Animal Names for Boys

Diminutive of Andre. Associated with the rapper Dr. Dre.

As Huxley and Huck become more popular and accepted, so does Hux, either as a full name or a diminutive.

Auric is an Ian Fleming anti-hero, better known as Goldfinger. Better to go with James. Or even Bond.

A rarely-used place name (probably because of the last three letters), Essex was the ancient kingdom of the East Saxons and is now a county in England. The singer David Essex used it as his stage surname, and reality TV couple JP and Ashley Rosenbaum used it for their daughter's name, though few have followed suit.

Despite the presidential pedigree, it's still hard to shake the image of the cartoon cat (named after his creator Jim Davis's grandfather). However, there are other Garfields, such as Barbadian cricket player Sir Garfield Sobers, who carries it with gravitas.

The positive-meaning name of a seventh century saint.

This more user-friendly Anglicized form of Beacan, could profit from its kinship with the popular Beckett--with which it could share the nickname Beck. Becan is an Irish saint's name, attached to the founder of a sixth century monastery.

St Cadoc was an early Welsh churchman, who gave his name to several villages in Wales, and according to his Life knew King Arthur. Less popular than other C__C names like Cormac and Cedric, Cadoc would be an almost unique, but easy-to-pronouce choice.

Common in its native Lithuania, but likely to read feminine in Anglophone countries. Stick with Emil.

Derived from Welsh gwyn "white, fair" plus an intensifying prefix, Arwyn is a warm and unusual option.

Early is a word-turned-name, pleasantly suggesting the start of a bright new day. Of the new word and day names, Early is one of the best.

The name of two Old Testament kings that seems as ripe as you can get for modern use, given the popularity of sound-alike Biblical brethren Jadon and Jacob (and even mythological Jason). Note that different sources give wide-ranging meanings for Jabin, but we think "perceptive" is the most authoritative, not to mention appealing.

A virtuous and optimistic name whose most famous bearer is the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.

The connection to a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend gives this name a hint of nobility. Geraint Thomas was a Welsh cyclist who competed in the 2008 Olympics.

CEO name.

More dramatic, worldly, and energetic spin on Gregory.

This Arabic name is rare in English-speaking countries, but with its accessible pronunciation and majestic bird meaning, it's worth consideration.