Two Syllable Boy Names

As Ireland becomes fashionable as a place name, bouncing on and off of the US girls charts thanks to Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin choosing it for their daughter, some parents may start to consider the adjective form Irish for either a boy or girl.

An appellation that couldn't be more Ivy League or sound less Welsh. The name of the University is taken from the surname of college benefactor Elihu Yale. In the movie Manhattan, Yale Pollack is the name of Woody Allen's best friend. The Hebrew Yael is not related.

Despite pronunciation, looks a bit like an airline or -- worse still -- a hair dryer name.

Pleasant-sounding French surname.

Rider is a rock-and-roll baby name, in every sense of the term, though usually spelled Ryder, as in the sons of Kate Hudson and John Leguizamo.

Derived from the Old German elements ekka "edge, blade" and hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy". Eckhart Tolle is a German writer, and it is also found as a surname.

Created by the Polish playwright Juliusz Słowacki in 1833 for his eponymous romantic hero, Kordian has been in rare use in Poland since. Słowacki based the name on the Latin cor or cordis, meaning "heart", making this an excellent rare choice for a baby born around Valentine's Day.

Once extremely popular in France, Sylvere has, so far, been little heard in the States, though it did pop up in the Amazon series I Love Dick, as the name of the lead character's husband.

Abiah is a gentle, rarely used Old Testament name belonging to Samuel's second son. This makes a good choice for the parent who wants a traditional biblical name that is not overly familiar.

Able takes this name in the direction of the word denoting someone capable and handle, and that is not a bad way to go.

Brolin — inspired by actor Josh — has been used sparingly as a boy name since 2007. Most instances of the surname come from the Swedish derivation, meaning "bridge," however, Josh Brolin's surname is a variation of the German name Brüderlin, meaning "brother."

Appealing, lively, and distinctive.

An Anglicized form of the Irish name, Naomhán, Nevan might feel like an updated Neville or Evan. With a charming meaning, it feels familiar but underused.

Memorable as the Waspy Robert Redford character who captivated the young Barbra Streisand in the film classic "The Way We Were": Hubbell Gardiner.

The first name of the influential pre-Renaissance Sienese painter (pronounced DOO-chee-o) is a simple but lively modern possibility.

One of the 99 names of Allah, according to Islamic tradition.

This name's connection to the Caribbean Cayman Islands gives it a nice resortish feel, while still feeling like an in-tune-with-style boy's name.