User-created list
By matiaraye · Updated May 2023
Across 15 pages
of 15
English surname and place name
Kipling calls to mind writer Rudyard (b. Joseph) Kipling, author of the stories familiar to schoolchildren Gunga Din and The Jungle Story. Certainly, Kipling is a friendlier name than Rudyard these…
British place-name
"site of the bridge"
This name of a busy British port city -- as well as of several places in America -- has a brisk and bustling air. It will now--and for years to come--be identified as a Sarah Palin name, chosen for…
Holliday is a feminine given name derived from the English surname meaning 'one who dwells near a holy day.' Originally a surname used to identify someone who was born during a religious festival or…
English
"family farm"
On the staff of a manor house.
Scandinavian, variation of Janson, Jansen
"Jan's son"
Jansen is an intriguing way to honor an ancestral John; Jantzen is a brand of swimwear.
French
"page, attendant"
Sleek and sophisticated single-syllable choice that has NEVER been in the Top 1000, though sister name Paige has ranked since the mid 1950s. Though off her peak, Paige is still in the Top 200. Along…
Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Arnold
"ruler; strong as an eagle"
Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.
English diminutive of Bartholomew
Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best…
"son of the uncle"
An upscale surname with a nice modern design connection to the creators of the Eames chair and other midcentury furniture classics, Charles and Ray Eames.
English surname
"stag stream"
Lovers of Maxwell might like this more unusual – but no less distinguished – surname name, with its adorable nickname of Hart.
English occupational name
"hoop-maker"
Lively, friendly surname that might appeal to basketball fans.
Kipper is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic and English origins. Traditionally, it refers to someone who cures fish (particularly herring) by splitting, salting, and smoking—a kipper being a…
Alrick is a masculine name of Old English and Germanic origin, combining elements meaning 'noble' and 'ruler' or 'power.' It shares roots with names like Alaric and Ulrich, carrying an air of…
Spanish and Portuguese
"succour, help, relief"
Socorro is a Spanish and Portuguese word name taken from a title of the Virgin Mary, "Mary of Perpetual Succour." Its religious meaning makes it somewhat old-fashioned and not among the Spanish names…
Bird name
In one recent year there were 60 baby girls in the US named Lark....and only eight baby boys. But there's no reason this bird name can't also be masculine, especially given that Robin is making a…
Scottish
"son of Arthur"
The Mc and Mac surnames are asserting themselves as first names and this is among the most usable. MacArthur or McArthur makes a perfect honorific for an ancestral Arthur and leads directly to the…
Radford is a masculine name of English origin derived from Old English elements meaning 'red ford' or 'reedy ford,' initially referring to a river crossing that was either reddish in color or lined…
English surname derived from Simon
"the listener"
Sims is a medieval English surname, also found in Ireland and Scotland, that has many variations all deriving from the Hebrew Biblical name Simon. Sims is a simple, straightforward, yet…
German, pet form of names such as Waldemar
"to rule"
Its jaunty o-ending makes this name more appealing than most of its Germanic brothers, and we hope we're beyond the constant response to his name being "Where's Waldo?" The weighty reputation of…
Tree name
Birch is a rarely used nature name that calls to mind the lovely image of the tall, strong but graceful white-barked tree. The best known bearer of the name is former high-ranking Democratic Senator…
