Animal Names for Babies

In its native Nigeria, Agu is a surname that signifies strength and being a force of nature. Agu as a first name has some pedigree, however: most notably via Agu Casmir, a famous Nigerian-Singaporean soccer player.

Feminine spin on Arnold that received a brief flurry of use in the early 1990s.

Not one of the five hundred names of Muhammad, but that of his uncle.

The suffix Bran is familiar as raven-related since Game of Thrones, and the -ley suffix has been popular since the 1990s heyday of Ashley.

A striking Nordic name with ancient roots, Svala (and its less common variant form Svale) derive from the Old Norse name for the swallow. This could be a great choice for nature lovers and fans of Edith Piaf (piaf being a term for a swallow).

Cherokee name that honors the eagle, a sacred symbol in Native American culture.

Welsh for "lion", or a nickname for Llewelyn. Could make a cooler substitute for the blander Lou.

The name of a breed of Spanish sheep is hardly worthy of a child.

Berold is one of the more obscure boy names meaning bear, which also include Arthur, Orson, and (in a different vein) Teddy.

Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.

Hip short form of Bernard, also Swiss place-name.

This evocative Spanish surname would make an unusual but lively choice for a girl.

Lovely, international, tea-scented possibility undiscovered by baby names.

Ptarmigan is the common English name for the genus Lagopus, in the grouse family of birds. The name is derived from the Scottish word for the bird, tàrmachan (meaning unknown), with the initial P- added by erroneous association with the Greek pteron ("wing").

Ranine name with a bouncy rhythm.

Famously Tupac Shakur's middle name.

A too-literal spin on Owen.

The name Parastoo currently seems unusual to the Western ear, with that "too" ending rare in traditional English names. It is sometimes spelled Parastu. Pari or Parisa would make easier imports.

Obscure, though legitimate, name that could be used to honor a relative named Barton or Martin.