Animal Names for Boys

Iskandar is one of the Arabic names for boysderived from a Western name.

Powerful name that could be a strong middle for a boy with Cherokee heritage.

Ingmar is known here almost solely through Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Ing was the powerful Norse god of fertility and peace, who lent his name to several mortal variations, more notably to English-speakers the female Ingrid.

The jazziest nickname for Charles.

Howl joins the wild new gang of names with attitude to spare: We're talking Rebel, Rogue, Wilder, and Wiley. Howell makes it much more genteel.

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.

Turkish word name commonly seen in the doubled-barreled first name Ömer Halis.

Dugan is an open, friendly, and cheery Irish surname that would be suited to a dark-haired boy.

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates, with a disco vibe.

Eliyahu is the Hebrew form of the increasingly popular Biblical prophet name Elijah, also found in forms Elias and Eli. There were 100 boys given the name Eliyahu in the U.S. in 2012. Its upside is that it's one of the most distinctive forms of the name, but that final yahoo may prove difficult.

Since this is a word that pertains to cowardice, not the most appealing choice. Raven, Arven, and Haven might be more positive options for those drawn to the name by its sound.

Ancient Irish king of the underworld, so much more powerful than Don.

Hidalgo is the name of a minor planet, and, on Earth, the Spanish word for a nobleman, but we don't see much crossover potential.