Names That Mean Ridge

This geographic Scottish surname is more often spelled Brody in the US. Both forms have seen decreasing popularity, which may be linked to its association with club-hopping Hills star Brody Jenner.

Riggs, with its suave, cowboy-cool style, is one of the hottest new names on the scene. Boy names that end with S are particularly trendy right now, with similar choices Briggs, Wells, and Jones zooming up the charts.

Rigby is a rather stiff British surname, which might call to mind the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" or, from the recent past, Cathy Rigby, the first American woman to win a medal in World Gymnastics competition. The problem with Rigby may be its similarity to the word "rigid."

This name of a town in Scotland, one of the earliest recorded surnames in the whole British Isles, has more vitality than Kelsey.

A natural successor to Hunter, Hudson, and Huxley, Hutton is an unexpected yet on-trend unisex name. Associated with Scottish geologist James Hutton, and as a first name with designer Hutton Wilkinson.

A geographical term for a long, winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel, caused by glaciation.

This topographical name, more suited to a girl than a boy--though it would inevitably be confused with SARAH--has some distinguished bearers: famous Spanish missionary to Mexico Father Junipero Serra, and sculptor Richard Serra, known for his challenging large-scale metal works.

Rigby is a rather stiff British surname, which might call to mind the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" or, from the recent past, Cathy Rigby, the first American woman to win a medal in World Gymnastics competition. The problem with Rigby may be its similarity to the word "rigid."

At one time associated with the fictional detective Bulldog Drummond, this formal surname name does boast the cute nickname Drum.

Unconventional British military officer Orde Wingate inherited his unusual given name from his mother, Mary Ethel Stanley Orde-Browne. Fittingly for his eventual profession (and that of his only son, also named Orde), it means "point, spear" and originally denoted someone living near a headland or ridge.

Ridger isn't particularly common as a surname but we expect it to pick up in popularity as a first name, a la rising names Bridger and Ridge.

Hunter is gaining favor among girls—for those in search of something less common, we recommend Hutton.

Name of a poet, this will be one for consideration by literary parents. The name fits well with the current trend towards surnames as given names, but beware the three syllable pronunciation, which may be a trap for the poetically disinclined.

A geographical term for a long, winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel, caused by glaciation.