GP Names

  1. Bay
    • Origin:

      English word, Old English
    • Meaning:

      "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"
  2. Indiana
    • Origin:

      American place-name
    • Meaning:

      "land of the Indians"
    • Description:

      This state name emerged in the eighties along with westerners Dakota and Montana, and it's still used occasionally by high-profile parents such as Summer Phoenix and Casey Affleck. Action man Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) makes Indiana "Indy" forever cool for a boy.
  3. Huckleberry
    • Origin:

      Word name and literary name
    • Description:

      Everybody knows Huckleberry Finn, the Mark Twain character named, Twain said, for the 19th century slang term for "humble." A few modern parents have put it on a birth certificate, including "Man Vs. Wild" star Bear Grylls, who, like many parents, will call the boy the much more manageable Huck. It was also the name of a child on TV's West Wing,
  4. Titan
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defender"
    • Description:

      This name comes from Greek mythology, where the Titans were a band of immortal, powerful giants.
  5. Israel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Oceanus
    • Origin:

      Mythological name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Rocket
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Genesis
    • Origin:

      Word name, Biblical
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. Poet
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      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.
  10. Anchor
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  11. Major
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Hawk
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  13. 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.
  14. Lake
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
  15. Reason
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "a statement offered in explanation or justification"
    • Description:

      Provocative word name that may strike the right chord for an adventurous baby namer.
  16. Aqua
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Description:

      One of the new color names that is catching on, invoking a calm, blue-green-sea feeling.
  17. Field
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      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.

  18. Captain
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "person in charge"
    • Description:

      A commanding word name that feels occupational like Miller, Palmer, and Shepherd, while also fitting in with ambitious choices like Legend, King, Major, Maverick, and Saint. Referring to someone who takes the lead and holds influence and responsibility, Captain has links to team sports, the military, seafaring, superheroes, and the police.
  19. Cotton
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      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.
  20. Bayou
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender.