Animal Names for Boys

Romantic and artistic Domenico is ripe for the picking as a relatively rare name that fits in with current favorites such as Leonardo and Emiliano.
 
Domenico is the name of many great creatives throughout history, including many painters, composers, and sculptors. In modern times, Domenico has been associated with designer Domenico Dolce, cofounder of fashion house Dolce & Gabbana.

Domenico

Donavan is a masculine name representing a variant spelling of the more common Donovan. With Irish origins, it derives from the Gaelic surname Ó Donndubháin, meaning 'descendant of Donndubhán' (dark brown-haired man). This alternate spelling maintains the name's Celtic heritage while offering a slightly different visual identity. Donavan gained moderate popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, influenced partly by various athletes and musicians bearing similar versions of the name. The name carries connotations of strength and traditional masculinity while remaining approachable. Though less common than Donovan, this spelling variation provides a subtle uniqueness without sacrificing recognizability or pronunciation clarity.

Donavan

Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.

Fitzgerald

Haris is in the top 50 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and makes a good choice for the globetrotting child. It would make for an excellent and not overused Arabic-English crossover choice.

Haris

Idrees is a masculine name derived from the Arabic name إدريس (Idris), which refers to the prophet mentioned in the Quran, identified by some scholars with the biblical Enoch. The name means 'interpreter' or 'studious one' in Arabic, reflecting qualities of learning and wisdom. Idrees is widely used throughout Muslim communities worldwide, with particular prevalence in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African Muslim populations. The spelling variant 'Idrees' (versus Idris) more closely reflects the Arabic pronunciation and is especially common in Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi communities. The name carries connotations of scholarship, spiritual insight, and prophetic wisdom in Islamic tradition. While maintaining religious and cultural significance, Idrees has gained increasing recognition in Western countries with diverse populations.

Idrees

This international variation of the popular Elijah might also be written as Iliya, Ilya, Ilja, and Ilija. It is currently a unisex option in the US. 

Ilia

Izrael is a masculine name that serves as a variant spelling of Israel, a name with deep biblical roots meaning 'struggled with God' or 'God contends' in Hebrew. This alternate spelling maintains the powerful religious and cultural significance while offering a distinctive appearance with the 'z' rather than 's.' The name carries profound importance in Jewish tradition, referring to both the biblical patriarch Jacob (who was renamed Israel) and the Jewish people as a whole. Outside religious contexts, Izrael has seen limited use compared to the traditional spelling, though it may appeal to parents seeking names with spiritual significance and a slightly more uncommon form. The name's strong consonants and meaningful heritage give it substance and historical weight despite its relative rarity.

Izrael

Alastor is linked to several characters in Greek mythology. It is an epithet of Zeus, a prince of Pylos, and a fighter in the Trojan War. Alastor's less savory associations include a horse of Hades and a Christian demon. In the Harry Potter universe, it's the first name of Professor "Mad Eye" Moody.
 
Despite similar looks, Alastor is unrelated to the Scottish name Alistair.

Alastor

Ananias is a New Testament name of three different figures. The two good ones were a high priest and a disciple of Paul. The not good Ananias was the husband of Sapphira who conspired to deceive the apostles and was struck dead.

Ananias

More common as a dog name than a baby name for now, but that hasn't stopped Milo and Rex rising back up the charts! Lovers of edgy o-ending names like Otto, Arlo and Cosmo might like this starry-eyed possibility.

Astro

Azariel

Rising star Banks manages to sound both preppy and outdoorsy, both working the land and working in finance. Banx adds another layer of possibility to the name, giving it an edgy, ultra-modern vibe. 
 
Deriving from English surname, the original Banks spelling refers to rivers and hillsides and more specifically to the people who live and work on them. Used occasionally as a given name since the 19th century, Banks took off in the 2010s, and entered the Top 1000 in 2019.
 
Banx meanwhile was rarely, if ever, used before 2012 but has gained far more interest in recent years thanks to Banks' fame. A recent year saw it given to 55 boys, while Banks was chosen for nearly 1099 in comparison (or nearly 20 times as often). Bankston and Banksy are other rare variants of the name.

