Names of Nobel Prize Winners

Albrecht

German variation of Albert

"noble; bright"

These days Albrecht is mostly seen as a surname, although it was historically a well-used first name in Germany. The surname was derived from the given name. Notables Albrechts include Renaissance…

Johannes

German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Estonian variation of John

"God is gracious"

An Old World name that might have a chance to rise again with other ancient and worldly forms. Be sure to say yo-HAHN-es.

Auguste

French form of Latin Augustus

"great, magnificent"

French version of August, for both sexes. And for those who feel the spelling of August is too plain.

Guglielmo

Italian variation of William

William is a stylish classic right now, and while translating many classic names into Italian makes them instantly cooler and more attractive, this is one exception: Guglielmo presents pronunciation…

Karl

German and Scandinavian variation of Charles

Manly almost to the point of macho.

Ferdinand

German

"bold voyager"

Ferdinand is a traditional name among Spanish royal families and also appears in Shakespeare's The Tempest , borne by the handsome young prince shipwrecked on Prospero's island. Bold, daring, and…

Fredrik

Scandinavian variation of Frederick, German

"peaceful ruler"

Popular throughout Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, Fredrik conveys the noble meaning of 'peaceful ruler.' The name has maintained consistent popularity in Nordic countries for centuries, while remaining…

Thomson

Thomson is a masculine name that originated as a Scottish and English surname meaning 'son of Thomas.' Thomas itself derives from the Aramaic word for 'twin.' As a first name, Thomson represents a…

Rudolf

Spelling variation of Rudolph, German

"famous wolf"

You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.

Christoph

Christoph is the German and Dutch form of Christopher, derived from the Greek 'Christophoros' meaning 'bearing Christ.' This masculine name carries significant historical and religious weight across…

Ernest

English from German

"serious, resolute"

Ernest is one of those sober, so-far-out-they're-beginning-to-be-reconsidered Great Uncle names. Ernest recently received a big style boost when Britain's Princess Eugenie chose it for her second…

Rutherford

English

"cattle ford"

Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.

Renault

Renault is a masculine name with French origins, derived from the Germanic name Raginald, composed of the elements 'ragin' (counsel) and 'wald' (rule). While more commonly recognized as a prominent…

Teodoro

Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

"gift of God"

With brother name Theodore ranking in the US top 10, this alternative might appeal to parents looking to honor Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish heritage.

Kipling

English surname and place name

Kipling calls to mind writer Rudyard (b. Joseph) Kipling, author of the stories familiar to schoolchildren Gunga Din and The Jungle Story. Certainly, Kipling is a friendlier name than Rudyard these…

Rudyard

English

"red enclosure"

Often thought of as a one-peson name because of Jungle Book writer Kipling, this was actually his middle name. He was middle-named for Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, the beauty of which inspired his…

Alphonse

French from German

"noble, ready for battle"

Rarely used, and for good reason. Alonzo is a preferable choice. Alphonse does have a mixed bag of notable namesakes—French novelist Alphonse Daudet, painter Alphonse Mucha, and it was the birth name…

Eduard

Eduard is a continental European variant of Edward, a venerable Germanic name combining elements meaning 'wealth' and 'guardian' or 'protector.' This spelling is particularly common in German, Czech,…

Roosevelt

Dutch

"rose field"

Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents.