Animal Names for Boys

Sometimes heard in the Latino community, has not crossed over into others.

One five-letter name, a quick suffix away from David, with two very different connotations. It's the name of a posh ski resort in Switzerland that hosts the illustrious World Economic Forum -- attended by tycoons, celebrities and heads of state -- each year. And of a trustworthy, salt-of-the-earth character in Game of Thrones, Davos Seaworth.

In Choctaw culture, along with that of certain other Native American tribes, names were not solidified at birth. New names were given after major life achievements. In this case, after a hunt.

A Welsh name passed down from ancient history: the first known Coel was a leader in Romano-British times, who became a figure of medieval legend. Coel Hen (Coel the Old) was the name of a king in Ayr, and he is believed to have inspired the rhyme Old King Cole (where Cole is likely an anglicised spelling of Coel).

One of the few Czech names that seems accessible here.

New Testament, Texas, and Kansas place-name more fitting for a girl.

The name of the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom is rarely heard outside India.

Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.

Anglicized form of Heinrich

There are lots of grandpa Daves and Davids out there, and Dawes can make an original honor name. It's right in step with the current craze for surname names that end in S: Brooks, Wells, Rhodes etc.

The exact origins of Drace are unknown — it may be a form of Drake, meaning "dragon" or perhaps of Drees, a Dutch variant of Andrew, meaning "man". Has potential alongside rhyming names like Chase and Trace.

A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender.