Names That Mean Maker

This snappy nickname may remind some of the 1985 Chevy Chase movie of the same name.

One of the most distinguished names in literature could become a hero name in a family of poetry-lovers -- or be seen as a trendy new occupational name.

Cowboyish occupational name that's one of the hottest choices below the Top 1000, increasing in rank more than 5000 places since the year 2000. Roper may not be a unique choice much longer.

Forster, a variation of Foster or potentially even Forester, is associated with British novelist E.M. Forster, author of A Passage to India, Howard's End, and A Room with a View. But if you choose Forster, you'd always have to force that 'r'.

Only if it's a family name, and then, best in the middle.

This is an occupational surname for one who made nails and has been used by one Berry to honor a Canadian World War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude Nayler, Naismith, Naysmith and Neasmith. Trivia note: Dr. James Naismith is considered the inventor of basketball.

Cooper would be a more engaging C-starting occupational choice.

This cowboy-ish surname has an equine connection — Larimer originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other hardware needed for riding horses.

Larimer is an occupational surname that originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other equine hardware. It could be a fitting choice for a child of a horse-enthusiast.

Might be an honorific for novelist Saul Bellow, although bellowing is not the gentlest of sounds. Consider Saul instead.

Tiler is a fashionable gender-neutral occupational name popular, of course, in the Tyler spelling. Tyler was used for 150 girls and nearly 3000 boys in the US last year, while the Tiler spelling is very rare. But New York City Ballet dancer Tiler Peck brought this version of the name to wider attention.

This spelling of the popular surname ranks just inside the Top 1000.