GP Names
- Bishop
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"senior member of the church"Description:
Occupation names and spiritual names are in style, so it's hardly surprising that Bishop has been making appearances in the Top 1000. Popular back in the late 19th and early 20th century, it reappeared in the charts in 2015. Given to 170 boys in a recent year, it tends to drop in and out of the Top 1000.
- Titan
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"defender"Description:
This name comes from Greek mythology, where the Titans were a band of immortal, powerful giants.
- Poet
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Poet is a new entry in both the trendy word and occupational categories as well as a member of the growing group of gender neutral names. A handful of baby boys received the name in the US last year. A perfect choice, especially in the middle, for the child of writers or those with a poetic bent. And Po is an adorable nickname for either gender.
- Rocket
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.
- Major
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"greater; or, a military rank"Description:
This bold choice soared in popularity from 2008 to 2013, and now seems to have plateaued. But watch out—the character Major Major Major Major in the classic absurdist novel Catch-22 had a terrible time.
- Hawk
Origin:
Nature nameMeaning:
"hawk, a bird"Description:
Animal names are on the rise, especially more of the aggressive Hawk-Fox-Wolf variety than cute little Bunnys or Robins, and Hawk is a prime example.
- Field
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
More unusual than Forest or Forrest, Field is a nature name that is simple, evocative, and fresh--sort of the male equivalent of Meadow.Field and Fields are both relatively common surnames, noted bearers including department store owner Marshall Field, poet Eugene Field (Wynken, Blynken and Nod) and actress Sally. Those with the plural include W.C. Fields, cookie company founder Debbi, and entertainers Gracie and Kim Fields.
- Genesis
Origin:
Word name, BiblicalMeaning:
"the origin and formation of something; The First Book in The Bible"Description:
Though Genesis is a Top 100 girls' name in the US, it's by all rights a unisex choice.
- Bay
Origin:
English word, Old EnglishMeaning:
"an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"Description:
Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
- Reason
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"a statement offered in explanation or justification"Description:
Provocative word name that may strike the right chord for an adventurous baby namer.
- Reef
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"ridge of rock or coral on sea floor"Description:
Reef is an uncommon nature name with mainstream potential. Its laidback, beach-y vibe makes it a perfect choice for ocean lovers.
- Pharaoh
Origin:
Egyptian, LatinMeaning:
"ruler"Description:
Kaiser, Rex, Kingsley, and Prince have become increasingly popular in recent years and Pharaoh is one of the more unexpected members of this regal family of names. Used as the title of ancient Egyptian rulers, it was also given to more than 200 babies in 2019.
- Israel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he who struggles with God"Description:
Though it was used by the Puritans in the sixteenth century, the founding of the modern Jewish state in 1948 transformed Israel from a traditional favorite into an icon of Judaism.
- Neptune
Origin:
Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs, and horses.Description:
This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.
- Anchor
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"heavy object used to moor a ship; provide with a solid foundation"Description:
Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability, currently given to a small handful of boys in the US each year.
- Cotton
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
A name heard in Puritan times -- Cotton Mather was a minister involved in the Salem witchcraft trials -- which really deserves modern consideration as it blends nature and softness into a really trendy and wearable masculine name.
- Oceanus
Origin:
Mythological nameMeaning:
"ocean"Description:
Oceanus was the Titan in ancient Greek mythology who rules what they thought was the body of water that surrounded the Earth. Oceanus was, appropriately enough, the name of the baby born on the Mayflower. Modern variations include Ocean, Oceana, and Oceane, a popular French name for girls.
- Treat
Origin:
English word and nicknameDescription:
One of the magical words of childhood (and beyond), and associated with actor Treat (born Richard) Williams, whose nickname came from ancestor Robert Treat Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Bayou
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender.
- Goliath
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"exile"Description:
Not a traditional biblical choice, but the Philistine giant isn't a bad character as such, just a champion fighter who lost to the underdog. He has given his name to everything from insect species to roller coasters. In a time when we're seeing more biblical names with chequered associations — Leviathan and Cain spring to mind — Goliath may appeal to some.
