Lopes da Silva (male names, Part 7 of 12)
- Eric
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"eternal ruler"Description:
Eric is derived from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, from the components ei, meaning "ever," and ríkr, "rule." It was adopted by English speakers in the mid-nineteenth century, who were already familiar with the exploits of the tenth century Viking navigator and discoverer of Greenland, Eric the Red. Erik is an alternate spelling and the preferred form of the name across much of Europe.
- Emeric
- Eragon
- Fred
Origin:
German, diminutive of Frederick and AlfredDescription:
Where have all the Freds gone? We haven't seen many since the days of Flintstone and Munster. But it could be time for a comeback--if you think more of the sophistication of Fred Astaire, and of other nice guy names like Jack and Charlie and Sam.
- Freddy
Origin:
Diminutive of FrederickMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Another old-school nickname getting new attention thanks to TV's Mad Men. Names like Fred, Pete, and George have been out so long it's time for them to come back in. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 following a two-year absence from the list. It currently ranks Number 199 in England and Wales.
- Gellert
- Gideon
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hewer; or, having a stump for a hand"Description:
Gideon is a no-longer neglected Old Testament name, but still makes an excellent choice for parents looking to move beyond such overused biblicals as Benjamin and Jacob. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a judge called on by God to rescue the Jews from the Midianites, and the name was popular among the Puritans.
- Godric
- Ilias
Origin:
Greek, from HebrewMeaning:
"Yahweh is God"Description:
The Greek form of Elijah.
- Jamie
Origin:
Diminutive of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
The cool form of James in the 1970s and '80s for both sexes. Still a more stylish short form than Jimmy, though many parents will want to call James by his entire, not-very-long name.
- Joel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is his God"Description:
In the Old Testament, Joel was one of King David's 'mighty men' and the name was taken up by the Puritans of the sixteenth century. In the mid 1960s, Joel entered the Top 100, and stayed there for about twenty years, as parents tried to jazz up and formalize old standby Joe by reviving this biblical name.
- Karl
Origin:
German and Scandinavian variation of CharlesDescription:
Manly almost to the point of macho.
- Keith
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"wood"Description:
Strong but gentle, Keith is one of the Scottish surnames that, along with Douglas, Craig and Bruce, were considered the epitome of cool in the 1960s and early 1970s, when it was a Top 40 choice.
- Kingsley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"king's meadow"Description:
Kingsley is a sophisticated Harry Potter name that entered the US Top 1000 in 2013.
- Laurent
Origin:
French variation of LawrenceMeaning:
"of Laurentium or bay laurel"Description:
A French accent makes almost everything sound better, especially when attached to a Twilight vampire. Laurent also has a high-style feel via designer Yves St-Laurent. Laurent de Brunhoff is the French author-illustrator who continued his father Jean's series of Babar books.
- Leon
Origin:
Greek variation of LeoMeaning:
"lion"Description:
Currently overshadowed by the bright and lively Leo, Leon feels a slightly more serious, more quietly confident than its short and trending counterpart.
- Leonce
Origin:
French, GreekMeaning:
"lion"Description:
A chic French vintage name on the rise there for both sexes, which would make for an unconventional route to Leo.
- Lucas
Origin:
Latin form of LukeMeaning:
"man from Lucania"Description:
Lucas is a Top 10 boys' name with a slightly-less-popular almost-identical twin brother, Luke. Like Elijah and Elias, Lucas and Luke come from the same root and have the same meaning and so feel even more popular than they are.
- Manuel
Origin:
Spanish variation of Emmanuel, HebrewMeaning:
"God is with us"Description:
Popular among Hispanic communities but also used internationally, Manuel is a name with a regal history.
- Mariano
Origin:
Italian, Spanish and PortugueseMeaning:
"relating to the god Mars"Description:
A handsome and romantic-sounding European option.