Five Letter Boy Names

While Kaya is used predominantly as a feminine name in English speaking countries, it is also a Turkish masculine name with a rugged meaning. It has ranked in the English and Welsh Top 1000 for boys several times since the 90s and was given to 18 boys in the US in a recent year.

Tenny is a masculine name with multiple possible origins, potentially functioning as a diminutive of names like Tennyson or deriving from English surname traditions. It may also have connections to the Old English word 'tene' meaning 'thin' or 'slender.' As a given name, Tenny remains quite uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking something unique yet approachable. The name has a friendly, accessible sound with its two syllables and 'y' ending, similar in rhythm to names like Kenny or Benny. While rare in mainstream usage, Tenny occasionally appears as a nickname or informal variant. The literary connection to poet Alfred Lord Tennyson adds intellectual and cultural depth to this short, memorable name.

Penny as a masculine name represents an interesting naming trend, as it's more commonly recognized as a feminine nickname for Penelope. For boys, Penny likely functions as a nickname derived from names like Spencer, Pendleton, or Penn. It may also have originated as a surname before transitioning to given name usage, following a common naming pattern. The masculine usage remains quite rare in most naming statistics. The name carries associations with currency (the coin) and derives ultimately from the Old English 'penig' and earlier Latin 'pendo' meaning 'to pay'. For parents choosing Penny as a boy's name, it often reflects a desire for a friendly, approachable name with a touch of uniqueness and vintage charm.

The new Jason, spelled many different ways, and popularized by basketball star Jalen Rose.

Every other little kid's name in 1957 but few Jameses are called Jimmy today; they're more often James or Jamie.

If you use this for a boy, it had better be a family name, hidden away in the middle.

Intriguing, when seen as a water name a la River and Ocean, but too close to cultural appropriate if used as a reference to the Creek tribe of Native Americans. Another downside is its resemblance to creak, as in creaky bones or floorboards, and to unappealing words like creep and creak.

A chief member of the tribe of Benjamin, and another obscure Old Testament name that few parents, even those tired of Aaron and Zachary, would consider. But with a pronunciation that rhymes with Gannon, it has the strong, straightforward, two-syllable sound that's in step with modern style.

In Turkish mythology, Kayra is the deity of creation. The ancient Turks did not assign a gender to Kayra, who took the form of a goose. According to legend, Kayra planted the tree of life after creating the universe, from which emerged the nine clans.

This distinguished surname belonged to one of Ireland's great princely families. Its many variations include Rourke (as in actor Mickey), and O'Rourke. The family surname is thought to be one of the oldest in the world, originating in the tenth century, following the death of a young prince named Ruarc. It has literary cred via Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

Kross is one of the new generation of Christian word names with a twist, and joins the ranks of Chozen, Kruz, Zyon, Kannon, and Tru as options for boys. Given to around 20 babies in 2018, by 2019, it was received by more than 100. Now, it is given to nearly 200 babies each year and is more popular than the traditional Cross spelling.

With word names, almost anything goes. But maybe not Ghost, unless you're naming a white dog.

Nowadays, Clare tends to be viewed as a feminine name, but this is a short and sweet Irish-flavored name that could work just as well on a boy. Noted male bearers of the name Clare include Canadian ice hockey legend Clare Drake, US cartoonist Clare Briggs, and Grammy winning musician Clare Fischer.

Kitto updates Dad Name Christopher with a trendy o-ending short form. Use it as an honor name or an original nickname.

Cahir along with its traditional spelling Cathair is well-used in modern Ireland. Now it's finding a wider audience thanks to The Witcher , though Cahir is the main villain of the series. It was in the US charts from 2017 to 2020, but fewer than 5 baby boys were named Cahir in the US in 2021, suggesting that the effect on parents was short-lived.

Appearing in the Polish New Testament and possibly working to honor a Sylvester, Sylas has been climbing back up the rankings in recent years. Previously peaking in 2013 at #520, it has since overtaken that, entering the Top 500 in 2022. While the classic spelling is six times more popular in the US, that trendy Y is nevertheless capturing parents' attention.

A name known in several cultures.

Probably most familiar to those in the west through Kaveh Rastegar, Grammy award-winning guitarist, Kaveh is an Iranian name with a long history and would translate well into English-speaking countries.

This variation of Idris brings Edward into the mix.

As a masculine name, Kenna originates in the Oromo language of Ethiopia, in which it means "to offer" or "to present." It is unrelated to the feminine name Kenna, which is a variation of Kenneth.