AerieEerie's list of names

  1. Gardner
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "keeper of the garden"
    • Description:

      Surely one of the most pleasant and evocative of the occupational options.
  2. Gianna
    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanna or feminization of Gianni, forms of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      The Italian Gianna undoubtedly owes much of its popularity in the US to its status as an honor name for John. Before the importation of Gianna, there was no truly workable feminine form of John, so Gianna found widespread favor among American parents with Italian roots and far beyond.
  3. Gideon
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "hewer; or, having a stump for a hand"
    • Description:

      Gideon is a no-longer neglected Old Testament name, but still makes an excellent choice for parents looking to move beyond such overused biblicals as Benjamin and Jacob. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a judge called on by God to rescue the Jews from the Midianites, and the name was popular among the Puritans.
  4. Giovanna
    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Giovanni
    • Description:

      Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
  5. Graham
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "gravelly homestead"
    • Description:

      Well used in England and Scotland since the fifties, the smooth and sophisticated Graham is catching on here.
  6. Griffith
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "strong lord"
    • Description:

      A classic Welsh name, softer than Griffin and friendlier to spell than Gruffudd - that hasn't had as much love as it deserves elsewhere. Namesakes range from medieval kings to the philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith, who left land to the city of Los Angeles. It's great in full, but Griff is cool too.
  7. Grover
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lives near a grove of trees"
    • Description:

      Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look.
  8. Gus
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August
    • Description:

      Gus is a homey grandpa nickname name that can work as a short form for any of the above or stand on its own as a cutting-edge replacement for Max and Jake--though it was off the Top 1000 from 1978 until 2016, when it squeaked in at Number 999.
  9. Harriet
    • Origin:

      English variation of French Henriette
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Harriet has long been considered a stylish, upscale name in England, but it's still waiting to be revived in the US—though some parents seeking a solid, serious semi-classic are beginning to consider it.
  10. Hart
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "stag"
    • Description:

      Hart could be the hero of a romantic novel, but on the other hand, it's short, straightforward, and strong sounding. The most famous bearer of the name was tragic poet Hart (born Harold) Crane, but it also has musical cred via Lorenz Hart, of the classic Rodgers & Hart songwriting duo and a literary tie to playwright Moss Hart.
  11. Haskel
    • Origin:

      Yiddish variation of Ezekiel
    • Description:

      Rarely used cerebral-sounding name that is actually the Yiddish form of Ezekiel.
  12. Hazael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "one who decides"
    • Description:

      This name of an Old Testament king is reminiscent of the woodsy nature name Hazel.
  13. Hazel
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "the hazelnut tree"
    • Description:

      Hazel has a pleasantly hazy, brownish-green-eyed, old-fashioned image that more and more parents are choosing to share. Former Old Lady name Hazel reentered the popularity lists in 1998 and now is near the top of the charts.
  14. Henrietta
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Henry
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Despite a return to such feminizations of male names as Josephine, Clementine, and Theodora, starchy Henrietta has not made it into that group. Still, if you look hard enough, you'll see that Henrietta has the same vintage charm.
  15. Henry
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      Henry is back. The classic Henry climbed back onto the Top 10 in the US in 2021 for the first time in over a century, and now stands at Number 8.
  16. Hersch
    • Hershel
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "deer"
      • Description:

        Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe.
    • Hesh
      • Hewett
        • Origin:

          French, diminutive of Hugh
        • Description:

          Hugh plus.
      • Hosanna
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "deliver us"
        • Description:

          In the New Testament this was exclaimed by those around Jesus when he first entered Jerusalem. An exuberant choice!