Animal Names for Boys

Depending on your cultural references, you may think of Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux, or the macho villain of Beauty and the Beast. While he's hardly a role model (unless you too use antlers in all of your decorating), his name was likely chosen because it's a classic in France. It's been used there since the middle ages, partly in honor of the Frankish bishop St Gaston. It went out of style in France mid-century, but now it's having a revival, entering the Top 300 in 2017.

One of a handful of Cherokee names meaning "black fox," along with Enoli and Inola.

A well-established (if rare) Hawaiian name that combines two trendy names: Elijah and Kai.

Even is a popular boys' name in Norway, derived from the Old Norse Eivindr. Another popular variation is Eivind, which is pronounced like Ivan.

Folke - which has two syllables - is a Top 100 name in its native Sweden, but rarely heard elsewhere. A related alternative is Fulk, popular with the Normans but little-used now.

One of the most famous Arabic names, Iman is a gender-neutral choice fairly evenly balanced in the US given last year to 110 girls and 80 baby boys. Another spelling popular in some countries is Eman.

This is the French version of Alcides, birth name of the Greek mythological Heracles (Hercules). You're more likely to recognize it as the name of the hot True Blood werewolf, Alcide Herveaux.

An unusual Irish name which belongs to several historic Irish kings and heroes. Easy to spell and pronounce, this bouncy nature name has potential beyond Ireland's shores.

An ancient Celtic name worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King.

Appropriately used for anime antagonists, not human babies.

Despite being one of the rare boy names that mean life, Chaim barely survived early Jewish immigration, being watered down to Hyman and Hymie. Today, the original seems like the most promising form of the name, familiar thanks to bestselling author Chaim Potok.

Originally a male name in this single-E spelling, Esme or Esmé was borne by the first Duke of Lennox in Scotland in the 16th century, as well as by several of his male descendants. It became predominantly female by the 20th century.

This shortened variation of Aaron—it was Elvis's middle name—is now a widely used choice.

Arvo is a simple name virtually unknown in the US and UK that might get discovered thanks to the surprise popularity of Arlo.

Sad tinge to the name of the beautiful German city firebombed during World War II. Its name derives from Sorbian drezga, meaning "forest".

A natural successor to Hunter, Hudson, and Huxley, Hutton is an unexpected yet on-trend unisex name. Associated with Scottish geologist James Hutton, and as a first name with designer Hutton Wilkinson.

If meaning were destiny, this would start a boy off on the right foot.

A strong, warm name and a strong warm color. Would make an excellent alternative to August or Aubrey.

Worldly, artistic and attractive Slavic version of the name of the Greek god of fertility and farming.