Men in Suits

  1. 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.
  2. Isidore
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of Isis"
    • Description:

      Isabel and Isadora are back: could it now be time for a more widespread revival of Isidore? In 2014, both Isidore and Isadore were on the list of fastest-rising names in the US.
  3. Jerome
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sacred name"
    • Description:

      Jerome has a bespectacled, serious, studious image, just like its namesake saint, who was a brilliant scholar. St. Jerome is the patron saint of students, librarians, and archaeologists.
  4. Ives
    • Origin:

      English variation of Yves
    • Meaning:

      "yew wood"
    • Description:

      Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
  5. Laurence
    • Origin:

      English from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum or bay laurel"
    • Description:

      Lawrence is the dominant spelling in the US, but in the UK Laurence and Lawrence are given in almost equal numbers each year, often with the adorable nickname Laurie or Lawrie. British actor Sir Laurence Olivier is a famous bearer.
  6. Eugene
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"
    • Description:

      Eugene is a classic that has rather lost its way. On the one hand, it's a grandpa, even great-grandpa name that hasn't been one of the cool kids recently—or to quote Jim Carrey, who bears this name in the middle spot, "You can never get too cool with a name like Eugene." The hero of Disney's Tangled felt the same way, when he changed his birth name of Eugene to the more romantic Flynn.
  7. Alexis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defender"
    • Description:

      This name leapt into the female column via vixen Alexis Carrington on 'Dynasty" in the 1980s. It's more popular for girls, but it's still a widely used boys' names and is one of the most popular unisex names in the US today.
  8. Quinton
    • Origin:

      English or Latin
    • Meaning:

      "queen's manor; fith"
    • Description:

      Quinton is among several attractive Q-beginning, n-ending two-syllable names for boys, that also includes Quentin (the most popular iteration) and Quenton. They only suffer from their similarity and possible spelling confusion, ala girls' names Kristin, Kirsten and sisters.
  9. Ptolemy
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "aggressive, warlike"
    • Description:

      Pronounced "TAHL-a-mee," this was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals and several Greco-Egyptian rulers, as well as the name of a famous Greek astronomer. Actress Gretchen Mol brought it into modern times when she chose it for her baby.
  10. Augustin
    • Origin:

      Greek variation of August
    • Description:

      This form and its German variant Augusten are moving up fast as the preferred long forms of the trendy Gus.
  11. Lancelot
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "servant"
    • Description:

      In Arthurian legend, Lancelot was one of the most dashing of the Knights of the Round Table who eventually had an affair with Queen Guinevere: it makes for a romantic story-- but perhaps overly romantic-- name.
  12. Aramis
    • Origin:

      French literary name
    • Description:

      One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.
  13. Esmond
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "graceful protection"
    • Description:

      Though slightly haughtier and less accessible than cousin Edmond, Esmond could appeal to some parents seeing a distinguished appellation. It began being used (albeit sparingly) in England in the nineteenth century, possibly influenced by William Makepeace Thackeray's novel The History of Henry Esmond.
  14. Hilary
    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "cheerful, happy"
    • Description:

      The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.
  15. Clovis
    • Origin:

      Teutonic, French, early form of Ludwig or Louis
    • Description:

      An aromatic, unconventional name.
  16. Everard
    • Origin:

      English spelling variation of Eberhard
    • Meaning:

      "hardy"
    • Description:

      An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the Rings. Yet, even now that Ever- names are the height of style, Everard hasn't been seen on the charts for decades.
  17. Florent
    • Origin:

      French from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "flowering"
    • Description:

      Historically, the French and English name Florence was used for both sexes. And Florent is a steady classic in France, booming there in the 1980s. Maybe it's time to import it, and show that boys can be floral too.
  18. Vitalis
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of life, vital"
    • Description:

      Borne by a number of early saints, it comes from the Latin word for life.
  19. Aimery