Animal Names for Boys

An old saint's name that, even with the post-Aidan wave of Irish names, is a bit too close to crone.

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".

An old Irish surname that was big in the 1960s, but would be an unexpected choice for a child now.

The lead character of the Captain America movies, played by Chris Evans, is occasionally called Cap, short for "captain," but even he has a real name. (Steve Rogers, ICYC)

A literary surname that's short, to the point, and very rare. It combines several origins: Scandinavian meaning "high ground", Scottish meaning "stranger", and English meaning "wild boar" (hello, secret animal name!).

The first name of the influential pre-Renaissance Sienese painter (pronounced DOO-chee-o) is a simple but lively modern possibility.

This charming Japanese name, with two meanings every little boy would love to have, was briefly in the Canadian Top 100 in the early 20th Century. There are many famous bearers of the name, such as architect Isamu Noguchi and physicist Isamu Akasaki.

A name from Irish history and legend, deriving from the Gaelic word for the raven. Uncommon in contemporary Ireland, although the related name Fiachra is a Top 250 choice there.

Darin was so popular that it nearly cracked the Top 100 in the mid-1960s, but has now dropped from sight. The original Darren is still hanging on.

This unusual name, which is jauntier than Chris when used as a diminutive of Christopher, is associated with the Bulgarian installation artist of that name, responsible for wrapping many public institutions and known especially for The Gates of Central Park and Running Fence. Christo is his full given name.

Double exposure: 1970s rock sensation (Mamma Mia) and scholar/diplomat name in Israel.

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.

Enitan's origins are in the Yoruba language of Southwestern Nigeria. It has a lovely meaning, referring to a person of notoriety.