Two Syllable Boy Names

Pastor might be a brother for Parson and Deacon.

Gender-neutral nickname typically used for Yuval, the modern Hebrew form of Jubal.

Sean and Robin Wright Penn chose this name for their son to honor their friend Dennis Hopper; others might associate it with the painter Edward. Couldn't be more spirited.

Derived from a Scottish surname, Mckenzie is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich, Coinnich being one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth. As a given name, it took off for girls in the US in the 70s, thanks to actress Mackenzie Phillips, and it has always been less popular for boys. While Mackenzie was chosen for 86 boys in the US last year, the Mckenzie spelling was used for just 7.

A matronymic surname derived from Emonie and Emeny, which are of uncertain origins.

Streamlined spelling of the biblical name, as in basketball great Isiah Thomas, falling fast from its height in the charts.

Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.

In Islam, Iblīs is the personal name of the devil, possibly derived from the Greek diablos.

Ocie is an antiquated nickname name, fairly popular for both genders in the US a century or more ago.

Both Kody and Cody — shining stars of the 90s — are in decline, although more people are choosing Cody than Kody.

Ysai is a less-known variation of the popular Isaiah.

Whether pronounced like the wag of a tail or as the correct German VAHG-ner, this might be something a devoted opera buff could consider as a middle name.

Hurley is a possibility as a unisex surname-name ending with the "lee" sound. It is perhaps most associated with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and is much rarer than Harley, because the "ur" sound is currently out of fashion (and the word "hurl" may put some off).

One Japanese name that feels Western, though not quite American.

Derived from Aku, the name of the Babylonian god of the moon. In the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament this is the Babylonian name of Mishael, one of the three men cast into a furnace but saved by God. Meshach Taylor is an actor who has been featured on several sitcoms.

Baran is barely known in the US -- unless it's mistaken for royal moniker and Trump son name Baron -- but it might make a perfect choice for a boy born under the sign of Aries.

Davey and Davy are frequently used for little boys but rarely appear on the birth certificate, Davy Crockett exempted.

A regal sounding name with a cool, trendy twist, Kaizer is a variation of the title given to the now-defunct German emperor. Deriving from Caesar (with the perhaps less appealing, hairy meaning), the traditional Kaiser spelling is in the US Top 1000. Given to around 330 boys each year, it is more than twice as popular as Kaizer.

Soundalike cousin of Sammy, cute but slight on its own.