Animal Names for Boys

  1. Chance
    • Origin:

      French variation of Chauncey
    • Description:

      Once a cavalier Mississippi gambler type name, Chance has entered the mainstream since being endorsed by such celebrity dads as Larry King and Paul Hogan. Chance the Rapper has also boosted the name's popularity.
  2. Andrea
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Andrew, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"
    • Description:

      Andrea may be a gender neutral name in its native Italy and other European countries, but in the US it's 98 percent a girls' name, with only about 20 males to more than 1800 baby girl given that name in the most recent year counted.
  3. Anakin
    • Origin:

      American invented name
    • Description:

      Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, is the antagonist in the original Star Wars trilogy. The name Anakin first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. Its meaning is unknown but is thought to be an homage to a friend of George Lucas.
  4. Clayton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "place with good clay"
    • Description:

      Clayton is one of those names that feels like it could be recently popular but does in fact have a long history of use. It has made the US Top 400 every year since the records began, and though more recently it has been in decline, it is still given to more than 1000 babies every year
  5. Finneas
    • Origin:

      Variation of Phineas, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "oracle"
    • Description:

      Finn variations of Phineas are becoming more popular because they create a more direct line to the nickname Finn, which is an ancient Irish name with its own pedigree. Finneas has been steadily growing in usage, with around 100 boys receiving the name each year in the U.S.
  6. Cyan
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "greenish blue color"
    • Description:

      Cyan is a highly unusual blue-green color name, a classmate of Celadon and Cerulean. It does come with the homey nickname Cy.
  7. Clancy
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red-haired warrior"
    • Description:

      Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.
  8. Alessandro
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      For anyone seeking a more unusual version of Alexander, this is a real winner.
  9. Denver
    • Origin:

      English or French place-name and surname
    • Meaning:

      "from Anvers"
    • Description:

      Before there was Aspen, Denver was the Colorado city name of choice, and it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 after a 14 year absence as a stylish two-syllable boys’ name with its trendy -er ending. Its decade of greatest use was the 1920s, when it reached as high as Number 422.
  10. Akio
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "bright man"
    • Description:

      Japanese name common among older generations.
  11. Arnold
    • Origin:

      English from German
    • Meaning:

      "ruler, strong as an eagle"
    • Description:

      Strange as it may now seem, the venerable St. Arnold was a Greek by birth, a musician who became a member of the court of Charlemagne. The name is said to have been introduced into Britain by the Normans in the form Arnaud.
  12. Channing
    • Origin:

      English or Irish
    • Meaning:

      "people of Cana or wolf cub"
    • Description:

      Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
  13. Gunnar
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Gunther
    • Meaning:

      "bold warrior"
    • Description:

      A key figure in Norse legend and a traditional Scandinavian favorite making inroads here.
  14. Greyson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of the steward"
    • Description:

      Greyson and Grayson, nephews of Jason, are both on the fast track. Both variations have made their way all the way up to the Top 100 since 2016. Gray/Grey makes a nice nickname. The name of the child in The Nanny Diaries is Grayer, and actor Tyler Christopher opted for the unusual spelling of Greysun for his son. Some parents are considering Grayson -- or Gracen or Gracyn -- for girls as an androgynous spin on Grace.
  15. Ajax
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Description:

      Ajax was the strong and courageous Greek hero featured in Homer's "Iliad," known as Ajax the Great. But it's also the name of a foaming cleanser, and if you find that reference too strong, you might try the shortened Jax instead.
  16. Alexis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defender"
    • Description:

      This name leapt into the female column via vixen Alexis Carrington on 'Dynasty" in the 1980s. It's more popular for girls, but it's still a widely used boys' names and is one of the most popular unisex names in the US today.
  17. Cassiel
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "angel of Saturday"
    • Description:

      This name of the archangel who protects those born under the sign of Capricorn is one of the most attractive and distinctive December baby names or January baby names. Cassiel is a little-known member of the increasingly popular Cass family, which includes Cassius, Cassian, and Cassia.
  18. Jago
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Cornish variation of Jacob
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Jago is a dashing alternative to overused favorite Jacob.
  19. Addison
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Adam"
    • Description:

      Despite its origin as a patronymic meaning "son of Adam", Addison really caught on for baby girls in the US around the turn of the millennium, following in Madison's footsteps to peak at #11 in 2007 and again in 2010.
  20. Étienne
    • Origin:

      French variation of Stephen, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "garland, crown"
    • Description:

      Appealingly gentle and romantic French classic--with a lot more charm than Steve.