Names of Authors

William

German

"resolute protection"

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…

Ezra

Hebrew

"help"

Ezra has a lot going for it: the strength of its heroic Biblical legacy, its quirky sound, and its fresh but familiar feel. Ezra is now at its highest point ever, but its intuitive streamlined…

Vincent

Latin

"conquering"

Vincent is a name with a complex image. After being quietly used for centuries, it is suddenly seeming stylish, along wih other V names. Even the nickname Vince has been given a reprieve via actor…

Blake

English

"fair-haired, dark"

Blake -- an early unisex option -- dropped out of the Top 100 in 2017 for the first time since 1988, but remains a sophisticated choice. And yes, both conflicting meanings of Blake are accurate. It…

Edgar

English

"wealthy spearman"

Edgar is an Old English name historically associated with the tenth century English king known as Edgar the Peaceful. There was also a King Edgar of Scotland. Edgar has been a stalwart on the US…

Scott

English

"from Scotland"

A cool, windswept, surfer babe-magnet in 1965, a nice dad -- or even granddad -- today.

Alfred

English

"wise counselor; elf counsel"

Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in…

Byron

English

"barn for cows"

For centuries, this name had a romantic, windswept image due to its strong connection to the poet Lord Byron, who inspired its use as a first name. It is one of those surprise names that's appeared…

Percy

French surname from place name Perci-en-Auge

Percy is an adorable old name that is finally shedding its pampered Little Lord Fauntleroy image in this new era of boys with soft yet traditionally male names like Jasper and Elijah. Originating as…

Eliot

Variation of Elliot, English diminutive of Elias

"Yahweh is God"

Sleekened spelling.

Fitzgerald

Irish and Scottish

"son of Gerald"

Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.

Wolfe

Anglo-Irish surname and variation of animal name

"wolf"

The Wolfe spelling shifts this name from animal name to surname-name, aggressive to aristocratic, much like Wilde does for Wild. Some sources suggests that the original bearers of the Wolfe family…

Ted

Diminutive of Theodore or Edward, Greek or English

"gift of god; rich guard"

Like Ed, Eddie and Teddy, Ted is rarely used as an independent name – in the US, at least. In the UK, Eddie ranks just outside the Top 200, Teddy ranks just outside the Top 30, and Ted is a Top 200…