Animal Names for Boys

Possibly a form of Akua, an Akan name meaning "born of a Wednesday", or a variation on Koa or Makoa, Hawaiian names relating to warriors and strength, Akoa has been most notably used in Cameroon. Until recently, it was rarely heard of in the US, but it entered the stats in 2023 when it was given to 7 babies, only to more than triple in usage in the following year when it was given to 30 boys.
 
Other possible origins for the name include the Cebuano word for "mine" or "by me", the Nahuatl word akoatl / acoatl meaning "water snake", or the Akan name Akosua meaning "born on a Sunday", though this is only conjecture.
 
Parents may well have been influenced by the rise of Hawaiian name Koa and by sports star Monique Akoa Makani to choose this name for their babies.

Akoa

Arius is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, primarily known from historical figure Arius, a theologian from Alexandria in the 4th century who founded Arianism. The name may derive from the Greek word 'areios,' meaning 'warlike' or connected to Ares, the Greek god of war. Alternatively, it could relate to 'aria' meaning 'air' or 'song.' Arius has experienced a modest revival in recent years as parents seek names with classical roots and distinctive sounds. It appeals to those drawn to ancient history and mythology while maintaining a modern feel. The name carries connotations of strength, individualism, and intellectual depth. While still uncommon in most countries, Arius offers a unique alternative to more popular classical names while maintaining historical authenticity.

Arius

Athan is a masculine name with Greek origins, often considered a shortened form of Athanasios or Jonathan. From Greek, it connects to 'athánatos,' meaning 'immortal' or 'undying.' The name carries a timeless quality while remaining relatively uncommon in modern usage. With its crisp sound and ancient roots, Athan offers a distinctive alternative to more popular names while maintaining historical significance. The name has seen modest usage in the United States and other English-speaking countries but hasn't reached mainstream popularity. Its brevity makes it appealing in contemporary naming trends that favor short, strong-sounding names for boys. Athan balances traditional heritage with a modern, accessible sound.

Athan

With the current craze for ancient Roman names, variations of the Latin Augustus with its majestic meaning are becoming more popular in many cultures. Month name August, also drawn from the original Augustus, is the most popular form in the US, but Augusto may start showing up on international popularity lists.

Augusto

Avyay is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin primarily used in Indian culture. The name derives from the Sanskrit word 'avyaya,' which means 'eternal,' 'unchangeable,' or 'imperishable.' In Hindu philosophy, particularly in Vedantic traditions, the concept of avyaya refers to that which never decays or diminishes—the permanent reality beyond transient existence. As a name, Avyay carries profound spiritual significance, suggesting qualities of constancy, permanence, and transcendence. While relatively uncommon even within India, the name appeals to parents seeking a meaningful choice with deep philosophical roots. Its contemporary appeal also stems from its modern sound combined with ancient wisdom, making it increasingly attractive in cosmopolitan Indian communities.

Avyay

Azekiel is a modern masculine name that appears to be a creative variation of the biblical name Ezekiel, which means 'God strengthens' in Hebrew. The alteration of the initial letter from 'E' to 'A' gives this ancient name a contemporary twist while maintaining its biblical connections. Azekiel is quite rare, having emerged only in recent decades as parents increasingly seek unique variants of traditional names. The name has a strong, melodious quality with its four syllables and distinctive 'z' sound. Azekiel might appeal to parents who appreciate the rich heritage of biblical names but desire something more uncommon and distinctive for their child.

Azekiel

Braxten is a modern masculine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Braxton, which itself began as an English surname derived from an Old English place name meaning 'Bracca's settlement.' This contemporary spelling with 'e' instead of 'o' gained popularity in the early 21st century, reflecting the trend toward unique spellings of familiar names. Braxten projects a strong, current feel with its sharp consonants and trendy 'en' ending. The name conveys masculinity and a certain ruggedness while remaining approachable. Its rise aligns with the popularity of similar-sounding names like Paxton, Jaxton, and Daxton. Parents may choose Braxten to honor family surnames or simply for its contemporary sound and distinctive spelling that sets it apart from more traditional options.

Braxten

Brendon

Though Collins makes the Top 300 for girls, it sounds strong and handsome for boys too, kind of like the newly-stylish Brooks. The final s updates it from the 80s-ish Colin or the Twilightish Cullen. Might make an innovative honorific for a grandpa Nick.

Last year, more than 1200 baby girls were named Collins in the US versus only about 50 baby boys.

