Names That Mean Ruler

Thierry, which is very popular in France, would make an interesting import; it's somewhat familiar through designer Thierry Mugler and international soccer star Thierry Henry. It almost sounds like Terry, but not quite.

The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.

Seraiah is an Old Testament name attached to several minor Biblical figures. The father of Ezra the scribe was named Seraiah, as was the father of Joab. While Seraiah sounds somewhat feminine to the English speaker, as one of the few unused Biblical names, it could rise in popularity for boys.

Eiro is to Eirik as Eero is to Eric.

The J spelling of this nickname name has always skewed more masculine, perhaps because it relates directly to Jerome but not to Geraldine. But supermodel Jerry Hall, whose full name is Jerry and who has a twin sister named Terry, pulls it off in glamorous style.

This spelling has been on the rise since it entered the charts in 2004, hot on the coattails of trendy Avery.

Hendrix is an improbably trendy first name rising in honor of guitar great Jimi.

This surname and title spread widely across Asia thanks to the conquests of Genghis Khan in the thirteenth century. You may also recognise it from the emperor Kublai Khan, who hosted Marco Polo; The Jungle Book's Shere Khan; and the Star Trek character Khan Noonien Singh. With other royal names and titles rising, this international variant has also seen a little more use, though it is still pretty rare.

Variation of Derek.

Reddish dye that sounds as if it could be a real name — of the outdated, Old World, Yetta-Hedda variety.

Ericson, also spelled Erickson and Erikson (and with -sen endings too), is a Nordic surname that makes a strong choice. Ericson may continue the trend Harrison, Jefferson and Jackson started.

A form of Heinrich or Henrike (Henry in English), as well as of their feminine counterparts. Now most commonly feminine, and especially popular for girls in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s. Famous bearers include German actress Heike Makatsch and athlete Heike Drechsler.

Also related to the word for wolf, this name has a first syllable that's not appealing to the American ear. Better ic-ending choices: Dominic, Frederic, Eric.

The Dutch equivalent of Walt makes the Top 100 in Belgium, where Flemish parents love short, sweet names.

When you like Eric, but wish it were longer; also the name of a great early English poet.

Passé pasha image.

Properly written with a Turkish dotted I, this handsome Turkish name derives from two elements both with regal meanings.

When used in English-speaking countries--it's heard occasionally in the UK--it's more often spelled ALARIC. Unusual, but usable.

This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can honor an ancestral Ronald just by dropping that middle 'n'.

Russian form of Roderick given to a small number of American boys each year.