User-created list
Preppy Names
Across 32 pages
of 32
Barbour
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…
Ann
Bartholomew
Aramaic
"son of the furrow"
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…
Bayard
French
"russet-haired"
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…
Corcoran
Irish
"ruddy-faced"
Corky was a sitcom moniker of the fifties, Corcoran a better fit for these times.
Archibald
Scottish from German
"truly brave"
The short form Archie is so open and friendly --and very trendy in the British Isles--that some parents are now beginning to consider the formerly fusty Archibald as well. SNL comedians Amy Poehler…
Beatrice
Corliss
Armistead
English
"hermit's place"
This dignified Old English surname was brought into the modern consciousness by author Armistead Maupin, who wrote the San Francisco stories Tales of the City . There was also a Civil War general…
Cornelia
Benton
English surname and place name
"bent grass enclosure"
Benton is an old English surname of a type usually given to local landowners. It is also recorded in early records as Beneton and Bentune. Benton newly returned to the Social Security list in 2011…
Cortland
Dutch
"short land"
Cortland, is an English form of the Dutch habitational surname Cortlandt. Cortlandt was a village near modern-day Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands. Its name was derived from the Dutch elements cort ,…
Bingham
British surname
"homestead at a hollow"
Bingham is the unusual surname name chosen by Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy for their son. It was Bellamy's mother's maiden name, and the nickname Bing, coincidentally, belongs to almost-stepfather…
Court
Word name, short form of Courtney
"tribunal presided over by a judge, area marked out for ball games; short nose"
As a word name, Court brings with it a plethora of potential meanings, from a legal gathering, to a stage for basketball or tennis, to a street. Sharp and strong, Court feels right at home with other…
Blackwell
English
"black well or stream"
Dark.
Crane
English surname
"crane"
This elegant surname has great potential to turn into an unusual first name, especially with its literary associations to both Stephen and Hart Crane. Crane is a surname that originated for a tall…
Blair
Scottish
"dweller on the plain"
One of the first generation of cool surname names, now largely used for girls in the US, but still popular for boys in its native Scotland. A prominent association for Brits is former prime minister…
Crawford
English
"ford where crows gather"
A common surname in Scotland, but a starchy first name choice.
Creighton
English and Scottish
"hilltop town, rocky place"
One instance where a phonetic spelling might be better.
Blakeley
English surname
"dark wood or clearing"
Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, taking the 80s unisex darling Blake into the new millennium.
