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Guilty Pleasure Names

bdotrayanna
By bdotrayanna
Updated Sat Mar 12 2022
Will likely not use but wouldn't it be cool?
  1. Arnold

    • Origin:

      English from German

    • Meaning:

      "ruler, strong as an eagle"

    • Description:

      Strange as it may now seem, the venerable St. Arnold was a Greek by birth, a musician who became a member of the court of Charlemagne. The name is said to have been introduced into Britain by the Normans in the form Arnaud.
  2. Arrow

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Words are not always easy to translate into baby names, but the implications of being straight and swift lend this one great potential as a name. It also has the popular o-sound ending, which brings it further into the realm of possibility. Rising rock star Aja Volkman pulled a gender switch when she named her daughter Arrow Eve.
  3. Bandit

    • Origin:

      Word or occupational name

    • Description:

      We hesitate to call Bandit an occupational name, any more than Rogue or Vandal are occupational names, yet its use by one of the bandmembers of My Chemical Romance (for his daughter: we're not even going to go there) undoubtedly owes a debt to occupational cousins from Pilot to Parker. Recommended for use by rock stars with full-time nannies only.
  4. Beauregard

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful gaze"

    • Description:

      In the past this was seen as a jokey Southern colonel name, but we have heard of some parents considering it as a path to the likeable Beau.
  5. Brooks

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "of the brook"

    • Description:

      A nature name, a word name, and a surname name, Brooks has plenty of cool factor. It gives off cowboy vibes and a sporty feel, while also maintaining a smart, collected image.
  6. Burgundy

    • Origin:

      French place-name; also color name

    • Description:

      Ron Burgundy was Will Ferrell's fictional helmet-haired newsman, but this color name is much more suited to a girl.
  7. Cascade

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      It's a nature name evocative of rushing waterfalls. But also a dishwashing detergent.
  8. Delaney

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark challenger; dark river"

    • Description:

      Delaney has been a popular surname-style choice since 90s, when it joined other Irish surnames such as Cassidy, Kennedy, and Mallory on the US Charts. Buoyant, bright, and cheerful, it ranks in the US Top 250 and is given to nearly 1300 babies every year.
  9. Diggory

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "Lost one"

    • Description:

      This buoyant name has the same bouncy rhythm as Rafferty and Barnaby, but is virtually unused. It has plenty of literary cred, too: characters in The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native have all borne the name.
  10. Elowen

    • Origin:

      Cornish

    • Meaning:

      "elm"

    • Description:

      A beautiful modern Cornish nature name that is rapidly picking up steam in the States: even spawning variant spellings like Elowyn and Elowynn. In its native region, it wasn't widely used as a name before the twentieth century, when the Cornish language was revived. A (currently) unique member of the fashionble El- family of names, it has a pleasant, evocative sound.
  11. Finnegan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fair"

    • Description:

      If you like the Finn names and love James Joyce, Finnegan is extremely winning. Will & Grace 's Eric McCormack chose the Finnigan spelling for his son. And of course Finnegan gains you access to the great short form Finn.
  12. Heath

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "the heathland dweller"

    • Description:

      Rugged and outdoorsy, Heath was an obscure choice until the 1960s when it was used in the television series, The Big Valley for character Heath Barkley. It peaked in the 70s when it reached the Top 200, but has since been in decline, dropping out of the Top 1000 in 2023.
  13. Honor

    • Origin:

      English word and virtue name

    • Meaning:

      "honor"

    • Description:

      Honor is a somewhat more straight-laced virtue name than Hope or Grace, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it's a goal worth setting. By choosing Honor for her daughter, Jessica Alba brought it very much into the modern world.
  14. Knight

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      " a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior"

    • Description:

      Knight (as opposed to Night) is a name clad in shiny armor. This high-ranking word name was introduced by singers Kelis and Nas. Knight might join brothers King, Royal, and Noble in a new definition of royal baby names.
  15. Lars

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian from Latin Laurentius

    • Meaning:

      "crowned with laurel"

    • Description:

      Lars is a perfect candidate for a cross-cultural passport: it has been heard often enough here to sound familiar and friendly, yet retains the charisma of a charming foreigner.
  16. Redd

    • Description:

      Redd is a masculine name that originated as a nickname for people with red hair or ruddy complexions before evolving into an independent given name. Derived from the Old English 'read' meaning "red," the distinctive double-d spelling gives the name added character and visual impact. Redd carries associations with vitality and distinctiveness, often evoking images of strength and individuality. While never extremely common as a first name, it has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century, sometimes gaining recognition through cultural figures like comedian Redd Foxx. The name has a punchy, concise quality that fits with the trend toward brief, impactful male names. Redd's simplicity belies its strong presence, making it a bold choice with historical roots.

  17. Rudolf

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Rudolph, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"

    • Description:

      You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.
  18. Rudolph

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"

    • Description:

      Sure, he'd probably get a certain amount of red-nosed teasing around the holiday, but a boy named Rudolph could probably take it. Besides, he's got other, more distinguished namesakes -- the great ballet dancer Nureyev, silent screen Lothario Valentino and 9-11 Mayor Giuliani.
  19. Thaddeus

    • Origin:

      Aramaic, meaning unclear, possibly from Theodore

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Thaddeus, a distinguished, long-neglected name, has several areas of appeal: a solid New Testament legacy, a nice antique feel, and the choice of several more modern nicknames and international variations.
  20. Thorwald

    • Description:

      Thorwald is a masculine name of Norse origin, combining the elements 'Thor' (the Norse god of thunder) and 'wald' or 'valdr' (ruler or powerful one). This powerful name literally translates to 'Thor's ruler' or 'one who has Thor's power.' With deep roots in Scandinavian history, Thorwald was carried by various Viking leaders and Norse settlers. The name has variants across Germanic languages, including Torwald, Torvald, and Thorvald. While not commonly used in modern times, it maintains popularity in parts of Scandinavia and among families with Nordic heritage. Thorwald carries connotations of strength, leadership, and connection to ancient Norse traditions, appealing to parents interested in names with strong historical and mythological significance.