athena95's list "One for the Gents" of 19 great name ideas: Painter - Wilfrid!

One for the Gents

Painter is among the most creative choices in this very fashionable category of names, with a particularly pleasant sound. Whereas most occupational names conjure up physical labor, this one feels like a gateway to the arts.
 Actor Chad Lowe used it as the middle name of his daughter Mabel.

Painter

Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an interesting alternative to William.
 
Despite its similarities to the popular classic, Willoughby has a different meaning and origin to the Germanic William. Derived from Old English and Old Norse, it means "farm near the willows" or perhaps "willow town" if you interpret the second element of the name as meaning "settlement". Outdoorsy and nature-connected, Willoughby may appeal to those who like Barnaby and Zebedee. 
 Willoughby Patterne is the protagonist of the George Meredith novel, The Egotist, while Willoughby Sharp was a contemporary artist, curator, critic and founder of the seminal art magazine, Avalanche. There is a classic 1962 British children's novel titled The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken that was made into a film in 1989.
 
The name was also selected by British reality TV star, Lucy Watson, for her son born in 2023.

Willoughby

Conjures up a tweedy English country gentleman with a large paunch. 

Squire

One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited it from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960s--just a sprinkling of baby boys receive the name each year.

Monk's middle name Sphere is pretty unique too--a cousin of Cosmos and Cosmo.

Some other jazz names to consider: Bix, Ellington, Ella, Etta, Mingus, Dexter and Calloway. :

Thelonius

Gardiner is a masculine name of Old French and English origin functioning primarily as a surname before its occasional use as a first name. Derived from the occupational term for one who tends or works in gardens, it literally means "gardener" or "keeper of the garden." As a first name, Gardiner carries aristocratic and professional connotations, with historical associations to prominent families particularly in Britain and New England. While uncommon as a first name, it appeals to parents drawn to occupational surnames and traditional English naming patterns. Gardiner suggests qualities of nurturing, cultivation, and patience, with subtle connections to nature and growth. The name has a distinguished, classic quality that evokes landed gentry and refined tastes.

Gardiner

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

Dublin

The name of the most renowned of the Old Masters is a potential option for families who put an emphasis on the creative. Rembrandt Peale was a member of the Peale family of painters, all named for famous artists.

Rembrandt

This is the original Gaelic spelling of the Anglicized Colin -- more authentic, yes, but could make your American child's life unnecessarily complicated. 

Cailean

Laird is a Scottish title for the landed gentry – it ranks just below a Baron – with a pleasantly distinctive Scottish burr that must have appealed to Sharon Stone, who chose it for her son.
 Laird Cregar was an early movie actor, known for playing creepy roles; Laird Hamilton is a famous American big-wave surfer.

Laird

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.


Thackeray

An everyday name in France, a charismatic possibility elsewhere, Guillaume is a French form of the classic Germanic William. It's heyday was back in the 1980s and 90s, when it ranked in the French Top 10 and the Belgium and Quebec Top 20, though more recent years have seen it drop from the popularity charts. 

Guillaume

Lucretius is the name of the Roman philosopher who invented Epicureanism. But even in these days of old Roman name revival, Lucretius sounds a bit long-white-beardish, though it can be enlivened with the nickname Luc.

Lucretius

Torquil, is a quirky but intriguing option that evolved from an ancient <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/173/scandinavian-names">Scandinavian name</a>and was imported into Scotland by the Vikings. The Gaelic form of the name is Torcaill.
 Torquil MacLeod was the name of an early Scottish clan chief.

Torquil

Paterson is a surname-name to continue a line of Peters and also the name of a city in New Jersey, hometown of poets William Carlos Williams and Allen Ginsberg.

Paterson

The surname of father-son British writers Kingsley and Martin could work very well as a first, though its Amy connection makes it sound a tad feminine.

Amis

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.

Cavanagh

First Woody Allen, then Spike Lee named their children to honor the great early black pitcher, Leroy "Satchel" Paige. A bit luggage-related for non-celebrity use, however.


Satchel

Flavius is an ancient Roman family name associated with a dynasty of emperors. It has an appealingly flavorful first syllable, and is the name of a stylist in the Hunger Games series.
 Earlier fictional characters include the Flavius in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Flavius Maximus in a "Star Trek" episode, and a Flavius in the Pandora novel in Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles.
 In the Roman Empire, Flavius was granted en masse to any citizens who didn't have a family name, making it a very common, and sometimes default, name: the Roman John Doe.
 With the renewed interest in ancient Roman names, Flavius might find some fans.

Flavius

Wilfrid is a distinguished masculine name of Anglo-Saxon origin, combining the elements "will" (determination or desire) and "frid" (peace), creating the meaningful combination "desires peace" or "peaceful resolution." This traditional name was borne by several saints and bishops in medieval England, contributing to its historical significance. 

While more common in Britain than America, Wilfrid has maintained a steady if modest presence throughout the centuries. The name carries an air of dignity and scholarly refinement, evoking images of wisdom and contemplation. 

Various spelling variations exist, including Wilfred and Wilfried, but this version preserves its Old English roots most authentically. Parents choosing Wilfrid often appreciate its historical depth, gentle strength, and the friendly nickname options like Will or Fred.