Animal Names for Boys

  1. Anže
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Janez, Slovene
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Anže was originally a nickname for Janez, a Slovene form of Johannes, but now ranks in the Slovene Top 20 as an independent name.
  2. Aldric
    • Origin:

      Germanic
    • Meaning:

      "old, wise ruler"
  3. Benjámin
    • Origin:

      Hungarian variation of Benjamin, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the right hand"
  4. Banx
    • Origin:

      Variation of Banks, English
    • Meaning:

      "one who lives on the hillside or riverbank"
    • Description:

      Rising star Banks manages to sound both preppy and outdoorsy, both working the land and working in finance. Banx adds another layer of possibility to the name, giving it an edgy, ultra-modern vibe.

      Deriving from English surname, the original Banks spelling refers to rivers and hillsides and more specifically to the people who live and work on them. Used occasionally as a given name since the 19th century, Banks took off in the 2010s, and entered the Top 1000 in 2019.
  5. Hazen
    • Origin:

      Dutch surname from German
    • Meaning:

      "gray, black; hare"
    • Description:

      Hazen is a variation of the Dutch surname Hasin, which has two separate origins. The first is as a nickname for Haso, a Germanic given name derived from haswa, meaning "gray" or "black." Hasin was also a variation of Haas, a Dutch and German surname meaning "hare."
  6. Argyris
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "silver"
    • Description:

      A more modern form of Argyros.
  7. Coda
    • Description:

      Coda is a masculine name with Italian musical origins, derived from the term meaning 'tail' or 'ending' in music notation, indicating the concluding passage of a piece. This contemporary name has gained modest attention among parents in creative fields, particularly musicians and composers. As a given name, Coda suggests finality, completion, or culmination—symbolizing the perfect finishing touch to a family. Its brief, two-syllable structure offers simplicity while remaining distinctive. The name carries artistic associations while maintaining an accessible sound pattern. Though still uncommon in mainstream usage, Coda appeals to parents seeking a modern, meaningful name with musical connections and a contemporary edge.
  8. Beni
    • Description:

      Beni is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'son of' or 'my son,' reflecting familial connection. In Japanese, written with different characters, it can mean 'red' or 'crimson.' Beni also functions as a diminutive of Benjamin in several European languages, particularly Hungarian and German. The name's brevity gives it a modern, approachable quality while maintaining connections to traditional names. In Israel, it has moderate popularity as both a standalone name and nickname. Beni has also gained traction in parts of Europe and Latin America. Its cross-cultural nature makes it accessible in many linguistic contexts, offering an internationally friendly option that's short, memorable, and carries warm, positive associations.

  9. Hakeem
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "judicious, wise"
    • Description:

      Muhammad approved all ninety-nine attributes of Allah as worthy names, and this is one of the most popular. It was in the US Top 1000 for the first time since 1998 in 2016, when it was one of the 10 fastest-rising boys' names. Perhaps the most well known person in America with the name is former Houston Rockets center and Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
  10. Cello
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      If Viola is a credible girl's name, why not the mellow Cello for a boy.
  11. Gal
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "wave"
    • Description:

      A unisex name in Israel but in the U.S., it might as well be Sue.
  12. Eisen
    • Origin:

      German surname
    • Meaning:

      "iron, iron cutter"
    • Description:

      In German, the word eisen means "iron." It was adapted as a surname for Ashkenazi Jews — many of which were ornamental and had no ties to one's family history. Metals such as gold (Gold), silver (Zilver or Silver), copper (Kupfer or Copper), and iron (Eisen) were common elements in ornamental surnames. Eisen was also seen as a habitational surname for someone from Eisenstadt, Austria.
  13. Apollinaire
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "of Apollo"
    • Description:

      Unique baby name and poetic Gallic choice. Guillaume Apollinaire was a French poet and novelist active in the early 20th century arts community, who is said to have coined the terms cubism and surrealism. He based his unique surname de plume on his Polish middle name, Apolinary.
  14. Doss
    • Origin:

      Surname name and British English word name
    • Description:

      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.
  15. Guillaume
    • Origin:

      French variation of William
    • Description:

      An everyday name in France, a charismatic possibility here.
  16. Aimar
    • Origin:

      Navarrese
    • Meaning:

      "home"
    • Description:

      A very old name with a fascinating history, Aimar is now most often used as a boys' name in the Basque country. Its status as a Top 100 name in Spain may also be related to the enduring popularity of retired Argentinian soccer superstar Pablo AImar.
  17. Elysium
    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "home of the blessed after death"
    • Description:

      Elysium, or the Elysian Fields, was the Greek mythological concept of the afterlife for blessed and righteous souls. It was thought to be located at the westernmost edge of the Earth.
  18. Huntley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of the hunter"
    • Description:

      Huntley was best known as Brinkley's news partner several decades ago. With the new genre of girls' names that are unusual surnames ending with the lee sound -- think Mosley, Yardley -- Huntley or Huntlea or Huntleigh might rise for girls.
  19. Farren
    • Description:

      Farren is a masculine name with Celtic and Irish origins, though it's used for both genders in some regions. Derived from the Irish surname Ó Fearáin, it means 'adventurous,' 'wanderer,' or sometimes 'from the land of the ferns.' The name has a nature-inspired quality that connects to the earth and wilderness. In Ireland, it's traditionally associated with strength and independence. Farren has never been extremely common but maintains steady usage, appealing to parents seeking a name with Celtic heritage that isn't overused. Its strong consonants balanced with the softer ending create a pleasing rhythmic quality. The name carries a sense of exploration and resilience while remaining approachable and easy to pronounce.
  20. Carlyle
    • Origin:

      Variation of Carlisle, English
    • Meaning:

      "from the walled city"
    • Description:

      Carlisle is more popular than Carlyle for both genders, and in both spellings more widely used for boys than for girls. It's a name we see on the rise in either spelling.