In the Bible, Abraham was originally named Abram, but was bestowed the name of Abraham by God for he wanted him to be the "father of many nations". Abraham was married to Sarah and had eight sons. He is said to be the father of the Jewish nations through
Abram was the original name of Abraham in the Bible. God renamed him thusly: "No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of many nations". Abram means "exalted father", where Abraham means "father
The name Alan is of Celtic origin and was introduced to the English by the Breton followers of William the Conqueror. The exact meaning of the name is not entirely known although "rock" seems to be the most probable. There are many variations of this name
Andrew was a disciple of Jesus and of John the Baptist, who it is said was martyred by being crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X". He became a saint. This symbol is now referred to as Saint Andrew's cross. Andrew was the brother of Peter.
Arthur is a name that probably dates back as far as pre-Roman times in Britain. It is possibly derived from the Celtic "artos" (bear), the Irish Gaelic "art" (stone), or the Welsh term "arth gwyr," or "bear man." Its modern form may be based partly on t
Benjamin is the anglicized form of the Hebrew Binyamin. In the Old Testament, Benjamin was the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob. Benjamin was the 24th most popular boy's name in the US in 2006, and the 11th most popular in the UK. It is also commonly fou
Nickname for William. There are many famous bearers who go by the name "Bill" including comedian Bill Murray, 42nd US President William "Bill" Clinton, philanthropis and chairman of Microsoft Bill Gates, comedian Bill Cosby and political commentator and p
Originally a French surname; based on the Picard dialect form of the word 'chauve' meaning 'bald'.
John Calvin was a church reformer of the 16th century, after whom the Christian group Calvinism is named. Calvinists believe in predestinati
In English, a "carter" is someone who carries materials in a cart. Carter is a common English surname, though it has recently gained popularity as boys' first name in English-speaking countries. As a surname, famous bearers include US President Jimmy Car
Chester is rarely used in modern times, although it is probably due for a comeback. Chet or Chas/Chaz are common nicknames for Chester. It is also found as a surname, where it likely originated designating someone who lived near or worked in a camp, fort
Clark is a common surname and appears in several American place names. It was the middle name of 31st American President, Herbert Clark Hoover.
Clark Gable was an Academy-award winning actor, famous for his role of Rhett Butler in 'Gone wit
English habituation surname that became, at one point, popular to use as a first name. Currently, Cleveland is well known as the most populous city in the state of Ohio, as well as being home to the Rock and Toll Hall of Fame.
Famous bearer
Could also mean 'fence settlement' from old English.
Famous bearers include American President Bill Clinton and his wife, Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, funk musician George Clinton.
Dwight was the original middle name given to 34th US President Eisenhower. To avoid confusion with his father, who was also named David, he began to go by his middle name and used Dwight throughout his life. The nickname for Dwight is "Ike", which he also
This title from Old English 'eorl', meaning nobleman, was often used as a nickname for a servant employed in a noble household.
Famous bearers include acclaimed actor James Earl Jones, 39th American President James Earl Carter, former Chief
A Middle English term from the feudal system indicating a free, land-owning gentleman.
Franklin is the first name of two US Presidents, Franklin Pierce and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and is the surname of US patriot and statesman Benjamin F
There have been six British kings called George, and Saint George is the patron saint of England, knights, armorers and archers. This is also the first name of US President, George H. W. Bush and his son, President George W. Bush, and the first US Preside
Gerald Ford was the 38th President of United States of America. He became President following the resignation of Richard Nixon. President Ford was adopted as a boy; his birth name was Leslie Lynch King Jr.
There have been various saints nam
Grant is both a personal name and a surname. It is the surname of 18th President of the United States and Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant.
Harrison is a common surname - examples of bearers include Beatle George Harrison and US Presidents William Henry and Benjamin Harrison, who were grandfather and grandson.
It is the first name of actor Harrison Ford, and Harrison Schmitt w
Harry started out as a nickname for Henry, but is now used as a name in its own right. In the US it was the 593rd most popular name for boys in 2006. In the UK however, where it is the popular name of one of the royal princes, the name comes in fifth. It
Henry is an anglicized form of the Germanic name Heinrich or Heimrich. Henry has remained popular throughout history evidenced by the fact that rulers from Britain, France and Germany have all carried it. The name Henry has also figured prominently in A
Famous Herberts include: 31st US President Herbert Clark Hoover and 41st US President George Herbert Walker Bush. Herbert is also found frequently as a surname.
Cartoons Family Guy and South Park both have characters with this name: the eld
Howard is the family surname of the English Dukes of Norfolk. Famous members of the family include Katherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII and Thomas Howard, her uncle and the uncle of Anne Boleyn.
Other people bearing the surname H
Traditionally a nickname for Isaac and Dwight, Ike was famously the nickname of U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower. His campaign slogan was catchy enough to be remembered today: "I Like Ike".
Ike is also the name of South Park main charact
Though originally a nickname for John, Jack is frequently given as a stand-alone name today. In the UK, it has been the most popular name for baby boys for the last thirteen years.
In cards, a jack is the lowest-ranking of the face cards.
Traditionally a surname, Jackson has gained recent popularity as a first name. This rise in popularity is probably due to parents using Jackson as a longer form of the nickname Jack. Jack is traditionally a nickname for the name John.
Fa
There are many saints called James, the most famous being Saint James the Elder, one of the Apostles. As a common name it has many namesakes, such as the author James Joyce or the fictional British spy James Bond ("007"). The name has been used for royalt
Surname of third US President Thomas Jefferson, who penned the Declaration of Independence. It was also the middle name of William Jefferson Clinton.
James Earl Carter, 39th President of the United States, preferred to go by the name "Jimmy". He has always signed his name as Jimmy Carter.
Other famous Jimmys include: American movie star (known for his large nose) Jimmy Durante, Led Zeppl
John was the name of two characters in the New Testament.
John is the personal name of four US Presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, and John F. Kennedy.
Johnson is a familial surname that rarely occurs as a first name. Famous bearers include Sports hero Earvin "Magic" Johnson and 17th President of the US Andrew Johnson.
"Johnson" is sometimes used as American slang to reference a man's geni
Short form of Kingsley, King is also bestowed as an independent given name based on the English vocabulary word.
King is often used to honor Martin Luther King, American civil rights leader. It is a common surname and was the former surnam
The original Lincoln is a city in England, although there are now Lincolns all over the world. It was taken as a surname and is now becoming popular as a first name (it was the 300th most popular boy's name in the US in 2006). For those who don't live nea
Most famous bearer of this surname turned personal name is 36th President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson. Other famous bearers include political activist and economist Lyndon LaRouche,
Martin is derived from Latin "Martinus," which came from the name "Mars," the Roman god of war.
Saint Martin of Tours was a bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. He
From the surname, meaning "son of Finley".
William McKinley Jr. was the 25th President of the United States; he was assassinated by an anarchist in 1901.
McKinley also the name of the highest mountain peak in North America -
To pierce something is to make a hole in something or to penetrate it.
Pierce Brosnan is an actor, most famous for playing James Bond. Franklin Pierce was the 14th American President.
Quincy is the middle name of sixth US President, John Quincy Adams. He was named after his great-grandfather, John Quincy, Speaker of the Massachusetts Assembly and militia officer in the Revolutionary War.
Richard has always been a very popular name throughout the English-speaking world. It was first imported to England by the Normans, though it is derived from the Germanic elements "ric" (power) and "hard" (strong, hardy). The original form was probably
From the Old norse, composed of the elements meaning "Advice; decision; the gods" and "ruler".
Ronald Reagan was President of the United States 1981-9. Ronald McDonald is the clown mascot of restaurant chain McDonald's and Ronald Weasley is
Transferred use of the surname; often given in honour of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt or Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Although ironic in light of its meaning, very well known in respect to the Christmas tale "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".
Famous bearers include movie star Rudolph Valentino (known as "The World Greatest Lover"), politician and former may
St Stephen was the first Christian martyr, his stoning is depicted in the New Testament book of Acts. St Stephen's Day is 26 December.
There have been nine Popes named Stephen, five kings of Hungary named Stephen and one King of England. G
Theodore was a pre-Christian name borne by many learned men in ancient Greece, including the ironically-named Theodorus the Atheist. There have been various saints named Theodore, and two popes.
Theodore Roosevelt was President of the Uni
Thomas has been very popular in the UK for several years, staying at second place in 2007. In the US it ranked 51st. St Thomas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is often known as 'doubting Thomas' as he requires proof of the resurrection of Jes
Tyler is a city in Texas, presumably named so after John Tyler, the 10th US President.
Ulysses is the Latinized version of Odysseus.
18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, went by this name. At birth. his name was Hiram Ulysses Grant (Ulysses being chosen in homage to the mythological hero) and the prospect of
Walker-on-Tyne is a village in north-east England. There are also five US cities named Walker. Additionally, "Walker, Texas Ranger" was a popular American television show for many years.
Walker is a common occupational surname and the mid
Name borne by the 29th US President, Warren Gamaliel Harding. Other famous bearers include Rapper Warren G., film star Warren Beatty, rock star Warren Zevon and philanthropist Warren Buffet.
The Warren Commission was the unofficial name of
William comes from the Germanic elements 'wil' (will, desire) and 'helm' (helmet, protection). It was the 10th most popular name for boys in the US in 2006, and the 7th most popular in the UK.
There have been many rulers named William, incl
Wilson is a common surname found rarely as a personal name. Famous bearers include 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, 40th president Ronald Wilson Reagan and R&B rock and roll singer Wilson Pickett.
Wilson is also an Ameri
Zachary is an English form of the name Zechariah. It is in use as both a surname and a first name, though it is far more common as a first name. It is also the name of a town in the U.S. state of Louisiana.
Zachary Taylor was the twelfth
John F Kennedy was the thirty-fifth President of the United States. He was President during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed segregation in public places and schools, and he set the goal for America having
From the Gaelic surname for the lands of Lesslyn in Aberdeenshire, the words "leas cuilinn" meaning garden of hollies.
Leslie was the birth name of the 38th President Gerald R. Ford. President Ford was adopted as a baby.
Transferred use of the surname meaning "son of Maud"; and also perhaps "Mad's son", Mad being a common pet form of Matthew during the Middle Ages.
Although Madison, today, is given as a name to both genders, it isn't a legitimate unisex nam
Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin ("descendent of Riagán").
The meaning is uncertain. It is likely to be related to rí and thus means "like a king", or it may come from ríogach and mean "impulsive".
Ronald Reagan was th
Taylor was originally an occupational surname which denoted someone who worked as a tailor.
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States. Taylor is a brand of guitars and the name of Taylor University in Indiana. Taylor Alis