8 Letter Boy Names

This was a common name in early Ireland, borne by numerous saints, but pronunciation problems would make it prohibitive here.

Russian diminutive of Paul.

The evocative name of one of our most beautiful national parks -- yes, but also the bombastic cartoon character, Yosemite Sam.

A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite.

A rare but distinguished Scottish name. The original Galloway is a region in south-west Scotland, and the meaning ("stranger-Gaels") refers to its mixed population of Scandinavian and Gaelic-speaking people. It later became a surname and a sturdy breed of cattle. Galloway could be a fresh addition to better-known Scottish places like Murray and Ross.

A beautiful English surname that's also a type of richly colored timber, Rosewood makes an interesting spin on the Rose names for a boy. It is also the surname of Dr Beaumont Rosewood, Jr from the Fox police drama series Rosewood.

Amarjeet can be used as both a masculine and feminine name. It is popular in Asia and has a strong meaning.

Mountain names such as Everest and Denali are being used more frequently, but Mountain itself was unknown until Hunger Games star Jena Malone used it as a middle name for her son Ode Mountain. And really, why not? It's one of the most unique baby names in the hot nature category.

Sweeping, romantic overtones.

Bold Irish surname, full of energy and cheer.

This ancient name, belonging to a 4th century BCE Greek statesman and general, would be one of those unique baby names with lots of more down-to-earth nickname potential, including Tim and Leon. Another notable bearer is Timoleon Jimanez, former leader of the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

A middle-aged, if not elderly, name associated with Israeli statesman and onetime prime minister Begin, this is a symbolic appellation for boys born on the holiday of Tishah-b'Ab.

An English locational surname originally denoting someone who lived at the town's outer limits, now has a solid, aristocratic air. It may also derive from an anglicization of the French Toussaint – someone born on All Saint's Day, November 1.

Farquhar has a great meaning, but unfortunate potential for mispronunciation. It was originally a given name in the Scottish highlands, but is more commonly known today as a surname. It's occasionally given to children in Scotland, but rarely if ever elsewhere. (And no, the character in Shrek was Lord Farquaad.)

In Cool Names, we cite this as an "Artist Name," for twentieth-century abstract painter Grace Hartigan, though for you it may just be an upbeat Irish surname.

A well-to-do English surname with a comedic undertone, thanks to the Griswold family of National Lampoon's Vacation.

A surname name, most popularly associated with actor Heston, has a blue-blooded ring to it. Charlton is also a more unusual pathway to evergreen nickname Charlie.

Combining elements of the popular Theodore and the old-fashioned Edmund, the name Theomund is a bold but grounded choice. Strong and solid in feel, it also offers the nicknames Ted, Teddy, Theo, or Mundy.