Ending in "nen"

Ronan is the compelling legendary name of twelve Irish and Scottish saints that is now drawing some deserved attention; this cousin of the ascending Roman and Rowan was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller in 1998, and more recently by actress Catherine Bell.

Most of us had never heard this lovely Welsh name with links to the moon until we heard the 1976 smash hit Fleetwood Mac song of that name, with lyrics by Stevie Nicks. That same year it popped onto the U.S. Top 1000 at Number 593.

A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.

Typically spelled as Lonán in Ireland, Lonan is its Manx form, though it could also be considered the anglicized form too. The name comes from the Irish lon meaning "blackbird", paired with a diminutive suffix, making this a charming nature-related choice that could make a nice Logan/Conan alternative.

While this name came into being in the Victorian era as a nickname for a man with whiskers, the name was quickly embraced as a true name by the Victorians and is likely most familiar to you as the name of Oscar Wilde's fabulous character in The Importance of being Earnest . However, Algernon is not confined to the fictional world of satire; many real world namesakes exist including US footballer Algernon Crumpler (aka Alge Crumpler), British impressionist painter Algernon Talmage, and Canadian astrophysicist Joseph Algernon Pearce, who discovered many thinks about the Milky Way. Plus, who can go past the adorable nickname Algie?

Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.

Brennan is a winning Irish surname name, more modern than Brian or Brendan, more unusual than Conor and Aidan. The only possible problem with Brennan: people might think you're saying Brendan.

The fierce image of the Barbarian made a complete turnaround thanks to amiable talk show host O'Brien, making Conan one of the newly desirable Irish choices, a perfect alternative to Conor/Connor.

St. Senán was a famed 6th-century monk, who founded a monastery on Inis Cathaigh whose ruins can still be seen today. Legend has it that before he could found the monastery, he had to banish a great monster. Typically spelled as Senán, this name is popular in Ireland and Northern Ireland where it ranks in the Top 100.

Tiernan is the slightly edgier and sharper cousin of Kiernan. This is one Irish surname that is attractive but distinctive; Tierney is another, related, option.

The name of the longest river in the British Isles rose to the US Top 25 for girls in the 1970s and the Top 100 for boys, but has fallen off the Top 1000 for both genders. At the latest count, the name Shannon was given to about 200 babies in the US, about a third of those boys. As a favorite Irish name, Shannon has now been supplanted by newcomers such as Saoirse and Seanan.

This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.

Cannon sits amongst other weapon names like Colt, Pistol, Lance, and Remington. Definitely a name that offers bombast.

The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of Teen Mom 3 son Gannon Dewayne McKee.

Brannan is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Braonáin, meaning 'descendant of Braonán' (a personal name related to 'braon' meaning 'sorrow' or 'drop of rain'). This distinctive name carries a strong Celtic heritage while maintaining a contemporary sound that works well in modern contexts. Brannan may also be associated with Brannan Island in California, named after early American settler Samuel Brannan. As a first name, Brannan remains relatively uncommon, offering families a recognizable yet distinctive choice that avoids being overly popular. The name shares phonetic similarities with more common names like Brandon and Brennan, making it accessible while maintaining its unique identity. Brannan projects a strong, masculine image with its sharp consonants and has appeal for families seeking Irish heritage names that aren't overused.

Tannen is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from Middle High German words like 'tanne' meaning 'fir tree.' It shares roots with the German surname Tannenbaum, which literally translates to 'fir tree.' As a first name, Tannen is relatively uncommon, lending it a distinctive quality for parents seeking unique options. The name carries associations with strength, stability, and connection to nature, evoking images of tall, evergreen trees that remain steadfast through changing seasons. In popular culture, the name might be recognized from the Back to the Future film series, which featured the antagonistic Tannen family across multiple generations.

Adnan in the Muslim religion was an ancestor of Muhammad. More recently, the name was introduced to many Westerners via Adnan Syed, the young man at the center of the sensational Serial podcast.

The biblical character Kenan was a great-grandson of Adam and a direct ancestor of Noah. As in Christianity, Kenan is honored in Islam.

Unusual surname occasionally used as a first.

Bronnen is an attractive name but is similar to so many others -- Brennan, Brannon, Bronwen -- it's sure to provoke a lot of "What was that again?"