Names From The Stand

Abagail is a variant spelling of the Hebrew name Abigail, meaning 'father's joy' or 'source of joy.' This alternative spelling maintains the same pronunciation while offering a slightly different visual aesthetic. The biblical Abigail, wife of King David, was known for her beauty and wisdom, giving the name strong historical roots. While the traditional 'Abigail' spelling remains more common, 'Abagail' gained some popularity in the United States during the personalized spelling trends of recent decades. The name carries connotations of intelligence and grace due to its biblical associations. With its soft sounds and rhythmic three syllables, Abagail presents a gentle yet substantial choice that balances traditional meaning with a subtly distinctive spelling.

This Anglicized form of Bearach or short form of Finbarr was in the Top 200 in the USA for 50 years until the early 80s when it rapidly fell out of favor. Barry has not yet found popularity in the modern era - but that may well change as people rediscover their love of classic figures like musician Barry White, baseballer Barry Bonds or even Barack Obama, whose nickname as a young man was Barry.

Bobby is the quintessential mid-century nickname, the name of the son on Mad Men and overused to the point of cliche. Though Robert is still a highly popular choice, most Roberts today are called by their full name or Rob or Robbie rather than Bob or Bobby.

Charles derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "man" or "free man", and is a royal name in multiple European countries. A famous early bearer is Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Lombards and then Roman Emperor in the 8th-9th centuries.

Dayna is a feminine name with Slavic origins, derived from the name Dana, ultimately connected to the Hebrew name 'Daniel' meaning 'God is my judge.' It gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s as parents sought fresh alternatives to the more common Diana or Dana. The name carries a modern, sleek quality while maintaining feminine appeal. Dayna is sometimes spelled Daina or Deyna in different cultural contexts. Though never reaching top-tier popularity, Dayna maintained a steady presence in naming records and is appreciated for its simple yet distinctive sound pattern and easy pronunciation across different languages.

Donald has been used for centuries in Scotland, where the Macdonald clan is one of the most ancient and where there have been six early Scottish kings by that name. Donald was a Top 20 name throughout most of the early twentieth century.

Farris is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it means 'knight' or 'horseman,' suggesting bravery and nobility. It also exists as an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Fearghuis, meaning 'son of Fergus.' Additionally, Farris appears as a variant spelling of Ferris, which began as a surname derived from the Latin 'ferrum' meaning 'iron.' The name has maintained steady but modest usage across various English-speaking countries. Farris strikes a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness, with its recognizable sound but uncommon usage. The multicultural roots make it appealing to diverse families, and its association with bravery and strength gives it a positive connotation. Notable variations include Faris, Ferris, and Fares, each with slightly different cultural affiliations.

Frances, a soft and gentle classic last popular a hundred years ago, is trending again. The cool nickname Frankie is one reason for the revival of Frances, adding lightness and sass to a serious name. Frances is the feminine form of Francis, the English variation of the Latin name Franciscus. Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman," was taken from the Germanic tribe the Franks, which got its name from the francisca, the axe they used in battle. Until the seventeenth century, the spellings Frances and Francis were used interchangeably for both sexes.

Glendon is a masculine name of English origin, derived from a place name combining the elements 'glen' (valley) and 'don' (hill). This geographic surname-turned-first-name conveys a sense of natural strength and dignified heritage. Though never reaching widespread popularity, Glendon has maintained consistent, modest usage throughout the 20th century in English-speaking countries. The name possesses a distinguished quality that balances formality with approachability, often appealing to parents seeking a name with British roots and natural associations. Glendon offers the friendly nickname option 'Glen' while providing a more substantial formal name. Its connections to landscape features give it an earthy, grounded quality that distinguishes it from more common masculine names.

The name of the last Anglo-Saxon king of England before the Norman conquest, and a name that's long been associated with a pipe-smoking, bespectacled grandpa or uncle.

At the height of the Jennifer craze, many parents were cutting straight to the nickname and putting Jenny on the birth certificate. But now that Jennifer is the mom rather than the daughter, Jenny, which has been somewhat replaced by Jenna, has faded as well.

Wildly popular in the 1960s and '70s, Julie is no longer anywhere near as stylish as the name's longer forms. Try Juliet, Juliana, or even the more grownup Julia.

Your friendly next-door neighbor...not your baby. Although Larry was once one of the most popular boys' names starting with L, that title now belongs to Liam.

This Welsh surname was taken up as a first in the English-speaking world in the early twentieth century, originally as a nickname for someone gray-haired. The original Welsh nickname was Llwyd, pronounced LHOO-eed, and is the Welsh word for the color.

A versatile classic, Lucy is both sweet and solid, a saint's name, and the heroine of several great novels. First fashionable in England and Wales, Lucy is now a popular choice in the US, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.

Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.

The classic strong-yet-friendly nickname name, much used for charming movie characters.

Peter is derived from the Greek Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone." One of the most important figures in the Christian hagiography is Saint Peter, keeper of the Gates of Heaven. Born Simon bar Jonah, he was given the nickname Peter by Jesus, to signify that he would be the rock on which Christ would build Christianity. Centuries later, there was Peter the Great, the czar who developed Russia as a major European power.