Animal Names for Boys

  1. Green
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Description:

      Middle name possibility for a nature-loving family -- Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke used it for their son's middle name.
  2. Falco
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "falcon"
    • Description:

      Italian surname most Americans will associate with actress Edie Falco, of Sopranos fame.
  3. Elif
    • Origin:

      Turkish and Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "first letter in the alphabet, slender"
    • Description:

      This is the Turkish form of Alif, the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. Actor Natalie Portman gave another spelling to her son, Aleph. Elif can also mean "slender", from the Turkish phrase elif gibi, literally "shaped like Elif."
  4. Avner
    • Description:

      Avner is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'father of light' or 'my father is a lamp,' composed of 'av' (father) and 'ner' (light or lamp). It appears in the Bible as the name of King Saul's commander, Abner, with Avner being the modern Hebrew pronunciation. The name has been consistently used in Jewish communities, particularly in Israel, but remains relatively uncommon in the broader Western world. Avner carries significant cultural and religious meaning while offering a distinctive sound that works well cross-culturally. Its biblical roots provide historical depth, while its concise two-syllable structure feels contemporary. The name suggests qualities of wisdom and guidance through its literal meaning of bringing or being light. Avner has seen modest increased usage as parents seek names with both cultural significance and uniqueness.
  5. Gyle
    • Description:

      Gyle is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may function as a variant of Kyle (from the Gaelic meaning 'narrow strait' or 'channel'), or possibly derive from an English surname referring to a ravine or gully. The name has a brief, crisp sound that gives it contemporary appeal despite its potential ancient roots. With just one syllable and a distinctive spelling, Gyle offers simplicity while remaining unusual. The name has never achieved widespread popularity, making it appealing to parents seeking something both recognizable and unique. Its rarity gives bearers a sense of individuality, while its similarity to more common names like Kyle ensures it doesn't feel too foreign.

  6. Breland
    • Origin:

      English, German
    • Meaning:

      "watery meadow"
    • Description:

      An English surname used mononymously by the American singer-songwriter and record producer Breland (born Daniel Gerard Breland), who could certainly boost his cool name into the limelight.
  7. Ashur
    • Origin:

      Assyrian
    • Meaning:

      "who is happy"
    • Description:

      In ancient myth, Ashur was the supreme deity of the Assyrian Empire, the ruler of the gods, the god of war, and the creator of all things.
  8. Diamond
    • Origin:

      Gem name
    • Description:

      Diamond was a big hit for girls in the nineties, ultimately making it into the Top 150. It's a relative rarity today for baby girls and boys, for whom the name also peaked in the nineties.
  9. Eder
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "handsome"
    • Description:

      This is one Basque name that is very transferable to the American context — and it has a great meaning, too. The feminine version is Eider or Ederne.
  10. Andrei
    • Origin:

      Russian form of Andrew
    • Meaning:

      "manly"
    • Description:

      Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew
  11. Bayard
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "russet-haired"
    • Description:

      An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse.
  12. Jae
    • Description:

      Jae is a gender-neutral name with multiple cultural origins. In Korean contexts, it's often used as part of compound names, derived from elements meaning various positive qualities like 'respect,' 'talent,' or 'wealth,' depending on the specific Chinese character used. In Western usage, Jae often functions as a shortened form of names beginning with J, such as Jason, Jacob, or James. Its brevity gives it a modern, streamlined quality that appeals to contemporary naming trends. The name has gained popularity as both a standalone name and a middle name in recent decades. With just one syllable and three letters, Jae offers simplicity while maintaining a distinctive sound and cross-cultural appeal.

  13. Basel
    • Origin:

      Swiss place name
    • Meaning:

      "king"
    • Description:

      The Swiss city of Basel was first Basilia, thought to have been dubbed in honor of the Roman castle of the same name. The castle's name would have derived from Basilius, a Roman personal name from which the name Basil also originated.
  14. Chace
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Chase, French
    • Meaning:

      "to hunt"
    • Description:

      This unusual spelling was introduced via the hot young star of Gossip Girl, Chace (born Christopher Chace) Crawford, and experienced some mass interest, though it has fallen down the charts since it peaked in 2009. Think of it as a combination of cool-guy names Chase and Ace.
  15. Damaris
    • Description:

      Damaris is traditionally a feminine name of Greek origin appearing in the New Testament as a woman who converted to Christianity after hearing St. Paul speak in Athens. Despite being listed as masculine in this case, it is historically used for girls. The name means 'gentle' or 'heifer' (young cow). Damaris has never been extremely common but has maintained a steady presence across centuries, particularly in Christian communities. It has a soft, melodious sound while remaining distinctive. The name experienced a slight increase in usage in the late 20th century as parents sought biblical names that weren't overused. Damaris combines religious significance with a gentle meaning and elegant sound, appealing to those looking for a name with spiritual heritage.

  16. Durwood
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "gatekeeper"
    • Description:

      As wooden as its second syllable.
  17. Cabe
    • Origin:

      Short form of Cabot, Cable, or Cabel
    • Description:

      You don't need to choose the longer form of this unusual name to arrive at Cabe, brother of Gabe and Abe. This earthy, unusual, friendly nickname-name was given to a handful of boys last year and can make an intriguing choice. But be warned: It will forever be mistaken, at least at first hearing, for the more familiar Gabe.
  18. Clever
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "intelligent"
    • Description:

      Smart choice given to a handful of baby boys each year.
  19. Des
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Desmond
    • Description:

      The cool clipped Des may be the part of the name wave of the future, with midcentury names like Des and Vic and Stan riding back into style on the heels of big brothers Max and Sam and Ray.
  20. Bartlett
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bartholomew, Hebrew, "son of the earth"
    • Meaning:

      "son of the earth"
    • Description:

      This one may well be an undiscovered choice for many parents - it has a fabulous meaning, a sturdy surname-name appeal that is very on trend right now and several great namesakes including the Bartlett pear and the tome of quotations. Despite that third T, it could also be a favorite of The West Wing fans wanting to evoke fictional president Jed Bartlet.