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Names from Beatrix Potter Books

  1. Johnny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      The ultimate midcentury nickname, retaining a good measure of retro charm, was chosen for her son by Mira Sorvino.
  2. Brock

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "badger"

    • Description:

      Brock is a rock solid name, with a touch of preppy sophistication. It ranked solidly in the 200s-300s from 1975 until 2014, but has since tumbled a bit.
  3. Campbell

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "crooked mouth"

    • Description:

      The seventh most common surname in Scotland, once associated only with soup, is now being considered as a last-name-first choice, accessible but unusual.
  4. Tommy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thomas

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      A surprising number of parents choose to put the nickname Tommy on their son's birth certificate rather than the more traditional Thomas. Perhaps even more surprising is thE fact that Tommy has never been off the United States popularity charts. More recently, however, the name has been trending downward.
  5. Ptolemy

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "aggressive, warlike"

    • Description:

      Pronounced "TAHL-a-mee," this was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals and several Greco-Egyptian rulers, as well as the name of a famous Greek astronomer. Actress Gretchen Mol brought it into modern times when she chose it for her baby.
  6. Newton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "new town"

    • Description:

      Named after Isaac. Or Wayne.
  7. Jenny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Janet, Jane, Jean, and Jennifer

    • Description:

      At the height of the Jennifer craze, many parents were cutting straight to the nickname and putting Jenny on the birth certificate. But now that Jennifer is the mom rather than the daughter, Jenny, which has been somewhat replaced by Jenna, has faded as well.
  8. Sandy

    • Origin:

      Scottish and English diminutive of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      A sweet Scottish short form of Alexander which is feeling newly appealing now the era of Sandra is far behind us. Sandy would also work well as a nickname for a child with pale red or dark blond hair.
  9. Diggory

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "Lost one"

    • Description:

      This buoyant name has the same bouncy rhythm as Rafferty and Barnaby, but is virtually unused. It has plenty of literary cred, too: characters in The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native have all borne the name.
  10. Tod

    • Description:

      Tod is a masculine name of German and English origin, meaning 'death' in German or functioning as a short form of the names Theodore ('gift of God') or Todhunter. Despite its somewhat grim German meaning, the name has enjoyed moderate popularity in English-speaking countries. Tod peaked in usage during the mid-20th century but has since declined. The name carries a strong, concise quality with its three-letter simplicity. Famous bearers include American actor Tod Andrews and baseball player Tod Sloan, which helped establish it as a recognizable yet uncommon choice. Tod's brevity gives it a straightforward, no-nonsense character.

  11. Willie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of William, German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      There have been many great Willies (Mays, Nelson, Wonka), but a boy with this name could never ever go to England. Most people will also assume it is short for the more traditional William, which might be the best avenue for achieving this nickname.
  12. Paddy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patrick, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"

    • Description:

      Because it's a generic (and often derogatory) term for an Irishman, Paddy fell out of use as a diminutive or given name, though actress Mare Winningham used it not long ago.
  13. Bonny

    • Description:

      Bonny is a charming feminine name of Scottish and English origin that literally means 'pretty,' 'attractive,' or 'fair.' It derives from the Old French word 'bon' meaning 'good.' The name gained recognition through the Scottish folk song 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.' While primarily used as a given name for girls, Bonny has occasionally been used for boys as well. Throughout history, it has been more commonly used as a nickname or term of endearment rather than a formal name. Bonny enjoyed modest popularity in the early to mid-20th century but has since become less common, giving it a sweet, vintage appeal for modern parents seeking something simple yet distinctive.
  14. Potter

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "maker of drinking and storage vessels"

    • Description:

      Could join such up-and-comers as Miller and Gardener, though the "potty" and Harry Potter associations are strong and potentially unappealing these days.
  15. Mcgregor

    • Description:

      McGregor is a masculine name derived from Scottish and Irish heritage, originating as a surname meaning 'son of Gregor.' The ancestral name comes from the Scottish clan McGregor, with Gregor deriving from the Latin name Gregorius, meaning 'watchful' or 'vigilant.' As a first name, McGregor represents a modern trend of using traditional surnames as given names, appealing to parents seeking strong cultural connections to Celtic heritage. The name projects strength, dignity, and a distinctive character. While still uncommon as a first name, McGregor has gained some recognition through notable figures such as actor Ewan McGregor. It offers the friendly nickname options of 'Mac' or 'Greg.'
  16. Tibbie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      An old-fashioned nickname that hasn't been heard in ages--Cute and unusual, but lacking the legs to stand on its own. Maybe save it for your kitten.
  17. Timmy

    • Description:

      Timmy is a warm, friendly masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Timothy. The root name Timothy comes from the Greek "Timotheos," meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God," and appears in the Bible as the name of Paul's young companion. Timmy gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, often used as both a nickname and a given name in its own right. The name evokes a sense of youthfulness and approachability, and has been featured in popular culture through characters like Timmy Turner in "The Fairly OddParents" animated series. While some parents now prefer to use Timothy on birth certificates, Timmy continues to be chosen for its cheerful, unpretentious quality and familiar sound. Its usage has declined since its peak but maintains steady recognition.

  18. Kep

    • Description:

      Kep is a short, distinctive masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Cambodian geography, referring to Kep Province, giving it cultural significance in Southeast Asian contexts. Alternatively, it could be a shortened form of names like Kepler or keeper, or even a surname adapted for first-name use. The brevity of Kep gives it a modern, minimalist appeal that works well in contemporary naming trends favoring short, impactful names. The name's rarity makes it statistically uncommon in most regions, appealing to parents seeking distinctive options. With its crisp sound and easy pronunciation across multiple languages, Kep offers simplicity while remaining memorable.
  19. Alderman
    • Ginger