Down the Rabbit Hole Names

Cortes

Cortes is a surname of Spanish origin that has been adopted as a masculine given name. It derives from the Old Spanish word 'cortés' meaning 'courteous' or 'polite.' The name gained historical…

Burney

English

"island of the brook"

Though they sound exactly alike, this spelling makes it much more elegant than Bernie.

Szczepan

Szczepan is a masculine Polish name equivalent to the English Stephen. Derived from the Greek name Stephanos meaning "crown" or "garland," it has deep historical roots in Poland. The distinctive…

Viper

French

"snake"

As cool as it is frightening.

Sa'ad

Sa'ad is a masculine name of Arabic origin. It derives from the Arabic word سعد (sa'd) meaning "happiness" or "good fortune." The name appears in various forms across Arabic-speaking regions and has…

Thaxter

Thaxter is an uncommon masculine name with Anglo-Saxon origins. Historically, it emerged as an occupational surname derived from the Old English word 'þæcstere,' meaning 'thatcher' - someone who…

Wye

Wye is an unusual masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the River Wye in England and Wales, following the tradition of geographical place names. Alternatively, it could…

Matvei

Matvei is a masculine name of Russian origin, serving as the Russian form of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of God.' This name has been used in Russia and other…

Ripleigh

Ripleigh is a modern masculine name that combines the established surname Ripley with the trendy '-leigh' spelling pattern. While relatively new to the naming landscape, it exemplifies the…

Pheonix

Pheonix is a masculine name variant of Phoenix, which derives from Greek mythology representing a bird that cyclically regenerates, rising from its own ashes. This alternate spelling has gained…

Longfellow

English

"tall one"

Longfellow is the first name of the eponymous hero of the classic 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town , later remade with Adam Sandler. But it's hard to imagine a modern parent using it except as a…

Agu

Igbo

"tiger"

In its native Nigeria, Agu is a surname that signifies strength and being a force of nature. Agu as a first name has some pedigree, however: most notably via Agu Casmir, a famous Nigerian-Singaporean…

Northcliff

English

"northern cliff"

Stick with North.

Toryn

Variation of Torin, Irish

"chief"

The original Torin is overwhelmingly male, but this variation is almost equally split between the sexes.

Bentlea

Bentlea is a modern masculine name that appears to be a creative variation of names like Bentley or Bentlee. The origin is likely Anglo-Saxon, derived from 'bent' (coarse grass) and 'lea' or 'leigh'…

Tullius

Roman, meaning unknown

An ancient Roman family name, best known from the orator and author Marcus Tullius Cicero.

Ovid

Latin, meaning unknown

Ovid is the English form of the Roman family name Ovidius, which possibly comes from the word for sheep. It is the usual English name for the first-century poet Publius Ovidius Naso.

Cees

Cees is a masculine Dutch name, pronounced 'case' or 'kays,' functioning as a short form of Cornelis, the Dutch variant of Cornelius. This name has Roman origins from the clan name Cornelius,…

Hazelton

English

"settlement near hazel trees"

Unless it was your grandmother's maiden name, and you're using it in the middle place, we don't think so. Could be confused with Hazelden, a leading rehab facility.

Thunder

English word name

"a loud rumbling or crashing noise heard after a lightning flash"

This booming word name has been used every year since 1988, yet at most was given to 30 baby boys in a single year. But with names like Thunder, all it takes is one celebrity to bring it to the…