8 Letter Boy Names

Combining elements of the popular Theodore and the old-fashioned Edmund, the name Theomund is a bold but grounded choice. Strong and solid in feel, it also offers the nicknames Ted, Teddy, Theo, or Mundy.

An English locational surname originally denoting someone who lived at the town's outer limits, now has a solid, aristocratic air. It may also derive from an anglicization of the French Toussaint – someone born on All Saint's Day, November 1.

A creative take on Malachi used in the 2000 horror movie Lost Souls.

The American child given this name of four kings of Denmark, not to mention one so similar to that of the Harry Potter archvillain Lord Voldemort, might have to pay a large emotional import tax.

A top choice in Italy.

Unusual saint's name rarely heard outside Roman Catholic rectories until it made an appearance on a reality-TV show; has an attractive French feel.

A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite.

Iskandar is one of the Arabic names for boysderived from a Western name.

In Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, Gavroche is the name adopted by the unfortunate younger brother of Éponine and Azelma Thénardier after he is turned out onto the streets by his cruel and selfish parents. The name Gavroche has therefore become a French slang word meaning "urchin" or "mischievous child".

Intriguing alternative to Jedediah.

The evocative name of one of our most beautiful national parks -- yes, but also the bombastic cartoon character, Yosemite Sam.

Russian diminutive of Paul.

Confessional memoirist Augusten Burroughs is the first literary notable to bear one of this family of names since the confessional saint.

This name of a renowned Apache leader and mystic would be a difficult choice, since it was used as a rallying cry in so many old westerns and by paratroopers jumping out of their planes in World War II.

Farquhar has a great meaning, but unfortunate potential for mispronunciation. It was originally a given name in the Scottish highlands, but is more commonly known today as a surname. It's occasionally given to children in Scotland, but rarely if ever elsewhere. (And no, the character in Shrek was Lord Farquaad.)

A much rarer alternative to Alexander that also gives you the oh-so-cool nickname Nico. Nicander derives from the Greek name Nikandros "man of victory", which belonged to a 2nd century BC poet and grammarian.

Rhythmic and powerful, if you don't mind the nickname Vern.

This was a common name in early Ireland, borne by numerous saints, but pronunciation problems would make it prohibitive here.