Animal Names for Boys

Cormorant is definitely one of the most unusual of the newly fashionable animal names, and one of the rare bird names for boys.

Diehard World War II buffs may be interested in this name as a reference to American combat medic Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to be awarded the metal of honor. But it carries a host of negative connotations in the U.K., especially in Scotland, related to laziness and the shirking of work.

This name from the Igbo language of Africa, which feels like the more-familiar Arabic Ahmad, might be an original and attractive choice.

A famous seventh-century saint and church historian whose name has not survived as well as his works. Known as the Venerable Bede, this Benedictine monk is considered the first known writer of English prose, and highly influential via his The History of the English Church and People.

This name directly translates to the way most parents feel about their sons. It's rising quickly in popularity, along with many other names from the Indian subcontinent.

Incredibly handsome and super smooth, Duarte sounds like it came straight out of a romance novel. You almost wouldn’t believe it’s derived from Edward.

A rare, gender-neutral take on Darren. As a feminine name, Derin has Turkish roots.

Dark.

A cup-shaped flowerhead in botany, which could lead to the super cool nickname Cal.

If Viola is a credible girl's name, why not the mellow Cello for a boy.

Gibson is an undiscovered patronymic surname, with some appealing nicknames. It also brings to mind the popular brand of guitars.

A Quranic name especially popular in Muslim South Asia.

Equally strong, dramatic and romantic, this name of an old kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula and a modern Spanish community as well, would give a boy an instant pedigree.

Rare surname name deriving from an old German word meaning "foreigner" or "stranger". Ellender is actress Blake Lively's middle name.

In The Hunger Games series, Cinna is the influential costume designer for Katniss. In ancient Rome, one Cinna was the father-in-law of Julius Caesar and another was a conspirator against Caesar.

Looks like a pared-down Emmett, but it actually derives from a difference source.

Why settle for Brooklyn or Boston when you can name your child for someplace so much more interesting.

Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; there's nothing Scroogish about it, even though it is usually spelled Eben.

An easily assimilated African name, a novel twist on Johnny.