Animal Names for Boys

A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.

This appealing Irish name is borne by actor Conleth Hill, who plays Varys in Game of Thrones. It is an anglicization of the original spelling Connlaodh.

A more romantic form of old school Clement, which ranks in the Top 100 boy names in Chile. Clemente, like Clement, derives from the Late Latin name Clemens, the name of 14 popes and several saints.

An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation.

It's tempting to think of Gui as the Spanish form of Guy, but it's short for Guillermo.

Forbes is a business magazine in the U.S., long led by Malcolm Forbes, with a buttoned-down Brooks Brothers image. If you name your son Forbes, you're definitely implying a connection to the prominent and wealthy family -- which may be exactly what you're intending. But if you have a more down-to-earth image in mind, try Field.

A virtuous and optimistic name whose most famous bearer is the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.

With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner.

A recently created member of the Cale family, with a trendy unisex aura.

Simplify things and spell it Dai, or even Day.

With names like Henry, Henrik, and Enzo rising up the charts, it's about time parents discover Henzo. It's a short form of Henrique traditionally used in Galicia, Spain, but some may be familiar with Henzo via the anime One Piece.

Not a traditional biblical choice, but the Philistine giant isn't a bad character as such, just a champion fighter who lost to the underdog. He has given his name to everything from insect species to roller coasters. In a time when we're seeing more biblical names with chequered associations — Leviathan and Cain spring to mind — Goliath may appeal to some.

The modern Hebrew variation of Ithai, a name from the Old Testament.

In Finnish mythology, Ahti (also known as Ahto) was the sea god.

A possibility for parents seeking a Hebrew name with an English-language sound.

A strong, masculine name hardly heard outside the Hebrew-speaking community.

Vowel names are popular, but this word-name possibility takes it to an extreme.

Grit became a buzzword in the 2010s, thanks to both the 2010 film True Grit and psychologist Angela Duckworth's 2016 book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverance. The book, based on Duckworth's research, attributes success to grittiness. Clearly, the message stuck with parents, as Grit debuted as a name for boys in 2021.

Possible middle name inspiration. Has been used as a first by musical couple Sole and Ginuwine, and basketball star Allen Iverson.