Animal Names for Boys

Named for Millard. Or the late great rock palace. 

Filmore

This is an ancient saints' name well used in Ireland but a rarity here and unlikely to ever reach the popularity of other Finn-ish names. St. Finbarr (the more common spelling) is the patron saint of Cork and in Irish folklore, Finbarr was king of the fairies.


Finbar

Fineas is a distinctive masculine name that represents a variant of the more common Phineas. With roots in Hebrew, the name means "oracle" and is associated with biblical heritage. Though relatively uncommon in contemporary usage, Fineas offers parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive option with historical gravitas. The name carries a dignified quality while maintaining a friendly, approachable sound. In popular culture, the name might evoke connections to characters like Phineas Finn from Anthony Trollope's novels or the animated character Phineas Flynn. While not among the top-ranked names in most countries, Fineas continues to appeal to parents drawn to names with both historical depth and a slight unconventional edge.

Fineas

Finegan is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from the name 'Fionnagán,' which is a diminutive form of 'fionn,' meaning 'fair' or 'white.' This ancient name carries the connotation of light-colored hair or a fair complexion. Despite its authentic Celtic roots, Finegan remains relatively uncommon as a first name, giving it a distinctive quality. The name has a friendly, approachable feel while maintaining a strong Irish heritage connection. It offers the popular nicknames Finn or Finny, which add versatility. Finegan fits well with the trend toward rediscovering traditional Celtic names while offering something less common than the more popular Finnegan spelling.

Finegan

A name from Irish mythology. Finegas was an elderly druid who taught the hero Finn McCool. From the Old Irish fionn + éices ‘scholar’, ‘sage’, ‘seer’ and ‘poet’.

Finegas

"Saturday Night Live" cast member Finesse Mitchell often mocks his own and similar names when portraying the character Starkeisha on the show. 

Finesse

Originally a nickname for Viking invaders, it gained fresh impetus in the 18th century when James Macpherson made Fingal the central character in his Ossianic poems.  An offbeat addition to the Fin- family of names.

Fingal

Fingall is a masculine name of Celtic and Gaelic origin. It likely derives from the historical term 'Fine Gall,' referring to the 'foreign tribe' or 'Norse-Gaels' who settled parts of Ireland. The name has strong historical and cultural connections to Scottish and Irish heritage. Fingall conveys strength and ancient nobility, evoking images of Celtic warriors and highland traditions. Very rare in modern usage, it offers an extremely distinctive option for parents seeking names with authentic Celtic roots. The name has a commanding presence with its strong consonant sounds and historical weight, potentially appealing to those with connections to Gaelic heritage.

Fingall

We love a fresh name that leads to the hip nickname Finn. Finhas is an Ethiopian variant of Phineas that does just that. 

Finhas

Finien is a rare masculine name that appears to be a variant of Finian, which has Irish Gaelic origins. The name derives from the Irish "fionn" meaning "fair" or "white." Finien likely refers to the diminutive form meaning "little fair one." The name is associated with Saint Finian of Clonard, a significant 6th-century Irish monastic figure who founded the monastery at Clonard and is known as a teacher of saints. Despite its historical and religious connections, Finien remains extremely uncommon as a given name in modern usage. The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft sounds and two-syllable structure. For parents drawn to Irish heritage without wanting extremely popular Celtic names like Finn or Liam, Finien offers a distinctive alternative with authentic roots and a pleasing sound.

Finien

Finis is a masculine name derived from the Latin word meaning 'end,' 'boundary,' or 'conclusion.' Historically, this name was sometimes given to a final child in a family, signifying that parents did not plan to have more children. While relatively rare in contemporary usage, Finis has occasional historical appearances, particularly in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name carries philosophical overtones, suggesting completion and fulfillment. Though uncommon, Finis offers a distinctive classical quality with its Latin derivation and meaningful etymology. Its brevity and clear pronunciation give it accessibility despite its rarity. For parents drawn to names with clear meanings and historical depth, Finis presents an uncommon option with significant symbolic resonance.

