The Canterbury Tales

In the World War II era, Roger had nothing but the most positive associations, actually used by military personnel to mean 'Received and understood'--or A-OK, and though it is now on extended furlough, it does have a long and distinguished history. Introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, Roger soon became very popular there, with nicknames Hodge and Dodge, and had a long run later in the U.S, remaining in the Top 100 for 55 years.

A name that sounds so old-fashioned some parents out there might conceivably find it quirky enough for a comeback, along with other one-time fuddie-duddies like Oscar and Homer.

The name of the Greek mythological hero famous for slaying the Minotaur is also heard in Chaucer and Shakespeare. While Theseus might have sounded pretentious for an American baby a decade ago, today with so many babies getting ancient mythogical names, it just might work.

A variant of the surname Cannon, or an English word name with several possible meanings. A canon is a clergyman, as well as a rule or law – especially within religious doctrine. In the arts, canon is also the name of the whole oeuvre or work of a particular writer or creator.

Unlike most creative spellings, this one isn't overly trendy or overdone—in fact, it's quite delicate and pretty. However, it is clearly suffering from the plethora of similar names that are flowing around right now (Emelie, Emilia, Emily, Emilee, Amelie, Amelia) and has fallen more than 300 spots since 2013. It might be time for Emilie and her sisters to be left alone for a while.

One of the names of the sun god Apollo, this is better known in its feminine form, Phoebe.

Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. But as with feminine form Claudia, the "lame" meaning may stymie the rise of Claudius. Some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.

The name Parson might have seemed ridiculous even a few years ago, but when Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe named their son Deacon, they opened up a whole new field of ecclesiastical cool. Bishop, Priest, and Pastor are other possibilities.

This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant.

Cooler than the older month names like April and May, and a highly unusual and eye-catching choice. The most famous real-life January is female – January Jones – but the month is named for the Roman god Janus, who presided over doors and new beginnings.

Russel is a masculine name derived from the French surname 'Roussel,' meaning 'little red one' or 'red-haired.' This spelling variation (with one 'l' instead of the more common 'Russell') emerged in English-speaking countries and has maintained consistent, though modest, usage. The name carries associations with the color red, suggesting vitality and strength. Historically, Russel transitioned from a surname to a given name during the 19th century, following the trend of adopting family names as first names. The name projects reliability and steadfastness, with a classic feel that avoids trendiness. Russel has never been among the most popular names but maintains steady recognition. Notable bearers include philosophers, athletes, and actors, adding intellectual and cultural dimensions to the name's character. Common nicknames include Russ or Rusty.

The name of a princess from Greek myth.

Sounds like a Hobbit.

Absalon is a distinctive masculine name of Hebrew origin, being a variation of Absalom, which means 'father of peace.' In the Bible, Absalom was the third son of King David, known for his striking beauty and tragic rebellion against his father. The Absalon variant has been particularly popular in Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark, where it gained prominence through the historical figure Absalon (1128-1201), a warrior bishop and statesman who is considered a founding father of Copenhagen. The name carries historical weight and biblical significance while remaining uncommon in English-speaking countries. Absalon projects strength and classical dignity with its ancient roots and distinctive sound pattern.

Alisoun is a medieval feminine name, representing an early variant of the modern name Alison. Derived from the Norman French diminutive of Alice (Aalis), itself coming from the Germanic name Adalheidis meaning 'noble type,' Alisoun was relatively common in medieval England and Scotland. Geoffrey Chaucer notably used this spelling for a character in 'The Miller's Tale' within his Canterbury Tales (late 14th century), giving literary recognition to the name. Alisoun gradually evolved into the more recognizable Alison by the early modern period. This medieval spelling captures the authentic pronunciation and orthography of its time, when English spelling wasn't yet standardized. While extremely rare today in its original form, Alisoun offers a distinctive historical alternative to the more common Alison, connecting directly to medieval English heritage and literature.