Animal Names for Boys

Groovier than Daniel, with an engaging, upbeat energy.

The name of the teenaged son on the dear departed television show "Huff."

Averill is an ancient name, most properly spelled Averil, that has a Boston Brahmin air – probably due to the image of statesman Averill Harriman. It's of the rare English surname names that originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild (Everild), meaning "boar battle".

Probably most familiar to English-speakers as Zsa Zsa Gabor's last name, the rise of other Eastern European boys' names like Casimir, Milo and Laszlo make Gabor an increasingly wearable option.

Fad fruit name or a trendy syllable smash? We aren't certain, but we have noticed a number of babies name Acai on the US charts. Spelled Açai, with a cedilla, it's the name of a Brazilian palm that produces açai berries, known for their use in smoothie bowls. But parents may be using Acai as a variation of Kai or Malachi, pronounced as written.

Woodsy names are fashionable for boys, as are surnames and occupational names, so Forester scores on all three. It can also be spelled Forrester.

If Angel is too popular for you, this super-rare related name might appeal, never given to more then 6 boys per year in the US.

Barbas, or Marbas, is a demon described as the Great President of Hell. He is depicted as a lion, and can shape shift into a man.

Of the names derived from titles, this is one of the least obvious (unless you are of German extraction). Chancellor also has the attraction of offering the exciting - and very on-trend - nickname Chance.

While presidential surnames as first names are much rarer today than they were in the early 20th century, our 46th President's last name joined the ranks of given names (for boys) in 2021. That year, 11 baby boys were named after President Joe Biden, but it did not make it into the charts in 2022.

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.