Animal Names for Boys

The progenitor of the English name Guy, Gaetano has a lot more gusto.

Brother for Heaven or Nevaeh.

In Greek mythology, Ganymede was Trojan youth who was so beautiful that he was carried off to be Zeus' cup-bearer, and made immortal. His name may derive from Greek ganymai "to be glad" plus medomai "to think, to plan".

The European-sounding name of the husband of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder actually arose as an Anglicisation of an Arabic name: "Way back in the time of the crusades there was a Wilder…and an Arab…saved his life. El Manzoor was his name." Almanzo James Wilder was affectionately called "Manly" by his family.

A sharp and interesting Kurdish name derived from the name of a river and mountain in the region.

Lively Italian name borne by composer Ennio Morricone, best known for his film music. If you're interested in Italian names for boys, this makes a choice that's off the beaten track.

Agostino is the Italian form of this increasingly popular ancient name.

The iconic rock group Duran Duran named themselves after the villain of the classic sci-fi movie "Barbarella," Dr. Durand Durand. One bit of free advice: if your last name is Duran, don't name your son Duran.

Esmael is an uncommon name with deep cultural roots.

Russian diminutive of Alexei, borne by the protagonist in Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Alyosha, like most other Russian diminutive forms, is not generally given as a standalone name in Russia itself.

A generation or two ago it may have been unthinkable to name your child something as bold as Divine. But with names like Messiah and Saint in the mainstream, almost anything is fair game.

A lesser-used presidential choice, with a charming, buccaneering sound. Fictional bearers include the Marvel Comics character James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, as well as the heroine of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby Daisy Buchanan.

The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan.

Like Norbert and Hubert, feels terminally dated -- in addition to which it's a nut.

Branigan, also spelled Branagan or Brannigan, is an Irish name full of energy and cheer. It was the title of a 1975 John Wayne movie, and Zapp Brannigan is the antihero of the animated sitcom "Futurama." Branigan fans might also want to consider such related Irish names as Brennan and Breccan, Rafferty and Finnegan.

This Ashley-like surname name actually made the US Top 1000 around the turn of the 20th century. Used very quietly today in equal numbers -- about a dozen each -- for boys and girls. Ashby is a major thoroughfare in Berkeley, California.

Associated with iconic British designer and retailer Terence Conran, who had an international impact on household design. Makes a nice variation on Conrad.