Animal Names for Boys

Braulio is a masculine name with deep Spanish and Portuguese roots, derived from the Germanic name Braulius, combining elements meaning 'bright' and 'famous.' The name carries historical significance through Saint Braulio, a 7th-century bishop of Zaragoza, Spain, known for his scholarship and wisdom. Braulio has maintained consistent popularity in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico and throughout Latin America. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its flowing three syllables. While less common in English-speaking regions, Braulio is gaining recognition amid growing appreciation for Hispanic cultural heritage. The name conveys intelligence, strength, and dignity, offering parents a choice that's both culturally rich and melodic.

Braulio

A generation or two ago it may have been unthinkable to name your child something as bold as Divine. But with names like Messiah and Saint in the mainstream, almost anything is fair game.

Divine

Adair has flair, the grace of a Fred Astaire, and a daring, spirited vibe. It's usually considered a Scottish surname, derived from the name Edgar, though other possibilities are that it derives from the place name, Adare, meaning "ford of oak trees" or from the Irish Darragh meaning "oak tree". In any of these cases, it is pronounced uh-DEHR.
 
Alternatively, it may be used as a Portuguese name, likely as a twist on Ademar. Pronounced with three syllables ("a-du-EER"), it would mean "wealth and fame". 
 
A unisex choice, Adair does lean masculine, with 59 boys and 22 girls given the name in the US in a recent year.

Adair

An easily assimilated African name, a novel twist on Johnny. 

Ajani

To Americans, a quintessential British name, introduced to the U.S. public by suave journalist/PBS Masterpiece Theater host Alastair Cook. Sometimes used in the U.S. by parents with Scottish heritage.

Alastair

What's the difference between Alexander, the usual English spelling of this deeply classical name, and Alexandre, the French version? English speakers might find the proper French pronunciation challenging: a-lehk-SAHN-dreh, but that last syllable is barely pronounced. Americans might an an a or an ee on the end of the name, or simply pronounce it as Alexander, for better or worse.

Alexandre

Amais is a rare masculine name with possible French or Latin origins. It may be related to the French word "aimer" meaning "to love," suggesting connotations of affection and tenderness. The name has an elegant, sophisticated sound that crosses cultural boundaries well. Amais remains quite uncommon in most naming datasets, giving it an exclusive quality that appeals to parents seeking something truly distinctive for their sons. With its soft melodic quality and international flair, Amais presents as both refined and approachable. The name's brevity coupled with its musical pronunciation makes it memorable without being complicated.

Amais

A strong and meaningful Muslim name which is popular in the UK.

Azaan

An undiscovered option among occupational names, as of 2023, Banner has never been used for more than 100 baby boys in a single year. It does have charm however, much due to its associations with fêtes and phrases like "a banner year". 
 
Originally given as a surname to someone who carried a flag, it might now appeal to Marvel fans, as in Bruce Banner, and as a patriotic choice, in reference to "The Star-Spangled Banner", the US national anthem. 
 
Actor Jesse Eisenberg has a son named Banner, born in 2017, and other parents are following in his footsteps. The name was chosen for 66 boys in 2023 (along with 7 girls), which is more than double the number given the name a decade earlier.

Banner

Baylen is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Old French "baillen" meaning "one who lives in a bailiff's jurisdiction," or function as a variant of Baylor (of English origin meaning "one who delivers goods"). Some consider it a creative modern blend of popular elements like "Bay" and the masculine suffix "-len." The name gained modest attention in American naming trends during the early 2000s, particularly after NFL quarterback Drew Brees chose it for his son in 2008. Baylen appeals to parents seeking a contemporary name with a soft yet masculine quality. Its distinctive sound and spelling provide uniqueness without extreme unconventionality, making it accessible while still standing out.

Baylen

One of the surname names used more in the last century, à la Milton and Morton. 

Fulton

Since so many of the biblical prophet names -- Daniel, Jonah, Nathan, Samuel -- are overused, you might want to consider this distinctive alternative. Hosea was the author of the book of prophesies bearing his name, whose underlying message was a promise of restoration. The Talmud claims that he was the greatest prophet of his generation.
 Hosea Williams was an important civil rights leader. Martin Luther King called him "my wild man, my Castro," in recognition of Williams' skill as an organizer.

Hosea

Jahsir is a contemporary masculine name that may have multiple origins. It could be a modern variation of Arabic-derived names beginning with 'Ja-' (meaning 'one who' or 'he who') combined with elements suggesting honor or prominence. Alternatively, it might be a creative fusion name incorporating 'Jah,' which references God in Rastafarian tradition (derived from 'Jehovah'). The '-sir' element could suggest nobility or respect. The name has gained modest usage in the United States since the early 2000s, though it remains relatively uncommon. The spelling variation distinguishes it from similar-sounding names and gives it a distinctive character. Parents may choose Jahsir for its melodious sound and unique quality while potentially honoring religious or cultural traditions.

Jahsir

Binyomin is a variant transliteration of Benjamin, a name with ancient Hebrew origins meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south.' This specific spelling reflects the Yiddish or modern Hebrew pronunciation used primarily in Jewish communities, particularly among Orthodox or Hasidic families. The name carries significant biblical importance as Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel in the Torah/Old Testament. Binyomin preserves the traditional pronunciation more accurately than the anglicized 'Benjamin.' While not common in mainstream American naming, it remains meaningful within Jewish communities where traditional religious naming practices are observed. The name connects a child to rich religious heritage and history spanning thousands of years.

Binyomin

Popular in the African American community, the De- prefix makes this a choice for sons of Marcuses.

Demarcus

A natural successor to Hunter, Hudson, and Huxley, Hutton is an unexpected yet on-trend unisex name.

Associated with Scottish geologist James Hutton, and as a first name with designer Hutton Wilkinson.

Hutton

Iver is a popular name in its native Norway, but parents in the U.S. are starting to take note of this rugged yet gentle name. Stemming from the original Norse name Ívarr, it is part of a small group of names with similar roots: Ivar, Ivor, Ivo, Ives, and Evander. It was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers in the Middle Ages, and to the US by in the 19th century.
 
Some of the American parents picking up on this name may attribute it to the indie folk band Bon Iver, founded by Justin Vernon who pronounces the latter half ee-VAIR.
 
No matter how you say it, Iver is making headway on this side of the Atlantic with a little under 100 boys receiving the name each year. This includes supermodel Coco Rocha, who picked Iver Eames for her son born in 2018.

Iver

Amaris is unisex name with a Musketeer-esque feel to it: gentle and poetic, but cool and adventurous too. A variation of the Biblical name Amariah, it is given to five times as many girls than boys, though this gap has narrowed slightly in recent years. 
 
Similar in feel to fast rising choices like Azariah, Aziel, and Amias, the name trending upwards for boys with around 60 called Amaris in a recent year.
 
It might be worth noting that there has been some debate over whether Amaris is actually a form of Amariah or whether it is instead a variation on Amarillis, Amari, or Amor. We can't say for certain, but it is possible that some parents might have got their inspiration from there, rather than from the Biblical name.

Amaris

Buckley

Carsen is a modern unisex name that leans slightly masculine in usage. It represents a contemporary spelling variation of Carson, which originated as an English and Scottish surname derived from 'carr' meaning 'marsh' or 'wetland' and 'son,' literally 'son of the marsh-dweller.' The name gained popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, part of the trend toward using surnames as first names. The variation with 'e' instead of 'o' gives it a softer, slightly more modern feel. Carsen projects a strong yet approachable image, balancing traditional roots with contemporary style. It has been moderately popular in North America but rarely reaches the top rankings, appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet not overly common. The name works well professionally while still feeling youthful.