Animal Names for Boys

Typically spelled as Amaël, this name can be a variation of the popular Breton name, Maël, which ranks in the Top 10 in France. Amaël itself entered the French Top 500 in 2021, and ranked at #337 in a recent year. Meaning "chieftain" or "prince", Amaël (or Amael) would typically be pronounced as A-MA-EHL

Alternatively, Amael may be related to Anael, an archangel in Jewish lore, who is also known as Hanael and Aniel. Anael is associated with the planet Venus, grace, favor, and charm. As such, it would be pronounced ah-mee-ehl or ah-mah-ehl

Cahir along with its traditional spelling Cathair is well-used in modern Ireland. Now it's finding a wider audience thanks to The Witcher , though Cahir is the main villain of the series. It was in the US charts from 2017 to 2020, but fewer than 5 baby boys were named Cahir in the US in 2021, suggesting that the effect on parents was short-lived.

Amadeo and Amedeo are both valid Italian forms of the Roman Amadeus, most famous as the middle name of the composer Mozart as well as the title of a movie about him. Mozart's name was actually the Greek Theophilus, but he transformed it to the Latin version. Amadeo is also used in Spain, where it was the name of a 19th century king who was born in Italy.

Hiro is an apt name for a hero of the show Heroes -- and for our times. Widely used in Japan, sometimes also for girls. Hiroshi is a long form.

The name of the young Greek sun god, brother to the moon goddess Selene, who rode across the sky each day in a chariot pulled by four horses.

Following in the footsteps of Weston, Braxton, Clayton, and Paxton, Daxton has been climbing the US charts since the late 2000s. While recent years have seen it decline slightly, it remains a Top 500 choice, with the cool possibility of nickname Dax.

A commonly used name in Māori culture, Amiri refers to the wind that blows from east to west. A 2011 New Zealand film titled Amiri & Aroha is a modern Māori interpretation of Romeo & Juliet.

In Greek and Roman mythology, Aeneas was the legendary son of Venus (or Aphrodite) who was the hero of Troy and Rome. Appearing in the Aeneid by the poet Virgil, he goes on to found the Roman state and break the heart of Queen Dido of Carthage.

The name of an adorably small, big-eared fox native to Africa would make an inspired choice for a little boy -- though confusion with Hunger Games name Finnick is all but certain. Given the rise of animal names and the fashionability of names that start with F among the leading baby name trends, Fennec may find more favor.

Haime is a masculine name that likely originated as a variant spelling of Jaime (the Spanish form of James) or Haim (a Hebrew name meaning 'life'). This unusual spelling creates a distinctive name while maintaining familiar pronunciation connections to its more common counterparts. The name is quite rare in most countries, making it an uncommon choice for parents seeking something unique yet with recognizable roots. If derived from Hebrew origins, it carries the beautiful meaning of 'life,' while its possible connection to James links it to the meaning 'supplanter.' Haime's cultural associations may vary depending on whether it's viewed through its Spanish or Hebrew connections, but in either case, it remains an uncommon and distinctive choice.

Spunky Irish surname that still has a pugnacious feel from its lingering association with one of boxing's greatest champs, Jack Dempsey. Many people may associate it more with Patrick Dempsey these days—McDreamy from TV's Grey's Anatomy.

This variation adds a second n to the more popular Finley, presumably to provide a more direct link to nickname Finn. Both spellings create a distinctly unisex name. The Finnley version, however, entered the US Top 1000 for boys in 2014, and it remains unranked for girls.

Alois and Aloysius are variation of Louis. Alois ranked in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, and still ranks in the Top 1000 in Germany. Last year in the US, only seven baby boys were named Alois.

This Welsh river name has possibilities as a place name and nature name that is rare and uncommon.

Holloway is a habitational surname, meaning if this is a last name on your family tree, your ancestors once lived in an English town by the name. As a first name, it's relatively undiscovered — Holloway charted for the first time in 2020 and appeared again in 2021. It would work on a child of either sex, although the intuitive Holly nickname might keep the distribution skewed toward the feminine.

Most common among the Jewish community and Spanish-speakers, Areli might be a great choice for parents looking for a name with Biblical roots that still sounds trendy and wears well across cultures.

A classic variation of the name Isidore, both Isadore and Isidore were equally popular at their peak in the 1910s. They were historically used among Jewish families — Isidore and Isadore were often used as Americanizations of Jewish names such as Israel and Isaac.

Arch can be used as a nickname for Archibald or a stand-alone word name — perhaps for the child of an architect.

The short, clipped Cru is one of those modern names that's starting to find favor -- it was given to about 100 boys last year, while Crew has vaulted onto the Top 1000. One inspiration is undoubtedly the Spanish name Cruz, which came to wider attention via the third son of Victoria and David Beckham. Cru has a handsome sound and a modern feel.

Eleven didn't feel more namelike than any other number...until the (female) "Stranger Things" character came along. Now it seems like a possibility - albeit a rare one - for both sexes. Other associations include the number of players in a football team, and Apollo 11, the spacecraft of the first moon landing.