Names with solid meaning, pleasing sound, old-fashioned, or just plain cool.

Names with solid meaning, pleasing sound, old-fashioned, or just plain cool.
  1. Azael
    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Hazael, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "one who decides"
    • Description:

      Rising biblical name without the demonic undertones of Azrael.
  2. Christian
    • Origin:

      Greek or English from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "anointed one or follower of Christ"
    • Description:

      The name Christian has fallen a bit from its 90's and 00's heights, but it's still quite popular. Once considered overly pious, Christian is now seen as making a bold statement of faith by some, while also having secular appeal for others, perhaps influenced by such celebrities as Christian Slater and Christian Bale, not to mention the fashion world's Dior, Lacroix, Louboutin and Audigier.
  3. Clayton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "place with good clay"
    • Description:

      Almost fits into the wildly popular Jaden-Caden-Braden family -- but not quite; a possibility for parents who want a similar but more traditional name.
  4. Colton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the coal or dark town"
    • Description:

      Colton is a trendy two-syllable choice, with the popular 'on/en' ending.
  5. Elijah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh is God"
    • Description:

      The Top 10 boys' name Elijah is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, composed of the elements ’el and yah, both of which refer to God. In the Old Testament, Elijah was the prophet who went to heaven in a chariot of fire, a story sure to inspire any young Elijah.
  6. Eliot
    • Origin:

      Variation of Elliot
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"
    • Description:

      Sleekened spelling.
  7. Emmet
    • Origin:

      English; Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "universal; truth"
    • Description:

      Honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, Emmet is a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, but the more common spelling is Emmett. Emmet dropped off the US Top 1000 in 1934 and reentered the list in 2014; Emmett, on the other hand, has never been off the charts.
  8. Ezequiel
    • Origin:

      Variation of Ezekiel
  9. Hank
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Henry, German
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Hank is a midcentury guy nickname (which actually dates back to the seventeenth century) of the Al/Hal/Dick school, which has been on recess from the playground for decades. Now it's just beginning to be given on its own again, appreciated for its earthy, sportsguy cool. Hanks Aaron and Greenberg (born Henry) and Hank Williams (born Hiram) Sr and Jr. are worthy namesakes.
  10. Hansel
    • Origin:

      German diminutive of Hans
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Those "Where's Gretel?" jokes will get old pretty fast.
  11. Hezekiah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God gives strength"
    • Description:

      This name of an influential Old Testament king of Judah is one that would challenge even the most adventurous biblical name-seeker, but it does have the modernizing short forms Zeke or Kiah.
  12. Jeremiah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "appointed by God"
    • Description:

      Jeremiah is a solid Old Testament prophet name that has gradually taken the place of the now dated Jeremy, Gerard and Gerald, joining other currently popular biblical 'iah' names like Josiah and Isaiah. In the Bible Jeremiah is a famous prophet whose story is recorded in the book named after him.
  13. Josias
    • Origin:

      Latin variation of Josiah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God supports, heals"
    • Description:

      An attractive, surprisingly uncommon variation of Josiah. To give you an idea of how comparatively rare Josias is, there were about 200 baby boys named Josias in the US last year, versus nearly 6000 named Josiah.
  14. Julian
    • Origin:

      English from Latin, variation of Julius
    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"
    • Description:

      Cool and charming, with plenty of flair and sophistication, Julian manages to strike the balance between being a sensible classic and contemporary choice. Appealingly international, it is no wonder Julian is a rising star.
  15. Kaylan
    • Noah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "rest, repose"
      • Description:

        Noah is nearly a patriarch of popular baby names at this point, going from Old Testament graybeard to Top 10 name in 2009, hitting Number 1 in 2013, and now settled into second place in the US for five years.
    • Quentin
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "fifth"
      • Description:

        Quentin, an offbeat name with lots of character, relates to the Latin for the number five and is by far the subtlest and most usable of the Latin birth-order names, masculine as well as stylish and distinctive. It was borne by a third-century saint and came to England with the Normans.
    • Sawyer
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "woodcutter"
      • Description:

        Sawyer is a surname with a more relaxed and friendly feel than many others, and is one of the hottest occupational names right now, with the Nameberry seal of approval. Sawyer is becoming one of the top unisex names. Both Sara Gilbert and Diane Farr used Sawyer for their daughters, while it was given a boost as a boys' name by the character Sawyer on Lost, an alias for the character really named James Ford.
    • Wesley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "western meadow"
      • Description:

        Reminiscent of the Old West, with rugged charm and a gentle, easy-going feel, Wesley has long been a staple on the US charts.
    • Weston
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "from the western town"
      • Description:

        Weston has gone from being a Jane Austenish British surname to a first name with a relaxed American western cowboy feel. Along with other trendy 'n'-ending boys’ names, Weston is rising in popularity, and is now more popular than ever. Weston also has a glimmer of creative appeal via its connection to the great photographer Edward Weston. Nicolas Cage chose Weston for his son back in 1990, when it was much more unusual; The Office's Jenna Fischer used it for her baby more recently. Cousin name Easton is even more popular.