My favorite boys names

Derrick

Spelling variation of Derek, English from German form of Theodoric,"the people's ruler"

"the people's ruler"

Derek is one of those names that, in its heyday, spawned lots of variations, all trendy. Last year, about 300 baby boys were named Derrick and about 1350 were named Derek.

Joey

Diminutive of Joseph

"Jehovah increases"

This nickname for popular and traditional Joseph has a long history of being used as a given name all on its own. Nonetheless, everyone will always assume that Joey is short for the longer form. It…

Joe

Diminutive of Joseph

"Jehovah increases"

Joe is still the ultimate good-guy name, not at all diminished by its longevity or popularity or its everyman rep as Regular Joe, Cowboy Joe, G.I. Joe, Joe Exotic, Joe Blow, Joe Millionaire, Average…

Dewey

Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd

"beloved"

Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation…

Bobby

Diminutive of Robert

"bright fame"

Bobby is the quintessential mid-century nickname, the name of the son on Mad Men and overused to the point of cliche. Though Robert is still a highly popular choice, most Roberts today are called by…

Barry

Irish

"spear"

This Anglicized form of Bearach or short form of Finbarr was in the Top 200 in the USA for 50 years until the early 80s when it rapidly fell out of favor. Barry has not yet found popularity in the…

Brad

Diminutive of Bradley

Pitt is the prototypical blond Brad.

Pete

Diminutive of Peter

"rock"

Sixties-style short form that sounds cool again -- though the unscrupulous Pete on "Mad Men" is not a character to emulate.

Adolf

German

"noble wolf"

Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given…