Parents in search of names emblematic of a new masculine image for their sons are also looking toward ethnic choices unknown in the U.S. just a few years ago.

The inspiration?  To some extent, it’s celebrities, from actors like Joaquin Phoenix to star dog trainer Cesar Millan to Heidi Klum’s son Johan, Jennifer Connelly’s Stellan, and Madonna’s Rocco.

And then there’s simply our widening global sensibility, taking in more and more images and cultural cues from around the world.  When it comes to boys’ names, these names may symbolize a more enlightened masculine image, or at least a fresh one.  Whether the name is Irish or Latino, African or French, we may see that exotic guy as being more stylish and more sophisticated and definitely more worldly than our regular old Bills and Jims.

Here, a selection of new ethnic choices for boys on the U.S. popularity list.  And don’t forget to take our poll on the new masculine names at the end of the column!

Amari
Andre
Andres
Axel
Braydon
Cesar
Connor
Cortez
Cruz
Declan
Enzo
Finn
Gianni
Giovanni
Hugo
Ivan
Jamari
Joaquin
Johan
Jonas
Kellen
Kieran
Killian
Liam
Luca
Malachi
Matteo
Mekhi
Milo
Omar
Orlando
Owen
Rafael
Raul
Rocco
Santiago
Santino
Soren
Stellan
Valentino
Xavier

May, as any Catholic schoolchild can tell you, is the official month of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God.  Which might make Mary an appropriate name for a girl born this month, except after a 400 year run, Mary is more than ready for semi-retirement.

The good news is that you can hold onto Mary’s symbolic value by choosing one of her fresh, appealing variations.  And there are literally dozens of them, formal and breezily nicknameish, ultrafemme and down-to-earth.  Some of the options:

MADONNA – There’s only one Madonna – and it’s not the plaster one in the blue alcove at church.  The pop star has all but taken over this formerly holy name and rebranded it with a modern in-your-face sexuality.  Do you dare use it for your child?  Do you want to?  Maybe not yet, but with names like Elvis and Scarlett gaining widespread popularity a generation or two after the fame of their original bearers, we all might end up having grandchildren named Madonna.

MAE and MAY – A mere handful of years ago, Mae was a quintessential old-lady name, barely baby-appropriate, but today it feels as sweetly simple as a warm day in the sun.  Can be a short form for any of the Mary variations and also makes a good middle name.

MAISIE – Maisie takes Daisy and raises it one.  An insouciant, charming name, Maisie can be given on its own or can be used as a short form for any of the Mary variations – or even for Margaret.

MAMIE – Mamie is sassier than either Mae or Maisie, though definitely in the same family.  An old-fashioned nickname that’s enjoying another day in the sun, Mamie was the name of President Eisenhower’s wife and is also the nickname of Meryl Streep’s actress daughter – both mother and daughter are properly named Mary Louise.

MANON – This French diminutive of Marie is very popular in its own right there and would make a distinctive and unusual choice here, but one with some genuine underpinnings.  Parents considering Manon should see the French film, Manon of the Spring.

MAREN – The Norwegian form of Mary has the emphasis on the first syllable, as opposed to Marin as in the lovely county north of San Francisco, pronounced ma-RIN.

MARIA – As common as Mary in Latin cultures, Maria often gets overlooked for its own intrinsic beauty.  But with the ascendance of Sophia and Olivia, it deserves the same appreciation as a womanly classic that carries considerable feminine charm and a touch of the exotic.  And it feels fresher now, too, than the overworked Mariah.

MARIAN – Marian the Librarian pretty much says it all: Marian (or the somehow less charming Marion) has been stuck with a plain-faced, sensible-shoed image for too long now.  But baby namers looking to move beyond resurrected classics like Violet and Clara would do well to consider Marian, a beauty in disguise.  Among the top 20 names a hundred years ago, Marian is actually the medieval French version of Mary.

MARIETTA – French diminutive of Marie that feels a little bit buttoned up…and a little bit naughty.  An appealing combination.

MARINE – Americans may be more familiar with Marina, name of the tennis star, but the simpler Marine, redolent of the sea, has been popular in recent years in France yet is still special here.

MARISKA – Actress Mariska Hargitay brought this Czech version of Mary to the world’s attention.

MARISOL – Marissa and Marisa have been quietly but fashionably used over the past few decades, but we prefer Marisol, the more dramatic Latina version.  This name related to Stella Maris, Star of the Sea, one of the names for the Virgin Mary.

MAURYA – Irish variation that updates Maura and appears as the name of a character in literature as well as on the stage in J.M. Synge’s 1904 drama Riders to the Sea.

MINNIE – Minnie is finally shaking off its mouse associations and finding new appreciation among modern parents.  A relic of the days when so many girls were named Mary that its nicknames were many and varied, Minnie is another short form with energy and charm.

MIRIAM – The oldest known form of Mary, the Old Testament Miriam was the older sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess who led the triumphal song and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea.  One Biblical choice that has not in recent years been overused.

PILAR – Spanish classic meaning “pillar” that honors the Virgin Mary yet feels more exotic than many of the Mary variations.  A name with an ideal combination of strength and style.

POLLY – Polly, believe it or not, got its start as a nickname for Mary, though these days it would almost always be used on its own.  A variation to consider if every other female in your family is named Mary and you want to carry on tradition, but also want to call your daughter by a name distinctly her own.

SOCORRO – Another Spanish name relating to one of the Virgin Mother’s titles, this one is rarely heard on our shores but makes a good choice for the adventurous baby namer.

There are definitely other appealing Mary variations and short forms.  Tell us your favorites!

Celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic, those with and without Hibernian roots, have long been partial to Irish names for their babies. Here are some of the coolest:

AOIFE (EE-fa) –  Ciarán Hinds
Popular name dating back to a fierce woman warrior in early myth, it as been anglicized as Eva and Ava.

BECKETT – Malcolm MacDowell, Melissa Etheridge, Conan O’Brian, Stella McCartney
An appealing last-name name rich in literary associations, both to the play and film based on the life of Saint Thomas à B. and to the Irish playwright-novelist Samuel B., it’s red hot in Hollywood.

BRODY – Gabrielle Reece & Lance Hamilton
This superstar athlete couple’s choice reflects the new trend towards using Irish surnames like Reagan/Regan and Riley for both sexes: this little Brody is a girl.

CASHEL (Kash-il) – Daniel Day-Lewis & Rebecca Miller
The Irish actor and his American wife chose an unusual Irish place name for their son; it’s also seen as Caisel.

CIARÁN (KEER-in) – Padraig Harrington
The golf star chose an authentic Irish name to match his own.

DARBY – Patrick Dempsey
Disney’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People made this spirited, light-hearted name seem more Irish than it actually is.

DELANEY – Martina McBride
A solid surname that’s now used far more for girls than boys.

DONOVAN – Charisma Carpenter, Noel Gallagher
Another appealing surname, this one has long outgrown its “Mellow Yellow” associations.

FINLEY – Chris O’Donnell, Holly Marie Combs, Lisa Marie Presley
One of the newly popular Fin-family of names, also spelled Finlay (as used by Sadie Frost).

FINN – Christy Turlington & Ed Burns, Jane Leeves, Andrea Catherwood
This is a name with enormous energy and charm, that of the greatest hero of Irish myth, Finn MacCool. Other related cool star-baby names: FLYNN (Elle Macpherson), and FINNIGAN (Eric McCormack of Will & Grace fame), not to mention Julia Roberts’ phabulous Phinnaeus.

FIONA – Jennie Garth
Although this name is a Scottish invention, it has an Irish feel and is commonly found among the Finolas and Fionnualas.

GULLIVER – Gary Oldman, Damian Lewis
This relatively rare Gaelic surname was known primarily through his literary Travels until actor Oldman transformed it into a lively baby-name option.

IRELAND – Kim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
If Ireland isn’t Irish, what is?

JAMES PADRAIG (PAW-drig) – Colin Farrell
Cool combination of classic New Testament name with one of the many authentic versions of the name of Ireland’s patron saint.

JUNO – Will Champion (Coldplay)
The success of the eponymous little-movie-that-could was sure to establish Juno, with its lively image and classic roots, as a potential baby name–and it’s already started on its way.

KIERAN – Julianna Margulies
Irish ‘K’ names are a hot commodity for boys–a category that includes Kieran, Keegan, Keaton and Killian.

LENNON – Patsy Kensit & Liam Gallagher
Naming a child after your cultural or other hero gives him two cool advantages: a name with real meaning and a positive image to reach towards. Another rocker, Zakk Wylde, chose Hendrix as his son’s musical hero name.

LIAM – Calista Flockhart, Tori Spelling
Sprightly and richly textured classic that started as a short form of William.

MAEVE – Chris O’Donnell
An early Irish goddess and queen name, short but strong, now catching on across the pond. The O’Donnells named another of their five children Finley.

