Muppet Names
- Grover
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"one who lives near a grove of trees"Description:
Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look, similar in style to the likes of Wilder and Ranger, to Sullivan, Chester, and Stanley.
- Floyd
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"gray-haired"Description:
Floyd was a Top 100 name from the 1880s to the 1940s that somehow developed an almost comical hayseed persona along with a touch of retro jazz cool; it's beginning to appeal to parents with a strong taste for the quirky.
- Ernie
Origin:
Variation of Ernest, English from GermanMeaning:
"serious, resolute"Description:
Can Ernie shed the rubber ducky association and make its way onto the vintage revivals list? Years ago we may have said no, but celebrity chef Stephanie Izard made a strong case for Ernie when she gave the name to her son in 2016. Princess Eugenie uses Ernie as a nickname for son Ernest, born in 2023 - showing that Ernie could be the next Augie.
- Wayne
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"maker of wagons"Description:
When Marion Michael Morrison became John Wayne around 1930, his last name took on an air of cowboy cool that lasted about thirty years. These days however, Wayne has been replaced by Waylon, Wesley, and Wyatt, and it now resides in the grandpa name camp, alongside Stan, Bruce, and Ronald. For some, thus may well be its selling point. < br>
Originally an occupational surname, Wayne comes from the Old English wægn meaning "wagon". Associated with wagon makers, it rose to popularity as a give name in the mid-20th-century. Notable bearers include footballer Wayne Rooney, hockey player Wayne Gretzky (generally considered the greatest player in the history of the sport), and rapper Lil Wayne.
- Abby
Origin:
Diminutive of Abigail, HebrewMeaning:
"my father is joyful"Description:
Gently old-fashioned stand-alone nickname that owes its popularity to mega popular Abigail.
- Prairie
Origin:
English nature nameMeaning:
"prairie"Description:
Unspecific place name with a wonderfully wide-open, spacious, western feel; used for a character in Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland.
- Yolanda
Origin:
Spanish from GreekMeaning:
"violet flower"Description:
Bold and distinctive, Yolanda is a floral name that doesn't sound frilly or delicate. Ultimately deriving from the Greek words ioles meaning "violet" and anthos meaning "flower", it appears in a variety of forms internationally, including Jolanda, Jolanta, Iolanthe, Iolanta, Iolanda, and Jolana.
- Wanda
Origin:
Slavic or GermanMeaning:
"shepherdess; wanderer"Description:
Rarely heard, and when it is, usually attached to a witch. Historically, though, Wanda was a legendary eighth century queen of Poland, and in literature it is the central character of Ouida's eponymous novel Wanda. A musical namesake is the great Polish harpsichordist Wanda Landowska.
- Elmo
Origin:
Italian from GermanMeaning:
"protector"Description:
Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.)
- Don
Origin:
Diminutive of Donald, ScottishMeaning:
"proud chief"Description:
Short form of Donald -- or more stylishly, Donahue or Donovan -- that's acquired a new sixties-era suaveness thanks to Mad Man Don Draper. The name also carries a Sopranos or Godfather-style double entendre.
- Telly
Description:
Telly emerged as a nickname for names like Aristotle or Telemakhos, but gained recognition primarily through Greek-American television personality Telly Savalas, famous for his role as Kojak in the 1970s. The name has a distinctive, friendly quality with its approachable sound and modern feel. Despite its association with television (which sometimes serves as a playful reference), Telly has Greek roots and maintains connections to classical naming traditions. It remains relatively uncommon as a formal given name, though it enjoys occasional use in Greek-American communities and among families seeking short, memorable names with cultural significance. Telly's brevity and recognizability make it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.
- Janice
Origin:
Variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
For a minute or two this sounded more modern than Janet, now equally outmoded.
- Rosita
Origin:
Spanish, diminutive of RosaMeaning:
"rose"Description:
This spirited Spanish variation of Rosa was familiar in the mid-20th century, but is used more quietly now. Given to around 35 babies in the US each year, it could work as a fresh alternative to Roberta or Rosie.
- Gonzo
Description:
Gonzo is a masculine name with multiple cultural connections. Most prominently, it has Spanish origins as a nickname for Gonzalo, meaning 'battle' or 'strife.' The name gained popular recognition through the eccentric Muppet character Gonzo and the journalistic style termed 'Gonzo journalism' pioneered by Hunter S. Thompson. As a given name, Gonzo remains quite uncommon in formal contexts, more often used as a nickname. It carries connotations of eccentricity, uniqueness, and a free-spirited nature. The name has a distinctly playful and energetic quality that appeals to parents seeking something unconventional. In recent years, it has occasionally appeared as a creative choice for parents drawn to its bold sound and associations with artistic non-conformity.
- Biff
Origin:
American nicknameDescription:
The quintessential midcentury nickname, famously found in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman."
- Bert
Origin:
English, diminutive of Albert and BertramDescription:
A once-popular nickname for Albert and Bertram now being polished up by hip Brits, but still hibernating in the Land of Nerd over here.
- Ernestine
Origin:
Femeninization of Ernest, English from GermanMeaning:
"serious, resolute"Description:
One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine.
- Barkley
Description:
Barkley is a masculine name of English origin, originally a surname derived from the Old English 'beorc' meaning 'birch tree' and 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing' or 'meadow.' As a first name, Barkley has maintained modest usage, experiencing small peaks of popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, possibly influenced by basketball star Charles Barkley. The name carries strong nature associations and a certain preppy, distinguished quality. It balances being recognizable without being common, appealing to parents looking for names with English heritage and woodland connections. Barkley also carries a friendly, approachable sound while maintaining a traditional surname-as-first-name style.
- Roosevelt
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"rose field"Description:
Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents.
- Rolf
Origin:
Abbreviated form of Rudolf, GermanMeaning:
"famous wolf"Description:
Like Papa name Rudolf, Rolf never quite emigrated from the Bavarian Alps. You might want to move on to Rollo or Wolf.
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