Animal Names for Boys

  1. Firenze
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "Florence"
    • Description:

      The name of the beautiful Italian city of Florence in its native language. JK Rowling famously used the name for a character in the Harry Potter books – a centaur turned Hogwarts teacher.
  2. Hoshea
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "salvation"
    • Description:

      Variant transcription of Hosea, the original name of Joshua in the Old Testament.
  3. Daneil
    • Description:

      Daneil is a masculine name that appears to be a spelling variation of Daniel, which comes from Hebrew origins meaning 'God is my judge.' This particular spelling might be the result of transposing letters from the traditional spelling or could represent a regional variation. Despite its unusual spelling, the pronunciation typically remains the same as Daniel. The name carries the rich biblical heritage associated with Daniel, a figure known for wisdom and interpreting dreams. While much rarer than the standard Daniel spelling, Daneil offers the same strong consonant sounds and historical significance with a distinctive written form that sets it apart, though it may require occasional spelling clarification.

  4. Connel
    • Description:

      Connel is a masculine name of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Conel' or 'Conall,' meaning 'strong wolf' or 'high and mighty.' This powerful name carries the heritage of ancient Celtic warriors and kings, including the legendary Irish hero Conall Cernach from Ulster's Red Branch Knights. Connel has remained relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality while still being recognizable and easy to pronounce. The name conveys strength and nobility with its crisp sound and meaningful etymology. As a surname and place name throughout Ireland and Scotland, Connel also offers family heritage connections for many. The single-l spelling variant gives this traditional name a slightly contemporary edge compared to the more historical Connell spelling.
  5. Amadou
    • Origin:

      West African
    • Description:

      A form of Ahmad popular in Western Africa. It ranked in the French Top 500 for much of the 1980s.
  6. Brennen
    • Description:

      Brennen is a masculine name with Irish and Gaelic origins, derived from the surname Brennan, which means 'descendant of Braonán' (Braonán being a personal name meaning 'sorrow' or 'moisture'). This contemporary spelling variation of Brennan has gained moderate popularity in the United States since the 1990s as parents sought distinctive yet familiar-sounding names. Brennen offers the appealing nickname option 'Bren' and projects strength and individuality. The name carries a modern feel while maintaining traditional roots, appealing to parents who want a name that's both distinctive and accessible. Though never reaching the top 100 names, Brennen has maintained steady usage, particularly in families with Irish heritage who appreciate its cultural connections.
  7. Eelia
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Eliyahu
    • Meaning:

      "the lord is my god"
    • Description:

      Intriguing Russian possibility, even though proper pronunciation would not be obvious. Ilya might be a more manageable option.
  8. Gandalf
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "wand elf"
    • Description:

      Gandalf is most famously the name of the powerful wizard in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The name is drawn from Old Norse mythology.
  9. Arundell
    • Origin:

      French or English
    • Meaning:

      "swallow or valley"
    • Description:

      Upper-crusty English surname which may derive from two sources. The first is Old English meaning "horehound valley", the second is Old French meaning "little swallow", which was originally a Norman nickname given to someone resembling the bird.
  10. Eviatar
    • Origin:

      Variation of Abiathar, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my father is great"
  11. Iòseph
    • Description:

      Iòseph is a distinctive variant of Joseph, featuring Scottish Gaelic or other Celtic language influences as evidenced by the accent mark over the 'o'. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'he will add' or 'God will increase'. This variation maintains the rich biblical heritage of Joseph, who was a significant figure in the Old Testament as the son of Jacob who became an important official in Egypt. While less common than the standard Joseph spelling, Iòseph offers parents seeking a masculine name with cultural depth a unique option that honors Celtic linguistic traditions while preserving the respected heritage and meaning of its more familiar counterpart.

  12. Harel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "mountain of God"
  13. Carlyn
    • Description:

      Carlyn is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the Old English "carl" meaning "free man" or "man," similar to names like Carl and Charles. Alternatively, it could have Germanic roots connected to strength and masculinity. The name can also be seen as a variation of the Irish name Carlan meaning "little champion." Carlyn is relatively uncommon as a male name in most English-speaking countries, as it's more frequently used as a feminine name (often spelled Carlin, Karlyn, or Carlynn). For boys, it offers a softer alternative to more common names like Carl or Carlton while maintaining masculine roots. The name has a dignified quality while remaining approachable and contemporary.
  14. Cyriacus
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "of the lord"
    • Description:

      A name rarely heard these days, it was the moniker of several early saints.
  15. Gannet
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "goose"
    • Description:

      A bird name that could be thought of as an animated spin on Garrett.
  16. Amasa
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "burden"
    • Description:

      Amasa is a rare Biblical name borne by two figures. One is the son of Abigail and nephew of King David, who named him commander of the rebels. This Amasa met a tragic end when he was murdered by Joab. The other Biblical Amasa was one of the Children of Ephraim.
  17. Eastman
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "grace protector"
    • Description:

      Eastman is a solid, old-style Atlantic seaboard surname. But as a first name, we think Easton works better.
  18. Elzy
    • Description:

      Elzy is a rare masculine name with multiple possible origins. It likely developed as a diminutive of names beginning with "El-" such as Elias, Elijah, or Elwood. In some cases, it may represent an Anglicized form of the Hungarian name Eleazar or even derive from a surname. The name has folk and rural associations in American history, particularly in the southern United States, where it occasionally appeared in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Elzy has a friendly, approachable quality with its soft sound and "z" consonant. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its historical usage. Today, Elzy remains extremely uncommon, making it an option for parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with a hint of vintage charm.

  19. Bancroft
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "field of beans, dweller near the bean farm"
    • Description:

      An upper-crusty-sounding name with humble origins.
  20. Greco
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "from Greece"
    • Description:

      A name with a lot of panache, with ties to the great Spanish Mannerist painter El Greco--though his real name was DOMENICOS.