Animal Names for Boys

Isael and more particularly spelling variation Izael are among the fastest-rising boys' names in the US.

Aryeh, which can also be spelled Arye or Arieh, is a Biblical name sometimes heard in modern Israel. In the US, this is the most popular spelling by far, given to 100 boys last year. But the girls' form Ariyah is much more popular than that, given to nearly 500 baby girls.

Baran is barely known in the US -- unless it's mistaken for royal moniker and Trump son name Baron -- but it might make a perfect choice for a boy born under the sign of Aries.

An ancient name that's been used by the Norwegian royal family; still popular there but not likely to appeal to many American parents.

Less familiar than Giorgio or Giovanni, Giuliano has a lot of captivating Latin charm.

A possible new entry in the Hayden-Corbin two-syllable boys' name club.

Notably used for characters in Spirited Away and Naruto.

Donnelly is among the more appealing Irish surname names, less well used than Donovan. Related options include the place name Donegal and the mythological god name Donegan.

A famous seventh-century saint and church historian whose name has not survived as well as his works. Known as the Venerable Bede, this Benedictine monk is considered the first known writer of English prose, and highly influential via his The History of the English Church and People.

Stiff and formal surname. Try Roone instead.

Donati is a distinguished Italian surname that can easily work as a first. The last name Donati is a patronymic from an ancestral Donato or may be a plural of Donato.

A common Vietnamese name with a bright meaning, predominantly used for boys, though occasionally given to girls. The predominantly feminine form however is Huệ.

A Desi variation that moves the name away from Lucy -- though it's just as dizzy. TV star Jaime Pressly used it for her son.

When Kate Hudson named her second son Bingham and announced that she would be calling him Bing, it put this zingy nickname name out on the table. Before that, there was only one, further nicknamed Der Bingle -- and he was really Harry Lillis Crosby.

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.

A nickname for Isak, the Nordic variation of Isaac.