Underrated Old Fashioned Names

  1. Peregrin
    • Peregrine
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "traveler, pilgrim"
      • Description:

        Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's not beyond consideration — in fact it's already been chosen by at least one Berry.
    • Persephone
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "bringer of destruction"
      • Description:

        Persephone is the esoteric name of the Greek mythological daughter of Zeus by Demeter, the queen of the harvest. After she was kidnapped by Hades to be Queen of the Underworld, it was decreed by Zeus that she would spend six months of the year with her mother, allowing crops to grow, and six in mourning, thus accounting for the seasons.
    • Reed
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "red-haired"
      • Description:

        A slim, elegant, silvery surname, Reed could be a banker or a sculptor, and therein lies the appeal of this simple yet distinctive name. The versatile Reed can be seen as a grass-like nature name and a musical name.
    • Robert
      • Origin:

        English from German
      • Meaning:

        "bright fame"
      • Description:

        Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains in the Top 100 for baby boys as a family favorite.
    • Ronald
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "ruler's counselor"
      • Description:

        To many people, Ronald is off playing shuffleboard with Donald, though others aren't swayed by its old man image. In the Top 10 in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s, the name later came to be strongly associated with President Reagan, along with his nicknames, Ron and Ronnie—as well as with the McDonald franchise mascot. A more youthful bearer is the likable character Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series. In the early days of Hollywood, Ronald Colman was a dashing matinee idol.
    • Rupert
      • Origin:

        German variation of Robert
      • Meaning:

        "bright fame"
      • Description:

        Rupert is a charming-yet-manly name long more popular in Britain (where it's attached to a beloved cartoon bear) than in the U.S. Yet we can see Rupert as a more stylish, modern way to honor an ancestral Robert.
    • Samantha
      • Origin:

        Hebrew, feminization of Samuel
      • Meaning:

        "told by God"
      • Description:

        The origins of Samantha are not entirely clear, although it is commonly thought to be a feminization of Samuel with the suffix derived from the Greek anthos, meaning "flower." Samantha has been in English-speaking use since the eighteenth century, particularly in the American South, and drew attention via Grace Kelly's Tracy Samantha Lord character in High Society, featuring the song "I love you, Samantha."
    • Samson
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "sun"
      • Description:

        With the prevailing popularity of Samuel, some parents are considering this more (literally) powerful biblical name, which shares the desirable nickname of Sam.
    • Saul
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "prayed for"
      • Description:

        Jewish parents in particular may be drawn to this quiet, composed name of the first king of Israel and the name of Saint Paul before his conversion. In modern times, it has been associated with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Saul Bellow. Its meaning makes it appropriate for a long-awaited child.

        Saul is a character in a John Dryden poem, and heard in the Handel oratorio, "Saul."

    • Saxon
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "people of the dagger"
      • Description:

        Saxon is unusual word name that nevertheless feels right on trend, with that sharp X in the middle and that two-syllable-ending-in-n pattern. Reminiscent of Roman but not yet so popular, Saxon is one to watch out for.
    • Solomon
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "peace"
      • Description:

        Solomon, a name that evokes wisdom and peace, is an Old Testament name that, along with other patriarchal classics, is finally beginning to shed its long white beard and step from the pages of the Old Testament into modern nurseries.
    • Tobiah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "the Lord is good"
      • Description:

        Tobiah is the original Hebrew form of the better known Greek Tobias, to which it could make a distinctive alternative. With its ah ending, Tobiah fits in with other stylish Biblical names today, from Noah to Isaiah to Josiah and Zachariah. And of course, Toby is an adorable nickname.
    • Tobias
      • Origin:

        Greek from Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God is good"
      • Description:

        Tobias is one of a number of s-ending boys' names that are riding a wave of popularity. With its Old Testament-Dickensian feel, it's a name with a distinguished pedigree.
    • Tucker
      • Origin:

        English occupational name
      • Meaning:

        "fabric pleater"
      • Description:

        Tucker has more spunk than most last-name-first-names, and also a positive, comforting ("Tuck me in, Mommy") feel.
    • Thackery
      • Viktor
        • Origin:

          Scandinavian, Russian, and Eastern European variation of Victor
        • Description:

          The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.
      • Warren
        • Origin:

          English from French
        • Meaning:

          "park-keeper"
        • Description:

          Long lingering in limbo, Warren suddenly seems to be on the cusp of revival. One of the oldest recorded English surnames, Warren's popularity in the U.S. dates back to the nineteenth century, and by 1921, reached its peak at Number 24.
      • William
        • Origin:

          German
        • Meaning:

          "resolute protection"
        • Description:

          William is one of the most enduring of classic names for boys. It's also among the most popular boys' names, as American parents see it as being ideally conservative yet contemporary, and hands-down the most popular baby name beginning with W of all time.
      • Zebulan