Two Syllable Boy Names

See ORPHEUS.

As word names go, this one is pretty ominous. It's a shame about the dark associations, because it could otherwise be a very fashionable-sounding name, à la Owen and Roman.

A twist on Darwin with the same friendly meaning. Its lovable-nerd feel is given a cool edge by several football players with the name.

This name of a saint from Galway whose monastery became a center of learning, is an undiscovered Gaelic gem.

A literary twist on rising star Nova, derived from the same Latin word.

A Croatian form of George, and also a lively Japanese name traditionally given to the tenth son.

This Old Welsh name associated with blacksmiths has never caught on, but it has the right two-syllable occupational feel to qualify for revival. Gower Champion was a successful midcentury dancer, choreographer and director on the Broadway stage, in films and on TV.

Old dialectal form of Tholf

Sorley is an anglicization of the Irish name Somhairle, itself derived from the Old Norse Sumarliði, a nickname for a summer traveler (perhaps meaning a viking raider!). It is sometimes used as a boy name in Britain, but very rarely in the US. The similarity to the word "sorely" may put some off, but we still think it makes a jaunty, unusual surname-style option.

An entirely Jewish form of David, with the handsome nickname Dov.

The Galician form of George; an extravagant option for lovers of the letter X.

Darin was so popular that it nearly cracked the Top 100 in the mid-1960s, but has now dropped from sight. The original Darren is still hanging on.

Avdel is an obscure Old Testament name with a straightforward feel and sound and the fashionable A initial. One to consider if you want a highly unusual yet not difficult Hebrew or Biblical name.