Oregon Trail era names - boys

Parley

Parley is a masculine name with English origins, derived from the Old French word 'parler' meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk.' Historically, a parley was a conference or discussion between opposing…

Patton

English

"fighter's town"

Patton is an attractive name in the fashionable Haden-Peyton mold, though there is that association with the severe wartime general.

Percival

French

"one who pierces the valley"

There are several Percivals scattered through the Harry Potter series, which might help transform the old-fangled, fussy image it has accrued. Actually, the original Percival was the one perfectly…

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…

Peregrine

Latin

"traveler, pilgrim"

Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's…

Perry

English

"dweller near a pear tree"

It's a long time now since this casual but suave name was linked to velvet-throated, cardigan-sweatered singer Perry (born Pierino, son of Pietro) Como's day... and this could be the moment for a…

Philemon

Greek

"kiss"

Rarely heard New Testament name -- he was a friend of Saint Paul -- that might conceivably stand up to modern usage.

Pierre

French variation of Peter

"rock, stone"

One of the most familiar — if not stereotypical — Gallic names. Pierre was a Top 5 name in France from the 19th century through 1940 and is now on a steady decline in its native land. In the US,…

Quinten

See QUENTIN and QUINTIN.

Ralph

English from German

"wolf-counsel"

Ralph has two diametrically different images: there's the suave Ralph Fiennes-type Brit (often pronounced Rafe), and then there's the Jackie Gleason blue-collar, bowling blowhard Ralph Kramden bus…

Ranson

Ranson is a masculine name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word 'ranson' or 'ransum,' meaning 'shield' or 'redemption.' It's historically connected to the concept of paying a…

Redmond

Irish variation of Raymond

"wise protector"

We love this partly for purely personal reasons, since it is one of our surnames. We used it as the middle name of a son –and it can make a good first choice too. Redmond – also found as Reamann or…

Reginald

English

"counsel power"

Now seen as the chap in the smoking jacket in a 1930s drawing-room comedy, Reginald has actually been on the US popularity list every year since 1880. A name that was quite common throughout the…