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  1. Tove

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful, beloved"

    • Description:

      Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name for which there are no letters on the twenty-first century keyboard (Þórfríðr, for those interested.) Surviving and thriving in modern Scandinavia in the form of Tove, Tuva, and Tova, it is originally related to the name Thor and means "beautiful, beloved."
  2. Trudie

    • Description:

      Trudie is a charming feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Gertrude, which comes from Germanic elements meaning "spear" and "strength." This shortened version softens the more formal Gertrude, giving it a friendly, approachable quality. Popular in the early 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, Trudie has a vintage appeal that's beginning to see renewed interest among parents seeking nostalgic yet distinctive names. The name carries a sweet, unpretentious character while maintaining a connection to its strong historical roots. Often associated with trustworthiness and authenticity (possibly due to its phonetic connection to "true"), Trudie combines pleasant sounds with subtle strength.

  3. Valentine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to turn around.
  4. Viggo

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "war"

    • Description:

      Though to most Americans Viggo is a one-person name attached to intense actor Mortensen, it is actually an old Norse name dating back to the Vikings, and is currently the 32nd most popular appellation in Sweden. Viggo Mortensen is a Jr., sharing his name with his Danish father.
  5. Wednesday

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Woden's day"

    • Description:

      Made famous by the iconic and macabre character Wednesday Addams, this name has the spooky and Halloween-inspired feel that some parents might be looking for. The character has appeared in various adaptations of The Addams Family over the years, but the 2022 television series starring Jenna Ortega has given the name an unexpected boost in popularity.
  6. Wells

    • Origin:

      Surname from place name

    • Meaning:

      "spring"

    • Description:

      Wells is a newly-famous baby name thanks to pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who uses it as the short form of the buttoned-up Wellington, name of her youngest child.
  7. Wendy

    • Origin:

      English, Celtic, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "friend or white"

    • Description:

      It is popularly claimed that the name Wendy was invented by Sir James Barrie in 1904 for the big sister character in his play Peter Pan, which was followed by the classic novel in 1911. Barrie supposedly took it from the nickname "fwendy-wendy", that he was called by a young girl acquaintance.
  8. Wilbur

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute, brilliant"

    • Description:

      Wilbur is a stylish name in the UK whose merits are just starting to be discovered in the US. Wilbur, the loveable pig who Charlotte of the Web called Some Pig, is an inspirational hero. And Wilbur and Orville Wright were early aviationists.
  9. Wildflower

    • Origin:

      Nature and flower name

    • Description:

      Wildflower may be the ultimate hippie name, added to the lexicon by Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden when they chose it as one of their daughter's middle names. It's generic in the way that Flora and River are, as opposed to Iris and Nile, say. But it has a certain free and creative charm.
  10. Wilfred

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "desires peace"

    • Description:

      Wilfred is one of those Old Man Names that still sounds fusty in the US but is fashionable in the UK. It comes with readymade short forms Will or Fred and might make an adventurous alternative to the ubiquitous William. The central character of Walter Scott's Ivanhoe is the knight Wilfred of Ivanhoe. Wilfred Owens was a well-known British poet.
  11. Willie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of William

    • Description:

      There have been many great Willies (Mays, Nelson, Wonka), but a boy with this name could never ever go to England. Most people will also assume it is short for the more traditional William, which might be the best avenue for achieving this nickname.
  12. Willow

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Meaning:

      "willow tree"

    • Description:

      An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.
  13. Winifred

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "blessed peacemaking"

    • Description:

      One of the few remaining unrestored vintage gems, with a choice of two winning nicknames--the girlish Winnie and the tomboyish Freddie. Winifred, the name of a legendary Welsh saint, was a Top 200 name into the mid-1920's.
  14. Winters

    • Origin:

      English surname-name

    • Description:

      Now that Winter is officially a first name, the surname Winters can be drawn into the pack of appropriate names for winter babies. Or summer babies, if it's a family name.