Jane Austen Names

Jennings is a common English surname that originated as a patronymic for the child of someone named Jen, a short form of John.

As this word is less often used to mean derriere, it becomes more possible to view Fanny as the kind of appealingly quaint nickname name, like Josie and Nellie, that many parents are favoring now.

This spelling of Bennett is typically seen as a surname, but gets moderate use as a first name for baby boys and girls.

A relatively common surname, Dixon would be an inventive way to honor an ancestral Richard or Dick, the X form a lot livelier than the Dickson spelling, just as Dix is a more modern short form than Dick; it would be right at home alongside Dax and Jax.

Some names referring to expensive things -- Tiffany, Armani, Porsche -- are in fact declasse, but Price transcends that label with its simplicity and strength.

The surname Reynolds derived from the given name Reynold, which was common during the Middle Ages.

Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the playground.

A preppy English surname. Newscaster Megyn Kelly used it as a middle name for her son in 2009.

A common surname in Scotland, but a starchy first name choice.

Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".

Fast-food chain, no longer a baby.

Brusque and charmless, two things you don't want your son to be.

Replaced Patsy as the midcentury's popular, peppy babysitter.

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

Distinguished though it is, it will never shake its portly cigar-smoking image.

In British slang, a "prat" is an idiot -- enough said.