It’s back to school time again, and we’re feeling inspired by the world’s great minds. We all want to raise critical thinkers. . . but we don’t all want to name our little lover of wisdom Socrates or Voltaire. So here are some “smart” baby names taken from philosophers and intellectuals that give just a subtle nod to the great thinkers that inspired them.
Alvin
American analytic philosopher Alvin Carl Platinga inspired this pick. We think Alvin is due for a comeback. And if you’re not a fan of nickname Al, how great is Vin?!
Anselm
Pious and intellectually curious, Saint Anselm was an important Christian thinker in the eleventh century. The handsome name is a German one, meaning “with divine protection.” German artist Anselm Kiefer is another famous bearer.
Aviva
Could Aviva be any more beautiful? A Hebrew name meaning “springlike, fresh, dewy,” it is the first name of Noam Chomsky’s daughter. But Aviva Chomsky is a great mind in her own right, of course. An academic and activist, she is the perfect source of baby name inspiration.
Blaise
If you’re on the “z name” bandwagon but you want a name with some precedent, Blaise might just fit the bill. Blaise has that modern edge, but French philosopher Blaise Pascal reminds us of the name’s history.
Brandt
We think American philosopher Richard Booker Brandt’s surname makes a solid first name, especially when spelled Brant.
Cornel
Is there anyone cooler than Cornel West? No. And yet a baby named Cornel would be a complete surprise in 2019. Cornelius, barely in the top 1000 baby names in the US, gives you a longer-form option.
Cyril
A name meaning “lordly,” Cyril has been off the US popularity charts since the 60s. So it might be perfect if you want an uncommon name that evokes the intellectualism of Byzantine scholar and missionary Saint Cyril.
Dallas
These days, the name Dallas is recognized foremost as a Texas place name with a rugged feel, like Austin or Dakota (though it was a Scottish place name turned surname first). Dallas Willard, Christian scholar and philosopher, might be the most famous first-named Dallas.
Graham
Contemporary philosophers Graham Priest and Graham Harman share this popular but classic name. Graham is currently in the top 200 baby names, meaning it’s used enough that it probably won’t evoke the scholars straight away (but could still be a subtle tribute).
Helene
The French feminist philospher Hélène Cixous, author of the famous article, “The Laugh of the Medusa,” is our smart inspiration for the gorgeous name Helene. Reminiscent of the more popular Helen, its long -ane ending gives this name a sophisticated flair.
Josiah
The founder of American idealism, Josiah Royce, inspired this choice. Currently #53 in popularity in the US, the name Josiah is right at home with the other biblical names dominating the charts.
Lucian
Lucian of Samosata was a Syrian satirist and rhetorician. The name Lucian is of French origin and means “light.” It’s a great sweet-spot baby name–familiar but not popular– lurking in the top 500-600 baby names in the US.
Noam
The “father of modern linguistics,” Avram Noam Chomsky is a powerhouse thinker much admired for his fierce intelligence, political activism, and contribution to philosophy. A Hebrew name, Noam is similar in sound to the more-popular Noah or Noel but without the biblical or Christmas associations.
Rhodes
The prestigious Rhodes Scholarship was named after British mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes. While the name Rhodes is not nationally ranked yet, we think that might change. Rhodes is our new favorite alternative to fast-risers Hayes and Brooks.
Roland
Roland Gérard Barthes had a tremendous influence on many fields and schools of thought. In the top 100 baby names in the US at its peak (1924-25), the name Roland is currently #544 in US popularity. It’s classically handsome yet uncommon.
Seneca
Seneca the Younger was one of the great Roman Stoic philosophers, and with his literary talent, his was a mind for the ages who is still readable today. The Sen- part of the name that shares the same starting sound as “senate” lends it a stateliness. But this isn’t the only association: Seneca is also the name of an American Indian tribe, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League.
Soren
We know Søren Aabye Kierkegaard almost exclusively by his surname, but the world’s first existential philosopher has a beauty of a first name that might be the inspiration for your baby’s moniker. The meaning of the name is already serious to start–in its Danish origin, it means “stern”–but its gentle sound (like “soar”) softens the name just enough.
Sybil
Of German Jewish origin, Sybil Wolfram was an English philosopher and writer, as well as a fellow at Oxford University. And the meaning of the name has knowledge as its root: The sybils in Greek mythology were prophetesses, mouthpieces of the oracles and seers. Its most current association is probably spirited and progressive Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey.
Titus
The first name of Christian theologian and philosopher Titus Flavius Clemens packs a lot of style. In this decade, Titus has been at its most popular point in history (currently #312), making it hard to believe the name was once considered too “ancient” to be usable.
Warner
Inspired by American philosopher Warner Fite, this last-name-as first-name is still something of an undiscovered gem. At the height of its popularity, it remained in the 400s. Meaning “army guard,” it’s not just a smart name but a strong one, too.
And those are our favorite “smart” baby names. Other nerds out there, share your name inspirations!