Animal Names for Boys

Ádám

This Theodore sound-alike derives from the name Diodorus, associated with the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus.

Diodor

This practically unique variation of Clement has appeared on the charts four times: 1917, 1918, 1920, and 1971. Each year, it was only given to five baby boys.

Clemont

Traditionally spelled Dáithí, Daithí, or Dathí, this Irish boy name has a distinct and attractive sound. 34 baby boys were given the name Daithi in 2022.

Daithi

Upbeat Japanese name. Video game fans may recognize Genji as the name of a character from Overwatch.

Genji

Drop the C and arrive at an established biblical name. 

Cable

Commonly heard as a nickname for Alejandro, but a rare sight on the birth certificate. Ale has only made the US charts for boys twice, once in 2005 and again in 2018.

Guinn is a masculine name with both Welsh and Irish origins. In Welsh, it derives from 'gwyn' meaning 'fair' or 'white,' while in Irish contexts it may be related to surnames like McGwynn or O'Quinn. This rare name carries a distinctive sound that combines strength with sophistication. Guinn has never achieved widespread popularity in the United States but maintains a steady presence, particularly in regions with strong Celtic heritage. The name's brevity and unique sound make it stand out while remaining straightforward to pronounce and spell. Some bearers of this name may be connected to the surname Guinn, which has similar origins and was often transformed into a given name following the tradition of using family surnames as first names.

Guinn

Haco was a mythical Cornish leader who lost his beautiful princess bride by unwittingly promising her to a musician whose songs he admired: a romantic legend to back up a very unusual choice. 

Haco

A viable choice that may be growing on your family tree. Hartman Turnbow was a part of Mississippi's "First Fourteen", the first group of African Americans who attempted to register to vote in the state.

Hartman

Highly unusual; conceivable alternative to Daniel. 

Chaniel

Hortensio was derived from the Ancient Roman cognomen Hortensius, as were the more familiar names Hortensia and Hortense.
 
In Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Hortensio is a suitor of Bianca.

Hortensio

The capital of Wales makes a distinct name possibility, with the familiar beginning of Carson and Carter, and the more unusual end sound, nevertheless reminiscent of Kenneth or Gareth. Derived from the Welsh Caerdydd (and the earlier Caerdyf), the name means "fort on the river Taff", Taff being a river that does flow through the city.
 
Cardiff appeared in the US stats for the first time in 2022, and has been used occasionally since.

Cardiff

A modern virtue name, particularly desirable in this pressure-cooker world. 

Calm

Derived from Nebo, the Babylonian god of wisdom. In the Old Testament Abednego is the Babylonian name given to Azariah, one of the three men cast into a furnace but saved by God.

Abednego

Aaprahami is unlikely to catch on in the US. Nickname Hami is more usable. 

Aaprahami

With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name. It may also make people think of Concorde, the supersonic airliner plane, retired back in 2003.  

Concord

Eilo is one of the few masculine names to derive from a feminine one. It comes from Eila, the Norwegian variation of Elina.

Eilo

Sounds a bit like John, but has a completely different origin: this is the Slovene and Bosnian version of the Turkish male name Can.

Džan

The name of several people in the Old Testament, including a son of David. Eliphalet is a variant spelling.