Two Syllable Boy Names

Armando definitely makes Herman cooler and Mando or Mondo makes it cooler still. While Mando is usually short for Armando, it can be an abbreviation for any name containing Mando or Mondo.

Strongly connected to Elie Wiesel — Holocaust survivor, Nobel laureate, and author of the influential book Night.

David plus Damian (or David plus Ian or David plus Darrian) equals this hybrid name. It has been in and out of the US Top 1000 since 2004, though both this spelling and alternative Davion were out of favor in 2023. Davian Clarke is a Jamaican Olympic athlete.

Goodwin — which is mostly seen as a last name — comes from the long-forgotten given name Godwine. Godwine was a relatively common name in medieval England. It later traveled to Germanic regions in the form of Godwin.

An X-ending surname less common than the Jolie-Pitt-inspired Maddox. Grandparents might still associate it with the old TV crime show. 

A preppy-yet-rugged choice that proves there are plenty of last names as first names that are rare and distinctive, but not wacky or made up.

Uber is as off the table as a baby name as, sadly, Siri and Alexa.

God of cattle, earth, and the underworld worshipped in Slavic areas. He is considered the opponent of the thunder god Perun, and is imagined as a dragon-like figure — resembling a cross between a bear and a snake that devours lifestock.

This modern mash up of Kendrick and Hendrix felt almost bound to happen. Perfect for parents wanting something cool and contemporary but also familiar, Kendrix has in fact been quietly used since the 70s. Given to around 110 babies in 2023, the increased popularity of the name is likely owing to rock musician Jimi Hendrix, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and (female) Power Ranger, Kendrix Morgan.

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.

African American collagist Romare Bearden was the foremost bearer of his unique name. It would make a wonderful middle, if not first name, for the child of art-loving parents.

Member of a newly chic name genre. Bonus: its relationship to author William Faulkner.

Could a child named Warrior be anything but fierce and willful? We count Warrior among our Magic Names, those that are chosen for their ability to influence and protect their bearers. We see Warrior rising significantly in the next few years, joining current favorites like Legend, Hero, and Saint.

Americans may consider Lohan a surname name forever tied to Lindsay but in France, it's a modern variation of the Breton saint's name Elouan.

Variation of Christian.

Unlucky number thirteen is now an edgy baby name option thanks to Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, who named their son Rocky Thirteen. They chose his one-of-a-kind middle name because "13 is just the greatest number of all time," according to Barker. Rocky is also the 13th Kardashian grandchild.

Russian form of Roderick given to a small number of American boys each year.

Kishi is a common Japanese surname. Kishi is also a two-faced demon in Angolan folklore, as well as a separate figure in the Bible.

Unusual alternative to Roman, chosen for his son by Matthew Modine.

This simple, solid Welsh name enjoyed moderate popularity in England and Wales in the '80s and '90s, after the success of choirboy Aled Jones.