Names That Mean Cattle

Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.

Two completely different images come from its national pronunciations -- BOY-err or boy-AY -- the latter giving it an effete French accent.

Animal names are booming, but this is one that's never been used — although Boaz, which means "ox" in Hebrew, is starting to see more use. With its connotations of strength, teamwork and perseverance, and cool X sound, well, why not? It would work especially well for a child born in the Chinese Year of the Ox (February 2021-January 2022). If you need a longer version an obvious option is Oxford, but there's also Oxley, Oxton, or a slightly different sound like Oakley or Oswald.

Drover, an ancient occupational surname, is right in step with today's styles and would make a distinctive choice. Drover and brothers are fresh updates of such now-widely-used names as Carter and Cooper.

O-ending boy names are on trend, and the Welsh language provides some interesting lesser-used ones...such as Beuno. St Beuno lived in the sixth century, established a monastery in North Wales, and is recorded as having restored several people from the dead. Eleven churches in Britain now bear his name, including several on the ancient pilgrim route to Bardsey Island.