15,000+ Two-Syllable Boy Names

A powerful name with diverse origins, Eldar is currently popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina (#45 in 2017). It's also a rare Nordic name meaning "fire warrior", a unisex Hebrew name meaning "God resides", and the name of one of the Elven races in Tolkien's legendarium.

Rarely heard, and all too likely to be confused with Kevin.

The name of the young hero of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, who was raised by wolves (really) and becomes a genius hunter and trapper, was chosen as a middle name for their son Bronx (really, again) by rockers Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz. Kipling invented the name, whose first syllable rhymes with cow.

A popular American name in previous centuries in honor of famed Harvard President, Charles Chauncy. This name is burdened by an incredibly pompous sound and best left in the past.

Nearly unknown outside the British Isles, this old Scottish variation has a sleek surname feel that can make an excellent update of the flagging Christopher.

The Greek form of the Hebrew Jair, Jairus appears in the Bible as the father of a girl resurrected by Jesus. Though it is the original, its Spanish variation Jairo is more popular.

This Hebrew and Arabic name hit the US Top 300 in 2004 via an unusual inspiration: A Mexican pop singer and telenovela star known simply as Yahir, who was himself named after a Brazilian soccer player. Possibly a variation of the Hebrew Jair the Arabic Zahir, Yahir has since declined since its peak in the 2000s, however, it does remain in the latter end of the US Top 1000.

Also spelled Safeer or Saphir, this rare Arabic name connotes power and beauty.

A variation of Eran, the name of one of Ephraim's grandsons in the Old Testament.

Lonnie is one of those antiquated nicknames that is used much more often in the US than you might think, especially as a short form of Alonso or Alonzo, names always on the US Top 1000.

This cross-cultural name is a spelling variant of two different popular names: the Irish Aidan and the Hebrew Idan. While Idan is a Top 100 choice in Israel, Aidan - and Aiden - in a number of English speaking countries. Pleasingly simple and concise, Edan may however be mistaken for Eden.

Mason with a French accent. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2012, and it will likely hang on for as long as its brother-in-spelling-variations, Mayson.

Penny as a masculine name represents an interesting naming trend, as it's more commonly recognized as a feminine nickname for Penelope. For boys, Penny likely functions as a nickname derived from names like Spencer, Pendleton, or Penn. It may also have originated as a surname before transitioning to given name usage, following a common naming pattern. The masculine usage remains quite rare in most naming statistics. The name carries associations with currency (the coin) and derives ultimately from the Old English 'penig' and earlier Latin 'pendo' meaning 'to pay'. For parents choosing Penny as a boy's name, it often reflects a desire for a friendly, approachable name with a touch of uniqueness and vintage charm.

An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an extensive historic forest bordering Sherwood Forest in the Middle Ages.

The Basque name, meaning shadow, has the virtue of having both an interesting meaning and an obvious pronunciation.

A Top 1000 boy name throughout the first half of the 20th century in the US, Lauren was popularized for girls by the actress Lauren Bacall. Today, while the Lauren spelling is still 99 percent feminine, Loren is truly gender-neutral, used last year for 75 baby girls and 60 baby boys.

The K may be trendy, but this spelling variation is much less popular than Marcus.

Sometimes pronounced MAY-nerd, which is death to a name. However, the name Maynard was given to 25 boys in 2022.

Tanwyn is a modern Welsh name that can work for either sex depending on the spelling -- wyn is the traditional boys' spelling, while wen as in Tanwen is the girls' version.

Famous bearers include surfer Tanwyn Travers and the hero of a Victorian Welsh legend titled Envy Burns Itself.

Jireh is a spiritual name that has been rising significantly for both sexes in recent years, although still remains quite rare. Jehovah-Jireh was the location of the binding of Isaac, where Jehovah told Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering.