Animal Names for Boys

The name of several legendary Danish kings, including one who declared universal peace.

Coriolanus comes from Corioli, the name of a Volscian city. The Shakespearean play Coriolanus is based on the life of Ancient Roman general Caius Marcius Coriolanus.

A boy with this name is certain to be bombarded with "What's up, doc?" every day of his life. Even Doctor would be preferable.

One of the most common ancient Roman forenames, but extremely rare today. Other Roman names like Aurelius are trending upwards, so this could be an off-the-radar option.

The popularity of Aiden has sparked many creative spellings - this one is understandably towards the bottom of the Top 1000.

Italian surname most Americans will associate with actress Edie Falco, of Sopranos fame.

Can't help thinking of a donkey.

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.

With word names, almost anything goes. But maybe not Ghost, unless you're naming a white dog.

Ido is a multicultural name seldom heard in modern America but popular in the Middle East. As transliterations, Ido and its other form Iddo are equally correct.

Vietnamese baby names don't often make national news, but Hiệp grabbed everyone's attention when Olivia Munn and John Mulaney chose it as the middle name for their son Malcolm. In isolation, Hiệp means "to unite," but it is often used as a component of other words such as hiệp sĩ, meaning "knight," hiệp định, "agreement," and hiệp ước, "pact."

The Greek god of the east wind was associated with the season of autumn and dwelt near the palace of the sun-god Helios in the far east.

Adnan in the Muslim religion was an ancestor of Muhammad. More recently, the name was introduced to many Westerners via Adnan Syed, the young man at the center of the sensational Serial podcast.

For die-hard Fleetwood Mac fans, though Fleet is definitely a cool short form.

We can't pretend that this name is not indelibly linked to the Disney's eponymous character, at least in the USA; but it's not a negative connotation and may appeal to you. Bosnian variation Aldin may be more wearable in the US, though.

Cool new surname option and rarer alternative to Halston, which is skewing more and more feminine. Holsten has origins as a surname in German and Dutch. The German form is a variation of Holstein, from the elements holt, meaning "wood," and sete, "tenant." The Dutch Holsten comes from the place name Hoolsteen, composed of the elements hol, meaning "hollow," and steen, "stone."

This name of the patron saint of Naples would make an apt choice for a New Year's baby, or one with Neapolitan roots.