Two Syllable Boy Names

Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.

French spelling of Raphael, and one of the most popular names in France currently, along with equally angelic Gabriel.

Digby is a place-name in Lincolnshire turned surname turned quirky first name that is starting to get some attention.

Names ending with O are popular, but this one is almost unheard-of. Faro has the advantages of being easy to spell and pronounce (unless it's confused with Pharaoh), and a bright meaning. Ultimately it comes from Pharos, the island where the great Lighthouse of Alexandria was built, and there's a district and city in Portugal called Faro. Be aware: it's also the name of a gambling card game, highly popular in the nineteenth century before poker took over.

Has a legitimate first name history in its native land and an appealing meaning, but pronunciation is far from obvious.

Sounds like a Lewis variant, but in actual fact the surname-turned-first-name Lewin derives from the Old English name Leofwine, meaning "dear friend".

Chosen for their first son by musical couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, this Jamaican place and elegant British surname also boasts the more regal yet user-friendly short form, King.

Another spelling of JANNIK, a John form that has a terminally Olde Worlde sound to the American ear.

Once an obscure, surname-inspired option, Payton (and Peyton) hiked up the charts back in the 90s, likely inspired by the football star Peyton Manning.

Celyn, which starts with the hard K sound and rhymes with Helen, is a Top 100 name in Wales although largely unknown outside that tiny, beautiful country. It is usually a masculine name.

Until recently it was rarely used as a proper name; Buddy Holly, for example, was christened Charles, and Salinger's Buddy Glass was born Webb. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver did name his fourth child Buddy Bear Maurice--a fittingly named brother to Poppy Honey Rosie, Daisy Boo Pamela and Petal Blossom Rainbow, and singer Tom Fletcher has a double-nicknamed Buddy Bob.

In the Bible, it's the name of an ancient prophet who was able to withstand Satan. It has gained modest attention in recent years, hitting the US Top 1000 in 2008.

Sierra is a name borrowed from the western mountain range, with Latin rhythm and cowboy charm. It is now probably past its peak for girls, but remains a striking nature-inspired choice for boys, with a strong, surprising and energetic sound. The meaning refers to the sharp, irregular peaks of some of the Western mountains such as the Sierra Nevada.

Lovely entry into the tree name genre, joining Maple, Pine, Oak, and Willow.

Malo, the name of an important sixth century Breton saint who founded St. Malo, the charming port town in Brittany -- is considered quite au courant in France right now, ranking firmly in the Top 100.

Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe.

A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.

A rarely-used name even in its native Cornwall, Jory nevertheless feels very wearable, thanks to its similarity to familiar picks like Rory, Corey and Joey. Jory Cassel is a minor character in the first season of Game of Thrones.

This name has hardly been used since Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940, and it may not quite be ready for revival yet. Still, clunky grandpa names like Lionel, Douglas, Benedict, Carl, and Melvin have received more attention in recent years, so Wendell can't be ruled out just yet.

An unusual Arabic name, given to a handful of boys in the US each year, also spelled Ehaan or Ihan.