Names That Mean Son

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

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

A possible nod to grandpa Roger, though somewhat stuffy.

Ealair is the Gaelic form of Hilary, making McKellar an inventive way to honor a Hilary, Hillary, or Ellery in your life.

Though this spelling is not seen too often in the US, it is a common surname spelling in the land of kilts.

This Macallister variation is strongly associted with Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Unless it's your alma mater, it might be wise to stick with the original.

Most parents interested in this name would be honoring either an ancestor or painter Georgia O'Keeffe.

A variant of Jameson or Jamison, borne by the first Black woman in space, former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison.

Top 100 surname in the US and UK.

Could be a possible substitute for the dated Dawson, but the first syllable is a little--well--raw.

An original way to honor an ancestral Robert. Hobson is outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for boys.

Still heavily associated with journalist Barbara Walters, whose Jewish family changed their name from Warmwater (Warmwasser) upon emigrating to the UK from Poland.

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

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.

Actress Brie Williamson chose this spin on MacGregor for her son in 2010.

Ryan Murphy used the name McAfee on a supporting character in his TV series The Politician, which introduced it as a usable baby name.

The Turkish translation of the classic Hebrew name Benjamin.

A rare member of the "surnames-ending-in-S" crew that could honor a Patrick.

Form of the English surname Armison, borne by Airmyne Jenney (Harpur-Crewe), of Calke Abbey in England.

McCartney is a widely familiar surname that is infrequently given as a first name. It first appeared on the charts for girls in 1996 but has never been given to more than 21 baby girls in a single year. McCartney meets our definition of a unisex name, although it used more often for girls.