Steinbeck Names

Names from Steinbeck books
  1. Aron
    • Origin:

      Hebrew and Spanish variation of Aaron
    • Description:

      This shortened variation of Aaron—it was Elvis's middle name—is now a widely used choice.
  2. Cal
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names including Cal
    • Meaning:

      "dog; the whole of; dove; bald; war-strife; beautiful"
    • Description:

      Cal is a nickname style name that feels as friendly and calm as it does cool and breezy. While its longer forms have proved more popular over the years, Cal as a stand alone has dropped on and off of the US Top 1000 since the 1880s.
  3. Cate
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Catherine
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Time was, even C-starting Catherines who called themselves Kate spelled it with a K, but Cate Blanchett changed all. Cate is now as acceptable as (but not as well used as) Kate. Cait might be short for Caitlin.
  4. Cathy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Catherine
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties -- and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? -- now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.
  5. John
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      John reigned as the most popular of all boys' Christian names for 400 years, from the time the first Crusaders carried it back to Britain until the 1950s. Then American baby namers finally seemed to tire of this straight-arrow, almost anonymous John Doe of names, replacing it with fancier forms like Jonathan and the imported Sean and Ian.
  6. Olive
    • Origin:

      English, from Latin, nature name
    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"
    • Description:

      Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the US Top 1000. Cool couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen chose it for their daughter, reviving the name to stylishness, and now Drew Barrymore has a little Olive too, as has country singer Jake Owen.