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Preppy Names

  1. Rutherford

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cattle ford"

    • Description:

      Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.
  2. Hartford

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "deer ford"

    • Description:

      British habitational surname that calls to mind the Connecticut capital
  3. Ingram

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "angel-raven"

    • Description:

      An undiscovered surname possibility with upscale overtones, could be enlivened with nickname Ingo.
  4. Crawford

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "ford where crows gather"

    • Description:

      A common surname in Scotland, but a starchy first name choice.
  5. Hamilton

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "treeless hill"

    • Description:

      Unless it runs in your family, or Alexander Hamilton is your particular hero, you might consider something less imposing -- and without the teasable nickname Ham.
  6. Maxfield

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Mac's field"

    • Description:

      This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.
  7. Cabot

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "to sail"

    • Description:

      Cabot is an attractive English surname associated with the daring early Italian-born British explorer known as John Cabot; his birth name was Giovanni Caboto.
  8. Rawlings

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "son of Raul"

    • Description:

      Rawlings was a surname brought to England with the Norman invasion and has ties to the name Raul, which means "wolf counsel."
  9. Wallis

    • Origin:

      Variation of Wallace

    • Meaning:

      "a Welshman, Celt"

    • Description:

      Famously borne by the woman (born Bessie) for whom an English king sacrificed his throne, Wallis has the force of a masculine name, but the unisex charm of surnames like Ellis and Hollis.
  10. Worth

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, homestead"

    • Description:

      No low self-esteem for this kid, or so his parents hope.
  11. Merrill

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "sea-bright"

    • Description:

      Merrill, once fairly common for males, is rarely used for girls (or boys either, for that matter) with this spelling. Chef Emeril Lagasse dropped the initial E from his name and called his daughter Meril.
  12. Fifer

    • Origin:

      Scottish occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "piper"

    • Description:

      Fifer is a musical name that fits in seamlessly with the likes of Harper and Piper, but is much more unusual. It's also a Scottish demonym, referring to an inhabitant of the historic Scottish county of Fife.
  13. Forbes

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "field"

    • Description:

      Forbes is a business magazine in the U.S., long led by Malcolm Forbes, with a buttoned-down Brooks Brothers image. If you name your son Forbes, you're definitely implying a connection to the prominent and wealthy family -- which may be exactly what you're intending. But if you have a more down-to-earth image in mind, try Field.
  14. Windsor

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "riverbank with a winch"

    • Description:

      Windsor may have male references, such as Britain's royal House of Windsor and a tie's windsor knot, but this name also has a definite feminine feel, as in Windsor Rose. That seems appropriate, as Windsor is used equally these days for boys and girls. Nicknames might include Win, Wind, Windy, and Winnie.
  15. Wright

    • Description:

      Wright is a masculine name that originated as an English occupational surname referring to a craftsman or builder—specifically a woodworker or carpenter (from the Old English "wyrhta," meaning "worker"). As a first name, Wright carries strong traditional and artisanal connotations, suggesting skill, craftsmanship, and creation. It remains relatively uncommon as a given name, maintaining an air of distinction and uniqueness. The name has a strong, concise sound with its single syllable and consonant blend. Those named Wright might appreciate the name's connections to craftsmanship and its subtle suggestion that one can build or create their own path in life. Its surname-as-first-name style also reflects contemporary naming trends.

  16. Garrison

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Garret"

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Thornton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "place in the thorns"

    • Description:

      Despite Thornton Wilder, playwright of the perennial Our Town, only a handful of baby boys receive this name each year..
  18. Keen

    • Origin:

      English, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bold, brave; battle"

    • Description:

      Actor Mark Ruffalo honed this surname down to its basics when he chose it for his son. A more usable expansion might be the Irish surname Keenan/Keenen.
  19. Rivers

    • Origin:

      Nature name and surname, English

    • Meaning:

      "rivers"

    • Description:

      The name Rivers combines two major trends: nature names like the popular River itself, and S-ending surname-names such as Brooks, Rhodes, and yes, Rivers.
  20. Carlton

    • Description:

      See CARLETON.