Animal Names for Boys

Spelling variation of Grayson. Entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.

Greysen

Words are not always easy to translate into <a href="https://nameberry.com/">baby names</a>, but the implications of being straight and swift lend this one great potential as a name. It also has the popular o-sound ending, which brings it further into the realm of possibility. Rising rock star Aja Volkman pulled a gender switch when she named her daughter Arrow Eve.

Arrow

This is a name that deserves more attention. Cordell is an occupational name that, through its similarity in sound to Cornell, Denzel, Dashiell,  Boswell and Maxwell, feels both on-trend and upmarket.

Cordell

Though it may have a slightly different pronunciation than Devin, this name is struggling to gain momentum.

Davon

Donte

Harper got its start as a celebrity baby name when Paul Simon chose it for his now-grown son. Since then, other famous parents have followed suit: musician Tim Finn and actor Cecilia Peck both have sons called Harper.

Other high-profile Harpers, like author (Nelle) Harper Lee and starbabies Harper Burtka-Harris and Harper Beckham, are female, but it makes a handsome choice for either sex (and is in the US Top 1000 for both boys and girls).

Harper

Familiar to many by means of the spelling Hershey — as in the chocolate company, named for founder Milton Hershey. Surprisingly, the Hershy spelling was given to significantly more baby boys in recent years than Hershey — 71 versus 10.

Hershy

Jacobo

Abubakr is a masculine name of Arabic origin, representing a variant transliteration of Abu Bakr. The name carries profound historical and religious significance in Islamic tradition, as Abu Bakr was the first caliph and closest companion of the Prophet Muhammad. The name literally means 'father of the camel foal' in Arabic, though its cultural importance far outweighs this literal translation. Abubakr is popular in Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The name symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, and steadfast faith, qualities associated with the historical figure. Various spelling variations exist due to transliteration differences from Arabic script to Latin alphabet. Parents choosing this name often do so to honor religious heritage and to inspire values of integrity, leadership, and devotion.

Abubakr

Comedian Roseanne Barr chose this macho nature name for her son. In the 18th century it was used to describe a dashing, fashionable dressed man. Buck fits in well alongside names like Beck, Jack and Huck. 

 The traditional name of the full moon in July, Buck Moon, relates to the fact that the antlers of male deer reach their peak growth around this time of year.

Buck

A once trendy name for girls but that's now in decline, this musical option has actually been slowly and quietly on the rise as a masculine option. Given to 115 boys in 2023, compared to 75 in 2017, it could be an alternative to Caleb or Caiden with a hint of creative flair about it. 



Cadence

Chosen was one of the fastest rising names for boys in the early 2020s, joining the likes of Saint and Messiah in the US Top 1000. Spelling variations of the name also rose up the charts, with Chosyn being one such option. Given to 72 girls and 57 boys in a recent year, it will likely stay on trend as long as Chosen does. 

Chosyn

Simple and succinct, Deen is a multi-cultural choice with a number of possible origins. On one hand, it could be a spelling twist on the solid and surname-inspired Dean. Alternatively, it might come from the Arabic name and word Dinmeaning "faith, religion or custom", or it could be from the Hebrew name Dinah, meaning "God's judgement".
 
Sometimes used in Croatia and Bosnia as a short form of Aldin, Bernadin or similar, Deen is also the name of an Irish river. Notably borne by Journey member Deen Castronovo and by Bosnian Eurovision representative, Deen, the name has been quietly climbing upwards in the US stats. Given to nearly 70 boys in 2024, it is more than twice as popular as it was a decade ago.

Deen

The second book of the Bible provides a dramatic name that's more distinct than Genesis and simpler than Leviticus.

Exodus

Hashim is a masculine name of Arabic origin, meaning 'crusher' or 'breaker', historically referring to one who breaks bread to share with others—a symbol of generosity. The name carries significant Islamic heritage as Hashim ibn Abd Manaf was the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad and progenitor of the Banu Hashim clan, from which many important Islamic figures descended. The Hashemite royal family of Jordan traces their lineage to this clan. Hashim is widely used throughout Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa. The name conveys values of hospitality, generosity, and noble lineage. While not among the most common Muslim names globally, it maintains steady popularity and is immediately recognized within Islamic cultures.

Hashim

Avir is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'air' or 'atmosphere,' connecting the bearer to elemental qualities of freedom and expansiveness. In Sanskrit traditions, Avir can relate to energy or strength. The name's simplicity and distinctive sound have contributed to its modest but growing popularity among parents seeking unique names with cross-cultural appeal. Avir is appreciated for its brevity, modern feel, and positive associations with breathing and life itself. The name's short length makes it easily pronounceable in various languages, adding to its international versatility.

Avir

Axell is a masculine name that represents a variation of Axel, which originated from the Hebrew name Absalom meaning 'father of peace.' This spelling with a double 'l' gives the traditional name a distinctive edge while maintaining its strong, masculine sound. Axel gained popularity in Scandinavian countries through the medieval Danish archbishop Absalon, later known as Axel. The name experienced renewed interest in the late 20th and early 21st centuries across Europe and North America. The variant Axell remains less common, offering uniqueness while keeping the name's robust character. With its concise one-syllable pronunciation and ending consonants, Axell conveys strength and modernity. The name works well cross-culturally and has associations with determination and resilience, making it appealing for parents seeking a name with both historical roots and contemporary style.

Axell

This traditional Arabic name, found throughout several other Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures, is one of the 99 names of Allah. Colorful and energetic, it was brought into the realm of crossover possibility via the lively personality of Aziz Ansari, stand-up comic and star of "Master of None" as well as a featured actor on "Parks and Recreation," playing cocky Tom Haverford (born Darwish Sabir Ismael Gani).
 The female version Aziza also has a lot of appeal.

Aziz

The popular -ley suffix can be credited for this name's use in recent years. We're not loving that it sounds as trendy and of-the-moment as it is.

Brentley

Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 62 baby boys were named Calix in 2024. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.
 
Calix derives from the Latin word for chalice, calyx, which in turn came from the Ancient Greek word kálux, meaning "husk" or "pod." It is also considered a diminutive of Calixtus, a variation of the Late Roman name Callistus meaning "most beautiful." Calyx can also be spelled Calyx, as in the funnel or chalice-shaped part of a flower.