Animal Names for Boys

Boo as a first name first achieved notoriety as the name of the child-man in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Arthur "Boo" Radley was meant to be frightening, but only in a simple, non-threatening way. More recently, Boo has been used as the middle name of one of chef Jamie Oliver's children and the nickname in the middle of television's Honey Boo Boo. Boo is also the name of the world's cutest dog and of the adorable little girl in Monsters Inc. In a more basic way, Boo is a term of endearment.

CEO name.

Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for revival.

Ericson, also spelled Erickson and Erikson (and with -sen endings too), is a Nordic surname that makes a strong choice. Ericson may continue the trend Harrison, Jefferson and Jackson started.

A rising vintage sweetheart for girls and a fresh new possibility for boys, following the likes of Nova. The name first became fashionable in England following the Battle of Alma – named for the Russian river – during the Crimean War. It derives from anima, the Latin for "soul", and has the same meaning in modern Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

Cadan is an attractive Cornish name that rhymes with Madden. Despite its modern appearance and the recent history of many Cornish names, Cadan is actually one of the older Cornish names in use today.

Funny, you don't sound Russian.

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."

Whether it's an Asian surname-name or short for Channing, has a sound and feel that's both simple and stand-out.

Sounds just like its meaning.

One of the surname names used more in the last century, à la Milton and Morton.

The Greek god of the east wind was associated with the season of autumn and dwelt near the palace of the sun-god Helios in the far east.

Brand new surname option that's equally appealing on girls and boys.

How to spruce up Fisher or Beau? This French surname-name might be an option for a parent unafraid of the unusual. The name derives from Barbel, a type of fish, which is how it became a surname for some fishermen.

Classic Finnish name also found in neighboring Estonia.

This name has not one but two impressive cultural connections: collage artist Joseph Cornell and photographer Cornell Capa--not to mention Cornell University.