Scientist Names
- Dalton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"the settlement in the valley"Description:
Dalton is a name with multi-faceted appeal. Many are attracted to the name's resemblance to other two-syllable n-ending favorites: Colton, Holden, and cousins. Others see it as a trendy Western name, recalling the legendary Dalton Brothers gang. It also has something of an upscale, preppy feel connected to the exclusive New York private school.
- Darwin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dear friend"Description:
Enough parents have found naturalist Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution, a worthy hero to keep Darwin relatively consistently in the Top 1000 (it dropped off in 2021 but is back in 2022)—though some might just like its trendy two-syllable sound. It has a lovely meaning too—"dear friend."
- Edison
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Edith or Adam"Description:
This rhythmic last-name-first-name projects the creativity and inventiveness of Thomas Edison. It's an English surname deriving from either Adam or Eda, a medieval diminutive of Edith.
- Faraday
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"wood man"Description:
This unusual Scottish surname was made immortal by Michael Faraday, a British scientist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His name is now a unit of scientific measurement for electricity - a 'power'ful name for any little boy.
- Fleming
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"man from Flanders"Description:
If it's not too phlegmatic for you, this surname and name of a Scottish clan could honor a number of people, especially Alexander Fleming, the father of antibiotics, and Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.
- Franklin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"free landholder"Description:
A doubly Presidential name, via Pierce and Roosevelt, Franklin was given an initial boost via the fame of Benjamin Franklin. It also has a literary tie to the main character of the Wilkie Collins classic The Moonstone.
- Galen
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"calm, healer"Description:
Many will associate this name with Galen of Pergamon, the second-century physician considered to be the founding father of medicine. A more recent reference is Star Wars character Galen Erso. The name still projects a gentle, scholarly image, while sharing sounds with more popular names like Aiden and Nathan. Bonus: it's also an anagram of Angel.
- Halley
Origin:
Scottish and EnglishMeaning:
"hall or woodland clearing"Description:
The Halley version of this popular name family hit the Top 1000 only once, in 1986, inspired by Halley's Comet, named for astronomer Edmund Halley.
- Halley
Origin:
Scottish and EnglishMeaning:
"hall or woodland clearing"Description:
While this has a distinguished male namesake -- astronomer Edmund Halley and his comet -- it still strays too close to the superpopular feminine Hailey family to work for some parents for a boy. Fewer than five baby boys were given the name last year, but that could change as formerly-female names become more acceptable for boys.
- Herschel
Description:
Herschel is a masculine name of Yiddish origin, derived from 'Hirsch' meaning 'deer' or 'stag,' symbolizing gentleness and swiftness. It was traditionally used as a diminutive of the Hebrew name Tzvi, which carries the same meaning. The name gained recognition through notable bearers like astronomer Sir William Herschel, who discovered Uranus, and various Jewish scholars and rabbis throughout history. While popular among Jewish communities in the early 20th century, Herschel has become less common in recent decades. However, it retains a dignified, intellectual quality that appeals to those drawn to traditional or family-honoring names. Its distinctive sound and rich cultural heritage give it a unique character among contemporary name choices.
- Kelvin
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"narrow or wooded river"Description:
A tributary of the River Clyde in Scotland, called in Scottish Gaelic Abhainn Cheilbhinn: caol ("narrow") or coille ("wooded") + abhainn ("river"). As a surname, it derives from the name of the river.
- Lyell
Description:
Lyell is a distinctive masculine name of Scottish origin, derived from the Old Norse word "lilja" meaning "lily." It began as a surname, notably borne by Sir Charles Lyell, the influential 19th-century geologist who significantly advanced the science and mentored Charles Darwin. As a first name, Lyell has remained quite rare, never entering mainstream popularity charts, which adds to its distinguished appeal. The name has an elegant sound with its single syllable and melodious flow. It offers a subtle botanical connection through its lily etymology while maintaining a strong masculine presence. Lyell appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with historical and scientific associations.
- Mendel
Origin:
Yiddish variation of MenachemDescription:
Mendel is an Old World Jewish name that is also the surname of the founder of genetics.
- Newt
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"a small salamander"Description:
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
- Priestley
Description:
Priestley is a masculine name that originated as an English surname meaning 'priest's meadow' or 'priest's clearing,' combining the Old English 'preost' (priest) with 'leah' (woodland, clearing). As a first name, it represents the trend of transforming surnames into given names. It carries intellectual associations through J.B. Priestley, the renowned English novelist and playwright. While uncommon as a first name, Priestley has a distinguished, scholarly aura that appeals to parents seeking something unique yet substantive. The name projects dignity and a literary heritage while maintaining English traditional roots. Its distinctive sound and spelling make it memorable, though its rarity means those who bear it may need to explain its origin occasionally.
- Ramsay
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"low-lying land"Description:
A surname occasionally used as a first, as in former attorney general Ramsey Clark. This spelling is now closely associated with the psychopathic Game of Thrones villain Ramsay Snow (later Ramsay Bolton), and so is probably best avoided as long as the show and books are popular.
- Rutherford
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"cattle ford"Description:
Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.
- Thomson
Description:
Thomson is a masculine name that originated as a Scottish and English surname meaning 'son of Thomas.' Thomas itself derives from the Aramaic word for 'twin.' As a first name, Thomson represents a distinctive way to honor the Thomas tradition with a slightly different approach. The spelling without a 'p' (contrasting with Thompson) reflects its Scottish heritage. While relatively uncommon as a first name, it has maintained steady if minimal usage throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Thomson carries a dignified, scholarly quality, perhaps influenced by its associations with various notable figures including the physicist J.J. Thomson. The name offers the familiar nickname options of Tom or Tommy.
- Watson
Origin:
English and Scottish surname related to WalterMeaning:
"son of Wat"Description:
What with the resurgence of W names like Weston and Walter, the prominence of high profile actress Emma and golfer Bubba, and even the attention paid to Watson, the IBM computer on "Jeopardy" (named for IBM's founder, Thomas Watson) this name could be in line for a revival of its own.