User-created list
By Zev Bordowitz · Updated May 2023
Across 7 pages
of 7
English
"place with thatching"
The name of the famous British man of letters might just appeal to some English majors as a more interesting alternative to Zachary. An appropriate playmate for Russell Crowe's boy Tennyson.
English and Scottish occupational name
"metalworker"
If you're tired of Oliver, you might consider this energetic three-syllable surname instead, so you could have a little Tolly instead of an Ollie. Tolliver is a not-too-obvious occupational Scottish…
English word and nickname
One of the magical words of childhood (and beyond), and associated with actor Treat (born Richard) Williams, whose nickname came from ancestor Robert Treat Williams, a signer of the Declaration of…
Diminutive of Irving
Actor Rhames's imaginative shortening of the prosaic Irving, giving it new life and energy.
Diminutive of Wilton, English
"place by a stream"
Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain (born Wilton) lends a sort of mythic quality to his name. Few have ventured to use it since it is so tied to the famed Chamberlain, but it could make an inspired…
Diminutive of Willem, contracted form of Wilhelm, Dutch, German
"resolute protector"
With a sound that brings to mind at once "whim," "vim," and "win," this is one Dutch boys' name with serious potential for use in the English-speaking world. Film director Wim Wenders brought this to…
"happy, friendly"
The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
Brita is a feminine name with Scandinavian and German origins. It developed as a variant of Bridget (or Brigid), which ultimately derives from the Celtic name meaning 'strength' or 'exalted one.'…
English, diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Yes, it's a word name, but Busy is also a rare pet form of Elizabeth. And yes, actress Busy Philipps was christened Elizabeth--she was given the nickname because she was such an active child. She…
Diminuitve of Carol or Caroline, English, French ,"free man"
"free man"
Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.
Carry is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Caroline or Carol, both deriving from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man." It can also be seen as a variant spelling of Carrie…
Khmer
"moon girl"
Channary, a sweet and preppy sounding name with a lovely lunar meaning, belongs to a character in the Lunar Chronicles series. Her relatives Levana and Selene have similarly moon-inspired monikers.
Chia is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Italian, it's a diminutive of Lucia, meaning "light." In Chinese, depending on the character used, it can mean "good" or "beautiful." The…
English surname
"jackdaw"
In keeping with other short names like Poe and Bo, Coe is a surname that could easily move into first place. It has a sports hero factor as well, in Olympic runner Sebastian Coe — who later became a…
Short form of Cosette or Cosima; Variation of Cozy; English word name
Cosy is a, well, cozy name, whose only downside is people forever making that dumb joke. Cosy can be short for Cosima or Cosette but can certainly stand on its own as a word name. Another plus:…
English word name
"comfortable"
A snug word name that may appeal to hygge-minded parents. It reappeared on the US charts in both 2020 and 2022 after a gap of 55 years. It can be short for Cosima or Cosette/Cozette.
Spanish from Greek
"golden flower, chrysanthemum"
Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of…
Tagalog
"pure"
Means "pure" in the Tagalog language of the Philippines.
English variation of Doris
Doss is Doris's cute, spunky, younger cousin. If Doris is wearing tan stockings and curling her hair, Doss is wearing skinny jeans and using a flat iron.
Edra is a concise feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Hebrew name Edre, meaning 'flock' or 'cloud', or have connections to Greek or Welsh roots. In Welsh contexts, it…
