Animal Names for Boys

In Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, the friend who persuades Romeo to go to the party where he meets Juliet. Alas.

Solemn but soaring name with patriotic symbolism.

While Adri is an Indian male name, it is more often heard throughout Europe as a diminutive of Adrian in its many forms. Pronunciation might be ay-dree or ah-dree, depending on the pronunciation of Adrian or Adriano. In the Top 100 in several European countries, Adrian's roots are in ancient Rome.

For the parent who might also have Buck and Ryder on his list.

The unisex word name Bean, distant cousin of the infamous Apple, was used for the name of a child of mysterious gender in Louise Penny's novel "A Rule Against Murder." While we can imagine Bean as a cute nickname for a yet-unnamed and unborn baby, we don't recommend it for real life.

Jadiel and Yadiel are Spanish versions of the Hebrew Yehudiel, the name of one of the archangels. It's been in the US Top 1000 since 2008, but still hovers towards the bottom.

The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.

One of the less common members of the currently popular craftsmen's guild, Becker once had a self-named sitcom, and is also associated with Wimbleton tennis legend Boris Becker.

The sleek French form of Cosmo, which has leapt out of relative obscurity to well within the Top 100 boy names in France in the last decade, but still retains a sophisticated, vaguely aristocratic air. Pronunciation is like the English word comb.

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates, with a disco vibe.

This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.

A name borne by nine popes and several saints, which carries strong Catholic connotations. British politician Jacob Rees-Mogg named his sixth child Sixtus Dominic Boniface Christopher in 2017.

An unusual but very accessible name from Greek mythology, with the same strong ending sound as stylish picks like Alexander and Evander. Isandro is the equally attractive Spanish version.

Strongly associated with Cuban revolutionary Guevara.

Androgeus was a Cretan prince—the son of King Minos. He is known for being murdered in Athens, although the way in which he died is contested.

World War II stamped a permanent verboten on Adolph.

The Welsh form of Justin, borne by a 6th century saint.