Strong Yet Unusual Names for Boys
- Cassio
Origin:
Italian variation of CassiusMeaning:
"hollow"Description:
Cassio is a notable Shakespearean name that's a member of the ever-more-popular Cassius family of names. Cassio was Othello's young, good-looking, and flirtatious lieutenant.
- Cassius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"hollow"Description:
Cassius, a Shakespearean name rooted in antiquity, is trending in a major way. It's one of a raft of Cas-starting names for both boys and girls, including Caspian, Cassian, and Cassia, that are enjoying a new moiment in the sun.
- Castiel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my cover is God"Description:
Castiel, which vaulted into the Top 1000 on the wings of the angel hero of the television show Supernatural, is the name of the Angel of the day Thursday. It may also derive some appeal from the newly-fashionable "Cas" syllable, as in Cassian and Cassius.
- Cathal
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"battle rule"Description:
The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to our shores. The t is not pronounced.
- Catullus
Origin:
Latin, meaning unknownDescription:
Bearded, fusty name of great old Roman lyric poet; just what the bold vanguard baby namer might be looking for.
- Cavan
Origin:
Irish place-nameMeaning:
"hollow"Description:
Anglicized spelling of a county in Ireland, sometimes considered a variation of the Breton Kavan or of Kevin. Depending on your viewpoint, may make a fresh Kevin substitute or a choice that will drive you mad explaining that, no, it isn't Kevin.
- Cavanaugh
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"born handsome or son of Caomhan "Description:
Pleasant Irish last name that could be a more masculine alternative to the overused Cassidy. Early kings of Leinster bore the name, which relates to the first name Caomhan or Kevin and can also be spelled Kavanagh, Cavanagh, Cavenagh, and Kavanaugh.
- Chaplin
Origin:
English and French surnameMeaning:
"clergyman of a chapel"Description:
Chaplin carries two very distinctive images: the beloved Little Tramp and a minister, often to the military. It was the baby-name choice of Ever Carridine in 2010.
- Cian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
A handsome Irish name for boys, very popular in that country, but in the US this traditional spelling might cause pronunciation problems. Still, whether Cian or Kian, it's simple and straightforward enough for the initiated. Cian is rising in the British popularity charts. This was the name of several legendary figures, including Cian, son of the god of medicine. His own son was Lugh, the sun god and father of the Ulster warrior Cuchulain and Cian is also the name of the son-in-law of the high king Brian Boru. So very well connected.
- Cielo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"sky"Description:
Expansive, sunny Italian word name.
- Clancy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red-haired warrior"Description:
Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.
- Claudio
Origin:
Italian from LatinMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
Claudio, a most appealing Italian name, is featured in not one, but two Shakespearean plays, ,Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing. While "lame" is the most widely acknowledged meaning, some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-attractive name.
- Claudius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. But as with feminine form Claudia, the "lame" meaning may stymie the rise of Claudius. Some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
- Coltrane
Origin:
Irish surnameMeaning:
"descendant of Coltarán"Description:
The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan.
- Conal
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"strong as a wolf"Description:
If there are too many Connors in your neighborhood, this name is equally authentic and much more unusual. Spelled Conal or Conall, it's a prominent name in Irish history, borne by a number of kings and heroes.
- Connolly
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fierce as a hound"Description:
Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.
- Conroy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"hound (or wolf) of the plain"Description:
Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.
- Corcoran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ruddy-faced"Description:
Corky was a sitcom moniker of the fifties, Corcoran a better fit for these times.
- Cordell
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"maker or seller of rope or cord"Description:
This is a name that deserves more attention. Cordell is an occupational name that, through its similarity in sound to Cornell, Denzel, Dashiell, Boswell and Maxwell, feels both on-trend and upmarket.
- Cordovan
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"native of Cordova"Description:
Leathery, masculine image, complete with user-friendly short form.