This would be an intriguing choice for an illustrator's child, thanks to Norman Rockwell and Rockwell Kent. But most babies called Rockwell today are named after Porter Rockwell, a companion of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.

In one recent year there were 60 baby girls in the US named Lark....and only eight baby boys. But there's no reason this bird name can't also be masculine, especially given that Robin is making a comeback for boys and Sparrow is a notable starbaby boy (he's Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's son).

This Welsh river name has possibilities as a place name and nature name that is rare and uncommon.

Subtract the last two letters of Arnold, and you're left with a much more modern-sounding name. Arno is also the name of the main river in Florence, upon which sits the famed Ponte Vecchio. The Italian river name means "flowing water".

This Americanized spelling of the Dutch name is now used nearly exclusively for girls in the US.

Ellington is a swinging musical name, evoking the jazzy and elegant persona of the Duke (born Edward Kennedy Ellington). While that reference may seem to make Ellington a male name, it is also occasionally used for girls.

Abbott is a neglected masculine surname with religious overtones, used to describe the head of a monastery or a prominent church figure, such as a priest. Though the feminine nickname Abby could be seen as a slight drawback, that's hardly stopped Abner or Abraham rising up the charts, and besides, there's nothing wrong with a gentler boy name.

Aside from President Wilson (born Thomas), most Woodrows, including Herman, Guthrie, and Harrelson, have chosen to be known as Woody, which says it all.

Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men. Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted educator, writer and philosopher, and colleague of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

This surname has a modern yet old New England feel, perhaps because of the association with the transcendental teacher and reformer Bronson (born Amos Bronson) Alcott, father of Louisa May. (One-time sitcom star Bronson Pinchot's full name is Bronson Alcott Pinchot.) A more muscular image comes via tough guy Charles Bronson.

Calm, straightforward, patrician sounding: Pace is one new-style name that's well-grounded.

Elson is a masculine name with Germanic and English origins, traditionally functioning as a surname meaning 'son of Ellis' or 'son of Elias.' As a first name, Elson gained modest usage in the early 20th century but has remained relatively uncommon. It combines the familiar element 'El' (found in popular names like Elijah and Elliott) with the common suffix 'son,' creating a name that feels both recognizable and distinctive. Elson has cross-cultural appeal, appearing in various cultural contexts including English-speaking countries and parts of Latin America. The name carries a dignified, somewhat traditional quality while avoiding overuse, making it appealing to parents seeking a masculine name with subtle uniqueness.