Ending in "nen"
By Vana
Updated Thu May 04 2023
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- Ronan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little seal"Description:
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.
- Lonan
Origin:
Manx, IrishMeaning:
"little blackbird"Description:
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.
- Rhiannon
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"divine queen"Description:
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.
- Lennon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"lover"Description:
A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.
- Brennan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendent of the sad one"Description:
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.
- Shannon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"old and wise"Description:
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.
- Conan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little wolf"Description:
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.
- Algernon
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"moustached man"Description:
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?
- Cannon
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Cannon sits amongst other weapon names like Colt, Pistol, Lance, and Remington. Definitely a name that offers bombast.
- Senan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little old one"Description:
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
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little lord"Description:
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.
- Vernon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"place of alders"Description:
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.
- Gannon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair-skinned, fair-haired"Description:
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.
- Kenan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"possession"Description:
The biblical character Kenan was a great-grandson of Adam and a direct ancestor of Noah. As in Christianity, Kenan is honored in Islam.
- Keenan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.
- Finnan
Description:
Finnan is a masculine name with Irish and Scottish Gaelic origins. It can be a variation of Fionn/Finn (meaning 'fair' or 'white') or derive from the name Fionnán, a diminutive of Fionn. The name may also relate to Saint Finnan, a 6th-century Irish missionary. In Scotland, Finnan is additionally associated with a type of smoked haddock ('Finnan haddie'). The name has seen modest increased usage in recent years as part of the trend toward Celtic names and shorter forms like Finn. Finnan offers more distinctiveness than the popular Finn while maintaining the same appealing Irish heritage. It has a gentle strength with its soft consonants and rhythmic two-syllable structure, appealing to parents seeking something traditional yet not overused.
- Adnan
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"settler"Description:
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.
- Renon
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"place and surname"Description:
Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place name in Italy.
- Rennon
Origin:
English surname, meaning unknownDescription:
Unusual surname occasionally used as a first.
- Bronnen
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"a rush"Description:
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?"