User-created list
Names of Nobel Prize Winners
Across 36 pages
of 36
Yves
French
"yew wood"
On paper, with its stylish ties to fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent (born Henri), Yves looks great, but the pronunciation--EVE-- could lead to gender confusion. German variation Ivo might be cooler…
Hall
English occupational name
"worker at the hall"
A simple, self-possessed, somewhat serious surname, which might work better as a middle.
Prescott
English
"priest's cottage"
Prescott is one of several distinguished, upper-crusty surnames beginning with P. There are several historical surnamed Prescotts, including William, a Massachusetts Minuteman and commander at the…
Avram
Avram is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, serving as a variation of Abraham. Meaning 'exalted father' or 'father of many,' it carries significant religious and historical weight in Jewish…
Irwin
English
"boar friend"
Son of Irving.
Clive
English
"lives near a high cliff"
Clive started life as a surname for someone who lived near a cliff, making it a secret outdoorsy name. Its use as a first name began in honor of Robert Clive (aka Clive of India), an…
Granger
English and French surname
"worker of the granary; farmer"
If you're seeking a solid but underused occupational name with a warm, friendly sound, and an earthy feel, Granger is one to consider. Associated with faming, grain, and the outdoors, it fits in with…
Shirin
Persian
"charming, sweet"
An attractive unisex choice heard in several countries, including Armenia. Can be pronounced sheer-IN or sheer-EEN.
Mansfield
English surname
"field belonging to the man; open land by the River Maun"
An update on Manfred perhaps, with a cool literary tie to Jane Austen's novel, Mansfield Park , Mansfield is an English surname, borrowed from a variety of places in England. It may be interpreted in…
Roderick
German
"famous ruler"
The aristocratic--if not haughty--Roderick was nevertheless consistently in the Top 1000, reaching as high as Number 221 in 1967, when it was not uncommon to run into a Rod or a Roddy. It's at a low…
Alexei
Russian, Greek
"defending men"
Alexei could well join the legion of Alex names popular in the US. There are countless opportunities to liven up Alexander, and Alexei (or Alexey) is one of the most straightforward and appealing.
Vitaliy
Russian variation of Vitalis, Latin
"life"
Lively Russian choice born by several saints.
Vernon
English
"place of alders"
Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.
Imre
Hungarian, from German
"strength"
Commonly heard in its native country, and might get a boost here too, now that Alanis Morrissette has used it for her son Ever's middle name.
Brenner
German
"to burn"
Brenner is an occupational surname for both a charcoal burner and a distiller of spirits. One of the least used of occupational surnames, it has that 'er' ending that definitely adds to its…
Sydney
Variation of Sidney, English from French
"Saint Denis"
The Sydney spelling most popular for girls: it's in the Top 50 on the female side. Cool for a girl, still nerdy for a guy.
Riccardo
Riccardo is the Italian form of Richard, a masculine name with Germanic origins meaning 'powerful ruler' or 'strong king.' Derived from the elements 'ric' (ruler, power) and 'hard' (strong, brave),…
Spence
Short form of Spencer
Spence is occasionally used as a name all on its own and it has more of a sense of completeness than many nickname-names.
Kofi
Ghanaian, Akan, Twi
"born on Friday"
This Akan day name is very much associated with Kofi Annan, the seventh secretary general of the United Nations. The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the…
Hartwell
English surname
"stag stream"
Lovers of Maxwell might like this more unusual – but no less distinguished – surname name, with its adorable nickname of Hart.