Cute, girly boy names
- Umber
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
Conjures up the rich brown colors of raw and burnt umber, but it may be too close to girls' Amber.
- Xen
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"meditation"Description:
Xen and Zen, both pronounced the same way, are two hip new spiritual word names from Buddhist practice. Among the celebrity set, Corey Feldman has a Zen and Tisha Campbell Martin's son is Xen.
- Zola
Origin:
Literary surnameDescription:
Authors or Francophiles – or both – could consider this zippy name in honor of renowned French writer Émile Zola, author of Germinal, Thérèse Raquin and the infamous open letter J'Accuse...!.
- Amica
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"female friend"Description:
Amica is a word meaning girlfriend that is not often used as a name in Italy, but it would sound pretty and name-like elsewhere.
- Ming
Origin:
ChineseMeaning:
"shining bright"Description:
A common Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean unisex name, and the name of a culturally rich Chinese Dynastic period. Yao Ming is the seven and a half foot Shanghai-born basketball star. Trivia tidbit: His parents were the tallest couple in China at the time of his birth.
- Clare
Origin:
Diminutive of ClarenceDescription:
Nowadays, Clare tends to be viewed as a feminine name, but this is a short and sweet Irish-flavored name that could work just as well on a boy. Noted male bearers of the name Clare include Canadian ice hockey legend Clare Drake, US cartoonist Clare Briggs, and Grammy winning musician Clare Fischer.
- Tew
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"warrior god"Description:
Tew many conflicting word spellings.
- Golden
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Like Silver, a shimmering metallic color name, that may lean too dazzling for some, but more grounded for others, thanks to its similarity of Alden, Auden, Elden and Gordon. Given to 100 babies in a recent year, Golden is currently a gender neutral choice.
- Fabio
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of FabianMeaning:
"bean grower"Description:
Sounds like exactly what it is: The name of a romance novel hero.
- Luckson
Description:
Luckson is a masculine name that blends 'luck' with the traditional English suffix '-son,' meaning 'son of luck.' This distinctive name carries positive connotations of good fortune and prosperity. Though relatively uncommon in Western countries, it has gained some popularity in parts of Africa, particularly Zimbabwe and South Africa, where names with optimistic meanings are valued. Parents who choose this name often hope to bestow good fortune on their child. Luckson projects strength and positivity while maintaining a unique quality that sets it apart from more common names.
- Sisto
Description:
Sisto is a masculine name of Italian and Spanish origin, derived from the Latin name Sixtus, meaning 'sixth.' The name has historical significance in Catholic tradition, as six popes have taken the name Sixtus (or Sisto in Italian). The most famous was Pope Sixtus V, who played a crucial role in the Counter-Reformation and in the development of Baroque Rome. While relatively uncommon outside of Italy and Spanish-speaking regions, Sisto has a strong, distinctive sound with its crisp consonants. The name carries an air of classical dignity and Mediterranean charm. For families with Italian or Hispanic heritage, Sisto represents a connection to cultural roots while offering a less common alternative to popular names.
- Elizar
Origin:
Spanish variation of Eleazar or LazarusMeaning:
"God is my Helper"Description:
Elizar is the Spanish version of this attractive name, on the cusp of going from uncommon to big.
- Philadelphia
Origin:
Greek place-nameMeaning:
"brotherly love"Description:
Not nearly as popular as neighbors Trenton and Camden, but occasionally used for girls. Shirley Temple played a Philadelphia in the old western movie "Fort Apache."
- Yancey
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"yankee"Description:
A fancy TV western name that didn't catch on like fellow cowboys Luke and Josh, but definitely has a certain amount of charm. It is also spelled Yancy, as in the 1950s series Yancy Derringer. It was first spotted in the Edna Ferber novel Cimarron, which became a popular movie.
- Page
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"page, attendant"Description:
Strictly for the girls.
- Gay
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"joyful"Description:
The meaning of this word flipped from "cheerful" to "homosexual" during the twentieth century, and it's now almost certainly too loaded to sit comfortably as a baby name. Which is a shame as sound-wise it's very appealing, just a short step away from Gray, Gale and Guy.
- Doon
Description:
Doon is a rare masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Scottish Gaelic 'dùn' meaning 'fort' or 'hill,' or possibly from Irish place names. The name could also be connected to the River Doon in Scotland, made famous in Robert Burns' poem 'The Banks o' Doon.' With its short, strong sound, Doon has a distinctive quality that's easy to pronounce and remember. Despite these appealing characteristics, it remains quite uncommon in most naming records. The name has literary connections through John Gregory Dunne's novel 'True Confessions,' which features a character named Doon. Its rarity gives it a unique appeal for parents seeking an uncommon name with natural or geographical associations.
- Tiarney
Description:
Tiarney is a masculine name with Celtic roots, though it's also occasionally used for girls. It derives from the Irish surname Ó Tighearnaigh, meaning "descendant of Tighearnach," with the element "tighearna" translating to "lord" or "master." The name is a variant spelling of Tierney, which has historically been more common. Tiarney carries connotations of leadership and nobility from its etymological origins. While not among the most popular names, it has seen modest usage in Ireland, Scotland, and among diaspora communities. The name offers a distinctive Celtic option that balances traditional roots with a contemporary feel. Potential nicknames include Tiar or Ney. Tiarney's unique spelling gives it a distinctive quality while maintaining connections to Irish heritage.
- Zelig
Origin:
Yiddish, variation of SeligMeaning:
"blessed, happy"Description:
Woody Allen introduced us to the name Zelig as the ever-morphing title character of his 1983 film. Zelig does have an upbeat meaning, and nickname Zelie makes it accessible for a girl, though it's an undeniably quirky choice for either gender.
