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Preppy Names

  1. Caldwell

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cold stream"

    • Description:

      English place name turned handsome surname name.
  2. Laughlin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the fjord-land"

    • Description:

      First used for Norse invaders, this name, along with the similar Lachlan, is an attractive, worldly, and unusual choice — despite connections to the Nevada gambling resort.
  3. Arlen

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "hare land"

    • Description:

      Arlen might be thought of as an update on the midcentury Arlene or as a unisex surname-name. Arlen was given to 22 girls in the US last year vs 57 boys and those numbers may grow with the fashion for n-ending two-syllable surname-names. Another similar possibility for girls: Arden.
  4. 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.
  5. Taggart

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the priest"

    • Description:

      Not your typical jovial Irish surname; but has a dark, craggy appeal, and Tag as a nickname.
  6. Hathaway

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "one who lives near the heath"

    • Description:

      Before there was esteemed actress Anne Hathaway, there was Anne Hathaway, wife of Shakespeare — the former being named after the latter.
  7. Carlton

    • Description:

      See CARLETON.
  8. Faulkner

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "falconer"

    • Description:

      Faulkner is an old occupational surname that was used for someone who kept and trained falcons when falconry was a popular sport in medieval Europe. Anyone using it in contemporary America would probably be honoring Southern novelist William Faulkner. While we love the author, Falconer would probably be a slightly easier name to carry on the playground.
  9. Carrington

    • Origin:

      English, Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "from Carrington"

    • Description:

      This habitational surname works as a modern way to honor a Carrie, Carolyn, or Caroline.
  10. Sheffield

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the crooked field"

    • Description:

      One place-name that doesn't make the cut as a person name, associated with several commercial enterprises. We've seen it used by Chicago Cubs fans — Sheffield is the name of a major street bordering Wrigley Field.
  11. Yardley

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "wood clearing"

    • Description:

      Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly.
  12. Thad

    • Origin:

      Short form of Thaddeus or variation of Tad

    • Description:

      Thad is a tad too slight to stand alone as a name, though as a short form of the imposing Thaddeus it's as serviceable as Ted or Ed.
  13. Sargent

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Sergeant, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "to serve"

    • Description:

      One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative, artistic association with painter John Singer Sargent.
  14. Harding

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of the courageous one"

    • Description:

      For fans of Warren G. All two of them.
  15. Bates

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Bartholomew

    • Description:

      Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".
  16. Wharton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "farm near the river"

    • Description:

      Wharton is a rather stiff banker name that becomes creative as a middle name choice for lovers of the novels of writer Edith.
  17. Hutchinson

    • Description:

      Hutchinson is primarily known as a surname derived from the medieval given name Hugh, with the suffix "-kin" (diminutive) and "-son," meaning "son of little Hugh." As a first name, it represents the trend of using family surnames as given names, which became popular in English-speaking countries in the 19th and 20th centuries. The practice often honored maternal family lines or important family connections. Hutchinson as a first name has always been extremely rare. It carries a formal, distinguished quality and would likely be shortened to more casual forms like "Hutch" in everyday use. The name conveys a sense of heritage and tradition, appealing to parents looking for a substantial name with built-in nickname options.

  18. Fairbanks

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "bank along the pathway"

    • Description:

      Alaska's second most populous city makes a baby name with a preppy, even aristocratic, flavor.
  19. Greeley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "pock-marked, scarred"

    • Description:

      This English surname was originally a nickname for someone with a pock-marked face. It's a less-than-ideal meaning, but Greeley's upbeat sound and modern unisex style keep it on our lists.
  20. Hollister

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "dweller by the holly tree"

    • Description:

      Familiar English surname now associated with the Abercrombie & Fitch offshoot.