Five Letter Boy Names

This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.

This British last-name-first-name could make a more masculine alternative to Shelby.

A zippy, lively name that has never been popular, but has never completely disappeared. It is best known for writer and wit Gore Vidal, and hairdresser Vidal Sassoon and his many products.

This Georgian name is of unclear meaning, but it may derive from Persian zar "gold".

Appealing Indian and Arabic choice.

A word name with a fire-y personality. Sparky is an old-school nickname for a boy, but Spark sounds both more grownup and modern.

Nope, not Goldie. Oldie, as in, "an oldie but a goody" or "oldies music". Despite these neutral-to-positive associations, Oldie still has a musty, fusty quality.

Though it sounds like a modern invention, Champ actually has a long history as a first name. It hit the Top 1000 several times just before and after the turn of the 20th Century.

Once popular (and still familiar) in Norway, Stian could make an interesting choice for anyone with northern European roots. It is a modern form of the Norse Stígandr, with its appealing, wanderer meaning.

Albin is a modern form of the ancient Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning white or bright. There was a Saint Albinus who was also known as Aubin. In the contemporary world, Albin is popular in Sweden and ripe for export as a simple, unusual name with deep history.

Rugged and straightforward brand-new name, though you might not like the idea of branding your son.

The name of Armenia's largest lake is popular for boys in France -- Sevan is in the boys' Top 500 -- but can also be used for girls.

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

Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.

Armas is an antiquated Finnish word with a loving meaning and a straightforward spelling and pronunciation. A rare name with potential.

Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century archbishop of Cologne, He is also known as, less attractively, Hanno of Worms, which is one of the oldest cities in Germany.

Pronounced like Teddy, this gaelicized spelling is growing in popularity in Ireland.

Electrifying Japanese name.

Radek is both a last name and a first name with an uplifting meaning. The -ek suffix makes is a diminutive of Rad, which means happy.