Mineral & Metal Baby Names for Boys

Slate, Stone and Steel are on the rise, so why not Shale?

As with all Japanese names, the meaning of Kin changes depending on which kanji are used.

An interesting new surname option, derived from the German word for "kettle". Kes would make for a cool short form.

One instance where a phonetic spelling might be better.

Masculine name with a gem meaning.

Intriguing name that's a Top 100 choice in Spain and virtually unknown outside that country. But has definitely possibilities for the adventurous baby namer.

Farrar has two separate origins: an occupational name meaning "smith", and a Scottish river name, from a Pictish word meaning "to wind". Barely ever recorded as a first name, Farrar is a blank slate that fits with the surname style that's popular today.

Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.

Isambard is derived from Old German Isanbert, meaning "bright iron" or "famous iron". Its most famous bearer, rather fittingly, is the 19th century British civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, noted as one of the driving forces of the Industrial Revolution.

Although Zircon means "gold-hued," the gem comes in a variety of colors.

This ancient saint's name was borne by the infamous midcentury playboy, Porfirio Rubirosa.

Names that end in I are hot right now, but Yari has yet to be discovered. It's a unisex name more common among girls, perhaps due to its similarity to Yara.

A more distinctive alternative to Angelo.

Pazel's abbreviated version, Paz, is far more modern and attractive.

Potentially a cool route to Eli.

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

Merc has been introduced to the American public by the network executive character on Showtime's Episodes, and is a contemporary-sounding short form of the Roman god and planet name Mercury. Mercury, from the Latin for trade or wages, was the god of tradesmen and travelers and is the fast-moving first planet in our solar system.

The name of a type of nautical knot and the surname of an English soccer star feels very at home in a world of Kendricks and Merricks.