Animal Names for Boys

Simple and serious Arabic name which debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016.

This name of a legendary Welsh prince could serve as a more original alternative to Adam or Aidan, though it does sound a tad chemical.

Cool new surname option and rarer alternative to Halston, which is skewing more and more feminine. Holsten has origins as a surname in German and Dutch. The German form is a variation of Holstein, from the elements holt, meaning "wood," and sete, "tenant." The Dutch Holsten comes from the place name Hoolsteen, composed of the elements hol, meaning "hollow," and steen, "stone."

This name of the patron saint of Naples would make an apt choice for a New Year's baby, or one with Neapolitan roots.

We can't pretend that this name is not indelibly linked to the Disney's eponymous character, at least in the USA; but it's not a negative connotation and may appeal to you. Bosnian variation Aldin may be more wearable in the US, though.

Gardener is surely one of the most pleasant and evocative of the occupational options, calling up images of green grass and budding blooms. The name can also be spelled without the first 'e', as in Gardner (born George Cadogan Gardner) McCay, a hunky TV heartthrob of the 1950s and 60s. Gardner is a much more common surname spelling, associated with screen legend Ava, mystery writer Erle Stanley and art collector and patron Isabella Stewart, founder of Boston's Gardner Museum.

Even for lovers of Cab (born, yes, Cabell) Calloway's music, the connection to 'Taxi!' is too strong.

A Top 20 choice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is a handsome variant of Arabic Amin.

About 40 baby boys were named Artist -- not Picasso, not Art -- in the US in one recent year. But not so odd, when you consider all the occupational names, from Sawyer to Sergeant, stylish today. The name Artist is also starting to register on the girls' side of the ledger, making Artist a name as gender-neutral as the occupation.

British habitational surname that calls to mind the Connecticut capital

Used both as a given name and as a surname, Bashir is a familiar but still unusual choice in the USA and UK, even among Muslim families. In 2014, only 25 boys were named Bashir in the US. One reason for its low usage could be a connection to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes, including genocide, in Darfur.

A name known in several cultures.

There are many fire-related names, from Aidan to Fiammetta, but the Flame isn't one that's often found on birth certificates. It's a highly symbolic word: flames can represent faith, passion and cleansing, for example, as well as straightforward heat and light.

Pronounced CHY, it's a word name meaning tea in many Eastern languages. The Hebrew name is pronounced without the C as HAI.

Unusual biblical name that may be too close in sound to the feminine Mariah.

Most parents would prefer to leave the car part parked in the garage.

Androgeus was a Cretan prince—the son of King Minos. He is known for being murdered in Athens, although the way in which he died is contested.

Davey and Davy are frequently used for little boys but rarely appear on the birth certificate, Davy Crockett exempted.