Roman Catholic Inspired Names

Ferrer

Ferrer is a masculine name of Catalan and Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word 'ferrarius' meaning 'blacksmith' or 'ironworker.' As a surname-turned-first-name, it reflects an occupational…

Fiacre

French from Irish

"crow"

French form of Fiachra

Finnbar

Finnbar is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, deriving from the elements 'fionn' meaning 'fair, white' and 'barr' meaning 'head, top' or 'chief.' It's a variant of the more common Finbar or…

Finnian

Irish

"fair"

Finnian is a fair jig of a name, energetic and easy on the ear. Finnian (and brother Finian) is also familiar in its alternate spelling through the classic 1968 Broadway musical Finian's Rainbow ,…

Florian

Latin

"flowering"

If Flora and Florence have returned full force, then Florian, with its strong Latinate ending and its botanical meaning in one to watch out for. Popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and…

Fulton

English

"fields of the village"

One of the surname names used more in the last century, à la Milton and Morton.

Gerald

English and Irish from German

"ruler with the spear"

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…

Gerard

English and Irish from German

"spear strength"

Gerard is currently in style limbo, after reaching peak popularity in the 1950s. With its strong meaning and gentle sound, it may be back in a generation or two. But for now, a boy called Gerard will…

Giles

Greek

"young goat"

One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.

Gregor

Scottish form of Gregory

"vigilant, a watchman"

Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And…

Hilary

Latin from Greek

"cheerful, happy"

The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.

Hunt

Word name

Blunt. Stick to Hunter.

Hyacinth

English, Greek

"blue larkspur; precious stone"

Though it may not be as sweet and gentle as, say, Violet, the purple-hued Hyacinth still might hold some appeal for the parent seeking a truly unconventional flower name. In Greek mythology…

Innocent

Latin

"harmless, innocent"

Innocent, the name of thirteen popes, is rarely heard in a secular setting, where its loaded meaning could open the door to ridicule.