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One for the Gents

  1. Cavanagh

    • Description:

      Cavanagh is a masculine name with Irish Gaelic roots, derived from the surname 'Caomhánach,' which means 'born of the handsome one' or 'born of Kevin.' Historically a family name associated with the descendants of the 12th-century King of Leinster, it carries a noble heritage. As a first name, Cavanagh is part of the modern trend of using surnames as given names, appealing to parents seeking Irish heritage connections. The name has a strong, distinguished sound while offering the friendly nickname options of 'Cav' or 'Van.' Though still uncommon as a first name, Cavanagh has seen modest increased usage in the United States, Australia, and Ireland in recent decades, particularly among families celebrating their Celtic roots.

  2. Cavanaugh

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "born handsome or son of Caomhan "

    • Description:

      Pleasant Irish last name that could be a more masculine alternative to the overused Cassidy. Early kings of Leinster bore the name, which relates to the first name Caomhan or Kevin and can also be spelled Kavanagh, Cavanagh, Cavenagh, and Kavanaugh.
  3. Ciaran

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little black-haired one"

    • Description:

      Extremely popular in Ireland, Ciaran is also well used in England and is beginning to be adopted by parents in the U.S., though usually via the more American-friendly Kieran spelling. The Irish spelling is, however, becoming more familiar on this side of the Atlantic, due to the rising popularity of Belfast-born actor Ciaran Hinds.
  4. Clement

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"

    • Description:

      Clement, the name of fourteen popes and several saints, has a pleasantly, positive, slightly antiquated feel, like the phrase "clement weather."
  5. Collier

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "coal miner"

    • Description:

      This occupational surname could find new life with those wishing to honor someone in their heritage who was connected to the tough-as-nails breed that was the pre-modern coal miner. Coll and Collie are some sweet nickname options to tone down the formality of this name.
  6. Corin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "spear"

    • Description:

      Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.
  7. Cornell

    • Origin:

      British from Latin, or Anglicized form of French

    • Meaning:

      "corner or crow"

    • Description:

      This name has not one but two impressive cultural connections: collage artist Joseph Cornell and photographer Cornell Capa--not to mention Cornell University.
  8. Crew

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "a band or force of armed men"

    • Description:

      Crew is yet another word name that was added to the baby name lexicon when this one was chosen by The Young and the Restless star Joshua Morrow for his son. It debuted on the Top 1000 in 2010. We've also heard spelling variations Cru and Crue.
  9. Crispin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "curly-haired"

    • Description:

      Crispin, which was introduced into the mainstream by actor Crispin Glover and which means "curly-haired" in Latin, has an image very much like its first syllable: crisp, autumnal, and colorful.
  10. Curran

    • Origin:

      Irish surname from O Corrain

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Curran"

    • Description:

      Curran is a common surname in Ireland, but unusual even there as a first. With its savory feel, calling to mind curry and currants, Curran can make for an attractive update on Colin or Connor.
  11. Curtis

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "courteous, polite"

    • Description:

      Curtis is an attractive if somewhat dated surname name that has been borne by several significant musicians and athletes--think Curtis Mayfield, Curtis James Jackson III--aka 50 Cent, and also director Curtis Hanson.
  12. Cyprian

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "man of Cyprus"

    • Description:

      With a long and noble history -- Cyprian was one of the great Christian Latin writers -- this could make a highly unusual but meaningful choice.
  13. Cyrus

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      Cyrus is one of those surprising names that have always ranked among the Top 1000 boy names in the US. On an upward trend since the mid-90s, Cyrus now sits in that comfortable place between too popular and too unusual.
  14. Crusoe
    • Dublin

      • Origin:

        Irish place-name

      • Description:

        With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.
    • Ellington

      • Origin:

        English place-name and surname

      • Meaning:

        "Ellis's town"

      • Description:

        Ellington is a swinging musical name, evoking the jazzy and elegant persona of the Duke (born Edward Kennedy Ellington). While that reference may seem to make Ellington a male name, it is also occasionally used for girls.
    • Emrys

      • Origin:

        Welsh, variation of Ambrose

      • Meaning:

        "immortal"

      • Description:

        If you're looking for a Welsh name less common than Dylan, Griffin, Evan, or Morgan, you might want to consider this offbeat epithet of the wise wizard Merlin. It's currently in the Welsh top 100 and in the England and Wales top 1000 over all and has been rising in recent years.

        Root name Ambrose is an ancient saints' name derived from the Greek ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods that conferred immortality, giving it a magical feel. Parents today may also associate it with the BBC show Merlin which notably used the name as an alternative name for the warlock.
    • Ernest

      • Origin:

        English from German

      • Meaning:

        "serious, resolute"

      • Description:

        Ernest is one of those sober, so-far-out-they're-beginning-to-be-reconsidered Great Uncle names. Ernest recently received a big style boost when Britain's Princess Eugenie chose it for her second son.
    • Etienne

      • Origin:

        French variation of Stephen

      • Meaning:

        "garland, crown"

      • Description:

        It's the French Steve yet feels oh so much more debonair. Well-used and still a popular classic in French-speaking lands, but one of the many French names for boysunfamiliar to most English speakers, except maybe fashionistas who associate it with designer Etienne Aigner. A new way to honor Grandpa Steve?
    • Evander

      • Origin:

        Scottish; Greek

      • Meaning:

        "bow warrior; strong man"

      • Description:

        Evander is a name that could build on the popularity of shorter form Evan, and could work and play well with schoolmates like Zander and Xander.