Five Letter Boy Names

Gives middle-aged Neil a new lease on life.

Solal is a trendy choice in France, where it's primarily a literary name. It featured in an eponymous novel by Albert Cohen published in 1930, as well as two sequels. Another famous French bearer is the singer Solal, born Laurent Morhain, known for his roles in musical comedies. The grandson of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is also named Solal.

Viraj is a Hindu mythological name for a figure associated with creation. Viraj is becoming more popular in the US, still mostly among parents of Indian descent.

Alain gives the midcentury Alan a bit of gallic dash.

Iraia is one of those rare names that exists as a male form in one culture -- in this case, Maori -- and in a female form with a totally different meaning and derivation. New Zealand actor Jemaine Clement, who is a descendant of the progressive Wairarapa chief Iraia Te Whaiti, named his son Sophocles Iraia.

The origin of the Anglicized Ryan, this Irish name feels like a brighter and fresher alternative.

A fresh Dutch take on George, although you’re likely to get pronunciation errors upon first meetings.

This bold and straightforward name is a common variant of Tariq in Turkey and Bosnia and is used as an alternate spelling in Arabic-speaking countries.

A unisex name for which pronunciation differs by gender — the masculine variation is often homophonous with Case, while the feminine is a variation of Casey. Kayce was among the fastest-rising names of 2022, jumping 490 spots, thanks to the cool-cowboy association from character Kayce Dutton on the hit TV Western Yellowstone. This Kayce's name is pronounced like "Casey", leading to the rise of Casey as well for both boys and girls.

A name that could set an Indian boy on a path to leadership.

Especially if you have Welsh roots, this prominent saint's name could be an interesting and more masculine alternative to Taylor.

Primo is number one among the Latin birth-order names--Octavius et al--and the one most likely to be used in these days of smaller families. It has that jaunty 'o' ending and Italian flavor that many modern parents like so much. And what little boy wouldn't appreciate being prime?

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.

The late great singer-songwriter Warren Zevon would make a worthy namesake.

There once was a moralizing fabulist who tried to make it as a baby name...and failed.

A saint who is especially popular in Galicia and Asturias in Spain, who is said to have sailed across the Atlantic to paradise. His name may derive from Germanic Adelmar, possibly influenced by Latin amarus "bitter".

You can't get more Italian than this name of the daddy of legendary twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. A noted bearer is acclaimed Italian journalist and novel and short story writer Italo Calvino, author of Invisible Cities and . Trivia tidbit: Calvino was actually one of his middle names.

Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.