One for the Gents

Faulkner

English

"falconer"

Faulkner is an old occupational surname that was used for someone who kept and trained falcons when falconry was a popular sport in medieval Europe. Anyone using it in contemporary America would…

Pitney

English

"island, dry ground in moss"

A name you would probably want to use only if it's in your family history. The first syllable moves it miles away from the softer Whitney.

Pip

English, diminutive of Philip

"lover of horses"

The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.

Gilead

Hebrew

"a camel hump"

Like Bethany and Shiloh, a meaningful biblical place-name.

Everhart

Everhart is a masculine name with Germanic origins, functioning both as a surname and given name. Combining the elements 'ever' (meaning 'boar' or sometimes interpreted as 'strong') and 'hart'…

Parry

Welsh

"son of Harry"

Parry is quite common in Wales, often as a surname, but would inevitably be misunderstood as Perry or even Harry.

Bechet

French surname

Woody Allen used this name for his daughter to honor jazz hero Sidney Bechet -- and it could work for a boy as well.

Gus

Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August

Gus is a homey grandpa nickname name that can work as a short form for any of the above or stand on its own as a cutting-edge replacement for Max and Jake--though it was off the Top 1000 from 1978…

Fairfax

English

"blond"

If this name makes you think of Victorian novels, it's because Fairfax was part of Mr Rochester's name in Jane Eyre , and the surname of a minor character in Jane Austen's Emma . It has a distinctly…

Simm

Short form of Simon or Simeon, Hebrew

"the listener"

You might want to abbreviate this from one of the Biblical originals or use it as a name all on its own, an update of Sam or Finn. Sim is a Scottish Gaelic form of Simon.

Sander

Dutch and Scandinavian, diminutive of Alexander

"defending men"

Sander is a more conventional form of Zander or Xander, heard frequently on its own in Europe. It is now a Top 20 name in Norway, and is also popular in Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Curran

Irish surname from O Corrain

"descendant of Curran"

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.

Gervaise

French

"skilled with a spear"

Unusual saint's name rarely heard outside Roman Catholic rectories until it made an appearance on a reality-TV show; has an attractive French feel. Gervase is a common spelling variation.

Hawthorne

English

"lives where hawthorn hedges grow"

The great American novelist sets this above many other surnames (and nature names , for that matter), but it's still an imposing and adventurous choice. Do nicknames Hawk or Thorne make it more…

Octavius

Latin

"eighth"

Octavius, which was at one time used for the eighth child in a family, has the worn leather patina of all the ancient Roman names now up for reconsideration. As a Roman family name, it derives from…

Everard

English spelling variation of Eberhard

"hardy"

An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the…

Locke

English

"enclosure or fortified place"

Usually adding an e to the end of a name makes it more feminine, but Locke is at most recent count used only for baby boys. Still, this stylishly strong one-syllable name is theoretically…

Calder

English

"rocky water"

A cool, rugged sounding name, Calder is connected to an ancient Scottish clan, an English village, and a Scottish River, along with the sculptor Alexander Calder, who invented the mobile (as in,…