Animal Names for Boys

A Top 30 name in Sweden, derived from Eberhard (strength of a wild boar) or Esben (god bear) – either way, a strong meaning.

A truncated form of Nordic Erling, famously borne by soccer star Erling Haaland.

Although this was the surname of a rugged World War II admiral, these days it has a feminine feel.

Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".

One of the classic hippie word names. In the 1970s, actors Barbara Hershey and David Carradine gave this name to their son...who later changed it to Tom.

Modern virtue name with both spiritual and secular significance.

Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone may not seem like a worthy namesake, but parents have been using his surname for their sons since 1996. In English, we pronounce Capone with two syllables, but the authentic Italian pronunciation is cah-POH-neh.

May tagalong after fast-rising cousin Jaxon.

Hespero is a more user-friendly version of Hesperos, in Greek mythology the personalification of the Evening Star.

Lively sounding Hebrew choice.

Retro musical reference to classic Steely Dan rock album, but mostly for girls today.

This simple, solid Welsh name enjoyed moderate popularity in England and Wales in the '80s and '90s, after the success of choirboy Aled Jones.

Alve is rising up the ranks in Sweden, but neither it nor Alf will be featured on American birth certificates anytime soon.

Ellar Coltrane, the star of Richard Linklater's acclaimed 2014 movie "Boyhood," is an outlier, namewise. Most others with his first name are girls, and there aren't even many of them -- the last time the Social Security Administration registered the name at all was in 1956, when six girls were named Ellar. Still, with Gaelic names being trendy, and the "El-" sound on the rise, it has some potential.