By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 127 pages
of 127
Diminutive of Peter
"rock"
Sixties-style short form that sounds cool again -- though the unscrupulous Pete on "Mad Men" is not a character to emulate.
Asim is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'protector,' 'guardian,' or 'defender.' In Arabic, it is written as عاصم (عاصم) and is derived from the root 'a-s-m,' which relates to protection or…
English
"stag"
Hart could be the hero of a romantic novel, but on the other hand, it's short, straightforward, and strong sounding. The most famous bearer of the name was tragic poet Hart (born Harold) Crane, but…
"gemstone"
When Jade first took off as a given name back in the 1970's, it was in fact considered unisex. It ranked in the US Top 1000 first for boys, then for girls, 7 years later. By the 80's however, Jade…
Italian and Spanish from Greek
"flax"
Lino has two separate origins. It can be a diminutive of Italian names like Angelino, Marcelino, and so on — and it is also the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese form of Linus. With its bright and…
Arabic
"full of virtue, pure"
Not related to Zack, Zacky, Zachary, or Zachariah – but many will assume it is.
Dutch variation of Abraham, Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
Bram has an unusual measure of character and charm for a one-syllable name; it started as a hipper-than-Abe diminutive of the biblical Abraham, but is also an independent Irish and Dutch name, made…
Georgian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Belarusian variation of Elijah
"Yahweh is God"
This international variation of the popular Elijah might also be written as Iliya, Ilya, Ilja, and Ilija. It is currently a unisex option in the US.
Wali is a masculine name with roots in multiple cultures. In Arabic, it means 'guardian,' 'protector,' or 'friend of God,' and holds significant spiritual meaning in Islamic traditions where it can…
Variation of Banks, English
"one who lives on the hillside or riverbank"
Rising star Banks manages to sound both preppy and outdoorsy, both working the land and working in finance. Banx adds another layer of possibility to the name, giving it an edgy, ultra-modern vibe.…
Short form of David, Hebrew
"beloved"
Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off…
Jhon is an alternative spelling of the classic name John, which derives from Hebrew and means 'God is gracious.' This variant spelling is commonly found in Spanish-speaking regions and some parts of…
Modern invented name
Zyir is a contemporary masculine name that exemplifies modern naming trends favoring distinctive sounds and unique spellings. Though its precise origins are unclear, it appears to be a creative…
Sanskrit
"noble"
A venerable boys' name in Persian and South Asian cultures that is increasingly used for girls in most parts of the world, thanks largely to the popularity of Game of Thrones character Arya Stark. In…
Hebrew
"tree"
When given the French pronunciation (ay-LAN), has a great deal of esprit and élan.
Juno is a boy's name of Latin origin. Traditionally known as the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth, Juno has crossed gender boundaries to become a distinctive masculine choice. The name…
French
"lion"
The y makes it seem more like a name and less like an animal, but it's still not as appealing as several Leo choices.
"heavy club"
Has a slight aura of danger, from its being two types of weapons and a looming character in the Star Wars films. Best left as a nickname for Mason.
Word name
"ridge of rock or coral on sea floor"
Reef is an uncommon nature name with mainstream potential. Its laidback, beach-y vibe makes it a perfect choice for ocean lovers. Although Reef remains well outside of the US Top 1000, it has charted…
Roel is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. Primarily used in Dutch communities, it developed as a shortened form of Roland, meaning 'famous land' or 'famous throughout the land.' In…