Banx

Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off the Top 1000 a few decades ago and shows no signs of a comeback.  

Baby Davids today, often named for dad or grandpa, are more likely to be called David than Dave.

Dave

Dewayne is a masculine name that gained popularity primarily in the United States during the mid-20th century. It's a variant spelling of Duane, which derives from the Irish surname Ó Dubháin, meaning "descendant of Dubhán" (where Dubhán comes from "dubh" meaning "dark" or "black"). 

The distinctive spelling with "way" in the middle emerged as part of the creative naming trend in America, particularly in Southern states. Dewayne saw its peak popularity in the 1950s-1970s but has gradually declined since. 

The name carries a strong, straightforward quality and continues to be used, though less frequently than in previous decades. Many bearers of the name go by the nickname "Wayne" in everyday life.

Dewayne

If Holland works for a girl, why not Dutch for a boy? Well, one reason is that Holland is a place name and Dutch is used to describe someone or something from The Netherlands, but we digress. Dutch does have a name-like sound, akin to Dash, Duke, Dutton, and Dustin. 
 
Gavin Newsom, Lt-Governor of California, kept up his geographical baby name theme when he named his son Dutch William in 2016, joining older siblings named Hunter, Montana and Brooklyn. The name saw a slight increase in use around the same time and a recent year saw it given to 50 babies.
 
The word Dutch ultimately comes from Old Germanic roots, and means "of one's people". Associated with the language of The Netherlands (and parts of Belgium), it may also remind people of the phrase "Dutch Courage", as in, confidence gained from drinking alcohol.

Dutch

An animal related name, associated with strength, Fahad is derived from the Arabic fahd which can refer to a variety of big cats. It may indicate someone who owns or trains panthers, leopards, or cheetahs, or the animals themselves. A fast rising choice in the UK in 2023, actor and producer Fahad Mustafa is a notable bearer.

Fahad

Ike, once the quirky one-person nickname of President Dwight Eisenhower, has morphed into a cool kid nickname of the early 21st century. 

The rise of Isaac and the stylishness of short down-to-earth nicknames like Max and Gus means that many parents like Ike once again. In the Top 200 (!) at the end of the 19th century, Ike fell off the Social Security Top 1000 by the end of Eisenhower's presidency in the late 1950s.

We do foresee the comeback of Ike, bur probably as a short form of Isaac or Isaiah.

Abdoulaye is a masculine name of West African origin, particularly common in countries like Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and other Francophone African nations. It derives from the Arabic name Abdullah (meaning 'servant of God'), adapted through regional pronunciation patterns. The name carries strong religious significance in Muslim communities, honoring devotion and faith. Abdoulaye has produced many notable figures, including politicians, athletes, and artists from West Africa. While maintaining its strongest presence in Africa, the name has spread globally through diaspora communities. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region (ab-doo-LIE or ab-doo-LAY-eh), but its cultural and religious significance remains consistent, representing a heritage rich in history and tradition.

Abdoulaye

Aceson is a modern masculine name that appears to be a contemporary creation combining the elements "Ace" (signifying excellence or the highest rank) and the popular suffix "-son" (meaning "son of"). The name has emerged primarily in the 21st century United States as parents increasingly seek unique names with positive connotations. Aceson conveys qualities of achievement, capability, and distinction while maintaining a familiar naming structure. The name might also appeal to parents who appreciate the nickname Ace but desire a more formal option for official documents. Though still relatively uncommon, Aceson follows the trend of newly-created names with aspirational meanings that suggest success and exceptional ability. Its clean pronunciation and spelling make it accessible despite its novelty.

Aceson

Advait is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "unique," "without duality," or "one without a second." The name derives from Indian philosophy, particularly Advaita Vedanta, which teaches the unity of the individual soul with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This profound philosophical connection gives the name significant spiritual depth in Hindu culture. Advait has gained moderate popularity in India and among the Indian diaspora, appreciated for both its cultural significance and its modern, distinctive sound. The name combines spiritual meaning with contemporary appeal, making it increasingly chosen by parents seeking a name with both traditional roots and a progressive feel. While still relatively uncommon in Western countries, Advait has seen increased usage in multicultural communities.