Collins

Cutter was an old-fashioned term for a tailor or barber that was eventually adopted as a surname. That gives it more legitimacy than many of the other aggressive boy names — Striker, Shooter, Breaker, et al. — but Cutter remains equally threatening — and is associated with symptoms of mental illness. 

Despite or perhaps because of its violent image, Cutter was one of the fastest rising boys' names in 2023, jumping more than 1000 places in popularity though still fairly obscure below the US Top 1000. In a recent count, 48 boys were given the name, placing it alongside Collins, Hershel, Isaak, Cale, and Slate in the same year.

Cutter

Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh. 

 Dara is also a boys' name in many non-Western cultures, meaning "leader" in Punjabi, "star" in Khmer, and "wealthy" in Persian. And Dara is a male character -- an elf ally of Princess Ciri -- in the popular book, video game and TV series The Witcher.

Dara

Davin is one of those hybrid names that is appealing for both genders, though it is more common for boys. Though Davin has a strong and attractive sound, either David or Devin would be preferable. It has been declining in use over the last decade.

Davin

Demetri is a masculine name of Greek origin, derived from Demetrius, which honors Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility. The name literally translates to 'follower of Demeter' or 'earth-lover.' This shorter variant maintains the classical heritage while offering a more streamlined, contemporary feel. Demetri has gained moderate popularity in the United States and Europe, particularly appealing to parents seeking names with historical depth and cross-cultural appeal. The name appears in Greek, Russian, and Eastern European naming traditions, making it recognizable across multiple cultures. With its strong consonants and rhythmic three-syllable pronunciation, Demetri projects strength and sophistication while remaining approachable.

Demetri

Fares is a masculine name with Arabic origins, derived from the word 'fāris' meaning 'knight,' 'horseman,' or 'skilled rider.' The name carries connotations of chivalry, bravery, and nobility within Arabic culture. Fares appears in various forms throughout the Middle East and North Africa, including spelling variants like Faris and Fariz. The name has grown in recognition globally as cultural boundaries have expanded, though it remains more common in Arabic-speaking countries and Muslim communities. Fares has a pleasant, accessible sound that travels well across cultures while maintaining its meaningful heritage. Its association with knighthood and horsemanship connects to valued qualities of courage and skill.

Fares

Grayden is a modern masculine name derived from the English surname Gray or Grey, combined with the popular -den suffix. It emerged in the late 20th century alongside similar names like Brayden, Jayden, and Kayden. The name conveys a sense of strength and sophistication with its gray color association, which can symbolize wisdom, maturity, and balance. While less common than Grayson, Grayden has gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Parents are often drawn to Grayden for its contemporary sound while maintaining a connection to traditional naming elements.

Grayden

Hanzel is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Hansel, which originated as a diminutive form of Johannes (John) in German. The name gained widespread recognition through the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel.' Hanzel carries a charming, slightly exotic quality with its distinctive 'z' spelling that sets it apart from the traditional version. While not extremely common, the name has seen occasional use across Europe and the Americas. Hanzel blends Old World European charm with a contemporary feel, making it appealing to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive. The name evokes images of adventure and resilience from its fairy tale associations.

Hanzel

Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe. 

Hershel

Cool spelling of the venerable Isaac used in several different cultures. 

Isaak

Jahsiah is a masculine name with modern American origins, likely created as a variation of biblical names like Josiah or Isaiah, with the trendy 'Jah' prefix that appears in several contemporary names. 'Jah' has significance in Rastafarian culture as a reference to God. The name combines melodic sounds with spiritual undertones, giving it a unique quality while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Jahsiah has gained some popularity in recent decades as part of the trend toward distinctive, spiritually-meaningful names with personalized spellings. While not among the most common names, it offers parents an option that sounds contemporary yet has connections to ancient naming traditions. The name's rhythm and unique character give it a memorable quality.

Jahsiah

Abdulaziz is a masculine Arabic name combining 'Abdul' (servant of) and 'Aziz' (the Almighty, Beloved, Precious), literally meaning 'servant of the Almighty' or 'servant of the Precious One'. This name has historical significance in Muslim communities, having been borne by various rulers and important figures throughout Islamic history. With deep religious connotations, it honors one of Allah's 99 attributes in Islamic tradition. Abdulaziz remains popular in Arab countries, parts of Africa, and Muslim communities worldwide. The name carries prestige and dignity, reflecting devotion and spiritual values. Variations include Abdul Aziz, Abd al-Aziz, and Abdel Aziz, with potential nicknames including Aziz.