Animal Names for Boys

Rare but rising, Gryphon is an intriguing name that combines several stylish associations. The Gryphon spelling relates directly to the fierce legendary creature that's eagle in front, lion behind. But there's also the authentic boys' name Griffin, a name that's maintained consistent popularity for a quarter century without getting too popular.

The given name of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, Ermias is a form of Jeremiah used in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It leapt into the charts in 2019 after the rapper's death, but has declined in use since then.

A rare example of an adverb baby name. Currently, Frankly only appears as a male name, but as Franklyn and Franklin rise up for girls, we expect Frankly to make a turn for the feminine.

A more unusual, if slightly snooty, masculine Bailey alternative.

Not all names that end in -er were originally occupational. This one, for instance, is a surname name that derives from the Old French for "help" or "mercy."

What a novel choice for those choosing to honor their Celtic heritage or love of horses (or both). One can imagine a little Ahearne running wildly through lush green fields.

Axelle is the French feminine form of Axel — it was a Top 100 French name in the late '90s and early 2000s — sometimes adopted for boys in the US as an Axel variant.

A bay on the north coast of Wales, it shares the "crooked" element with Cameron and the Arthurian placename Camlann. It's used occasionally in Wales, and may appeal as an uncommon alternative to popular Celtic boy names like Callum and Kellan.

Hungarian form of Bartholomew

Possible hero name, via Louis Brandeis, an influential lawyer and the first Jewish justice of the U. S. Supreme Court.

Family surname or feminist statement name? Either way, this literary surname has a cool, current sound.

This one may well be an undiscovered choice for many parents - it has a fabulous meaning, a sturdy surname-name appeal that is very on trend right now and several great namesakes including the Bartlett pear and the tome of quotations. Despite that third T, it could also be a favorite of The West Wing fans wanting to evoke fictional president Jed Bartlet.

Only if it's a family name, and even then, better in the middle.

After daughters named Gravity Blue and Rumble Honey, we had a lot of expectations for the name of Lucky Blue Smith's third child. Luckily, he didn't disappoint when he named his son Slim Easy in 2022. The full name has been criticized, with commenters saying it sounds like a diuretic tea or diet pill. And we agree that the combination is too much. But in isolation, Easy has potential. With a carefree aura and accessible sound, Easy may be a celebrity baby name we grow to love.

An ultra-positive word name, notably the middle of musician Quincy Jones.

Atkin is a short form of Adam that originated in Medieval England. It's now obsolete, but traces remain in surnames such as Atkins and Atkinson.