MALACHY (MAL-a-kee)  – Cillian Murphy
An Irish version of a biblical name, with an expansive, almost boisterous image.

MILO – Ricki Lake, Camryn Manheim, Liv Tyler, Sherry Stringfield
Jaunty Irish spin on Miles.

QUINLIN – Ben Stiller
A strong surname name usually spelled Quinlan that could make a child feel distinctive while still having the easy to handle nickname of Quinn.

QUINN – Sharon Stone
“The mighty Quinn” is a unisex name that’s strong for both genders.

RAFFERTY – Sadie Frost & Jude Law
One of the coolest of the Irish surnames, with a raffish quality all its own.

ROAN – Sharon Stone
A strong, red-haired choice.

RÓISIN (Roh-sheen) – Sinéad O’Connor
An authentic selection for a little Irish rose.

RONAN – Rebecca Miller & Daniel Day-Lewis
Compelling, legendary name of ten Celtic saints.

ROWAN – Brooke Shields
This friendly Irish surname was almost unheard of as a girl’s name before Brooke Shields made the gender switch; now it shows lots of potential as a likable, unisex choice.

SAOIRSE ROISIN (SEER-sha Roh-sheen) – Courtney Kennedy
Meaning “liberty,” Saoirse has been used since the 1920s as a statement of freedom.

SHEA – Kevin James
Common surname that projects spirit and substance; can also be seen as a short form of Seamus.

SULLIVAN – Patrick Dempsey
A jaunty Irish surname name with a real twinkle in its eye, used for the twin of Darby.

TALLULAH – Patrick Dempsey, Simon LeBon, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Damon Dash, Demi Moore & Bruce Willis
The then Willises almost single-handedly launched the cool starbaby name concept when they chose SCOUT and RUMER as well as the more user-friendly Tallulah for their girls. This Anglicization of Tuilelaith is now being picked up on by other celeb parents.

For more Irish celebrity baby names, plus Irish names of all flavors, check out our new book Cool Irish Names for Babies.

One of the great mysteries of baby-naming is how a name comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a fashionable, popular choice.

Finn is such a name.  When we wrote our first baby-naming book, Beyond Jennifer & Jason, 20 years ago, Finn appeared in exactly one place: As a So Far Out It’s In name, in the Irish surname category.

Finn has a lot going for it, starting with the very first inspiration for the name, the greatest hero of Irish mythology, Finn McCool.   How could a name not be cool with an ancestor like that?

But unlike other, far more complex Irish names, Finn has tremendous crossover potential.  It’s also kind of Scandinavian, sort of fishy, easy to spell and say, plus has several attractive relatives: Finnian, Finnegan, Finlay.

And it’s been chosen by such high profile couples as Ed Burns and Christy Turlington for their son, while Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn named their daughter Finley, a version also chosen by Lisa Marie Presley for one of her newborn twin girls.

Once you dissect all that, it’s easy to see that Finn’s popularity hardly came from nowhere.  And it’s a name that’s unlikely to fade away again anytime soon.

For more names from Irish mythology, check out our new book, Cool Irish Names for Babies.

AND HAVE A HAPPY ST. PATRICK‘S DAY!

The cover baby of our published-today book Cool Irish Names is an adorable redhead, appropriate for a volume that includes lots of Irish names that mean red hair (there are lists of those that mean blond and dark hair, too, but that’s another post).

Red-haired names have a special significance for me, being a coppery redhead myself.  My mom had bright red hair, as does my middle child, Joe.  And daughter Rory’s name is one of the red-haired choices, appropriate since she has my coppery hair.

Here, from our new book Cool Irish Names, is a list of names for your own little redhead.  For Irish-American babies, accents and Gaelic spellings are optional:

girls

COCHRANN

CORCAIR (KOR-kar)

FLANNAIT (Fla-nitch)

RÓISÍN (Ro-SHEEN)

SCARLETT (Crimson or Ruby could work in the same way, though they don’t sound very Irish)

boys

ALROY

CORC

CORCÁN

CORCRÁN/Corcoran

DEARGÁN (JAR-gan)

FLANNÁN (Flan-AWN)

LOCHLAN – Though this name does not strictly mean red-haired, it’s a nod to the “land of the lochs,” homeland of the Vikings who brought fair and red hair to Ireland.

either

CLANCY

DERRY

FLANN

FLANAGAN

FLANNERY

FLYNN

RUAIRÍ , RORY

ROWAN