Animal Names for Boys

  1. Buck
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "male deer or rabbit"
    • Description:

      Comedian Roseanne Barr chose this macho nature name for her son. In the 18th century it was used to describe a dashing, fashionable dressed man. Buck fits in well alongside names like Beck, Jack and Huck.
  2. Jacques
    • Origin:

      French variation of James and Jacob
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Regal and ancient feeling, Jacques has been declining in popularity in its native France, but in the UK, it saw a surprising revival in 2022. Jumping from somewhere around the #2500 mark straight to #600, it was seven times more popular than in 2021.
  3. Cason
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Cason's entire raison d'etre: It's a rhyming variation on the popular Jason, Mason and Brayson. Casen, Kasen and Kason also have crept into the Top 1000 in recent years.
  4. Corwin
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "heart's friend"
    • Description:

      Corwin is an upstanding surname name that has been seen occasionally as a first in literature, but rarely in real life. But maybe with the recent acceptance of Darwin, that might change.
  5. Alejandro
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Softer and smoother than Alexander, this classic Spanish name for boys has made a seamless transition to this culture. Adding to its current impact: the Lady Gaga song Alejandro .
  6. Denzel
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "from the high stronghold"
    • Description:

      This old Cornish name took on a whole new identity via Denzel Washington, who has inspired several thousand namesakes. The actor was named after his father, who was named for a Dr. Denzel, who delivered him.
  7. Aristotle
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "superior; the best purpose"
    • Description:

      The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.
  8. Aodh
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "fire"
    • Description:

      Aodh, the name of the Celtic sun god meaning "fire", was common in early Scotland. It's also the origin of the wildly popular Irish name Aidan (originally Aodhán). Its pronunciation varies depending on region: AY or EE are Irish pronunciations, and in Scotland it's closer to UH, and has been Anglicized as Hugh.
  9. Calypso
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "she who hides"
    • Description:

      Rhythmic route to the nickname Cal. This musical moniker is another great example of a traditionally feminine name that could easily go masculine.
  10. Bramble
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Meaning:

      "blackberry shrub"
    • Description:

      Related to blackberry plants and colloquially to any thorny shrub, Bramble also has history as an English surname.
  11. Celio
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "belonging to heaven"
    • Description:

      A welcoming name that seems to say "hello". Celio can be thought of as a much rarer male variation of Celia. With heavenly names in the ascendant, we may be hearing lots more of Celio.
  12. Darrow
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "spear"
    • Description:

      A family of lawyers might be interested in this surname as a tribute to famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow.
  13. Grover
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lives near a grove of trees"
    • Description:

      Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look.
  14. Dusty
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      While the most famous Dusty, Dusty Springfield, might be female, Dusty as a boys' name is derived directly from Dustin. And there are about twice as many baby boys named Dusty as baby girls -- 33 to 14 last year, so a fairly rare name for either sex.
  15. Antoine
    • Origin:

      French variation of Anthony
    • Meaning:

      "priceless one"
    • Description:

      Antoine is a venerable French name that is still stylish in its native habitat, where it is in the Top 30. In the US, it was most popular in the 1970s and '80s, reaching Number 262 in 1985.
  16. Ellison
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Ellis"
    • Description:

      Updates Ellis -- but also has a lot of feminine potential thanks to Allison/Ellie similarity.
  17. Aeron
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "berry"
    • Description:

      Aeron was possibly a minor Celtic god of war, and is definitely a river in modern-day Wales.
  18. Fachnan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "malicious"
    • Description:

      This name of four ancient saints is recommended neither for its sound nor its meaning.
  19. Ainsley
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "solitary meadow"
    • Description:

      This name will tick a lot of boxes for many parents: unisex; trendy sound; pretty instinctive to pronounce; and some great namesakes including British chef Ainsley Harriott and American footballer Ainsley Battles.
  20. Fitzgerald
    • Origin:

      Irish and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "son of Gerald"
    • Description:

      Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.