How about Ezra?

A baby named Jethro? These 12 old names are making a comeback

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As with many other things in life, baby names follow trends. In certain decades, thousands of Michaels seem to appear from everywhere, only to be overshadowed by legions of James in the next. For this very reason, we don’t hear of many babies named Herbert, or Edna anymore. So, if you are in the market for a baby name, maybe you can pick one that is not being over-used these days. Here are 12 suggestions for you!

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As George Carlin once said, strong names create strong men. So, why not give your boy a good old-fashioned serious name, like Clifford? This name of English and Germanic origin was once a last name meaning "ford by the cliff."

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Once a popular name in the past century, Mildred seems to have fallen out of favor in recent decades and it is currently hard to find anybody named Mildred who doesn’t have grey hair. This Anglo-Saxon name is composed of mild ("mild") and þryð ("power), meaning "gentle strength."

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A name that evokes a time gone by, Longfellow is a poetic name that was in demand back in the early 20th century. The name of English origin means, to no one’s surprise, "tall one."

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If the last person named Ethel you remember is Ethel Merman, you are not alone. This aristocratic name means "Noble," and it has been sitting on the bleachers for far too long. Ethel is the short form of Etheldreda and was first used as an independent name in the 1840s.

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A name that was popular in the mid-20th century, Laverne has two different meanings. And one of them is much more flattering than the other, at least for most. According to Roman mythology, Laverna was the goddess of thieves, which doesn’t sound all that great. But the French origin for this name means "springlike." Much more agreeable.

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This name has been used until not so long ago but it has lost some of its popularity in recent years. This boy’s name has Latin origins and it means "bright." Not a bad omen for a baby!

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A popular name when The Flintstones cartoon was originally airing, due to the leading character Wilma Flintstone, this name of German origin is a short version of Wilhelmina, meaning "will helmet."

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Bessie was originally a nickname for Elizabeth but it became a name in its own right quite some time ago. And, while it was a popular name back in the day, it has since fallen out of use.

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A serious name, indeed, Jethro is rarely heard these days. It has a biblical meaning in Hebrew scripture, where Jethro was an illustrious figure, renowned for his wisdom and leadership.

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A strong name for a strong girl, Gertrude is derived from Germanic roots meaning "spear" and "strength." And, if the name sounds too serious, Gertrudes can also go by the shorter nickname, Trudy.

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It may sound like a granny name but no one can deny that it has a lot of character and personality. And, besides, its German roots add a deeper meaning to it, since it translates to "the bright one."

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Yes, it may sound like an antiquated name. Yes, the only known reference to it is the Warner Brothers cartoon, Elmer Fudd. But, still, it is a great name and no one is using it. This name of British origin means "noble" and "famous."

Intelligence ranked

Beyond humanity: 10 smartest animals in the world

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When it comes to intelligence, humans are not alone on the planet. Far from it—many species exhibit incredible problem-solving skills, complex social behaviors, and even the ability to communicate with us. While their abilities differ from those of humans, they often excel in areas where humans are at a disadvantage. From the ocean depths to the skies, these 10 animals have earned their place among the planet’s brightest.

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Dolphins are not just adorable—they're renowned for their intelligence and communication skills. Using distinct sounds, they share information about food, danger, and more.

They understand human gestures, perform complex tricks, and even recognize themselves in mirrors—a trait shared with humans, some great apes, and elephants.

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Chimpanzees are often regarded as humans' closest relatives in the animal kingdom. They can use tools to gather food, build shelter, and even hunt.

Remarkably, chimpanzees can learn to communicate with humans using sign language and are capable of understanding symbolic meaning, making them one of the smartest non-human animals.

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Elephants display an extraordinary level of empathy and self-awareness. Known for their exceptional ability to recall places, individuals, and events across decades, they possess large brains with highly developed regions linked to emotions and memory.

Moreover, they mourn deceased companions and assist injured or sick elephants—clear signs of advanced cognition.

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Crows exhibit problem-solving skills on par with some primates. They can use tools, create tools, and solve complex puzzles that involve multiple steps.

In one famous experiment, a crow used a series of tools to extract food from a tube, showing their ability to plan ahead. Crows also have excellent memories and can recognize individual human faces.

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Octopuses are escape artists. Famous for escaping closed tanks, unscrewing jars from the inside, and easily navigating complex mazes, these genius invertebrates challenge what we understand as non-human intelligence.

Their large brains and complex nervous systems enable impressive spatial learning and navigation, helping them thrive as nimble predators.

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Also known as killer whales, orcas are highly intelligent animals known for their complex cooperative hunting techniques. They work together to catch prey, using coordinated strategies that can even involve creating waves to knock seals off ice chunks.

Their communication is incredibly sophisticated, and they even have regional dialects.

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African Grey Parrots are famous for their ability to mimic human speech, but their intelligence goes far beyond vocal mimicry. They can associate words with meanings, use them in context, and even form simple sentences.

In research studies, African Greys have even demonstrated an understanding of abstract concepts such as shape, color, and number.

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While isolated individuals are not particularly intelligent, ants have a unique form of collective intelligence that allows entire colonies to perform highly complex tasks way beyond the capability of a single ant.

Their intricate nests and structures are proof of this, with some species even practicing a form of farming by cultivating fungi.

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Pigs are often overlooked in discussions of intelligence, but they are actually one of the smartest animals. They have demonstrated the ability to learn and perform tasks that require reasoning and memory.

Even more, in some studies pigs have been shown to outperform dogs in cognitive tests, indicating their high level of problem-solving abilities.

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Squids, particularly the giant and Humboldt varieties, are highly intelligent creatures. They solve puzzles, navigate mazes, and communicate with others using changes in skin color and patterns.

Some squid species show remarkable learning flexibility, even mimicking the behavior of other animals to escape or deter predators.