Preppy Names

  1. Chip
    • Origin:

      Pet name for Charles
    • Description:

      Only if you're madly nostalgic for sixties TV.
  2. Tierney
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "descendent of a lord"
    • Description:

      An uncommon Irish-accented surname that seems particularly well suited to a girl. Tierney Sutton is a well-known jazz singer. Tierney, in its original Tiarnach form, was the name of several saints. It can also join the ranks of Old Hollywood names, via the haunting actress Gene Tierney. ER actress Maura Tierney is a current surname bearer.
  3. Kendall
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "valley of the river Kent"
    • Description:

      Originally an English surname, borrowed from the place name, Kendale, Kendall was given almost exclusively to boys until the 40s when it began to be used for a small number of girls each year. By the 80s, it was a gender-neutral choice, however, since the 1993 appearance of the character Kendall Hart in the soap opera All My Children, it has been leaning feminine.
  4. Prescott
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "priest's cottage"
    • Description:

      Prescott is one of several distinguished, upper-crusty surnames beginning with P.
  5. Davis
    • Origin:

      Surname derived from David, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      Davis is a fresh way to say David. Some sources define it as "son of David," but we see it as a surname spin on the original. While David is an everyman name, Davis has some creative edge -- and still gets you to the classic guy nickname Dave.
  6. Sheridan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "searcher"
    • Description:

      Upper crust-y surname Sheridan gains some energy when used for a girl.
  7. Thayer
    • Origin:

      French variation of Taylor
    • Meaning:

      "tailor"
    • Description:

      Thayer is an affable, less-common alternative to Taylor, with a much more indirect connection to its occupational source. Actor Thayer David (born David Thayer: Thayer was his father's first name) was known for his roles in Rocky and Dark Shadows.
  8. Kerry
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dark, dark-haired"
    • Description:

      Kerry is the name of one of the most beautiful and lush counties of Ireland was a seventies favorite. Related, updated versions might include Cerys and Keira.
  9. Sumner
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "summoner"
    • Description:

      Billionaire Sumner Redstone, the nonagenarian owner of CBS and Viacom, practically has a monopoly on his first name — for now. But Hunter, Asher, and Ryder have ushered in a major vogue "-er" names, so it may only be a matter of time before parents discover this one.
  10. Teague
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "bard, poet"
    • Description:

      If you like the idea of Tadhg but don't feel like the spelling works where you are, Teague might work as an alternative. It could also fit the bill if you're seeking a unique single-syllable first or middle name for your son.
  11. Rush
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "basket weaver"
    • Description:

      Might suggest speed, excitement, even danger, were it not for its best-known bearer, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.
  12. 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.
  13. Bronson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of brown-haired one"
    • Description:

      This surname has a modern yet old New England feel, perhaps because of the association with the transcendental teacher and reformer Bronson (born Amos Bronson) Alcott, father of Louisa May. (One-time sitcom star Bronson Pinchot's full name is Bronson Alcott Pinchot.) A more muscular image comes via tough guy Charles Bronson.
  14. Saxon
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "people of the dagger"
    • Description:

      Saxon is unusual word name that nevertheless feels right on trend, with that sharp X in the middle and that two-syllable-ending-in-n pattern. Reminiscent of Roman but not yet so popular, Saxon is one to watch out for.
  15. Hoyt
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "long stick"
    • Description:

      Distinctive though somewhat abrupt, most prominently borne by country singer Hoyt Axton.
  16. Hale
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives in a hollow; strong and hearty"
    • Description:

      This name projects a sense of well-being, as in "hale and hearty", while also having a nature-adjacent meaning, referring to someone who lives near a hollow, a nook, or a remote area of land. Rhyming word hail adds a hint of storminess to the name too.
  17. Carrington
    • Origin:

      English, Scottish surname
    • Meaning:

      "from Carrington"
    • Description:

      This habitational surname works as a modern way to honor a Carrie, Carolyn, or Caroline.
  18. Tad
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thaddeus, Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      An approachable mini name that could go on the birth certificate, but may work best as a nickname. Full name options include Thaddeus, Theodore, and Thomas, which was the given name of Abe's son Tad Lincoln. Taddy is a rare alternative to Teddy.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.

Introducing the Nameberry App

Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.
Nameberry App Logo