Animal Names for Boys

  1. Gioele
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Joel
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is his God"
    • Description:

      Gioele is among the Top 50 names for boys in Italy, though the Italian version would cause pronunciation and spelling problems for English speakers. In the US, UK, or Australia, stick with the sleek and simple Joel.
  2. Felicien
    • Excalibur
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Description:

        If Brave and Valor still aren't quite daring enough for you, the name of King Arthur's legendary sword could make for an enchanting middle name for a boy. It may be related to the Irish Caladbolg, meaning "voracious".
    • Bec
      • Baudouin
        • Braz
          • Origin:

            Portuguese, variation of French Blaise, meaning uncertain
          • Description:

            An interesting single-syllable name pronounced brahsh.
        • Calton
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "calf farm"
          • Description:

            The kind of hybrid name -- it sounds like a blend of the popular Caleb and Colton -- that could catch on despite its lack of pedigree.
        • Eliakim
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "God will raise up"
          • Description:

            Little-used name borne by several biblical figures including a king. It would make an unexpected way to get the nickname Eli - or Kim.
        • Dionysus
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "god of Nysa"
        • Deegan
          • Origin:

            Irish
          • Meaning:

            "dark-haired"
          • Description:

            This name shares sounds with Keagan and Teagan, but has its own roots in Irish culture. Freestyle Motocross rider Brian Deegan may be partly responsible for this name's entrance into the US Top 1000.
        • Guifré
          • Origin:

            Catalan form of Wilfred
          • Meaning:

            "desires peace"
          • Description:

            You'd be forgiven for thinking this is the Catalan form of Geoffrey, but it actually comes from a slightly different Germanic name — also with a peaceful meaning. It's a historical choice, belonging to several medieval counts. In modern times, Guifré Vidal is a leading quantum physicist.
        • Bj
          • Origin:

            Modern, initials B + J
          • Description:

            A two-initial nickname sometimes used on birth certificates — although these initials have a slang meaning you may prefer to avoid.
        • Idir
          • Origin:

            Berber
          • Meaning:

            "alive"
          • Description:

            A simple and straightforward choice from northwest Africa.
        • Gershom
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "stranger, exodus"
          • Description:

            Old Testament name of a son of Moses used by the Puritans, and now by Orthodox Jews.
        • Aulay
          • Origin:

            Scottish and Manx
          • Meaning:

            "ancestor's descendant"
          • Description:

            Variant of Auley
        • Dublin
          • Origin:

            Irish place-name
          • Description:

            With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.
        • Arlan
          • Friedl
            • Finan
              • Origin:

                Irish, variation of Fionnan
              • Description:

                With Finn, Finley, Finnegan, and Flynn in the charts, Finan offers another way to get to that popular sound. A spelling variant of Fionnan, Finan is an Irish name that means "little, white and blessed".
            • Alberich
              • Origin:

                Germanic
              • Meaning:

                "elf power"
              • Description:

                In Germanic mythology, Alberich is the name of a legendary dwarf king — which is fitting, considering its meaning. Alberich is thought to be the origin of the English names Auberon and Aubrey.