Names That Mean Son

Ibsen is a literary hero name possibility, after the great Norwegian dramatist, Henrik I. The name Ib is a short form of Jacob, so you might consider Ibsen as an honorific for or a twin of a Jacob.

Sullivan has made itself into a first name and O'Sullivan may well follow suit.

For girls, this would more likely be spelled Jameson.

Bouncy surname name from the same origins as Joplin, which may be easier to convert to a first name.

A modern update to Hilary, which is related to Gaelic Ealair.

With parents looking for fresh -son names, this Irish option — best-known on actor Liam Neeson — may appeal.

The son at the end of many Scandinavian names makes them more consistent with modern American name tastes. While Nilsson may be the proper Scandinavian form of the name, many English speakers will try to spell it Nilson or Nelson.

Benjamin for purists. See BENJAMIN.

The Gaelic name Giolla Dhomhnagh ("servant of Donagh") turned into the patronymic Mac Giolla Dhomhnagh, which was whispered down the alley until it became MacGillowney, and eventually Looney. Although it's similar in sound to popular Luna, this isn't an Irish surname that's likely to get much use.

Names beginning with a "bay" sound are in fashion, and so are names ending in N. So this rare Welsh nugget would make a rather stylish choice.

Forget Donald. Honor Grandpa Don with this new spin.

A rare but perfectly usable surname name.

Could make for a strong and stylish honor name for an ancestral Matt.

This variation of Biblical Benjamin is used in Ethiopia. With various "Ben" names in style, from Bennett to Bentley, Benyam feels fresh but approachable. The name is also commonly spelled Binyam or Biniyam, but the Benyam more easily leads to the friendly nickname Ben.

Possible alternative to Anderson.

Likable English surname that is occasionally heard as a first name.

The feminine form of Jernej, the Slovene variation of Bartholomew.

Between "Old MacDonald" and Big Mac allusions, this would be a risky choice.

Top 100 surname in the US and UK.