By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 31 pages
of 31
French
"wood"
The patron saint of comedians and dancers (also known as St Vitus) has a name that is both the ultimate everyman, and has a hint of British aristocracy. In the States, Guy was most popular in the…
Nature name
Sky is an ambigender nature name that was first legitimized as the character of Sky Masterson in the 1950 musical Guys and Dolls , played in the film version by Marlon Brando. It's a name we…
Arabic
"crown"
Taj is a cool-sounding name reflecting the magnificence of the seventeenth-century Indian Taj Mahal, chosen by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler for his son. The musician known as Taj Mahal was born Henry…
Iam appears to be a masculine name that could have multiple origins. It might be considered a contracted form of William, an inventive spelling of the name Ian (Scottish form of John meaning 'God is…
Diminutive of Donald, Scottish
"proud chief"
Short form of Donald -- or more stylishly, Donahue or Donovan -- that's acquired a new sixties-era suaveness thanks to Mad Man Don Draper. The name also carries a Sopranos or Godfather-style double…
Spelling variation of Ian
Phonetic spelling of the British Ian that has earned a share of its own popularity; chosen by Bo Bice for his son.
Hindi or Japanese
"holy or difference"
Sai is a name used in India to honor Shirdi Sai Baba, a spiritual master revered by both Hindus and Muslims. As a Japanese name, it's featured in the Naruto universe, now given to dozens of baby boys…
Diminutive of Louis or Lewis, French and German
"renowned warrior"
Lou, all by itself, is become fashionable for girls, which usually makes a name LESS fashionable for boys. But Lou, like Bill or Jim, is rarely used on its own for boys anyway. (You wouldn't name a…
Hebrew
"God is my judge"
Often stands alone in Israel, but rarely here.
Kru is a short, distinctive masculine name with several possible origins. It may derive from the Kru people of West Africa (primarily Liberia and Ivory Coast), representing an ethnic heritage.…
Hindi, Sanskrit
"era, epoch"
Concise in sound but with an expansive meaning, Yug is a Hindi boy name, associated with the Hindu belief that there are four Yugas (or eras) that make up the world. Known as a Yuga Cycle , it takes…
Diminutive of Jedidiah, Hebrew
"beloved of the Lord"
Cowboyish short form that's both macho and cool. Got prime time exposure on The West Wing .
"my light"
Friendly but substantial.
Latin
"peaceful"
Pax, one of the variations of names meaning peace that are newly popular in these less-than-peaceful times, got a lot of publicity when chosen by Brad & Angelina for their Vietnamese-born son.…
Cai is a name with rich multicultural origins. In Welsh, it means 'rejoice' and is a form of the Arthurian knight Sir Kay. In Chinese, Cai (蔡) is a respected surname and can also be a given name…
Norse
"hope"
One of those midcentury shortenings that are starting to sound cool again, though we prefer Van.
English word name
We've got Saint, we've got King, we've got Prince Duke Bishop Deacon and Messiah. So why not Sir? While some might find it slightly pretentious, at least 80 parents chose it for their babies in…
Diminutive of Thomas
"twin"
Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France
Diminutive of Abraham. Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
Old-time nickname that's following in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam. Abe feels both fresher and cuter -- which is maybe the same thing? -- than those choices right now. You can…
Kal is a concise, powerful masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Norse mythology, Kal relates to 'cold' or 'frost,' while in Sanskrit it can mean 'time' or 'black.' The name also appears as…
