Animal Names for Boys

Surname name Grayson has become quite popular in recent years, bringing with it Gray, Grey, Greyson, and, yes, Graysen.
 Former professional hockey player Neil Little has a son named Graysen.

Graysen

Aariv is connected to the Hindu god Krisha, who represents wisdom.

Aariv

Aviel is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is my father.' This biblical-inspired name combines 'avi' (father) with 'el' (God), reflecting its deep spiritual significance in Jewish tradition. While uncommon in mainstream usage, Aviel has maintained steady usage in Jewish communities, particularly in Israel. The name carries spiritual connotations while offering a modern sound that works well internationally. With its distinctive yet accessible three-syllable structure, Aviel presents a meaningful alternative to more common biblical names. It shares connections with names like Abiel and Avigail while maintaining its own unique identity. For parents seeking a name with spiritual significance and Hebrew roots, Aviel offers depth of meaning with contemporary appeal.

Aviel

Cameron is still more popular as a boy's name than a girls and this simple, snappy short form works well for either sex.

A simple but strong name with a great meaning.

Advik

The surname-style Alden has been on the rise in the US in recent years, while tree-inspired Rowan is a top choice. Combine this with the popularity of names ending in -er such as Carter and Parker and it makes sense why Alder is now 4 times as popular as it was a decade ago. Given to 125 boys in a recent year, it could be a modern way to honor an "Al". 
 
Deriving from an old English surname or from the alder tree, whose wood is used to make electric guitars, Alder can mean "old" if considered a variation on the Germanic alter or "red, brown" when you follow the root of the tree name.
 
Sometimes said to symbolise regeneration, resurrection, and life thanks to the ability of the alder tree to regrow quickly, thrive in inhospitable land, and bleed red sap, Alder is a name to watch out for.

Alder

Eliot

With Cade and Kade creeping back up the charts and Cayden, Kaden, and co. remaining popular, this alternative spelling of the the old English surname is given to around 165 boys each year. Used for a supporting character in the video game series, Bungie's Destiny, there is a small chance it may be pronounced KAY-dee (like Kayce might be KAY-cee).

Cayde

A light and breezy nature name that's currently in style limbo, despite its pleasant meaning, Dale was originally a surname, used for someone who lived near a valley. It was a Top 100 choice in the US between the 20s and 70s, though it has been out of the Top 1000 since the 2000s.
 
Given to just shy of 150 boys in a recent year, it makes a familiar-but-unique option.

Dale

Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.
 It was reported that the TV character's first name was not a tribute to the Fox network which aired The X-Files, as often assumed; show creator Chris Carter said he had a childhood friend named Fox. Fox was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2016, perhaps because of the popularity of the X-Files revival.

Huxton is a surname akin to Huxley. The second syllable ton means town, while ley usually means meadow or clearing, but Hux is credited with a range of meanings. 

The most reliable is insult or scorn, as noted by <a href="https://www.behindthename.com/name/huxley">Behind the Name</a>, probably from the literal meaning hook. We translate that to inhospitable.

Despite its less-than-savory meaning, Huxton and Huxley are stylish names with the appealing short forms Hux and Huck.

Huxton

In the 90s, Michael Jordan inspired thousands of parents around the world to name their babies Jordan. Retired NBA star Allen Iverson hasn't yet had anywhere near that impact, but a respectable 64 baby boys born in 2016 were named Iverson. The "Iv-" beginning does feel distinctive.

Iverson

The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Gray (or Grey), is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative--if slightly somber-- choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney recently named their son Leo Grey.
 A common surname, Gray/Grey is still an unusual first name choice--it hasn't made it into the Top 1000 in this century--while longer forms Grayson and Greyson are climbing rapidly, with Grayson at Number 97, and his twin at 200.
 The best known bearer of the name, former Governor Gray Davis of California, was born Joseph Graham Davis, Jr, and others with Gray names include Graydon Carter (born Edward Graydon), editor of "Vanity Fair," and Grayer, the child in "The Nanny Diaries."

Gray

Bodi is a succinct and friendly looking name, with a number of possible origins. One one hand, it could be a diminutive of the Hungarian Boldizsár, which ultimately derives from the Babylonian Belshazzar or Balthazar, in turn lending it a regal quality.
 
Alternatively, it could derive from a number of Slavic names, such as Božidar, meaning "divine gift" or Bogdan, meaning "given by God". As Slavic translations of Theodore and Theodotus, Bodi, in a way, feels like an equivalent to the English Teddy.
 
Another possibility is that it is a modern variation on the Sanskrit Bodhi, and it is likely that this is the reason for its increased usage in the US. An obscure choice before the 2000s, Bodi began to see more significant use in the mid-2010s, around the same time that Bodhi - and similar Bodie - were accelerating up the charts. By dropping the H, parents may feel like they're separating the name from its spiritual ties, while still keeping hold of that interesting -i ending.

Bodi

Another old-school nickname getting new attention thanks to TV's Mad Men. Names like Fred, Pete, and George have been out so long it's time for them to come back in. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 following a two-year absence from the list. It currently ranks Number 199 in England and Wales.

Freddy

Popular among Hispanic parents, it explains the source of the nickname Gonzo. 

Gonzalo

An international variation of classic Alexander, this form has slightly softer sounds, yet feels just as strong. Popular in Poland, the Netherlands, Norway and Slovenia, but familiar in the UK too, short forms include Aleks, Sander, Sandi, and  Sašo (Sasho). 

Aleksander

Much, much less popular variation of the ever popular Christopher.

Cristopher

This name has recently come on the radar via rising actor Dev Patel, who made his mark in Slumdog Millionaire and then in Lion and is also the name of the lead character played by Aziz Ansari in his sitcom Master of None. It could catch on here, at a time when parents are importing other three-letter names like Liv.

Finn variations of Phineas are becoming more popular because they create a more direct line to the nickname Finn, which is an ancient Irish name with its own pedigree. Finneas has been steadily growing in usage, with around 100 boys receiving the name each year in the U.S. 
 
This name has gained wider recognition thanks to Finneas O'Connell, the musician and producer, better known as the brother and collaborator of Billie Eilish. He is often known mononymously and uses the stylized FINNEAS for his works. This pop culture connection has given the name a contemporary edge while maintaining its ancient appeal.