By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 127 pages
of 127
Turkish, Arabic
"noble, aristocratic; pure-bred, original; evening"
Popular in Turkey (where it is written as Asil, with the dotted i) but used in Pakistan, Egypt, Israel, India, and beyond, Asil is a unisex Arabic name with a number of different meanings, depending…
Hebrew, Spanish, Japanese
"son of the right hand; blessed; crimson"
A streamlined short form of Hebrew Benjamin or the Spanish nickname for Benito and Benigno, this spelling offers a lighter alternative to Bennie or Benny. A multicultural, unisex option, it is also a…
Spelling variation of Brett
There are 15 times as many baby boys named Brett than Bret, but this sleeker version is used and has some merits, namely, being sleeker.
Daxx is a modern, unconventional masculine name with a bold, edgy quality. While not having historical roots in traditional naming practices, it appears to be a contemporary invention that follows…
Drin is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural connections. In Albanian, Drin is the name of a significant river flowing through Albania and Kosovo, giving the name natural strength and…
Welsh
"king"
Emyr is a name that is well-known in Wales, but little heard outside of it. There are several well-known Emyrs, from the famed Welsh novelist and poet Emyr Humphries to footballer Emyr Huws.…
Juel is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant spelling of Jewel (making it unisex), a Scandinavian form of the name Joel (meaning 'Yahweh is God' in Hebrew), or a…
Kage is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. In Japanese, it means "shadow" and is pronounced "kah-geh," though in English it's often pronounced to rhyme with "sage." The name could also…
Yiddish variation of Lev
"heart"
Liev Schreiber's birth name is Isaac Liev, Liev after his mother's favorite Russia author, Leo Tolstoy. Though Liev is increasing in popularity in the secular world thanks to the actor, it originated…
Scandinavian variation of Nicholas
"people of victory"
Like Lars, Sven, Niels, and Nels, an unjustly neglected straightforward Scandinavian name. Surname Nilsson or the anglicized Nelson derives from Nils.
Variation of Russell, French
"redhead, fox-colored"
Short but substantial, Russ does not need the full-form Russell to go on the birth certificate. Russ strikes a nice balance between familiar, friendly, and underused.
Xyon is a modern masculine name with a strong, distinctive sound. This contemporary invention has a science fiction quality, possibly inspired by names like Zion or Xavier but with a unique spelling…
Word name or spelling variation of Abel
Able takes this name in the direction of the word denoting someone capable and handle, and that is not a bad way to go.
Adon is a masculine name with ancient roots, derived from the Hebrew אָדוֹן (adon) meaning 'lord' or 'master.' It shares origins with the more familiar Adonis from Greek mythology, who was a handsome…
Awab is a masculine name with Arabic origins, derived from the root meaning 'to return' or 'to repent.' In Islamic tradition, the term 'awwab' describes someone who frequently turns to God in…
Urdu
"falcon"
Short and strong, with an animal meaning — Baaz would translate well into the English-speaking world.
Diminutive of Casper etc
A light variation of any of the weightier names beginning with Cas, such as Casper, Cassius etc- this is a beautifully mellow and soft name that bears greater consideration.
Short form of David, Hebrew
"beloved"
Davy and Davey are certainly short forms that are frequently used but rarely wind up on the birth certificate. And why, since David is such a handsome, classic, yet short and simple name on its own?
English word name
Epic feels like it could be the boys' version of Saga. Epic poetry tells some of our most celebrated stories - from Beowulf and the Odyssey, to the Divine Comedy and Paradise Lost. Despite being…
Variation Eoghann, Scottish, Irish
"born of the yew tree"
More popularly anglicized as Ewan and Euan, this is a spelling variation of the Scottish and Irish name Eoghann, likely meaning "born of the yew tree", though some sources connect it to the Latin…
