Baby Boy Names That Are Virtuous
By Linda Rosenkrantz
‘Virtue names’ don’t have to be just for girls. (Photo: Alija/Getty Images)
When we hear the phrase ‘virtue names’ we tend to think first and foremost of the girls—Faith, Hope and Grace, Prudence and Patience. But some parents are beginning to acknowledge that there are good boys as well as girls, and are considering some of the old male virtue names that have been off the grid for decades.
Earnest/Ernest—Hard to resist starting this off with “the importance of being earnest”—but Earnest, condensed to Ernest can be considered very much a virtue name. This country was at one time filled with Ernies—Ernest was a Top 25 name in the 1890s and stayed in the Top 50 through 1956, while the Earnest version was also a well-used early option, as high as Number 107 in 1907. And Ernest certainly has his share of notable namesakes, most famously Mr. Hemingway.
Hardy—Despite its solid meaning and pleasant sound, Hardy is hardly heard, though it did hang in until 1953, having been as high as Number 334 in the 1880s. Hardy Amies (born Edwin Hardy) was a well-known English fashion designer; as a surname it has had such upright bearers as the Hardy Boys and Andy Hardy. Could Hardy be a softer Hartley?
Justice—Now considered a unisex virtue name, the blue version made a comeback in 1994, and is now at Number 475, while Latin spelling Justus—a popular name in Germany– is at 811. Steven Seagal used Justice for his son back in 1976, while Jensen Ackles gave it to her baby girl.
Loyal—The Boy Scout-worthy virtue name Loyal resided on the Top 1000 list for almost sixty years, peaking at Number 555 in 1890, when Loy was a popular nickname, sometimes used on its own. Dr. Loyal Davis was a prominent neurosurgeon and the father of Nancy Davis Reagan.
Noble—Like Loyal and Justice, Noble was not uncommon at the turn of the last century, as high as Number 312 in 1901 and remaining on the list through 1954. One of its most prominent bearers was Noble Sissle, an important early jazz musician and composer, who co-wrote the song “I’m Just Wild About Harry” with Eubie Blake.
Prosper—A highly aspirational choice that is more commonly heard in France than the U.S. Prosper Mérimée, best remembered for writing the novella that was the basis of the opera Carmen, was also a dramatist, historian, translator and archaeologist.
Sincere—Sincere was something of a surprise entrant to the popularity list in 2000, where it has remained, now at Number 617. It may have been jump-started by the character named Sincere, played by rapper Nas, in the 1998 film Belly.
True—A unisex virtue name found in several forms—True, Truly, Truthful—used by Forest Whitaker and Joely Fisher for their daughters. More unambiguously male is Truman—equally honest, upright, and presidential as well. Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks have a teenaged Truman.
Valor—When Emile Hirsh chose this brave new name for his son in 2013, it struck many Berries as an interesting and fresh V-starting option, and we expect to be seeing more of it.
Bravery –We first came upon Bravery when Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt made this creative choice for the middle name of their son Matteo in 2005, and are somewhat surprised that more parents haven’t picked up on it. With its three syllables, Bravery is more rhythmic than the other virtuous boy possibilities, and relates to cousin name Avery.
Clement—A more subtle choice, one of Clement’s definitions is ‘merciful,’ and is often used to describe mild weather. Clement was in the Top 1000 until the late sixties, reaching Number 267 in 1911. Clement, nn Clem, has numerous noted namesakes, from popes to saints to British prime ministers.
Worth—Worth sends something of a mixed message: are we talking about net worth, or a more general worthiness? Worth, which also has a bit of a preppy feel, was in fairly common use in the US at one time, on and off the popularity list through the mid-1920s. Worthy is another possibility.
