Boys' Names Ending in -a Part 1

This name of an ancient saint and one of the first knights of King Arthur's Round Table has a modern, if feminine, feel.

A bold and evocative African place name. The country of Kenya gets its name from Mount Kenya, referred to it as "Kirinyaga" or "Kerenyaga" by the local Kikuyu people, meaning "mountain of whiteness" due to its snow-capped peak.

Kija was a legendary king who brought Chinese civilization -- including rice and writing -- to the Korean people, probably in the 2nd century BC. Kija is also the name of a group of Aboriginal people in Australia. Though the original Kija was male, this name would work better for girls in the modern Western world.

Kilikikopa is an extremely rare masculine name with likely Polynesian origins, specifically possibly Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander roots. The melodic quality with alternating consonants and vowels follows traditional Polynesian naming patterns. In Hawaiian naming traditions, longer names often carry significant cultural meaning, possibly referring to family history, natural elements, or circumstances of birth. While specific meaning information is limited due to its rarity, names in Polynesian cultures typically honor ancestors or describe admirable qualities. Kilikikopa's rhythmic, flowing pronunciation reflects the musical quality of Pacific languages. The uniqueness of this name makes it a distinctive choice that connects to Pacific Islander heritage and cultural traditions.

The international popularity of Noah has led to some parents searching for alternatives and the rhyming Koa is now attracting more attention than ever. With it's cool K initial and summery, nature-inspired feel, this punchy three letter name has risen more than 600 places since it entered the US charts in 2017.

Could be seen as an affectionate Old World take on Kole.

An accessible Russian nickname...but could "cost ya".

Krishna is the name of the supreme Hindu god that is still considered secular enough for mortal children and is often found in Hindu families, for both boys and girls.

Kuba is the attractive short form of Jakub, the spelling of Jacob commonly used in Poland. Much more distinctive than Jake!

Kustaa is a Finnish masculine name that serves as the Finnish form of Gustav or Augustus. It derives from the Old Norse elements 'Gautr,' referring to the Geats (an ancient Scandinavian people), and 'stafr' meaning 'staff' or 'support.' The name carries historical significance in Finland, as several Swedish kings named Gustav ruled over Finland during the period of Swedish governance. Most notably, King Gustav II Adolf and Gustav III influenced Finnish history significantly. Kustaa has a strong, distinctive sound characteristic of Finnish names, with their emphasis on vowel sounds. While primarily used in Finland, the name represents Finnish cultural heritage and linguistic traditions. Though less common among younger generations as more international names have gained popularity, Kustaa remains a respected traditional name with deep cultural roots in Finnish history and identity.

The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday).