15,000+ Two-Syllable Boy Names
- Qirin
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Actor Terrence Howard and wife Miranda created this name for their son inspired by the Chinese mythological creature called the Qilin, a good omen predicting the arrival of a sage or ruler. Pronunciation is like the Irish name Kieran.
- Tamur
Description:
Tamur is a masculine name with roots in Central Asian history and culture. It's a variant spelling of Timur (also spelled Temur or Temir), a name of Turkic and Mongolic origin meaning "iron." The name gained historical significance through Timur (Tamerlane), the 14th-century conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire. Tamur combines strength and historical depth with a relatively uncommon status in Western countries, making it distinctive while still being connected to rich cultural traditions. The name carries connotations of durability, strength, and resilience. While not among top-ranked names in most Western countries, it maintains popularity in parts of Central Asia, Turkey, and among families with connections to these regions.
- Zuma
Origin:
American place-name and ArabicMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Zuma was entered in the American name lexicon when musicians Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale chose it for their son. Californians will recognize Zuma as the name of a beautiful beach in Malibu, and it's also the surname of a South African president. With the lovely meaning of peace and its place-name associations, Zuma is one of those American names that literally sprang from the earth.
- Haco
Origin:
Celtic and CornishMeaning:
"flame, fire"Description:
Haco was a mythical Cornish leader who lost his beautiful princess bride by unwittingly promising her to a musician whose songs he admired: a romantic legend to back up a very unusual choice.
- Conall
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"strong as a wolf"Description:
Too many Connors in your neighborhood? This name--spelled with one 'l' or two--is equally authentic and much more unusual.
- Chencho
Description:
Chencho is a masculine name with Spanish and Latin American origins, particularly common in Mexico. It traditionally functions as a familiar nickname for Inocencio, which derives from the Latin 'innocens' meaning 'innocent' or 'harmless.' In some regions, Chencho can also be a diminutive for other names like Cresencio. The name carries a warm, friendly quality and reflects Hispanic cultural traditions of using affectionate shortened forms of longer names. While not widely used outside Spanish-speaking communities, Chencho has a rhythmic, memorable sound. It represents cultural heritage and family connections, often passed through generations as both a formal name and a term of endearment within families and close-knit communities.
- Elmo
Origin:
Italian from GermanMeaning:
"protector"Description:
Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.)
- Surya
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sun god"Description:
Graceful Indian choice that may sound feminine to the Western ear but is in fact the name of a male god. One form of worship of Surya that may be familiar to Westerners is the sun salutation in yoga.
- Arty
Description:
Arty is a diminutive form of the name Arthur, which has ancient Celtic origins meaning 'bear' or 'stone.' It's a casual, friendly nickname that has occasionally been used as a given name in its own right. Arty carries a creative, artistic connotation in modern usage, perhaps due to its similarity to the word 'art.' While not among the most popular names in recent decades, Arty has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something unpretentious yet distinctive. The name has a playful quality and conveys a sense of approachability, making it a good fit for a creative, outgoing personality.
- Japheth
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"expansion"Description:
This name of a son of Noah, whose descendants were said to have populated Europe, was well used by the seventeenth century Pilgrims. With "Ja" names and obscure Old Testament names both trendy these days, Japheth might just seen a resurgence: 37 boys were given the name in a recent year.
- Yggdrasil
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"Odin's horse"Description:
The sacred giant tree Yggdrasil or Yggdrasill in Norse mythology is a world tree which supports all else in the universe, including the many different realms. It is said that Odin once hanged himself from the tree as a sacrifice to gain wisdom, which may be where the name comes from – traditionally, gallows were known as the "dead man's horse".
- Phileas
Description:
Phileas is a distinctive masculine name with Greek origins. It derives from the Greek elements 'philos' meaning 'friend' or 'lover.' The name gained literary fame through Jules Verne's character Phileas Fogg in the novel 'Around the World in Eighty Days.' Despite its classical roots and literary connection, Phileas remains relatively uncommon in modern usage, giving it an air of distinction and vintage charm. It offers appealing nickname options like Phil or Philly. For parents seeking a name that combines historical depth with literary significance while still feeling distinctive, Phileas represents an excellent choice with its combination of sophistication and warmth.
- Korben
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corbin, English and French surnameMeaning:
"crow, raven"Description:
Korben is a spelling that gets some attention since Bruce Willis's character name in The Fifth Element was Korben Dallas.
- Jodi
Description:
Jodi as a masculine name represents the less common usage of what is predominantly considered a feminine name in most English-speaking countries. It originated as a unisex diminutive of names like Joseph (for males) or Joanna/Judith (for females). The masculine use of Jodi has roots in Hebrew through its connection to Joseph, meaning 'God will add' or 'increase.' While more frequently given to girls since the 1960s, Jodi maintains a presence as a male name particularly in some cultural contexts and regions. Notable male bearers include American musician Jodi Sternoff and basketball coach Jodi Kest. The name's soft sound and ending vowel give it a gentle quality that aligns with modern trends toward less gender-rigid naming patterns.
- Rían
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little king"Description:
The origin of the Anglicized Ryan, this Irish name feels like a brighter and fresher alternative.
- Omen
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"sign, foreshadowing"Description:
As word names go, this one is pretty ominous. It's a shame about the dark associations, because it could otherwise be a very fashionable-sounding name, à la Owen and Roman.
- Tarka
Origin:
Literary nameMeaning:
"wandering as water"Description:
The name of the (male) otter protagonist of Henry Williamson’s 1927 novel Tarka the Otter.
- Army
Origin:
Word name or variation of Armie, English from FrenchMeaning:
"military land force; soldier"Description:
A patriotic spin on Armie, with roughly the same meaning whether you consider it a variation or a totally separate word name.
- Melwynn
Description:
Melwynn is a rare masculine name with Celtic and Welsh roots. It likely derives from elements meaning 'chief' or 'prince' (mel) combined with 'white' or 'fair' (gwyn). Similar to more common names like Melvin or Kelwyn, Melwynn carries an air of distinction and nobility. The name has remained uncommon in modern usage, giving it a unique quality for parents seeking something distinctive. In Celtic traditions, names containing 'mel' or 'gwyn' elements often signified leadership qualities or physical attributes. Melwynn's somewhat archaic spelling with the double 'n' adds to its medieval feel and visual appeal.
- Quique
Origin:
Spanish nickname for Henrique, Spanish form of HenryDescription:
Cute, or maybe qute, nickname for the upstanding Enrique.