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Gay
French
"joyful"
The meaning of this word flipped from "cheerful" to "homosexual" during the twentieth century, and it's now almost certainly too loaded to sit comfortably as a baby name. Which is a shame as…
Gaylord
French
"brisk, high-spirited"
Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
Gentry
English
"aristocracy"
A distinctive surname that, despite its meaning, has a cowboy swagger, a la Autry.
Geoffrey
Anglo-Saxon from French
"pledge of peace"
In the US, this spelling is less common than mid-century favorite Jeffrey, and it has faded from popularity faster. This more British spelling is the usual form for historical figures like Geoffrey…
Georges
French form of George, from Greek
"farmer"
The S may confuse English speakers, but it's a French classic.
Georgiana
English, feminine variation of George
"farmer"
Long a popular upper-crust form in England, where it's pronounced George-ee-AH-na, Georgiana has been been neglected here. But with Georgia growing more popular and the general fashion for elaborate…
Gerard
English and Irish from German
"spear strength"
Gerard is currently in style limbo, after reaching peak popularity in the 1950s. With its strong meaning and gentle sound, it may be back in a generation or two. But for now, a boy called Gerard will…
Germaine
Feminine variation of Germain, French
"from Germany"
Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough -- which just might make it the perfect blend of the two cultures. All forms of…
Geronimo
Native American; Italian variation of Jerome
This name of a renowned Apache leader and mystic would be a difficult choice, since it was used as a rallying cry in so many old westerns and by paratroopers jumping out of their planes in World War…
Gilbert
German
"shining pledge"
Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style…
Giles
Greek
"young goat"
One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.
Gillespie
Scottish
"bishop's servant"
Sometimes heard as a first name in Scotland, particularly among the Campbell clan.
Giorgio
Italian variation of George
"farmer"
Giorgio as is rich in meaning and history as George, but with more Italian flair. It's a consistent Top 50 hit in Italy, and with Italian boy names like Gianni and Lorenzo rising through the charts,…
Giuseppe
Italian variation of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy where it remains in the Top 20. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, but its spirited, distinctive-yet-familiar sounds…
Glenn
Scottish
"valley"
Glenn appealed to a lot of post-World War II parents for its cool, leafy image, also calling up the Big Band sounds of Glenn Miller and the calm, composed image of actor Glenn Ford, whose name at…
Glover
Glover is a masculine name that originated as an English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold gloves. This heritage connects it to the tradition of surname-to-first-name…
Gold
English word name
"gold"
Luxe baby name that could easily fit in among children named Onyx and Emerald. Goldie is a rising choice for girls.
Gonzalo
Spanish from German
"saved from combat"
Popular among Hispanic parents, it explains the source of the nickname Gonzo.
Gordon
Scottish
"great hill"
As this long-term Age of Jordans, both male and female, begins to wind down, the neglected Scottish favorite Gordon, with its more distinguished history, could come back as a distinctive alternative.…
Gore
English
"wedge-shaped object"
Surname from a landscape feature, associated with author Gore Vidal and Bill Clinton's Vice President Al Gore. Its alternative meaning - as in gory - may explain why it's never made it into the…