International Baby Boy Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
- Gwilym
Origin:
Welsh variation of WilliamMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
The Welsh version of William is almost unheard-of across, but it's fairly straightforward and could make a good heritage choice or alternative honor name.
- Eduardo
Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of EdwardMeaning:
"wealthy guardian"Description:
A stalwart of Latin nomenclature that could work just as well for Anglos. Proof lies with the celebrity birth announcement — Hilaria and Alec Baldwin named their fifth child Eduardo Pau Lucas in 2020. This doesn't seem to have much impact on other parents, though: over 900 boys received the name in 2021, but the number is steadily decreasing.
- Osian
Origin:
Welsh variation of Oisin, IrishMeaning:
"little deer"Description:
Osian is the easier-to-comprehend version of the ancient Irish Oisin, an important name in mythology. Osian or Oisin was a warrior poet. Osian is popular in modern Wales and England. While Oisin is pronounce oh-SHEEN, Osian is pronounced o-SHAN -- though we bet most Americans would just say ocean, which you may consider a good thing.
- Haruki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"spring child"Description:
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, well known in the U. S. , might inspire some namesakes.
- Milos
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"gracious, dear, beloved"Description:
Milos, typically spelled Miloš, derives from various names including the Slavic element, milŭ , such as Miloslav, Bogomil, or Milrad. Popular in the Czech Republic, the name is also used in Serbia, Croatia, and Slovakia
- Raoul
Origin:
French variation of RalphMeaning:
"wolf-counsel"Description:
Raoul, with its unique three-vowel middle, rolls off the tongue in an appealing way. Raoul is one of the French names that sounds infinitely more romantic and attractive than the somewhat harsh English version Ralph.
- Marceau
Origin:
French variation of MarcelMeaning:
"little warrior"Description:
Mime Marcel Marceau actually had two versions of the same name. Marcel, Marceau, Marcella, Marcus, Mark -- all are variation of the Roman mythological name Mars, the god of war.
- Taj
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"crown"Description:
Taj is a cool-sounding name reflecting the magnificence of the seventeenth-century Indian Taj Mahal, chosen by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler for his son.
- Aram
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"high elevated"Description:
Aram is a popular Armenian name with a pleasing sound that became known in this country through the works of William Saroyan, namely the 1940 book of short stories, My Name in Aram, centering on Aram Garoghlanian, a boy of Armenian descent growing up in Fresno, California. Saroyan also named his son Aram.
- Vasili
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"royal, kingly"Description:
Alternative form of Basil that might suit the adventurous.
- Mikhail
Origin:
Russian variation of MichaelMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
One of the most familiar Russian names in the West, thanks to ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov and state head Mikhail Gorbachev.
- Moritz
Origin:
German form of MauriceMeaning:
"dark-skinned"Description:
The unusual-to-the-English-ear Moritz is a Top 25 name in Austria and a form of Maurice or Morris, which are modern variations of the ancient Roman Maurus. There were several early saints named Maurus and a famous 3rd century Saint Maurice, who was a Roman infantryman who was martyred when he refused to worship Roman gods. The Moritz form also references the posh Swiss ski resort St. Moritz and Justine Moritz is a character from Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein.
- Kainoa
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the namesake"Description:
Intriguing Hawaiian option that combines two popular boys' names—Kai and Noah.
- Amedeo
Origin:
Italian form of AmadeusMeaning:
"lover of God"Description:
This euphonious Italian Italian name for boys, often associated with the painter Modigliani, makes a recommended creative choice. The Spanish tend to spell it Amadeo.
- Dara
Origin:
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, KhmerMeaning:
"oak tree; wealthy; leader; star"Description:
Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh.
- Django
Origin:
RomaniMeaning:
"I awake"Description:
Django — the D is silent as most everyone now knows — the nickname of the great Belgian-born jazz guitarist Django (originally Jean Baptiste) Reinhardt, makes a dynamic musical choice for any jazz aficionado. Reinhardt's nickname "Django" is Romani for "I awake." The name has become more familiar with the release of and acclaim for the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained.
- Thibault
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"courageous people"Description:
Pronounced TEE-bow, this version, which is also a very common surname in France, has a lot more charm than the name it derives from — Theobald. A variant spelling is Thibaut.
- Arman
Origin:
Form of Herman or ArmenMeaning:
"soldier or wish, hope"Description:
Feels as strong and international as Roman, with none of the popularity. Arman might be a form of the German Herman or of the Persian/Kazakh/Armenian Armen or Arman, meaning wish or hope.
- Emir
Origin:
Turkish, Bosnian, ArabicMeaning:
"prince, ruler"Description:
Emir can be a title of honor in Arabic-speaking nations. In Turkey and the Balkan countries, Emir is one of the fairly popular Arabic names for boys.
- Tygo
Origin:
Dutch form of TychoDescription:
This Dutch form of the ancient Greek saints' name Tycho is in the Top 100 in The Netherlands. While largely unknown in the English-speaking world, it's got a cool sound and ancient roots, which equals a winning choice.