Hipster British Boy Names
- Herbert
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright army"Description:
Names ending in bert have long been in limbo, but with the return of Albert, maybe there's hope for Herbert. who could share the Bertie nickname. Herbert is a name that's been used by English speakers since medieval times, and was in the Top 25 in the US in the late 1920s, around the time of the presidency of Herbert Hoover, but there's been no sight of Herbert in the 21st century. Some Herberts, including novelists H. G. Wells and H. E. Bates, have preferred to go by their initials.
- Woodrow
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"row of houses by a wood"Description:
Aside from President Wilson (born Thomas), most Woodrows, including Herman, Guthrie, and Harrelson, have chosen to be known as Woody, which says it all.
- Digby
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"town by the ditch"Description:
Digby is a place-name in Lincolnshire turned surname turned quirky first name that is starting to get some attention.
- Buddy
Origin:
English, nickname nameDescription:
Until recently it was rarely used as a proper name; Buddy Holly, for example, was christened Charles, and Salinger's Buddy Glass was born Webb. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver did name his fourth child Buddy Bear Maurice--a fittingly named brother to Poppy Honey Rosie, Daisy Boo Pamela and Petal Blossom Rainbow, and singer Tom Fletcher has a double-nicknamed Buddy Bob.
- Montague
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"pointy hill"Description:
The family name of Shakespeare's Romeo has an effete, monocled image.
- Baxter
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"baker"Description:
An x makes any name cooler, so that Baxter has a bit more pizzazz than the original Baker. Baxter had some currency as a first name a century ago--it was on the popularity lists sporadically from 1880 till the 1920s, peaking at Number 515 in 1886-- which means it's just about due for a comeback. And we can see Bax as a worthy follow-up to Max and Jax.
- Finbar
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair-haired"Description:
This is an ancient saints' name well used in Ireland but a rarity here and unlikely to ever reach the popularity of other Finn-ish names. St. Finbarr (the more common spelling) is the patron saint of Cork and in Irish folklore, Finbarr was king of the fairies.
- Woody
Origin:
Diminutive of WoodrowDescription:
While Woodrow is too forbidding, its nickname Woody is a bit cartoonish, as in Woody Woodpecker and the animated cowboy character in Toy Story. Woody Allen was born Allen.
- Gene
Origin:
Diminutive of Eugene, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Like Ray, a formerly funky nickname name that is newly cool. Comedian Amy Schumer used it for her son.
- Bertram
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright raven"Description:
Old Norman name last current in the 1930s, and firmly in our 'so far out it will always be out' category – despite its appearance as a Hogwarts student in Harry Potter. This is the full first name of P.G. Wodehouse's inimitable Bertie Wooster.
- Ptolemy
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"aggressive, warlike"Description:
Pronounced "TAHL-a-mee," this was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals and several Greco-Egyptian rulers, as well as the name of a famous Greek astronomer. Actress Gretchen Mol brought it into modern times when she chose it for her baby.
- Sid
Origin:
Short form of Sidney, FrenchMeaning:
"Saint-Denis"Description:
Sid originated as a nickname for Sidney, but we like it on its own, a la Sara Quin's and Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen's sons. Sid Vicious, member of the band the Sex Pistols, gives this name a punk rock vibe.
- Obie
- Wilf
Origin:
Diminutive of WilfredDescription:
A fairly common nickname in England that has never caught on in America. The rise of acronyms like MILF and DILF probably won't help its prospects going forward.
- Kester
Origin:
Scottish form of ChristopherMeaning:
"one who carries Christ"Description:
Nearly unknown outside the British Isles, this old Scottish variation has a sleek surname feel that can make an excellent update of the flagging Christopher.
- Marmaduke
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"devotee of Maedoc"Description:
One of the ultimate teasable names, an Irish saint's name now associated with the oversized comic-strip dog. Scottish adventurer Bear (born Edward) Grylls took up the challenge when he used it for his son.
- Tudor
Origin:
Welsh variation of TheodoreDescription:
Known as a British royal family line as well as a style of architecture, this name has a forbidding solemnity; schoolmates might also confuse it with tutor.
- Bernie
Origin:
Diminutive of Bernard, EnglishMeaning:
"strong; brave as a bear"Description:
It's been shown that notable political figures often impact the use of their names, and the same can — sort of — be said about Bernie Sanders. His name increased in use by 47% between 2015 and 2016 (albeit, to a peak of only 21 baby boys given the name). By 2017, Bernie has decreased in usage by almost 60%.
- Arnie
- Stanislaw
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"glory, fame, praise"