Tough Boys Names (From the past)

Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the Western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."

The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. This once uncommon member of the El- family is a Top 100 name in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, while in the US, it was one of the fasted rising names of 2024 and now sits in the Top 400.

Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".

Serena, a name used since Roman times, was given fresh life by tennis star Williams, and then again with the leading character on Gossip Girl, Serena van der Woodsen. There have also been Serenas on soap operas and other shows from Bewitched to Law & Order.

Suzannah is a feminine name that represents an elegant variation of Susanna, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This spelling adds a touch of sophistication to the traditional form. Though less common than Susan or Susanna, Suzannah maintains the same melodic quality with its three-syllable structure. The name experienced modest popularity in the early 20th century but remains relatively uncommon in contemporary usage, making it a distinctive choice. Its biblical roots connect to the story of Susanna in the Book of Daniel's apocryphal sections. Suzannah offers the friendly nicknames Suzie, Zannah, or Anna, providing versatility for different stages of life.