Names I like
- Vera
Origin:
RussianMeaning:
"faith"Description:
Vera was the height of fashion in 1910, then was for a long time difficult to picture embroidered on a baby blanket. Now, though, it has come back into style along with other old-fashioned simple names such as Ada and Iris.
- Heath
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"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 US Top 200, but it has since fallen to the latter end of the Top 1000.
- Shiloh
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"tranquil"Description:
Haunting biblical and Civil War place-name; now unisex—especially after the mega-high-profile Brangelina couple picked it for their daughter. It debuted in the Top 1000 for boys in 2015.
- Winter
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Fresher, brisker and, yes, cooler than Summer or Autumn or Spring, Winter is now a full-fledged female choice, especially since Nicole Richie and Joel Madden used it for daughter Harlow's middle name, and Gretchen Mol picked it as her daughter's first, as did media mogul Sean Parker. Winter continues to be the preferred spelling and has risen in popularity significantly over the past few years.
- Porter
Origin:
English from French occupational nameMeaning:
"doorkeeper or carrier"Description:
It may surprise you to know that surname name Porter was fairly popular in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries, then went underground for 40 years only to reemerge at the turn of this century and climb the ladder again.
- Wynn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"fair, blessed"Description:
Wynn or Wyn is a Welsh male name deriving from the very productive gwyn element, which forms part of all Welsh names ending -wyn or -wen, as well as the Gwen names and the Irish Fin- names. Wynn is a soft and gentle yet sturdy choice which feels quietly timeless and charming.
- Calder
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"rocky water"Description:
Artistic associations with the sculptor who invented the mobile make this one of the more creative surname choices.
- Vaughn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"small"Description:
Vaughn, also commonly spelled Vaughan, has been used quietly over the years, reaching a peak of Number 349 in 1949. It is now in the process of rediscovery, being seen as a good Sean alternative or an updated way to honor an ancestral Paul (which also means small).
- Iver
Origin:
Norwegian variant of IvarMeaning:
"yew wood, archer, warrior"Description:
Iver is a popular name in its native Norway, but parents in the U.S. are starting to take note of this rugged yet gentle name. Stemming from the original Norse name Ívarr, it is part of a small group of names with similar roots: Ivar, Ivor, Ivo, Ives, and Evander. It was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers in the Middle Ages, and to the US by in the 19th century.
- Moss
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"descendant of Moses"Description:
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.
- Fisher
Origin:
Occupational nameMeaning:
"fisherman"Description:
As a member of two trendy name categories, animal and occupational, this name broke into the Top 1000 in 2004 and would make a nice tribute to an angler Grandpa.
- Winslow
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"friend's hill or burial mound"Description:
Winslow, despite its creative connection to the distinguished American painter Winslow Homer, does still retain remnants of the image of a Victorian boy in a sailor suit, making Winston or even just Win a preferable modern choice.
- Frey
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"lord, exalted one"Description:
Frey is the handsome Norse fertility god, a worthy namesake. Frey remains rare in the US even as the similar Freya picks up in popularity.
- Serge
Origin:
French variation of ancient Roman family name SergiusMeaning:
"servant"Description:
Old saints' and popes' name that went to France in the 1920s with the Russian Ballets Russes; in its Russian form, Sergei, it retains an artistic, almost effete air.
- Venn
Origin:
English, IrishMeaning:
"from the marsh or fen; fair"Description:
No, not Ben (you'll say a million times), not Van -- Venn. John Venn was a British logician and philosopher famous for introducing the Venn diagram, which is used in several fields, including logic, statistics, and computer science.
- Viktor
Origin:
Scandinavian, Russian, and Eastern European variation of VictorDescription:
The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.
- Vira
Description:
Vira is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Slavic languages, particularly Ukrainian, it means "faith" and functions as a counterpart to the Russian Vera. In Sanskrit, Vira means "brave" or "hero" (though it's more commonly masculine in Indian contexts). The name also appears in ancient Roman contexts as a shortened form of names containing "vir" (man, strength). Vira's simplicity and cross-cultural presence give it versatility while remaining relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity, combined with its meaningful associations with faith and strength, makes it appealing to parents seeking short, strong feminine names. Its multicultural roots allow it to function well across different linguistic and cultural backgrounds while maintaining a distinctive character.
- Sonna
Description:
Sonna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Sonia, which derives from the Russian diminutive of Sophia, meaning "wisdom." Alternatively, it could have Scandinavian roots, possibly related to the Swedish word "son" (son) or as a feminine form of Sonne, meaning "sun." In some African cultures, particularly in Nigeria, Sonna may be used as a given name with local meaning. The name has remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, maintaining a quiet, gentle sound quality that some parents appreciate for its uniqueness and melodic pronunciation. Sonna typically appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with international versatility.
- Fawna
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fawn"Description:
Fawna refers to fawn, a young deer or the light brownish color associated with these animals. The name evokes images of woodland grace, gentleness, and natural beauty.
- Cormac