Handsome Geek Names

  1. Albert
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, bright"
    • Description:

      Albert has acquired a new gloss as one of the top royal baby boy names, a considerable upgrade from its serious, studious image (think Einstein, Schweitzer).
  2. Bernard
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "strong, brave as a bear"
    • Description:

      Bernard is obviously a saint's name, but how did it get to the big, benevolent dog? The eleventh century monk, patron saint of mountain climbers, who lived in the Alps, was famed for setting up safe houses for pilgrims on their way to Rome over the treacherous St. Bernard Pass, and the canine breed, also used to rescue people in treacherous conditions, was named for him.
  3. Bert
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Albert and Bertram
    • Description:

      A once-popular nickname for Albert and Bertram now being polished up by hip Brits, but still hibernating in the Land of Nerd over here.
  4. Burt
    • Clarence
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "bright"
      • Description:

        The name of the guardian angel in It's a Wonderful Life is rarely heard the rest of the year because of its studious, near-nerdy image, but this could change in the current naming climate.
    • Clayton
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "place with good clay"
      • Description:

        Clayton is one of those names that feels like it could be recently popular but does in fact have a long history of use. It has made the US Top 400 every year since the records began, and though more recently it has been in decline, it is still given to more than 1000 babies every year
    • Clint
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Clinton
      • Description:

        As flinty and steely as Mr. Eastwood.
    • Donald
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "proud chief"
      • Description:

        Donald has been used for centuries in Scotland, where the Macdonald clan is one of the most ancient and where there have been six early Scottish kings by that name. Donald was a Top 20 name throughout most of the early twentieth century.
    • Duncan
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "dark warrior"
      • Description:

        Duncan is jaunty, confident, and open, a Scottish royal name that's brimming with friendly charm and makes it into our golden circle of names that are neither too popular nor too strange. Popularity aside, Duncan is one of the most classic Scottish names for boys.
    • Edwin
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "wealthy friend"
      • Description:

        Some might be surprised to learn that Edwin has been a consistent presence on the popular names list since statistics have become available.
    • Ernest
      • Origin:

        English from German
      • Meaning:

        "serious, resolute"
      • Description:

        Ernest is one of those sober, so-far-out-they're-beginning-to-be-reconsidered Great Uncle names. Ernest recently received a big style boost when Britain's Princess Eugenie chose it for her second son.
    • Eugene
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "wellborn, noble"
      • Description:

        Eugene is a classic that has rather lost its way. On the one hand, it's a grandpa, even great-grandpa name that hasn't been one of the cool kids recently—or to quote Jim Carrey, who bears this name in the middle spot, "You can never get too cool with a name like Eugene." The hero of Disney's Tangled felt the same way, when he changed his birth name of Eugene to the more romantic Flynn.
    • Gene
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Eugene, Greek
      • Meaning:

        "wellborn, noble"
      • Description:

        Like Ray, a formerly funky nickname name that is newly cool. Comedian Amy Schumer used it for her son.
    • Gerald
      • Origin:

        English and Irish from German
      • Meaning:

        "ruler with the spear"
      • Description:

        Both a saint's name and a presidential one via Gerald Ford—who was born Leslie—Gerald is a quintessential 1930s-40s name, when it ranked as high as Number 19. Hence all those nice middle-aged and senior Jerrys we've known and loved. Gerald has always been popular in Ireland, accounting for the prevalence of Fitzgeralds there. Though not considered stylish, Gerald remains on the popularity charts. Cousin Gerard has a similar profile, Geraldo is the well-used Spanish version, and Geraldine is the most promising of the family, in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival.
    • Graham
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "gravelly homestead"
      • Description:

        Well used in England and Scotland since the fifties, the smooth and sophisticated Graham is catching on here.
    • Grant
      • Origin:

        Scottish from French
      • Meaning:

        "large"
      • Description:

        One-time beach-boy compadre of Glenn, Greg, and Gary that originated as a nickname for a tall person, Grant has become a no-nonsense, career-oriented grown-up and one that is seeing new appreciation. It was chosen for his son by actor Morris Chestnut. It has cultural cred via artist Grant Wood, whose best known painting is 'American Gothic.'
    • Grover
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "lives near a grove of trees"
      • Description:

        Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look.
    • Howard
      • Origin:

        German, English
      • Meaning:

        "high guardian; brave heart"
      • Description:

        Howard, once hugely popular -- in the Top 50 from the 1870s to early 1950s, hitting Number 24 in 1920 -- has been stuck in Dad-Grandad limbo for decades, but is showing some signs of stirring back to life. Along with such formerly-fusty names as George and Harold, Howard may soon feel baby-appropriate, perhaps with the short form Ward, or the clunky-cute Howie.
    • Irving
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "green river, sea friend"
      • Description:

        It might be surprising to know that this name originated as a Scottish place and surname name, as in Washington Irving. It became a popular choice for first-generation Jewish-American boys, such as best-selling authors Irving Stone and Irving Wallace, whose parents looked to surnames from the British Isles to confer a measure of assimilation and class.
    • Leland
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "meadow land"
      • Description:

        Popular in the first half of the 20th century, Leland briefly fell out of favor in the late 90s. After a short break from the US charts, it returned in the mid-2000s, with actor Brendan Fraser choosing it for his youngest son, possibly making it feel cool again. Given to around 500 boys each year, Leland is in the Top 600.