One for the Gents

  1. Squire
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "esquire"
    • Description:

      Conjures up a tweedy English country gentleman with a large paunch.
  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. Haydn
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "heathen"
    • Description:

      Some music-minded parents might consider this especially as a middle name, to honor the great Austrian composer.
  4. Everhart
    • Description:

      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' (meaning 'brave' or 'hardy'), the name essentially conveys strength and courage. As a first name, Everhart is quite rare, appealing to parents seeking distinctive names with historical roots and strong meanings. The name has a dignified, somewhat formal quality that suggests resilience and determination. Its connections to nature through the 'hart' element (which can also reference a male deer) give it additional depth, potentially appealing to those drawn to names with woodland or natural associations.
  5. Gilead
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "a camel hump"
    • Description:

      Like Bethany and Shiloh, a meaningful biblical place-name.
  6. Galway
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Associated with the poet and novelist Galway Kinnell, this name of an Irish city, county, and bay would make an evocative choice. For further literary cred, writers Liam O'Flaherty and Frank Harris both hail from Galway.
  7. Gardiner
    • Description:

      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.

  8. 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.
  9. Qadir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "capable, powerful"
    • Description:

      Qadir is a classic Muslim name that represents one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah. Since the initial Q is pronounced as K, this handsome name is sometimes Anglicized as Kadir.
  10. Garland
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Garland is fragrant and celebratory, and also has a celebrity-tribute tie to the star of The Wizard of Oz.
  11. Paterson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Peter"
    • Description:

      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.
  12. Amis
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      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.
  13. Simm
    • Origin:

      Short form of Simon or Simeon, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "the listener"
    • Description:

      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.
  14. Painter
    • Origin:

      Occupational name
    • Description:

      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.
  15. 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.
  16. Sender
    • Origin:

      Yiddish
    • Meaning:

      "defender of men"
    • Description:

      Also an English surname, Sender derives from Alexander and has an attractive modern sound. Though given to only a handful of baby boys per year, it nevertheless is in step with the brotherhood of er-ending choices fashionable today.
  17. Fen
    • Crusoe
      • Bae

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