Oregon Trail era names - boys
- Willis
Origin:
Diminutive of William, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
A common surname that was popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th century, Willis dropped off the US Top 1000 back in the early 90s, just as alternative William diminutive, Liam, began to skyrocket.
- Willoughby
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"farm near the willows"Description:
Willoughby is an energetic last-name-first route to the popular short form Will, livelier than any of the two-syllable options. It could be picked up by parents attracted to the Willow sound for girls.
- Wilmot
Origin:
Manx variation of WilliamDescription:
Wilmot has the sort of old-school bookish charm of other surname-sounding names like Beckett, Everett, Griffith and Weston. This could be a good choice for families wanting to honor that special William in a creative way, It has a double derivation: either straight from William, or via a feminine version of William.
- Wilson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Will"Description:
Wilson is a substantive presidential choice far less prevalent than Taylor or Tyler, and with the advantage of being a new route to friendly nickname Will. We see Wilson growing in popularity as an alternative to William; and as a patronymic, it would make a conceivable (if possibly confusing) choice for a son of William.
- Windham
Description:
Windham is a masculine name of English origin, derived from a place name meaning 'home by the windy hill' or 'windy homestead' in Old English. This distinctive surname-turned-first-name carries associations with nature and the outdoors through its wind element. Historically used as a family name in England, Windham has the distinguished feel common to many surname-to-first-name conversions. While not widely used as a given name, it offers parents seeking an uncommon choice a name with substantial history and clear English roots. Windham conveys a sense of tradition and refinement with its two-syllable structure and distinctive sound. It might appeal to those drawn to other nature-influenced or place-based names.
- Wulf
Description:
Wulf is a masculine name with ancient Germanic roots, directly meaning 'wolf' in Old Germanic languages. This powerful, single-syllable name carries historical significance as both a standalone name and as an element in compound Germanic names like Wolfgang ('wolf path'). The wolf symbolism evokes qualities of loyalty, strength, and wilderness across many cultures. Wulf has experienced periodic popularity in Germanic countries but remains uncommon in English-speaking regions, giving it a distinctive quality. The name's brevity and strong consonant ending create a bold, memorable impression. In modern usage, Wulf appeals to parents seeking names with primal energy, ancient roots, and connection to nature. Its straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it accessible despite its unique character.
- Wyatt
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"brave in war"Description:
Wyatt has been hot, which is to say cool, for several years now. With its easy Wyatt Earpish cowboy charm, it's relaxed but still highly respectable.
- Wylie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from Wylye"Description:
Wylie is a friendly, nonchalant rodeo name with an almost irresistible charm; parents may pick up on its pleasant similarity to the more popular, unisex Riley. Although more masculine, we see Wylie as working as well for boys and girls (Richard Anderson used it for his daughter in 1999). Wylie (or the interchangeable Wiley) can also be an original and authentic way to honor an ancestral William. We don't, however, recommend you spell the name the way Corey Parker did: Wylei. Why lay?
- Wentworth
- Wiltis
- Zachariah
Origin:
Hebrew, form of ZechariahMeaning:
"the Lord has remembered"Description:
This distinguished name still feels a bit ancient, but with the rise of such former graybeards as Jeremiah and Elijah, it also sounds child-friendly again, as does the Latin-Greek form Zacharias.
- Zacheus
Description:
Zacheus is a masculine name with ancient biblical roots, being a variant spelling of Zacchaeus, who appears in the New Testament as a tax collector who encountered Jesus. The name derives from Hebrew, meaning 'pure' or 'innocent.' This spelling variation maintains the historical and religious connections while slightly simplifying the traditional form. Zacheus offers parents a way to honor biblical tradition while using a somewhat less common variant than the popular Zachary, which shares the same Hebrew root. Though never widely used, Zacheus has maintained consistent, if minimal, usage throughout history, particularly in religious communities. The name carries connotations of spiritual transformation and redemption based on its biblical associations.
- Zebulon
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"exaltation or little dwelling"Description:
An Old Testament name with a Puritan feel and post-Zachary possibilities--one of several routes to the cool nickname Zeb.
- Zenas
Description:
Zenas is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, appearing in the New Testament as a Christian convert mentioned by Paul. The name derives from Zeus, the supreme deity in Greek mythology, essentially meaning 'gift of Zeus' or 'living from Zeus.' Despite its biblical presence, Zenas has remained quite rare throughout history. It carries a distinctive combination of religious significance and classical Greek heritage. The name has a strong, masculine quality with its decisive 'Z' beginning and 's' ending, creating a symmetrical sound. While uncommon, Zenas might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical depth, biblical connections, and a distinctive sound that stands out from more conventional choices while still being relatively straightforward to pronounce.
- Zenon
Origin:
Ancient Greek and Polish form of Zeno and ZeusMeaning:
"sky, shine; gift of Zeus"Description:
Zenon is a relative of Zeno, which is a form of Zeus, used in both ancient Greece and modern Poland. With the new rise of all names mythological, this one may deserve a fresh look.
- Zenos
Description:
Zenos is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from the word 'xenos' meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner.' It shares roots with the more common Zenon or Zeno, names associated with ancient Greek philosophers. In the Bible, Zenos appears as an ancient prophet mentioned in the Book of Mormon, giving the name religious significance for some communities. While relatively uncommon in modern usage, Zenos offers a distinctive alternative to more popular Z-names like Zane or Zachary. The name carries connotations of wisdom, uniqueness, and an exotic quality that appeals to parents seeking something rare yet historically grounded.
- Zerah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to arise; dawn"Description:
The Biblical Zerah is etymologically related to such names as Zora, which also means dawn. While the vowel sound at the end of the name does not sound as feminine to our modern ear as it once did, thanks to such popular choices as Noah and Joshua, but the downside of Zerah is that it is quite similar to such girls' names as Zara and Sarah.
- Zimri
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my music, my praise"Description:
This unusual and spunky biblical name was one of the Kings of Israel as well as one of Judah's grandsons and has a wonderful meaning. We'd like to see Zimri being used more, and we think it has potential — "traveling lite" names, or 2 syllable names ending in -i, such as Zuri, Ezri, and Rafi are red-hot right now.
- Zachuriah
- Zavitz