Animal Names for Boys

Russian form of Eli mainly used today by families with Russian Jewish heritage.

Short for Indiana or Indio... or just use it on its own. Indi makes a cool and punchy option for either sex.

An old-school great-grandpa name, like Irving and Ernest, that may just be ready for revival. It's also a well-known name in Hungary and elsewhere in central and eastern Europe. As a surname, it's associated with jazz sax player Booker Ervin.

What's the difference between Alexander, the usual English spelling of this deeply classical name, and Alexandre, the French version? English speakers might find the proper French pronunciation challenging: a-lehk-SAHN-dreh, but that last syllable is barely pronounced. Americans might an an a or an ee on the end of the name, or simply pronounce it as Alexander, for better or worse.

This Nordic-sounding name is ripe for wider usage, especially as a fresh alternative to Christian or similar-sounding Carl.

About 40 baby boys were named Artist -- not Picasso, not Art -- in the US in one recent year. But not so odd, when you consider all the occupational names, from Sawyer to Sergeant, stylish today. The name Artist is also starting to register on the girls' side of the ledger, making Artist a name as gender-neutral as the occupation.

Those "Where's Gretel?" jokes will get old pretty fast.

An appealing Hindi name borne by Mindy Kahling's architect father Avu Chokalingam. She bestowed it on her son Spencer as a middle name in 2020.

A mash-up of Ezra and the popular -en ending for boys' names. It may be a modern invention, but Ezren sounds legitimate and very on-trend.

Similar to Andrew, but with a refreshingly different origin and meaning.

Sounds like exactly what it is: The name of a romance novel hero.

This surname borne by several early Welsh leaders has a lot of energy.

Avett is a contemporary male name that has gained modest popularity in recent years, partly influenced by the American folk-rock band The Avett Brothers. With likely origins as a surname, Avett appears to be derived from diminutive forms of names like Ava or possibly from obscure Old English or Norman French roots. The name projects a modern, distinctive quality while maintaining a connection to surname-to-first-name conversion traditions. Avett has a strong, concise sound that aligns with current preferences for short, punchy boys' names. Its rising usage reflects trends toward unique names with cultural references. Parents choosing Avett often appreciate its contemporary feel combined with a certain rugged individualism and artistic associations.

Once you get past the pronunciation hurdle, a smooth and elegant choice. In French, it's spelt with a circumflex: Benoît.

Hobie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of the name Hobart, which itself was derived from an Old German surname meaning 'bright heart' or 'bright mind.' It can also be considered a variant of Hoby or Hobby. The name gained some recognition in American culture through Hobie Alter, a pioneer in surfboard design and founder of the Hobie Cat Company. Though uncommon, Hobie has a casual, friendly appeal with beach and surf culture associations. It maintains a laid-back, distinctly American character that appeals to parents seeking a relaxed yet distinctive name for their sons. Its rarity makes it stand out while still being easily pronounced and spelled.

A forward-looking word name.

Variation of Dashiell.

Traditionally a feminine name in Japan, although Ammika Harris and Chris Brown chose Aeko for their son, born in 2018. The starbaby's name is pronounced like "echo," but the traditional Japanese pronunciation is AH-EE-KO.

Rhythmic and energetic, Drury is of French origin, with the wonderful meaning of "dear one, sweetheart."