Animal Names for Boys

This spelling variation of Adrian was popular in France and Belgium during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, peaking in 1991 when it reached the Top 20 in France. While it has since declined in use, it remains a familiar choice in French speaking countries. 
 
While some parents in the US may worry the -en spelling will be read as feminine (and too similar to Adrienne), the name actually featured in the Top 1000 from 1999 until 2021, peaking in 2009 when it reached #696	. Though it has now dipped out of the charts, it was still given to around 171 boys in 2024, compared to no girls at all. 
 
Ultimately derived from Hadrianus, a Roman family name associated with the ancient settlements of Adria and Atri in Italy, Adrian, and therefore Adrien, are also speculated to have come from an Illyrian word for "sea". 
 
Notably borne by actor Adrien Brody and by the character Adrien Agreste from Miraculous Ladybug, this spelling feels international, elegant, and strong, but equally slightly gentler than the more popular Adrian or the bold Hadrian.

Adrien

Booker would make for a very cool name, for writers, reformers, R & B fans and those wanting to pay tribute to Booker T. Washington.

Booker T. Washington, born into enslavement, became a dominant figure in African-American history. Musician Booker T. Jones, of Booker T. and the M.G's, was named for Booker T.Washington. "Booker" was also the name of a short-lived TV crime drama series, spun off from "21 Jump Street".

Another reference plus for literary-minded parents, beyond the obvious book: the U.K. Man Booker Prize, awarded annually to the best novel.

 No longer on the US popularity list, it was as high as Number 177 in 1910 and would make for an old-school cool option today. In fact, it has nearly doubled in use in the last five years and was given to around 175 boys in 2023. With Brooks and Walker both popular choices, it may well continue to climb.

Booker

This old Cornish name took on a whole new identity via Denzel Washington, who has inspired several thousand namesakes. The actor was named after his father, who was named for a Dr. Denzel, who delivered him. 

Denzel

A romantic choice, this appealing <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/806/spanish-names-for-boys">Spanish name for boys</a> is both accessible and distinctive.

Amado

Benaiah is an unusual Biblical choice that can get you to Ben. 

Benaiah

Eythan is a modern variation of the traditional Hebrew name Ethan, which means 'strong,' 'firm,' or 'enduring.' This alternative spelling maintains the original pronunciation while giving the name a distinctive, contemporary appearance. The traditional Ethan appears in the Hebrew Bible as a wise man and musician. While the standard spelling Ethan has enjoyed significant popularity in the United States and other English-speaking countries since the 1980s, the Eythan variant remains relatively uncommon. This alternative spelling began appearing more frequently in the early 2000s, reflecting the trend toward unique name spellings. Parents might choose Eythan to honor Hebrew heritage while giving their child a slightly distinctive version of a popular biblical name.

Eythan

Arham

Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.

A popular choice amongst the African American naming community in the 90s, Deandre has been falling out of style in favor of more contemporary choices. Deriving from Andre — the French and Portuguese form of Biblical Andrew — with the prefix de- meaning "son of", Deandre has an attractive, bouncy rhythm.

Deandre

A lesser-known archangel, but the name is probably best known today on comedian Gadiel Del Orte. Thanks to him, and the trend for biblical-sounding names, Gadiel has been rising in recent years.

Gadiel

Occupation names and spiritual names are in style, so it's hardly surprising that Bishop has been making appearances in the Top 1000. Popular back in the late 19th and early 20th century, it reappeared in the charts in 2015. Given to 170 boys in a recent year, it tends to drop in and out of the Top 1000.
 
Derived from Greek, from which it means "overseer", a bishop is a senior member of the church. It is also associated with the game of chess and a species of weaver bird.

Bishop

Coolly attractive African name, with distinguished representatives in sports and literature. Jabari has been on the rise recently, returning to the US Top 1000 in 2023.

Jabari

Amirion is possibly a variation of the Hebrew name Amiron, meaning "my nation is a song", however, it may also be an elaboration of the popular and cross-cultural Amir — meaning "treetop" or "prince" — in the style of Jamarion. In this case, its origin could be either Hebrew or Arabic.
 
The name first appeared in the US name data in 2017, and was used quietly until the early 2020s, when it began to climb the charts. Given to more than 170 boys in a recent year, it combines the sounds of Amir, Amari, Orion and Zion and was a fast rising choice in 2025, when it nearly tripled in usage.

Amirion

Cove is an up-and-coming nature name whose cool sound and peaceful image saw it rising for both sexes... until COVID-19 hit. It remained steady in use for boys in 2021, but actually increased for girls, although it remains a seriously rare and distinctive choice for either gender. 

Cove

In the Old Testament, Jair is a son of Manasseh as well as a judge of the Israelites. Jair is off its 2003 peak but is still hanging on in the Top 1000 and as a simple yet distinctive name with serious history, is worthy of consideration.

Jair

Similar in sound to Evan and Everett, Ever is an evocative word name that's currently on the rise. Used by Alanis Morissette and Souleye back in 2010, Ever was given to more than 200 boys in 2024, compared to 115 girls. 
 
As an English word name, it feels fresh and on trend, but Ever also have its roots in the Hebrew name Eber, meaning "the region beyond" and to the Germanic Eberhard, the source of Everett, meaning "wild as a boar".

Ever

One of those truly international names, with a similar feel to Roman, Arthur, and Artem, without the popularity, in the US at least. The name is in fact in the Top 50 in Armenia and Bosnia, while it also features in the UK Top 800.
 
Strong and solid, with the gentler M sound too, Arman could be a a variation of the German name Herman, meaning "soldier". It could be inspired by the French and Catalan form, Armand.
 
Alternatively, Arman could be a form of Armen, an Armenian name literally meaning "land of Armenia", but it can equally be a name in its own right, from Persian and Kazakh origin, meaning "hope, dream, purpose" or from Turkish meaning "wish".
 
A powerful name, Arman travels well.

Arman

Eyden is a modern masculine name that emerged as a variation of Aiden, with alternative spellings like Ayden and Aidan. It combines trendy elements with a distinctive look, featuring the fashionable '-den' ending that has become popular in contemporary naming. The name has gained modest popularity in the 21st century, particularly among parents seeking something familiar yet slightly unique. While Eyden doesn't have deep historical roots, it carries the appealing qualities of its Irish predecessor Aidan, which means 'little fire' or 'fiery one.' The distinctive spelling with 'Ey-' gives the name a more contemporary edge while maintaining its connection to more established variants.

Eyden

Both a saint's name and a presidential one via Gerald Ford—who was born Leslie—Gerald is a quintessential 1930s-40s name, when it ranked as high as Number 19. Hence all those nice middle-aged and senior Jerrys we've known and loved. Gerald has always been popular in Ireland, accounting for the prevalence of Fitzgeralds there. Though not considered stylish, Gerald remains on the popularity charts. Cousin Gerard has a similar profile, Geraldo is the well-used Spanish version, and Geraldine is the most promising of the family, in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Gerald

In the US, Emmanuel has held steady around the Top 200 for a quarter century now, but this variation has dropped off the Top 1000 for three of the past seven years. It was Number 974 in 2016.
 Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher in the eighteenth century.