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It's In The Name

  1. Science

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "knowledge"

    • Description:

      Actress Shannyn Sossamon used this as the middle name for her son Audio; one of the most do-not-try-this-at-home combos we've heard.
  2. Arlington

    • Origin:

      English habitational surname, place name

    • Meaning:

      "the noble's town"

    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Arlo, Remington, and Arthur, this surname style and place name could make a patriotic choice in the US, with its connections to Arlington National Cemetery. Given to 7 girls and 22 boys in a recent year, it is making moves up the charts, albeit small ones.
  3. Cross

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "cross"

    • Description:

      Evocative word name that's refreshingly straightforward. Overtones of Christianity and penalty. More subtle option: Cruz.
  4. 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.
  5. Timber

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Though some forward-looking parents are now choosing wood-related names like Oak, Pine, and Ash, this generic option would be even more avant garde.
  6. Fire

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Even if you're hoping for a fiery child, this seems like playing with fire. One celebrity--Steve Vai--was bold enough to use it for his son.
  7. Sergeant

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "to serve"

    • Description:

      Sargent, as in Kennedy brother-in-law Shriver, is the more familiar and usable form of this name.
  8. 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.
  9. Freedom

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "the quality or state of being free"

    • Description:

      Like Justice and Peace, this word name makes a very strong statement. Ving Rhames chose it for his boy.
  10. Dart

    • Origin:

      English place- and word name

    • Description:

      This British river name sounds sleek and strong but perhaps a bit too energetic.
  11. General

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "general"

    • Description:

      General as a name sounds more like a military rank than another word for "widespread". You may find your little General ruling the household.
  12. Light

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      A shimmering day name, with a bit of hippie residue.
  13. Koal

    • Description:

      Koal is a masculine name that appears to be a modern, phonetic variant of Cole. While Cole derives from the Old English 'col' meaning 'charcoal' or 'coal-black,' this distinctive spelling gives the name a contemporary edge. The name is short, strong, and memorable with its unique orthography. Though uncommon, Koal emerged as parents began seeking alternative spellings for traditional names in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The name's natural element connection evokes images of energy and earthiness. Its brevity makes it practical while still standing out on paper. Koal remains rare compared to the more conventional Cole, which has enjoyed substantial popularity since the 1990s.
  14. Sheriff

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Sheriff may sound law-abiding, but it also has a Wild West feel.
  15. Tan

    • Description:

      Tan is a succinct masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Chinese culture, it functions as a surname but can also be a given name meaning 'sandal wood' or 'flat, peaceful land.' In Vietnamese, Tân means 'new' or 'novel.' In English contexts, Tan might serve as a nickname for Tanner or Stanford, or stand alone as a distinctive minimal name. Its brevity gives it a modern, clean feel that aligns with contemporary preferences for short, impactful names. The simplicity of Tan—just one syllable and three letters—makes it easy to pronounce across languages and cultures. While uncommon as a standalone first name in Western countries, its multicultural associations and minimalist appeal make it an intriguing choice.
  16. Majesty

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Alternative to Prince, Duke, King, or Earl, but not an improvement on them.
  17. Lion

    • Origin:

      English animal name

    • Description:

      Lion is a masculine name with straightforward derivation from the powerful animal, symbolizing strength, courage, and nobility across many cultures. With Germanic, French, and English language roots, Lion functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of names like Lionel.
  18. Harvard

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "army guard"

    • Description:

      With Yale and Brown in the mainstream, why not this upscale college name and surname as well.
  19. Bravery

    • Origin:

      Virtue name

    • Description:

      This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.
  20. Manly

    • Description:

      Manly is an unusual masculine name deriving from Old English, literally meaning 'masculine' or 'resembling a man.' As a given name, it emerged during the Victorian era when virtue names and descriptive names were fashionable. Though uncommon today, Manly experienced modest popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name carries obvious associations with masculinity, courage, and strength. Some bearers may have been named after Manly Hall, a notable Canadian author, or in reference to Manly Beach in Australia. The direct meaning can make it feel somewhat heavy-handed in modern contexts, which has contributed to its decline. Today, it's an extremely rare choice that stands out for its straightforward meaning.