Two Syllable Boy Names

  1. Ciaran
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"
    • Description:

      Extremely popular in Ireland, Ciaran is also well used in England and is beginning to be adopted by parents in the U.S., though usually via the more American-friendly Kieran spelling. The Irish spelling is, however, becoming more familiar on this side of the Atlantic, due to the rising popularity of Belfast-born actor Ciaran Hinds.
  2. Lucky
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "having good fortune"
    • Description:

      Recently chosen by singer Elle King for her son. Lucky is a name that could see a considerable rise in the near future, as word names continue to heat up.
  3. Maria
    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Although almost always feminine in the first name spot, Maria (and its French cognate Marie) are regularly used in the middle or in compound first names in Catholic cultures. Famous examples include Austrian poet Rainier Maria Rilke, Italian composer Giovanni Maria Nanino, and German fashion designer Guido Maria Kretschmer.
  4. Colter
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "colt herder"
    • Description:

      A variation on the popular Colton, Colter has been climbing up the US charts since 2010. Given to around 1000 boys each year, it is now in the Top 500, and ticks the boxes for being a cool occupational name with rugged, Wild West vibes, and for giving the familiar nickname Col, or the alternative, Colt.
  5. Adlai
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is just"
    • Description:

      Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.
  6. Numair
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "panther"
    • Description:

      Projects an air of power and speed.
  7. Tarian
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "shield"
    • Description:

      Country singer Travis Tritt is partial to the letter T for his children's names: he has a Tyler, a Tristan, and a son named Tarian. Tarian is a unisex Welsh name which, though used more for girls in Wales, would be perfectly acceptable here for a boy.
  8. Goku
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "aware of emptiness"
    • Description:

      Goku is the name of the protagonist of the popular "Dragon Ball" manga series, which was turned into a live action film. The character of Goku is reportedly based on Sun Wukong, the hero of the Chinese legend Journey to the West.
  9. Grover
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lives near a grove of trees"
    • Description:

      Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look.
  10. Darren
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little great one"
    • Description:

      Darren and wife Sharon shop for fifties memorabilia on eBay. The Connecticut place-name Darien might offer an update.
  11. Sully
    • Origin:

      French or English
    • Meaning:

      "stain or from the south meadow"
    • Description:

      A jaunty offshoot of Sullivan, Sully will be associated by kids with the beloved character in the Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc. Some notable real-life namesakes are French poet and essayist Sully Prudhomme, the heroic pilot "Sully" Sullenberger, and Sully Erna, lead vocalist of Godsmack.
  12. Tanner
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "leather tanner"
    • Description:

      One of the hot two-syllable T names of the nineties (along with Tyler, Trevor, and Taylor), and well represented on soap operas; Tanner is still widely used, but its popularity is declining.
  13. Pablo
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Paul
    • Meaning:

      "small"
    • Description:

      Pablo, the commonly used Spanish version of Paul, has the added bonus of some fantastic artistic bearers: painter Picasso, cellist Casals, and poet Neruda. Pablo has been consistently in the US charts since records began, and has been within the Top 500 since the mid 60s. However, Pablo has never cracked the Top 200, making it familiar but not overused or tired.
  14. Madden
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little dog"
    • Description:

      Madden is an Irish surname relative of Madigan rising through the charts thanks to its trendy two-syllable, -en ending sound along with its appeal to Madden Football video game-playing dads. John Madden is a former pro football player who went on to coach the Oakland Raiders and become a popular NFL commentator. Madden is also the surname of groovy Nicole Richie baby daddy Joel Madden.
  15. Cyprian
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "man of Cyprus"
    • Description:

      With a long and noble history -- Cyprian was one of the great Christian Latin writers -- this could make a highly unusual but meaningful choice.
  16. Ender
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "very rare"
    • Description:

      This popular Turkish name has a very on-trend sound and is familiar to English speakers thanks to Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel Ender’s Game. The book has recently been turned into a movie, starring Asa Butterfield as Andrew "Ender" Wiggin.
  17. Zaccai
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Cool biblical name that could get you to the nicknames Zac or Cai.
  18. Bobby
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Robert
    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"
    • Description:

      Bobby is the quintessential mid-century nickname, the name of the son on Mad Men and overused to the point of cliche. Though Robert is still a highly popular choice, most Roberts today are called by their full name or Rob or Robbie rather than Bob or Bobby.
  19. Ciro
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Cyrus
    • Description:

      This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.
  20. Uriah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is my light"
    • Description:

      A perfectly respectable Old Testament name ruined forever through its association with the odious Uriah Heep in David Copperfield. Some people also find this name just too close to the word urine. These negative connotations may be wearing off, however. (Perhaps because people don't read as much Dickens as they used to.)