Oregon Trail era names - boys

Fairfax

English

"blond"

If this name makes you think of Victorian novels, it's because Fairfax was part of Mr Rochester's name in Jane Eyre , and the surname of a minor character in Jane Austen's Emma . It has a distinctly…

Flavius

Latin

"yellow, blond"

Flavius is an ancient Roman family name associated with a dynasty of emperors. It has an appealingly flavorful first syllable, and is the name of a stylist in the Hunger Games series. Earlier…

Gabel

Gabel is a masculine name with Germanic roots, functioning primarily as a surname before occasional use as a first name. Derived from the Middle High German 'gabel' meaning 'fork' or 'forked…

Gerhard

German variation of Gerard

In its native Germany, Gerhard was very popular a hundred years ago and is now rather old-fashioned. It isn't much used by English speakers either, but has a certain clunky charm about it.

Gervase

Variation of Gervaise, French

"skilled with a spear"

This venerable name was introduced to England by the Normans after the conquest of 1066 and was relatively common during the Middle Ages. Saint Gervase, a Christian martyr from Milan, has lent the…

Gillis

Gillis is a masculine name of multiple origins, functioning as both a given name and surname across various European cultures. In Dutch and Scandinavian usage, it developed as a diminutive of names…

Gottlieb

Gottlieb is a traditional German masculine name with deep religious roots. Derived from the elements 'Gott' meaning 'God' and 'lieb' meaning 'love' or 'dear,' it can be translated as 'God's love' or…

Gustavus

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…

Hieronymus

German variation of Jerome

"sacred name"

This cognate of Jerome (of all things), familiar via the Dutch painter of fantastical scenes, H. Bosch, would appeal only to the most audacious, intrepid, attention-seeking baby namer. It is,…

Humphrey

German

"peaceful warrior"

Humphrey is an old name that might have faded completely were it not for that Bogie flair. A royal name in Britain, where it's used somewhat more frequently, Humphrey might just have some life beyond…