Animal Names for Boys

One of several Latin names starting with E that would work and play well with others in any family.

Many African tribes have a tradition of naming children for the day or time they were born -- Friday, Afternoon -- a practice finding new life in the Western world as word names become more popular.

Colman is best known as the name of the mustard, but is also the name of several Irish saints. The Colman spelling is less widely used than Coleman, which is just outside the Top 1000.

The last name of one of the great modern American tennis champs could conceivably be used as a hero name by tennis-loving parents. On second thought, maybe save it for a middle spot.

Sudsy name that could be a new character on "Days of Our Lives."

With Cade and Kade creeping back up the charts and Cayden, Kaden, and co. remaining popular, this alternative spelling of the the old English surname is given to around 165 boys each year. Used for a supporting character in the video game series, Bungie's Destiny, there is a small chance it may be pronounced KAY-dee (like Kayce might be KAY-cee).

You may be familiar with Celeste, but have you considered this beautiful choice for a boy, currently highly fashionable in France, derived from Latin Caelestis ("of the sky; heavenly").

This name of an early Greek Christian philosopher comes with a wizened, ancient air about it. Still, perhaps the nickname Ari might help it work for a baby to grow into.

Though we usually think a name's image in contemporary culture supersedes its ancient meaning, this is a case where the definition could undermine a child's self-esteem.

Burak is derived from al-Burāq, the Arabic name for the mythical winged creature that carried Islamic prophets. In particular, the Buraq is known for flying the Prophet Muhammed from Mecca to Jerusalem and into the Heavens in the span of a single night. The name was derived from the Arabic word for "lightning."

Euston is best known as a London railway station, which got its name from a stately home and village in the English county of Suffolk. Ultimately it is thought to mean "settlement of a person called Efe". Unlike its Top 1000 soundalike Houston (as in Texas), Euston has never been recording on the charts.

Arcadia was a region of Ancient Greece that is now associated with a simple rustic life (way before Cottagecore was a thing). That means this name is not just long and lyrical, but also has a warm pastoral charm.

Dan with a little something extra.

Cornelius is one of the Ancient Roman names that is not quite making a comeback, despite having been a Top 200 name in the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Blame Corny, a nickname that is just too joke-worthy.

Aapo has been a common Finnish name for decades and is now declining in popularity.

One of the rarest Bert names, Engelbert has been used at least since the time of Charlemagne and is the name of several saints. But mostly, it's impossible not to associate it with Engelbert Humperdinck, both the German composer and the British pop singer (born Arnold Dorsey) who borrowed his name.

A nickname-sounding surname associated with Russian sculptor and architect Naum Gabo. When model/actress Milla Jovovich gave her daughter the middle name Gabo, she explained that it was a combination of her parents' names--Galina and Bogie.

Ballad could be the masculine answer to Aria. An obvious and cute nickname is Lad or Laddie.

Take modern virtue Brave, add the trendy -n ending, and voilà! A cool new word-meets-surname name which feels bang on trend right now.