15,000+ Two-Syllable Boy Names

  1. Clovis
    • Origin:

      Teutonic, French, early form of Ludwig or Louis
    • Description:

      An aromatic, unconventional name.
  2. Gianni
    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanni, variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Gianni, the Italian equivalent of Johnny, sounds more substantial and fresh. Like many names starting with "Gian", it is on a rising trend (for both boys and girls, though it leans more male). TV star Jill Hennessey's son is named Gianni Mastropietro.
  3. Aris
    • Origin:

      Modern Greek spelling of Ares,"ruin, bane"
    • Meaning:

      "ruin, bane"
    • Description:

      This modern Greek spelling is currently in the Top 1000 in England and Wales, and in France.
  4. Jiraiya
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "young thunder"
    • Description:

      The name Jiraiya was created in 1806 for yomi-hon — a type of book from the Edo Period — called Jiraiya Monogatari. The character was revived later in the century for a folk tale series Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari, in which Jiraiya, a ninja, shapeshifts into a giant toad.
  5. Nori
    • Origin:

      Japanese, Norse
    • Meaning:

      "doctrine or seaweed; north or small person"
    • Description:

      Attractive, simple Japanese choice that, while not strictly unisex, could work even better for a girl, especially now that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West use it as the nickname for their daughter North. Nori is also the name of an edible seaweed used in wrapping sushi.
  6. Ramon
    • Origin:

      Catalan variation of Raymond
    • Description:

      The Latin Ramon has been in the U.S. Top 1000 since the beginning of baby-naming time, i.e. the past 130+ years. Ramon is the perfect blend of worldly and familiar, with a rocker edge via The Ramones. A cool name classic, if there ever was one.
  7. Liko
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "leaf bud"
    • Description:

      A nature name from the Hawaiian islands that's vaguely reminiscent of trendy names like Luke and Luca. However, it's also the name of a Swedish company that makes mechanical lifts used in medical settings to move mobility-impaired patients.
  8. Oswin
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "God's friend"
    • Description:

      Ancient name, near obsolete now, but could make a good alternative to Owen for the adventurous baby namer.
  9. Lester
    • Origin:

      English place-name; phonetic form of Leicester
    • Description:

      Lester is one of the British surname names that were popular in the US in the early decades of the twentieth century: it was in the Top 100 through 1931, reaching a high of Number 52 in 1906. But dropping of the list in the late 1990s, along with Hester and Sylvester, we don't see much hope for a return visit.
  10. Franco
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Francis
    • Meaning:

      "Frenchman or free man"
    • Description:

      A classic Italian name still heard in the Italian-American community. Once tainted by the association with the Spanish dictator, it's now more likely to call up actor James Franco.
  11. Erwin
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "respected friend"
    • Description:

      One of the many names with a strong "er" sound, like Bertram and Ernest, that was huge in the 1920s and is languishing in style limbo now. One famous bearer is the physicist Erwin Schrödinger, as in Schrödinger's cat.
  12. Halle
    • Origin:

      Norse, diminutive of Harald
    • Description:

      Popular in the Scandinavian countries, but in this country it would surely bring to mind the very feminine Halle Berry.
  13. Barron
    • Origin:

      English, variation of Baron, rank of nobility
    • Description:

      Names of royal ranks -- King, Prince, and yes, Baron -- have become more widely used in recent years, though they're outlawed in several countries. This spelling, the same as that of the financial publication Barrons, was used by Donald and Melania Trump for their son.
  14. Mathis
    • Origin:

      French and German form of Matthias or Matthew
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Very popular in France and Belgium, this name -- pronounced mat-tees, like the surname of the painter Matisse -- might make an appealing new way to say Matthew here.
  15. Benno
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      Benno is a cool name in its own right -- there was a tenth century Saint Benno -- though it is also used as a lively nickname for Benjamin. Saint Benno of Meissen is the patron saint of anglers and weavers and, strangely enough, alliteration.
  16. Alphonse
    • Origin:

      French from German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, ready for battle"
    • Description:

      Rarely used, and for good reason. Alonzo is a preferable choice.
  17. Arjan
    • Origin:

      Dutch, Punjabi, Albanian
    • Meaning:

      "from Hadria; gaining; golden life"
    • Description:

      There's something particularly attractive about names with an interior "j" and Arjan is a prime example. The Punjabi version is pronounced with a conventional j as in jar; the Dutch Arjan, which is a variation of Adrien, pronounces the 'j' like a 'y', while the Albanian pronunciation has three syllables and is a variant of Arian. A multicultural choice, Arjan is in the Top 1000 in England and Wales.
  18. Tynan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dark, dusty"
    • Description:

      A much fresher Ty name than Tyler or Tyson.
  19. Ronald
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "ruler's counselor"
    • Description:

      To many people, Ronald is off playing shuffleboard with Donald, though others aren't swayed by its old man image. In the Top 10 in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s, the name later came to be strongly associated with President Reagan, along with his nicknames, Ron and Ronnie—as well as with the McDonald franchise mascot. A more youthful bearer is the likable character Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series. In the early days of Hollywood, Ronald Colman was a dashing matinee idol.
  20. Elwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend, elf friend"
    • Description:

      A charming Welsh name with a great meaning, borne by E. B. White, author of Charlotte's Web.