By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 31 pages
of 31
Word name
Howl joins the wild new gang of names with attitude to spare: We're talking Rebel, Rogue, Wilder, and Wiley. Howell makes it much more genteel.
Hew is a masculine name of Scottish origin, traditionally considered a variant of Hugh, which derives from the Germanic element 'hug' meaning 'heart,' 'mind,' or 'spirit.' In Scottish usage, Hew has…
Italian variation of Hugh, Igbo
"mind, intellect; eagle"
Ugo is a familiar choice in Italy and France, where it is used as variation of Hugh or Hugo, but also in Nigeria, where it means "eagle" in Igbo.
Huw is a traditional Welsh masculine name, representing the Welsh form of Hugh. Derived from the Germanic element "hug" meaning "heart," "mind," or "spirit," Huw carries connotations of intelligence…
African
"my people"
Ibo is short but striking. Another, unrelated but equally appealing name is Ivo.
"born during the Idd festival"
Adverse associations with the ruthless Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Iga is traditionally a Polish feminine name, though listed here as masculine. The name has Slavic origins and is particularly associated with Poland, where it gained recognition through Polish tennis…
Japanese
"nourishing"
Iku is an easily assimilated Japanese name.
Irv is a masculine name primarily used as a diminutive of Irving, which has Old English origins meaning 'green water' or 'sea friend.' This short, punchy name gained modest popularity in the early to…
Ive is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It can be a short form of the Germanic name Ivo, meaning 'yew wood' (traditionally used for making bows, suggesting strength). It might also…
Jaq is a compact, modern variant of Jack or Jacques, characterized by its minimalist spelling. This streamlined version maintains the friendly, approachable quality of its more common counterparts…
Cob is a short, strong masculine name with deep Anglo-Saxon roots. Originally a nickname derived from Jacob, it can also be a standalone name with multiple meanings across cultures. In English, it…
Short form of Jamal, Jamil, James, and similar, Arabic, English, Hebrew, Persian mythology
"beautiful; the supplanter; twin"
Jam might feel like a sweet and playful nickname choice — and it can be just that — but it is also a multicultural choice that has its roots in Persian mythology and a variety of different names.…
Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
Abbreviation of James or short form of Jasper
Jeh is a concise, distinctive masculine name with various potential origins. In Indian cultures, it may be a shortened form of names like Jehangir, which has Persian origins meaning "conqueror of the…
English, diminutive of Jasmine or Jasper
Unisex variation of Jazz or Jasper that couldn't say it more plainly. Used for their daughter by tennis couple Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
Jef is a simplified, short form of Jeffrey or Geoffrey, names with Germanic origins meaning 'peace' or more precisely 'divine peace.' This concise spelling variation maintains the same pronunciation…
Jer is a masculine name that can function as both a standalone name and a shortened form of names like Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jerome, or Gerald. As a Hebrew-derived name in its short form, Jer (when from…
Jov is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a short form of Jovian or Jovan, names derived from Latin 'Jovianus,' relating to Jupiter (Jove), the Roman king of gods.…
