Animal Names for Boys

Hebrew name rarely heard in the U. S. , making it a distinctive choice.

Hitting bottom.

Bastiaan is a common Dutch form of Bastian, a short form of Sebastian that stands on its own. While the double A is not intuitive for English speakers, the name is widely used in the Netherlands.

Atohi is related to the name Adahy, both of which are derived from the Cherokee word adohi, meaning "woods."

While this has a distinguished male namesake -- astronomer Edmund Halley and his comet -- it still strays too close to the superpopular feminine Hailey family to work for some parents for a boy. Fewer than five baby boys were given the name last year, but that could change as formerly-female names become more acceptable for boys.

Related to Amir and Amira, an antiquated name that holds some modern appeal.

Sociable middle name choice with a Quaker feel.

Ancient Italian martyr's name that's a rarity here and now.

Perky, quirky literary and artistic name tied to the "father of Soviet literature" Maxim and influential Armenian-American painter Arshile.

The added S at the end turns Ever from a hipster word name into a modern prepster.

The Finnish form of Ivar or Ivor, borne by ice hockey player Iivari Räsänen and several other Finnish sports stars.

Modern Danish form of Esger or Asger, borne by dancer Eske Holm, evolutionary geneticist Eske Willerslev and actor Eske Forsting Hansen.