Master Number Names A-M

Bardo has a poetic beginning and upbeat ending, with roots in several diverse cultures. It may be most familiar today via George Saunders' novel Lincoln in the Bardo, which refers to the Tibetan Buddhist state of suspension between one life and the next, resembling the Christian idea of Limbo. Bardo is also an ancient saint's name: Saint Bardo was the eleventh century bishop of Mainz, in Germany. Actress Sandra Bullock chose Bardo as her son's middle.

A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.

Bev is primarily a feminine name that originated as a short form of Beverly, which was initially an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'beaver stream.' This concise, single-syllable name carries a friendly, approachable quality that became particularly popular in the mid-20th century. Bev gained independent usage during the 1950s and 1960s when nickname forms were often given as formal names. While its popularity has declined since its peak, Bev retains a vintage charm and unpretentious warmth. It exemplifies the mid-century trend of short, efficient names and continues to be appreciated for its simplicity and nostalgic appeal.

Birdie was until recently a middle-aged Ladies' Club member wearing a bird-decorated hat --but now it's just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into style in a big way. Actress Busy Philipps named her baby Birdie (inspired by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson), as did soap star Maura West.

Too tightly associated with the real-life villainous Captain Bligh of The Mutiny on the Bounty.

Blyth is a feminine name of Scottish and Old English origin, though it can occasionally be used for males as well. It derives from the Old English 'blithe,' meaning 'carefree,' 'cheerful,' or 'merry.' The name is also associated with the River Blyth in England and towns bearing the same name. As a surname, Blyth has been established for centuries before transitioning to occasional use as a given name. It carries connotations of happiness and light-heartedness, reflective of its etymological roots. The name's single-syllable crispness gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient origins. Though relatively uncommon as a first name, Blyth appeals to parents seeking a name that is succinct, distinctive, and imbued with positive meaning. Its spelling variant 'Blythe' is somewhat more common, particularly for girls.

Bridget is the Anglicized form of Brigid, an Irish-Gaelic name that was derived from the word brígh, which means "strength."

Brigit is a streamlined spelling of the traditional Irish name Brigid, derived from the Old Irish 'Brigit' meaning 'exalted one' or 'high one.' It's directly connected to Brigid, the ancient Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft, who was later incorporated into Christian tradition as Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints. While the more common spellings are Bridget or Brigid in English-speaking countries, this variant preserves the historical spelling while simplifying pronunciation. Brigit offers a balance between ancient heritage and contemporary simplicity. The name remains moderately familiar yet not overused, appealing to those seeking a name with strong feminine qualities, spiritual connections, and Celtic roots.

Brock is a rock solid name, with a touch of preppy sophistication. It ranked solidly in the 200s-300s from 1975 until 2014, but has since tumbled a bit.

An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle name of Timothy.

The name of the teenaged son on the dear departed television show "Huff."

One of the rare cases where spelling a name with a y makes it less rather than more feminine. Birdie might be the freshest choice in this aviary.

For centuries, this name had a romantic, windswept image due to its strong connection to the poet Lord Byron, who inspired its use as a first name. It is one of those surprise names that's appeared on the Top 1000 every year since 1880.

A beaming, friendly Irish last-name-first-name waiting to be discovered, though anyone into American history might associate it with John C. Calhoun, a 19th century statesman who defended slavery. There are however plenty of places called Calhoun which might lessen that association.

Calloway is one of those irresistibly jaunty, animated three-syllable surnames, like Sullivan and Finnegan — but this one has the added attraction of jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of American Jive," Cab Calloway.

Diminutive of Candelaria, a name derived from candle and given in honor of the festival of Candlemas, which marks the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mother.