Preppy Names

One "bald" name we can get behind, thanks to pioneering African-American author James Baldwin – though the name is now also associated with the Baldwin brothers, particularly Alec.

Banks is a topographical surname that refers not to those places where people keep their money but to riverbanks or hillsides, and specifically the people who live and work on them. A name with two very different connotations then, Banks manages to sound smart, preppy, and upwardly-mobile, with a touch of rugged, outdoorsy charm too.

Barbour is a masculine name that originated as an occupational surname in medieval Britain, referring to someone who was a barber. In historical times, barbers performed various services including haircuts, shaving, and even medical procedures like bloodletting and minor surgeries. As a first name, Barbour is extremely rare, representing the trend of repurposing surnames as given names. The name carries associations with craftsmanship and historical trades. While uncommon as a personal name, Barbour maintains recognition through the popular British clothing brand of the same name. Parents choosing Barbour might appreciate its distinctive English heritage, strong consonant sounds, and connection to traditional crafts, offering a unique alternative to more common surname-derived names like Parker or Mason.

Americans may not realize Barclay is the phonetic spelling of the British Berkeley -- though both sound like old-fashioned butler names.

Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish nickname. That character, by the way, has the full name of Bartholomew JoJo Simpson, and creator Matt Groening came up with Bart as an--uh oh--anagram for brat. Two old alternate nicknames are Barty and Tolly.

An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse. Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin is a contemporary bearer of this unusual and evocative name.