Animal Names for Boys

Associated with the Philadelphia Eagles footballer Asante Samuel, the Asante (or Ashanti) are a people living in Ghana. Asante is also the name of the language they speak, a close relative of Akan and Twi.

A modern virtue name, born from respect for authenticity, honesty and originality.

If you like the Irish surname feel, there are loads of more congenial options.

Surname from a landscape feature, associated with author Gore Vidal and Bill Clinton's Vice President Al Gore. Its alternative meaning - as in gory - may explain why it's never made it into the charts.

Belden is a little-used surname-name that might work in this age of Belles.

This name has considerable meaning in the Islamic world, as Hamzah the brave was the uncle and protector of the Prophet of Islam. A more contemporary Hamzah is the eldest son of the late King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan. More commonly encountered in English-speaking countries as Hamza.

As a word name, Court brings with it a plethora of potential meanings, from a legal gathering, to a stage for basketball or tennis, to a street. Sharp and strong, Court feels right at home with other rugged picks like Rhett and Jett. And yet, Court remains remarkably rare in the US. The alternate spelling Cort is only slightly more popular.