaning 'beautiful view' (from 'bel' meaning beautiful and 'vedere' meaning to see). Historically, it appears more frequently as a place name or architectural term describing structures with fine views rather than as a personal name. With aristocratic and refined connotations, Belvidere evokes images of Renaissance estates and classical elegance. As a given name, it remains exceptionally rare, appealing only to parents seeking something genuinely distinctive with historical resonance. The name carries an intellectual, artistic quality reminiscent of the Grand Tour era, potentially earning the nickname 'Bel' or 'Vide.' Despite its rarity, Belvidere offers a legitimate etymological history and a clear, dignified meaning.

  17. Parthenios

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Description:

      Parthenios, the name of a Greek river god, is draped in a toga.
  18. Falconer

    • Origin:

      Occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "falcon trainer"

    • Description:

      Falconer is one choice that has morphed rapidly from outlandish to possible, even attractive, thanks to the fashion for occupational names. And really, if Archer is getting popular and Miller seems normal, why not Falconer?
  19. Beauchamp

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "the beautiful field"

    • Description:

      Pronounced Beecham, but still too fancy and fey. Likewise Beaufort (beautiful fort), Beaufoy (beautiful beech tree), and Beaumont (beautiful mountain).
  20. Blandford

    • Description:

      Blandford is a distinguished masculine name of English origin derived from a place name meaning 'settlement by the plain ford' (a shallow river crossing). This elegant surname-turned-first-name carries an aristocratic, dignified quality reminiscent of British landed gentry. Historically, Blandford has been used primarily in England, often connected to the market town of Blandford Forum in Dorset. As a first name, it remains extremely rare, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with historical gravitas. The name suggests refinement and tradition, evoking images of country estates and old-world charm. While uncommon, Blandford offers the nickname possibilities of 'Bland,' 'Ford,' or 'Blandy,' and its uniqueness ensures its bearer stands out in any setting.