Puritan Surnames

Once a birth order name, now might work as a cool x-ending nickname. But be warned that it sounds very close to an unfortunate slang term.

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.

It's easy to love a name that rhymes with "cuddly" and is also attached to the surname Do-Right -- once you ignore the "dud" connection.

Edmunds is a masculine surname that has occasionally been used as a first name. It derives from the Old English name Eadmund, combining elements meaning 'prosperity' or 'wealth' and 'protection.' The final 's' suggests its origination as a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Edmund.' While Edmund without the 's' is more common as a first name, Edmunds carries a distinguished, somewhat formal quality. The name has Anglo-Saxon roots and appears throughout English history, including connections to several saints and royalty. As a given name, Edmunds remains quite rare, offering a distinctive alternative for those seeking a traditional name with an unusual twist. It suggests reliability and carries historical gravitas.

Ellis is a former Old Man Name turned gender-neutral choice for the 21st century. It's one of the less used names in the currently popular El-family.

It feels like Finch should be a modern bird name that's as popular as Wren or Lark, but that's not the case - so it's one to consider if you're looking for a nature name that's familiar but rare.