By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 31 pages
of 31
English word name or Korean
"sun; good, kind, virtuous"
A simple and appealing unisex Korean name with many possible meanings, depending on the hanja characters used. This spelling also coincides with the English word "sun", which is a nice bonus. Ray…
Tej is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Sanskrit, Tej means 'bright' or 'radiant' and is associated with splendor, energy, and brilliance. The name is popular in India,…
Zoe as a masculine name represents an interesting crossover from its more common feminine usage. Traditionally, Zoe is a Greek name meaning 'life,' derived from 'zoē.' While predominantly used for…
Ase is a masculine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly Norwegian and Swedish heritage. Traditionally spelled Åse or Aase in its native countries (where it's actually more common as a…
English nickname
"friend"
An upbeat and friendly nickname, Bud is more often reserved as a term of endearment, though it was once a Top 500 choice in the US and remained in the charts right up until the 60s. While long-form…
A close relative of Dax that's on the rise: It was one of the fastest-growing boys' names of 2017.
Hebrew and Arabic
"to evaporate and to be mighty"
Ido is a multicultural name seldom heard in modern America but popular in the Middle East. As transliterations, Ido and its other form Iddo are equally correct. The Biblical Ido was a minor prophet…
Mak is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Scottish and North English traditions, it functions as a short form of Marmaduke or Malcolm. In Southeast Asian contexts, particularly…
Variation of Rio or Rhoeo, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
"river; flow, stream; graceful + cherry blossom"
Short, snappy, and stylish, Reo may be viewed in a number of ways:. It could be an alternative spelling of Spanish Rio or the Greek Rhoeo, both associated with rivers and flowing water.…
Norwegian and Swedish variation of Thor, Hebrew, English
"thunder; turtledove; victor; hill, rocky peak"
An interesting and attractive multicultural choice, Tor packs a lot in to three letters. It may be used as a modern form of Þórr (Thor) , the name of the Norse thunder god or as a short form of…
Serbian
"wolf"
This striking mini-name comes with a fierce animal edge — vuk is the Serbian word for "wolf".
Diminutive of Zachary, Hebrew
"the Lord has remembered"
This zippy short form of Zachary is more and more often standing on its own -- sometimes as Zac, Zach, Zack, or even Zakk -- but this simple-yet-straightforward version may be the very best.
Diminutive of Zebediah or Zebulon, Hebrew
"gift of God, exaltation, or little dwelling"
Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy.
Yoruba
"crown"
Turkish
"soul, life"
This name, also a term of affection, is popular in Turkey but has a spelling that may confuse English speakers.
Fin is a concise, impactful masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Irish tradition, it's a shortened form of Fionn or Finn, meaning 'fair' or 'white,' connected to the legendary Irish hero…
Germanic, Slavic
"yew wood, archer; God is gracious"
Succinct, stylish, and catchy, Ivo has the energetic impact of other names ending in -o . It is a multicultural choice with two distinct origins, and, as such, is familiar across a variety of…
Law is a masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. As an English surname-turned-first-name, it derives from the Old English 'hlaw' meaning 'hill' or as a shortened form of Lawrence, meaning…
Les is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and a familiar shortening of longer names like Lester, Leslie, or Leszek. Compact and straightforward, it carries a no-nonsense…
English, diminutive of Melvin
"council protector"
Though most Mels are playing pinochle with Murray and Morris, there was a notable Saint Mel. He is one of the earliest Irish saints, a nephew of St. Patrick. He became a priest, then built a great…
