Oregon Trail era names - boys
- Adlai
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is just"Description:
Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.
- Layton
Origin:
Old EnglishMeaning:
"settlement with a leek garden"Description:
This first name was once a surname derived from Old English. Used quietly a century ago, the current fashion for two-syllable boy names ending in n makes this one a new hit.
- Madison
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Matthew"Description:
Madison was at one time a strictly boys' presidential name, reaching as high as Number 311 at the end of the nineteenth century. That all changed in 1985 when it entered the girls' list, zooming up quickly until it reached the Number 2 spot, with more than 22,000 female babies given the name in 2001. As is so often the case, its use for boys has dropped precipitously.
- Lafayette
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"faith"Description:
Foppish name with a distinguished forebear, French general Marquis de Lafayette, who fought in the American Revolution. It accounts for the L in L. Ron Hubbard. Old-time short form: Fayette or Fate.
- Elvin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"noble friend"Description:
Elvin had his peak in the 1920s — which was when jazz musician Elvin Jones was born — but parents are still using it for over 100 boys a year. That's less than Kelvin, but more than Delvin.
- Norris
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"northerner"Description:
Somehow more modern and likable than Morris or Doris.
- Gustavus
Description:
Gustavus is the Latin form of Gustav, a masculine name of Swedish origin meaning 'staff of the Geats' or 'staff of the Goths,' referring to the ancient Germanic people. This stately name has been borne by several Swedish kings, most notably Gustavus Adolphus, who led Sweden to military prominence during the Thirty Years' War. The Latinized ending gives it a scholarly, classical flair compared to the more common Gustav. While never extremely common outside Sweden, Gustavus has maintained a presence in academic and aristocratic circles. The name conveys dignity, wisdom, and historical gravitas. In contemporary usage, it offers parents a distinguished alternative to more common classical names, with the friendly nickname options Gus or Gusty providing balance to its formal elegance.
- Newton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"new town"Description:
Named after Isaac. Or Wayne.
- Lowry
Origin:
English and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"from Laurentum"Description:
This artistic surname name derives from a diminutive of Laurence/Lawrence, and was famously borne by the English painter LS Lowry.
- Marmaduke
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"devotee of Maedoc"Description:
One of the ultimate teasable names, an Irish saint's name now associated with the oversized comic-strip dog. Scottish adventurer Bear (born Edward) Grylls took up the challenge when he used it for his son.
- Hopper
Origin:
English or DutchMeaning:
"leaper, dancer; hop grower"Description:
Sean and Robin Wright Penn chose this name for their son to honor their friend Dennis Hopper; others might associate it with the painter Edward. Couldn't be more spirited.
- Hamilton
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"treeless hill"Description:
Unless it runs in your family, or Alexander Hamilton is your particular hero, you might consider something less imposing -- and without the teasable nickname Ham. Scottish curler Hamilton McMillan Jr pulls it off though, with nickname Hammy.
- Richardson
Description:
Richardson is a masculine name with English origins, traditionally used as a surname meaning 'son of Richard.' Richard itself combines Germanic elements meaning 'powerful' and 'ruler,' making Richardson essentially mean 'son of the powerful ruler.' As a first name, Richardson is uncommon, having never ranked among popular given names in the US or UK. It represents the trend of using surnames as first names, appealing to families looking for formal, distinguished-sounding names or those wishing to honor someone with the Richardson surname. The name offers friendly nicknames like Rich, Rick, or Richie. It carries connotations of dignity and tradition while maintaining its distinctiveness as a first name.
- Gibson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"Gilbert's son"Description:
An undiscovered patronymic surname, Gibson blends the cool, rugged feel of names like Bridger, Riggs, and Hudson with the clunky charm of names like Gilbert, Wilbur, and Digby. Associated with the popular brand of guitars, it could make an unexpected, music-related option.
- Almond
Origin:
English word name or variation of Almund or Aleman, GermanMeaning:
"almond; noble strength; German"Description:
Almond may seem like a hippy modern name, but its use for American boys goes right back to the mid-nineteenth century. In these cases, it was either a variation of Almund, meaning "noble strength," or the surname Aleman, meaning "German."
- Israel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he who struggles with God"Description:
Though it was used by the Puritans in the sixteenth century, the founding of the modern Jewish state in 1948 transformed Israel from a traditional favorite into an icon of Judaism.
- Valerius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for boys may inspire a revival of this strong choice.
- Lycurgus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"wolf work"Description:
Lycurgus was the name of several mythological and legendary figures in Ancient Greece — a Spartan lawmaker and a king as well as the husband of Eurydice and a king who attacked Dionysus.
- Roswell
Description:
Roswell is a masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old English surname that combines 'rose' (the flower) and 'well' (a spring or water source). The name gained some recognition in the United States after the alleged UFO incident in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, which added a mysterious dimension to its appeal. As a first name, Roswell has remained relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking distinctive names with historical roots. It conveys a sense of strength and uniqueness while maintaining its connection to natural elements. The name can be shortened to Ross, providing a more conventional nickname option.
- Sylvanus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"wood; forest"Description:
Sylvanus or Silvanus was the Roman god of the forest whose name is much more often found today in such variations as Sylvia, Sylvie and even Silas than in its original form. But if you're looking for a genuine mythological or Ancient Roman name with a nature connection, this might be the perfect choice.
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