Names from Whats My Line

Jimmie

Jimmie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of James. Deriving from the Hebrew name Jacob (meaning "supplanter"), James became widely popular throughout the English-speaking…

Johnnie

Diminutive of John, Hebrew

"God is gracious"

This spelling of the traditional nickname for John is a bit more feminine than Johnny, based on the fashion at the turn of the 20th century to use boyish diminutives ending in -ie for girls.

Jules

French form of Julius, Latin

"youthful; soft, downy; sky father"

Though Jules hasn't been on the US popularity list in fifty years, it remains a hit in its native France where it's currently in the Top 10 — and has been in the Top 500 nearly every year since the…

Karl

German and Scandinavian variation of Charles

Manly almost to the point of macho.

Keenan

Irish

"ancient"

This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.

Ken

Diminutive of Kenneth; Japanese

"born of fire or handsome; healthy and strong"

In many minds this one belongs to Barbie, but with such positive meanings and international connections, can Ken make the transition to usability again?

Kerry

Irish

"dark, dark-haired"

An Irish county name almost exclusively used for girls now. Kerrigan would be a more modern and masculine choice.

Kip

American diminution of Christopher, Greek and Latin

"bearer of Christ"

Kip Thorne, nobel laureate and long-time colleague of Stephen Hawking, is just one of several Kips who don't have a longer name. But Kip is often short for Christopher.

Kirk

Norse

"church"

Far more friendly and open than similar one-syllable names like Kent, Kurt, and Karl, it's been associated for more than half a century with actor Kirk Douglas, whose birth name was Issur…

Larry

Diminutive of Lawrence, English from Latin

"from Laurentium or bay laurel"

Your friendly next-door neighbor...not your baby. Although Larry was once one of the most popular boys' names starting with L , that title now belongs to Liam.

Laurence

English from Latin

"from Laurentum or bay laurel"

Lawrence is the dominant spelling in the US, but in the UK Laurence and Lawrence are given in almost equal numbers each year, often with the adorable nickname Laurie or Lawrie. British actor Sir…

Len

Len is a concise masculine name that typically functions as a shortened form of longer names such as Leonard, Lennox, or Lennon. Derived from Germanic roots, Leonard means 'brave lion,' lending Len…

Les

Les is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and a familiar shortening of longer names like Lester, Leslie, or Leszek. Compact and straightforward, it carries a no-nonsense…

Lester

Variation of Lester, English

"military camp by the river Ligore"

A popular choice in the US in the early 20th-century, Lester made the Top 100 consistently for 46 years between 1886 and 1931. It then remained in the Top 500 until the mid-80s before dropping out of…

Lew

Short form of Lewis, English variation of Louis

"renowned warrior"

Lew is a masculine name that originated as a short form of Lewis or Louis. It has English and Scottish roots, derived from Germanic elements meaning 'famous battle' or 'renowned warrior.' The name…