Boys' Names Ending in -a Part 1

Hawaiian form of Jacob

Ikaia is a masculine name with Polynesian origins, particularly connected to Hawaiian naming traditions. In Hawaiian contexts, it may relate to 'kai' meaning 'sea' or 'ocean,' suggesting connections to water, vastness, and the natural world. The name carries the rhythmic, open-vowel quality characteristic of Polynesian names. Ikaia remains relatively uncommon globally but has seen some increased usage as interest in Hawaiian and Pacific Islander names has grown in recent decades. Parents might choose this name seeking a connection to Polynesian culture or to express appreciation for its natural associations and melodic sound. The name projects a sense of strength and natural harmony while offering distinctiveness in most naming environments outside the Pacific Islands.

This international variation of the popular Elijah might also be written as Iliya, Ilya, Ilja, and Ilija. It is currently a unisex option in the US.

A rare example of an a-ending boy's name that sounds masculine, Ilya has a large measure of creative Slavic charm. >p>Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is the central character in Goncharov's novel "Oblomov." Unfortunately, he spends most of his life in his bathrobe and slippers.

This state name emerged in the eighties along with westerners Dakota and Montana, and it's still used occasionally by high-profile parents such as Summer Phoenix and Casey Affleck. Action man Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) makes Indiana "Indy" forever cool for a boy.

Succinct and sharp, Ira is one of the shortest Old Testament names, belonging to one of King David's thirty 'mighty warriors.' It was widely used in the US from the 1880s to the early 1930s (it was Number 57 on the Social Security list in 1881), but fell off completely in 1993, only to return in 2016. Currently, it is in the latter half of the US Top 1000, given to around 260 boys each year.

Isa is an Arabic variation of Jesus found throughout the world and popular among Muslim parents. Alternative spellings include Issa, Esa, and Eissa.