Two Syllable Boy Names

This name was consistently in the boys' Top 200 until WW2. It's a name with so many dimensions to it: the hyper-masculine meaning, the surname-as-firstname trendiness, and the softer sound and connotation since homophone Carol was favoured in the 1940s and '50s for daughters. We think it's time for a resurgence of Carrolls amongst the boys.

Seanan and its more-popular variation Senan are connected to the Latin word "senator" and are ancient saints' names, but may also be thought of as diminutives of Sean, the Irish form of John, given that the suffix "an" is an Irish diminutive meaning "little". Virtually unknown in the US, it might appeal as an update for the no-longer-stylish Sean.

Ancient Irish saint's name that's unlikely, because of its similarity to "ninny," to join cousin Finian in popularity.

Israh which is also spelled Isra is a gender-neutral Muslim name.

Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew

Noland exists as a surname among the Irish and the French. In Ireland, it's a variation of the much more common Nolan. As a French surname, Noland is derived from Germanic components not, "need" and land.

This Scottish town name sounds strong and modern on both boys and girls.

This spelling just barely made it into the Top 1000 for 2013, but nonetheless was an on-the-rise name for the year.

Mavi is used for both boys and girls in its native Turkey, but is a new gender-neutral name in the US.

Todrick, an invented name that combines Todd with -rick ending names such as Frederick, is heavily associated with performer Todrick Hall. Hall initially became recognized for his success on American Idol, and since then has become a YouTube star and judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.

Among the Choctaw, names were given after life achievements. Tashka would have been given to a warrior after a battle.

The Germanic tribe known as the Varni took their name from the verb werren, meaning "to defend." The given name Varin derived from the tribe name, meaning "one of the Varni."

Auric is an Ian Fleming anti-hero, better known as Goldfinger. Better to go with James. Or even Bond.

Eminently usable Nigerian name that works for both sexes.

A rarely-used place name (probably because of the last three letters), Essex was the ancient kingdom of the East Saxons and is now a county in England. The singer David Essex used it as his stage surname, and reality TV couple JP and Ashley Rosenbaum used it for their daughter's name, though few have followed suit.