Animal Names for Boys

  1. Jairo
    • Origin:

      Spanish, variation of Jairus
    • Meaning:

      "God enlightens"
    • Description:

      While Jairus is rare, this Spanish variation is heard in the US, having ranked in the Top 1000 for the last three decades. It currently ranks in the latter end of the charts, while similar sounding Kairo, Cairo, and Kyro rank higher.
  2. Cabot
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "to sail"
    • Description:

      Cabot is an attractive English surname associated with the daring early Italian-born British explorer known as John Cabot; his birth name was Giovanni Caboto.
  3. Gabor
    • Origin:

      Hungarian
    • Meaning:

      "god is my strength"
    • Description:

      Probably most familiar to English-speakers as Zsa Zsa Gabor's last name, the rise of other Eastern European boys' names like Casimir, Milo and Laszlo make Gabor an increasingly wearable option.
  4. Hadin
    • Description:

      Hadin is a rare masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Arabic roots where it can mean 'guide' or 'leader,' stemming from 'hadi.' Alternatively, it could be a modern variation of names like Hayden or Hadrian. The name carries a strong, distinctive sound that feels contemporary yet substantial. Hadin remains uncommon in most Western countries, making it appealing to parents seeking a unique name with international resonance. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation contribute to its accessibility despite its rarity. The name combines a modern feel with potential traditional roots, giving it depth while maintaining stylistic versatility.

  5. Alipio
    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "he who is devoid of sadness"
    • Description:

      The positive-meaning name of a seventh century saint.
  6. Deangelo
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "from the angel"
    • Description:

      This name obviously has the prefix De- that denotes "son of"—in this form it can mean either "son of Angelo" or "from the angel."
  7. Filipe
    • Origin:

      Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"
    • Description:

      Portuguese form of Philip
  8. Colie
    • Description:

      Colie is a masculine name that can function as a diminutive of Nicholas or Cole, though it sometimes stands as an independent name. It has multiple possible origins, including Greek (from Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people') or Old English (from Cole, meaning 'charcoal' or 'coal-black'). Colie has a friendly, approachable quality with its short, two-syllable structure. While traditionally a boy's name, it occasionally appears as a nickname for girls named Nicole. The name has a casual, American feel and was somewhat more common in the southern United States during the early 20th century. Today, Colie remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive character while maintaining familiar sounds.

  9. Caisyn
    • Description:

      Caisyn is a modern masculine name with creative spelling, likely derived from traditional names like Casey or Cason. It follows the trend of unique name variations with the '-yn' suffix, similar to names like Jadyn or Zayn. While relatively uncommon, Caisyn has gained some traction among parents seeking distinctive names with familiar sounds. The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining a strong, masculine character. Parents might choose Caisyn for its balance of uniqueness and accessibility, as it's unusual enough to stand out but still intuitive to pronounce.

  10. Eeli
    • Description:

      Eeli is a Finnish male name that serves as a variant of the Hebrew name Eli, meaning "height" or "elevation." In Finnish culture, Eeli has maintained consistent popularity as a traditional yet distinctive choice for boys. The name carries a gentle strength with its simple two-syllable structure and melodic quality. In recent years, Eeli has seen increased usage in Finland, reflecting a growing preference for names that honor cultural heritage while offering a modern feel. The name's brevity and easy pronunciation make it appealing across linguistic boundaries, though it remains most common in Finnish-speaking regions.

  11. Devan
    • Description:

      Devan is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins, making it an interesting cross-cultural choice. In Sanskrit, it derives from "deva" meaning "divine" or "god," while in Irish it's a variant of Devon, originally a place name referring to the county in England. The name has gained moderate popularity in the United States since the 1980s as parents sought modern-sounding alternatives to traditional names. Devan has a contemporary feel while maintaining a connection to ancient traditions. It's sometimes used for girls as well, though less commonly. The name conveys strength and uniqueness without being too unconventional, balancing modern appeal with subtle cultural depth.
  12. Emet
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      Looks like a pared-down Emmett, but it actually derives from a difference source.
  13. Eyan
    • Description:

      Eyan is a modern masculine name that has gained some popularity in recent years. It likely developed as a variation of names like Evan, Ian, or Ryan, combining familiar sounds into a fresh form. With Celtic and Hebrew influences potentially in its background, Eyan may relate to Evan (Welsh for 'young warrior') or Ian (Scottish form of John, meaning 'God is gracious'). The name offers a contemporary feel while maintaining a simple pronunciation and spelling. Eyan has a clean, minimalist quality appealing to parents seeking something relatively uncommon but not overly exotic. Its rise aligns with trends favoring short, two-syllable names with smooth sounds for boys.
  14. Hyde
    • Origin:

      Medieval measure of land, or English surname
    • Meaning:

      "hide"
    • Description:

      Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.
  15. Crews
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "merry, lively"
    • Description:

      Combine trendy Crew with even trendier Cruz, and you've got Crews. This English surname, derived from a nickname "the cruse" (i.e. the merry), is made famous by actor Terry Crews.
  16. Edwyn
    • Description:

      Edwyn is a masculine name of Anglo-Saxon origin, representing a modernized spelling of the Old English name Edwin, which combines 'ead' (wealth, fortune) and 'wine' (friend). This distinguished name carries historical weight, having been borne by a 7th-century King of Northumbria, Saint Edwin. While less common than Edwin, Edwyn offers a slightly more distinctive spelling while maintaining the same traditional roots. The name has experienced modest usage throughout English-speaking countries but has never been overwhelmingly popular. Edwyn projects reliability and quiet strength, with a touch of literary and historical flair. The 'wy' spelling variation gives it a somewhat Welsh flavor, though its origins are primarily Anglo-Saxon. Parents choosing Edwyn often appreciate its connection to history while enjoying its slight uniqueness compared to more common Ed- names.

  17. Bleddyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "wolf's cub"
    • Description:

      Unusual two-syllable choice with a real pronunciation challenge.
  18. Ancil
    • Description:

      Ancil is a rare masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Anselm, a Germanic name meaning 'God's helmet' or 'divine protection,' or from Ancell, a diminutive of Anselm. Alternatively, it could connect to Latin 'ancilla' meaning 'servant' or be a variant of Ancelot, a French diminutive of Ancel. Popular briefly in the early 20th century in America, Ancil has since become quite uncommon. The name carries a vintage charm with its soft consonants and crisp ending. Notable bearers include American folk artist Ancil Goodman and baseball player Ancil Hoffman. With its short, distinctive sound and historical roots, Ancil offers a rare alternative to more common short masculine names.

  19. Cavanagh
    • Description:

      Cavanagh is a masculine name with Irish Gaelic roots, derived from the surname 'Caomhánach,' which means 'born of the handsome one' or 'born of Kevin.' Historically a family name associated with the descendants of the 12th-century King of Leinster, it carries a noble heritage. As a first name, Cavanagh is part of the modern trend of using surnames as given names, appealing to parents seeking Irish heritage connections. The name has a strong, distinguished sound while offering the friendly nickname options of 'Cav' or 'Van.' Though still uncommon as a first name, Cavanagh has seen modest increased usage in the United States, Australia, and Ireland in recent decades, particularly among families celebrating their Celtic roots.

  20. Coty
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Description:

      Cosmetic reinvention of Cody.