Basque Names that Start With I

Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones. The sixteenth-seventeenth century Jones shared his name with his father, a London clockmaker, who received it when Spanish names for boys were fashionable in England, especially among devout Roman Catholics.

Used more for girls in Europe, but definitely sounds masculine enough for a boy here.

Long an extremely popular name in Spain, Iker (usually pronounced EE-kuhr in the English speaking world) is the rare Basque name that's starting to make it big in the States also, thanks to soccer player Iker Casillas. Indeed, it's been one of the fastest growing boys' names of the decade.

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

Ilario's merry, jovial sound reflects a shared root with the word hilarious.

Sounds just like its meaning.

For the parent who genuinely wants something different, this nature choice is popular in Spain. Downside: connection to words irate and irritation.