By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 273 pages
of 273
Syair is a modern masculine name with multicultural appeal. It may have Arabic roots, possibly related to the term 'sya'ir' meaning poet or poetry in some languages. The name could also be a creative…
Osiel is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, derived from the elements meaning 'strength of God' or 'God is my strength.' Similar to more common biblical names like Uziel or Azriel, Osiel carries…
Diminutive of Osmond, Oswald, or Oscar
"divine; deer"
Ozzy has been on the rise in recent years and currently sits in the Top 1000 in the UK and the US. The Ozzie spelling has yet to catch up, but has nevertheless gained more attention thanks to its…
Spelling variation of Jackson
Like Jaxon, Jaxen is an attempt to switch things up from the more popular Jackson. News flash - Jackson is cooler.
Hebrew
"to protect, shelter"
Akiva has a distinguished scholarly pedigree and a lovely meaning. Its softer sound is very on trend for masculine names at the moment and is in line with more familiar monikers like Ezra, Elijah and…
Portuguese variation of John
"God is gracious"
A Portuguese classic, typically spelled with a tilde over the A. Many members of the Portuguese royal family were named João, and today it’s associated with a number of Portuguese and Brazilian…
Variation of Malik, Arabic, Dinka, Greenlandic
"king; brown bull; wave"
Malek may be a variation of the more popular Malik, made familiar via actor Ramy Malek. It might also be a Dinka name, used in Southern Sudan, meaning "brown bull" or a Greenlandic name meaning…
Diminutive of Montgomery, Norman, Spanish
"man power; mountain"
Monte, pronounced with two syllables as brother Monty, is an old-fashioned nickname-name that's reclaiming a certain amount of dash and charm. It was recently chosen by actor Guy Pearce--which may…
Nature name
"one who lives by the woods; area covered in trees"
Woods is a nature name that is a cousin to the stylish Brooks and Forest, evoking the entire world of trees. Sometimes used as a diminutive of Woodrow or Edward, Woods is rugged and outdoorsy, with a…
Variation of Isaiah, Hebrew
"Salvation of the Lord"
Streamlined spelling of the biblical name, as in basketball great Isiah Thomas, falling fast from its height in the charts.
Variation of Lake, English
Not quite a nature name and not quite a surname — whatever Laken is or isn't, we know it's definitely a name to watch.
English occupational name
"blacksmith"
Even if it is the Number one surname in the U.S.--with more than 2.5 million bearers--we still think that Smith would make a cool first or middle name, whether or not it has family history. Though…
Latin
"blind"
Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B.…
Spanish and Italian
"moorish"
Mauro, a Top 100 name in Spain and Puerto Rico, is etymologically unrelated to the girls' name Maura, but that won't stop many English speakers from drawing the comparison.
German, diminutive of Siegfried and Sigmund
"victorious peace; victorious protection; victory"
Perhaps the ultimate nicknamey name, Ziggy manages to sound cool, cutesy, spiky, and energetic all at once. It brings to mind the glam-rock of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the cool vibes of reggae…
Dutch, Punjabi, Albanian
"from Hadria; gaining; golden life"
There's something particularly attractive about names with an interior " j " and Arjan is a prime example. The Punjabi version is pronounced with a conventional j as in jar; the Dutch Arjan, which is…
Modern invention, variation of Jair, or variation of Khair
"he shines; good"
A modern invention with a number of possible origins, Kyair has doubled in use since 2020. While the spelling Kyaire is currently favored, Kyair is sleek and concise, gives you the nickname Ky, and…
German, variant spelling of Kaiser
"Emperor"
Kaiser is the German word for "emperor". This alternate spelling separates the name from its royal heritage, making it more reminiscent of the modern Tyler. Usage of the name Kyzer grew rapidly in…
English
"dweller near the burnt land"
One of several blunt B names just this side of the gender divide. While its short and to-the-point sound may feel modern, it has been declining steadily since the 1980s. David Brent is Ricky…
African
"people who speak Maa"
With the contemporary sounds of Azai and Messiah, Masai feels like a totally modern choice. It has its roots in the name of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania and translates to "people who speak…
