User-created list
Names of Nobel Prize Winners
Across 36 pages
of 36
Allan
Spelling variation of Alan
"handsome, cheerful"
This extra-L variation of Alan isn't quite as popular in the US as the original. Both spellings remain popular in Ireland and England.
Pyotr
Russian variation of Peter
For Americans, may prove too much of a twist on Peter.
Meade
Meade is a masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old English surname meaning 'meadow' or referring to someone who lived near a meadow. Alternatively, it may have evolved from the…
Bertil
Bertil is a masculine Scandinavian name with strong Nordic roots, particularly popular in Sweden and Norway. It derives from the Old Norse name Bertulfr, combining elements meaning 'bright' or…
Rosalyn
Variation of Rosalind
True Blood may be the reason that variation Rosalyn has retained some popularity while the original Rosalind still languishes. Moderately popular in the middle of the last century, Rosalyn may…
Milton
English
"settlement with a mill"
Once an upper-class British surname conjuring up the epic poetry of John Milton, it then descended to the antics of "Uncle Miltie" Berle, and now has left the stage completely.
Friedman
Friedman is primarily a Jewish surname of Germanic origin meaning 'man of peace' (from German 'Friede' meaning 'peace' and 'Mann' meaning 'man'). While uncommon as a first name, it occasionally…
Mairead
Irish, shortened fom of Mairghread, variation of Margaret
"pearl"
Pronounced MAW-rayt or ma-RAYD, Mairead is close enough to Maureen to be accepted here. The name became popular in Ireland due to admiration for the saint of that name. Peig and Peigi are its…
Maguire
Irish
"son of the beige one"
Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar…
Betty
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Combine the popularity of Betty White and Mad Men 's glamorous Betty Draper Francis, with the residual sweetness of Ugly Betty 's Betty Suarez, and the result is an impending return of the name. It's…
Bellow
English occupational name
"bellows maker"
Might be an honorific for novelist Saul Bellow, although bellowing is not the gentlest of sounds. Consider Saul instead.
Carleton
English
"settlement of free men"
Carleton has a great meaning behind it, and should really have more popularity than it has found to date. You can shorten it to Carl or keep it upscale and formal in the longer form. Baseball Hall of…
Baruch
Hebrew
"blessed"
Think of this as the Hebrew equivalent of Benedict or Benito; best for observant Jews.
Burton
English
"fortified enclosure"
Burton originated as a habitation surname that now feels like a appropriate first. Actor Richard Burton, two-time husband of Elizabeth Taylor, was the most famous bearer. Burtie makes an adorable…
Leonid
Russian, variation of Leonidas "lion"
"lion"
This form got noticed as the first name of long-reigning Russian president Brezhnev; other bearers include playwright and short-story writer Andreyev, Leonid the Magnificent,a Russian performance…
Andrei
Russian form of Andrew
"manly"
Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew
Eugenio
Spanish and Italian variation of Eugene
The name of four popes and several saints: a promising Italian import.
Renato
Spanish and Italian
"reborn"
Elegant and worldly.
Baltimore
Place name, English from Irish
"town of the big house"
With place names extending their range, this is an unmapped possibility, though a bit stiff. Baltimore, Maryland was named after Cecil Calvert, the 2nd Baron Baltimore. Baltimore is ultimately…
Vladimir
Slavic
"great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita , Vladimir Nabokov. The name…