User-created list
By Zev Bordowitz · Updated May 2023
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Festo is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from 'festus' meaning 'festive' or 'joyful.' This uncommon name carries connotations of celebration, happiness, and liveliness. While rare in…
Herb is a masculine name that originated as a shortened form of Herbert, which comes from Germanic elements 'hari' meaning 'army' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright.' Primarily used in English-speaking…
Danish, diminutive of Jacob
Ib, though it sounds insubstantial here, is actually a pretty common name in Denmark.
Diminutive of Jonathan
"gift of Jehovah"
Jaunty, to say the least, Jonty might be an option if Johnny feels too old school. It has been noticed most often on the playing fields, as in U.K. rugby player Jonty Parkin (born Jonathan) and South…
English
"cheerful, jolly"
Julie as a masculine name represents an interesting cross-cultural usage, as it is predominantly recognized as a feminine name in English-speaking countries. As a masculine name, it may have roots in…
Just is a masculine name with Latin roots, derived from the word "justus" meaning "fair" or "righteous." As a given name, it carries strong connotations of morality, integrity, and fairness. Popular…
English, Irish
"bold, brave; battle"
Actor Mark Ruffalo honed this surname down to its basics when he chose it for his son. A more usable expansion might be the Irish surname Keenan/Keenen.
Cornish
"great chief"
Kenver is derived from the ancient British name Cunmorus, meaning "great chief." We much prefer this newer iteration. A pronunciation note: the R in Kenver is not enunciated.
English word name
"family; connectedness"
This unusual English word name and surname was the middle name of American sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, after his mother's maiden name. Its striking sound and appealing meaning make it a promising…
Variation of Lawrence, Latin
"from Laurentum"
Loris is a theoretically-unisex name virtually never used for any babies these days.
Diminutive of Columbus, English from Latin
"dove"
A forgotten nickname for Columbus, which itself is becoming ever rarer. Radio comedy program Lum and Abner , which ran for over two decades beginning in 1931, featured a character named Columbus…
Italian, diminutive of Tomasso
"twin"
Appealing, lively, and distinctive.
Romani
"leaf trail"
Patrin is a truly unusual yet easily comprehended choice. In Romani culture, Patrin refers to the signs and markers that were left behind for other travellers to follow. Piles of leaves and grass…
English and Irish, diminutive of Patrick
"noble, patrician."
Patsy has been rarely heard for half a century, for either gender, and we're not expecting that to change in the near future..
Hebrew; Spanish
"gold; peace"
Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer…
Diminutive of Simon, Hebrew
"the listener"
Si is an intriguing antique nickname for Simon and Silas, and we’ve also heard it as a short form of names that contain the "sigh" sound, like Josiah and Osiris. It’s too slight to stand solo on the…
"glowing particle"
A word name with a fire-y personality. Sparky is an old-school nickname for a boy, but Spark sounds both more grownup and modern.
English surname
"lively; fiery; one who lives near the shrub"
Sparks was originally used as a nickname in Medieval England, typically as a pet name for a lively person (or in an ironic sense, for one who was not). It was also likely used as a nickname for…
Welsh
"beloved friend"
Taffy, in addition to being a diminutive of Dafydd, is a slang term for Welsh people in general – probably from the River Taff. Too candy-like to be used in the US.
