Macho
- Eloi
Origin:
French, Catalan and Spanish from the Latin EligiusMeaning:
"the chosen"Description:
From the saintly name Eligius, Eloi is popular in Catalonia but rarely used by English speakers. There's potential for confusion with Eli - and with the Aramaic word eloi, said to mean "my God", which appears in the bible.
- Eoin
Origin:
Irish, variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Though Eoin is a Gaelic form of John, its Anglicized pronunciation links it directly to Owen. Eoin is currently a Top 30 name in Ireland. Other variations: Ewan, Ewen, Evan and Eoghan (pronounced as Owen but also translated as Eugene).
- Elano
- Fionn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair or white"Description:
Fionn, the modern Irish form of Finn, is more popular in Ireland these days than Finn, which is rising fast in the U.S. where Fionn is virtually unknown. That's probably a good thing, because few Americans would know that Fionn and Finn have the same root and are pronounced the same, like the fin of a fish. It's the namesake of a great hero from Irish mythology, Fionn MacCumhaill, who acquired divine wisdom by eating an enchanted salmon of knowledge.
- Gareth
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"gentle"Description:
Gareth, the name of a modest and brave knight in King Arthur's court, makes a sensitive, gently appealing choice, used more in its native Wales than anywhere else.
- Gaspard
Origin:
French variation of JasperMeaning:
"bringer of treasure"Description:
Jasper is an internationally-popular name that takes many forms, among them Casper, Gaspar, and the French version Gaspard. Virtually unknown in the US, Gaspard is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France.
- Gianni
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giovanni, variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Gianni, the Italian equivalent of Johnny, sounds more substantial and fresh. Like many names starting with "Gian", it is on a rising trend (for both boys and girls, though it leans more male). TV star Jill Hennessey's son is named Gianni Mastropietro.
- Ilario
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"cheerful, happy"Description:
Ilario's merry, jovial sound reflects a shared root with the word hilarious.
- Imre
Origin:
Hungarian, from GermanMeaning:
"strength"Description:
Commonly heard in its native country, and might get a boost here too, now that Alanis Morrissette has used it for her son Ever's middle name.
- Inigo
Origin:
Basque, medieval Spanish variation of IgnatiusMeaning:
"fiery"Description:
Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones. The sixteenth-seventeenth century Jones shared his name with his father, a London clockmaker, who received it when Spanish names for boys were fashionable in England, especially among devout Roman Catholics.
- Italo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"from Italy"Description:
You can't get more Italian than this name of the daddy of legendary twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. A noted bearer is acclaimed Italian journalist and novel and short story writer Italo Calvino, author of Invisible Cities and . Trivia tidbit: Calvino was actually one of his middle names.
- Inacio
- Inibal
- Kamael
- Lasse
Description:
Lasse is a Top 100 name in Germany and is well used throughout Scandinavia and The Netherlands, but English speakers will have problems with the pronunciation, which is LAH-say. Neither lass nor Lassie would be acceptable manglings.
- Machi
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"decrease"Description:
Not ready to go all the way to Malachi? Then take this Biblical shortcut name, with the second syllable rhyming with eye.
- Manoel
- Mathis
Origin:
French and German form of Matthias or MatthewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Very popular in France and Belgium, this name -- pronounced mat-tees, like the surname of the painter Matisse -- might make an appealing new way to say Matthew here.
- Milo
Origin:
Latin and Old GermanMeaning:
"soldier or merciful"Description:
Milo is most commonly considered to be Germanic name derived from the Latin word miles, meaning "soldier." However, there is evidence to suggest it also may have independently spawned from the Slavic root milu, meaning "merciful." Milo predates brother name Miles, a variation that evolved when the name immigrated to the British Isles in the Middle Ages. Mylo is an alternate spelling.
- Mircea
Origin:
RomanianMeaning:
"peace"Description:
This widely-used Romanian choice was the name of a medieval ruler who brought stability to the region of Wallachia.