Finis

Finlea is an uncommon masculine name with Celtic roots, likely derived as a variation of names like Finley or Finlay, which come from the Gaelic 'fionn lagh' meaning 'fair warrior' or 'fair hero.' The softer ending distinguishes it from the more common Finley while maintaining the appealing 'Fin' beginning that has gained popularity in contemporary naming. Though rare in historical records, Finlea represents the modern trend of adapting traditional Celtic names with subtle variations. The name carries a gentle strength, blending masculine heritage with a slightly softer sound pattern. Its rarity makes it distinctive without being completely unfamiliar, appealing to parents drawn to Irish and Scottish naming traditions who seek something unique yet connected to authentic cultural roots with an accessible pronunciation and spelling.

Finlea

Finlo is a name from the Isle of Man, deriving from that island's pagan sun god, Lugh. Given the popularity of all Finn names right now, Finlo could be a great alternative for people who love the "Fin" sound but want a more unusual name.

Finlo

Finnbar is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, deriving from the elements 'fionn' meaning 'fair, white' and 'barr' meaning 'head, top' or 'chief.' It's a variant of the more common Finbar or Fionbharr, associated with the 6th-century Saint Finbarr, founder of Cork. The name carries connotations of leadership, wisdom, and fairness. Finnbar has seen modest increased interest alongside the rise of other Irish names and Finn-prefixed names in English-speaking countries. It offers parents a name with authentic Irish heritage that's distinctive yet pronounceable in English. The name combines traditional roots with a contemporary sound, appealing to those seeking a name with cultural depth and a slightly uncommon quality.

Finnbar

Finnbarr is a masculine name with deep Irish roots, derived from the Gaelic 'Fionnbharr' meaning 'fair-haired' or 'fair-headed.' This ancient name was borne by several Irish saints, most notably St. Finnbarr (also known as Bairre or Barre), the patron saint of Cork, Ireland who lived in the 6th century. While less common than the shortened form Finn, Finnbarr offers a direct connection to Irish heritage and mythology. The name carries a distinctive, traditional quality that speaks to Celtic history and culture. In modern usage, Finnbarr remains relatively rare, making it appealing for parents seeking an authentic Irish name that stands out. With the rising popularity of Irish names and shorter forms like Finn, Finnbarr offers a more complete alternative with historical depth and a strong, masculine sound.

Finnbarr

These days Finney is most likely a pet form of Finn, but it was once a standard nickname for the biblical Phineas.

Finney

Finngeirr

Finnin is a rare masculine name with Irish roots. It appears to be a diminutive or variant form of the more common Irish name Finn or Fionn, which means 'fair' or 'white.' In Irish mythology, Fionn mac Cumhaill was a legendary warrior with supernatural wisdom. Finnin maintains the strong, Celtic feel of its root name while offering a distinctive ending that sets it apart. Despite its authentic Irish heritage, Finnin remains uncommon even in Ireland and other English-speaking countries, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking a name with traditional roots but unique character. Its soft ending balances the strong initial sound, creating a name that is both masculine and gentle.

Finnin

Finnlea is a masculine name with Irish and Gaelic roots. It combines the popular Irish name Finn (meaning "fair" or "white") with the suffix "-lea" which often relates to meadows or clearings in Celtic languages. This blend creates a name suggesting "fair meadow" or "white clearing." Finnlea represents a modern compound name that maintains strong Celtic connections while feeling fresh and contemporary. Though relatively uncommon, it has gained modest attention in the early 21st century as parents increasingly seek names with Irish heritage that aren't overly common. The name carries a gentle, nature-inspired quality while still providing the popular nickname option of Finn.

Finnlea

The Old Norse Finnr or Finnur may resemble the Irish Finn or Fionn but is a name referring to a Finn or Laplander, the original meaning of which is wanderer.

Thanks to @rosebeth for this clarification.