Children of Presidents
- Jeb
Origin:
Diminutive of Jebediah, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved friend"Description:
Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a mainstay on early TV westerns, and then went upscale as the nickname (his birth name being Josiah) of the President on "The West Wing."
- Pete
Origin:
Diminutive of PeterMeaning:
"rock"Description:
Sixties-style short form that sounds cool again -- though the unscrupulous Pete on "Mad Men" is not a character to emulate.
- Winfield
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow, field"Description:
An English surname derived from multiple place names, which ranked in the Top 500 for boys in the US until the turn of the 20th century.
- Wash
Description:
Wash is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Washington, which itself began as an English surname meaning 'estate of a person named Wassa.' The name gained prominence in America due to the first U.S. president, George Washington. As a standalone name, Wash has a concise, strong quality that appeals to parents seeking brief, distinctive names. While uncommon as a given name, it has occasionally appeared in Southern U.S. naming traditions and literature, notably in the science fiction character Hoban 'Wash' Washburne from 'Firefly.' The name carries connotations of simplicity, straightforwardness, and American historical connections, while its brevity gives it a modern feel despite its traditional roots.
- Jeff
Origin:
Diminutive of Jeffrey, JeffersonMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
The ultimate dad name.
- Willie
Origin:
Diminutive of William, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
There have been many great Willies (Mays, Nelson, Wonka), but a boy with this name could never ever go to England. Most people will also assume it is short for the more traditional William, which might be the best avenue for achieving this nickname.
- Patti
Origin:
English diminutive of PatriciaMeaning:
"patrician"Description:
Long one of the most popular girls' names starting with P, Patti replaced Patsy as the midcentury's popular, peppy babysitter but has now joined her in the retirement home.
- Jacky
Description:
Jacky is a masculine name commonly used as a diminutive of Jack or Jacob, though it sometimes stands as an independent given name. Jack derives from John, meaning 'God is gracious,' while Jacob means 'supplanter' in Hebrew. With its friendly 'y' ending, Jacky has an approachable, boyish charm that can transition from childhood to adulthood. The name was particularly popular in the mid-20th century but has become less common as a formal name in recent decades. Jacky has cross-cultural appeal, recognized in various English-speaking countries. It's worth noting that the spelling 'Jackie' is often associated with the feminine version, though both spellings have been used for boys. The name carries a casual, unpretentious quality with a touch of nostalgic appeal.
- Payne
Origin:
English or MapucheMeaning:
"villager, country-dweller; blue"Description:
The y helps a bit, but still a painful image.
- Abram
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American usage, in 1936 Abram completely disappeared for nearly forty years, until its return in the 1970s.
- Millard
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"caretaker of the mill"Description:
If you're looking for a presidential first name, keep looking.
- Ivanka
Origin:
Variation of IvanaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
High-profile First Daughter Trump bears a nickname for her mother's name, Ivana. But though quite common in Slavic countries, and despite its international appeal, Ivanka is likely to remain a Singe-Celebrity name in the US — the Oprah of the political world — for the foreseeable future. Ivanka's larger impact on names may be inspiring parents to name their daughters after their moms.
- Irvin
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"handsome, fair of face"Description:
Irvin is an Old Man name that has an uncertain future. Losing the final g in Irving makes the name slightly less dated -- but just slightly. There's something about the 'erv' sound that makes Irvin and brothers feel unappealing.
- Mollie
Origin:
Variation of MollyDescription:
This new/old spin on Molly -- nickname-names with the ie ending were particularly popular at the turn of the last century -- that has landed this name in the US Top 1000.
- Patsy
Origin:
English, diminutive of PatriciaMeaning:
"noble, patrician"Description:
This sassy, spunky name was used for the mostly Irish jump-roping pigtailed girls of the thirties and forties -- and some Irish and Italian boys as well. Its most noted bearer was iconic country music singer Patsy Cline (born Virginia), and was sighted most recently in the Ab Fab movie. After reaching Number 52 in the late thirties, it dropped off the list completely in 1970--and we're not anticipating a return.
- Webb
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"weaver"Description:
This pleasant single-syllable surname might be especially appealing to someone involved with the internet (and who isn't?)--even if some others might see it as a drawback.
- Lynda
Origin:
Spelling variation of LindaMeaning:
"pretty"Description:
When President LBJ's daughter Linda Bird changed the spelling of her name to Lynda, she set a trend for spelling adventurism that's still rippling through the name world today.
- Luci
Description:
Luci is a feminine name that serves as a shortened form of Lucia or Lucille, both derived from the Latin word "lux" meaning "light." This cheerful, bright name carries connotations of illumination, clarity, and radiance. Luci offers a modern, streamlined alternative to longer light-based names while maintaining their meaningful essence. The spelling with an 'i' instead of 'y' (Lucy) gives it a slightly more contemporary feel. While less common than Lucy, Luci has gained steady appreciation among parents seeking a name that's both simple and distinctive. Its cross-cultural appeal works well in many language traditions, particularly Spanish and Italian communities where names related to light are traditionally popular.
- Manning
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"monk"Description:
For football fans who have decided Peyton has become too feminine. Or they could look to brother Eli for inspiration.
- Donnel
Description:
Donnel is a masculine name with Celtic and Gaelic origins, derived from the Irish name Domhnall, meaning 'world ruler' or 'world mighty.' Often found in Ireland and Scotland, the name has spread to other English-speaking countries while remaining relatively uncommon. Donnel represents a more distinctive alternative to the more popular Donald, which shares the same roots. The name carries a strong, traditional quality while avoiding overuse. Throughout history, Donnel has appeared in Celtic folklore and among Scottish clans. In America, it gained some recognition in the 20th century, particularly in communities with Irish and Scottish heritage. The name combines traditional roots with a contemporary sound that works well in modern contexts.
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- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

