By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 139 pages
of 139
Welsh variation of John
Ieuan was in the England & Wales Top 300 from the late 90s until the late-2000s, but in other countries, the pronunciation and spelling would be troublesome.
German variation of Ignatius
Natz recommended.
English, possible variation of Ivan
So identified with the hero of the Sir Walter Scott novel, it would be almost impossible for any boy to carry.
English variation of Yves
"yew wood"
Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
Hungarian variation of Isidore
See ISIDORE.
Scottish variation of Jack
This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.
Portuguese variation of Jacob
Intriguing twist on Jacob, but may be too strongly associated with Michael Jackson.
Dutch variation of Jacob and James
Jaap is a common if not exactly fashionable first name for boys' in The Netherlands. For more on Dutch names and their pronunciation, check out this specialty website:…
Abbreviation of James or short form of Jasper
Finnish variation of John
"God is gracious"
This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.
Polish
"god is gracious"
A short form of the very popular Polish name Jan, which is the equivalent of John in English. Short forms ending in -ek are very widespread in Poland, but it is rare that one is given as the official…
Hungarian variation of John
Pronounced YAH-nosh, has a serious, violin-playing air. Perhaps that's why it has so many nicknames: JANCKZI, JANCSI, JANI, JANKIA, JANKO.
Even more Olde World, especially with that accent.
Finnish, variation of Jeremiah
Rarely heard in the US, but borne by Jorma Taccone an actor featured on the TV series Girls ., who was named after the Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. Taccone--who plays Booth Jonathan…
Welsh variation of Justin
Unusual twist -- but everyone will hear it as Justin -- or jester.
Spanish variation of Jesus, from Joshua
Used exclusively and extensively in the Latino community, making it the seventy-third most popular name in America.
Danish variation of George
Anglicizing it to a phonetic pronunciation might make it easier.
Spanish variation of JosÉ
Le Pew. We don't think so, although it's a megacommon nickname name in Latino countries.
Spanish variation of Junius
Junot, which sounds like the goddess and indie movie name "Juno" and the Alaskan place name Juneau, is actually someting completely different. The literati will recognize the unusual name of writer…
Cornish variation of Kane
"man of the eastern sky"
This name is unusual enough that the spelling variation won't be too much of a further complication. While the Biblical cognate Cain may be more classic, this removes the name from any negative…
