By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 599 pages
of 599
Crayn is an unusual masculine name with obscure origins, possibly derived from older English or Scottish surnames. It may be related to the word 'crane,' referring to the tall, elegant bird, or could…
African, Ugandan
"peace"
A warm and musical name with a lovely meaning. There is a popular song called Dembe by famous Ugandan artist named Bobbi Wine, who also ran for President.
Krist is a masculine name with Scandinavian and Eastern European origins, functioning as a shortened form of Kristian or Kristoffer (variants of Christian and Christopher). The name directly…
Boine is an unusual masculine name with obscure origins. It may derive from Old French 'boin' (good), or could be related to Scottish place names or clan associations. Alternatively, it might be…
Juaun is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of 'Juan,' which has Spanish and Hebrew origins. The traditional Juan comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.'…
Finnish variation of Gabriel, Hebrew
"God is my strength"
As a masculine name, Gauri is Finnish in origin and derives from Gabriel.
Garey is a masculine name that serves as a variant spelling of Gary, which originated as a diminutive of names like Gareth or Garrison, or as an English surname derived from Germanic elements meaning…
Literary name
An admirable meaning, with roots in a Germanic word meaning wisdom, but we fear it will never be detached from the hobbit hero of The Lord of the Rings .
Place name, Kikuyu
"mountain of white"
A bold and evocative African place name. The country of Kenya gets its name from Mount Kenya, referred to it as "Kirinyaga" or "Kerenyaga" by the local Kikuyu people, meaning "mountain of whiteness"…
Hebrew
"hard labor"
Known from the Menotti opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, this is a subdued and gentle name.
Welsh
"rainbow"
The Welsh name Enfys is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used as a feminine name. It is rare even in the United Kingdom, used on only a handful of children each year.
Japanese
"victory"
As well as meaning victory, the name Katsu is strongly associated with heroism and masculinity.
Badin is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Old English 'Beaduwin,' meaning 'battle friend,' or could be related to the French 'badiner,' meaning 'to jest' or…
German
"dweller near the bush"
For stalwart Republicans only.
Short form of Sigmund or Sigfried, German
"victorious protection or victorious peace"
Siggy is the softer side of Ziggy, a more familiar name thanks to Ziggy Marley.
Eldan is a masculine name with several possible origins. In Hebrew contexts, it can mean "God lives forever" or "God's friend," combining 'El' (God) with 'dan' (judge) or a form of eternity. The name…
Hanes is a masculine name with potential Welsh or Germanic origins. As a Welsh name, it may be related to the name Hannes, a diminutive of Johannes (John), ultimately meaning 'God is gracious.' In…
Diminutive of Armando, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese form of Herman
"soldier"
Armando definitely makes Herman cooler and Mando or Mondo makes it cooler still. While Mando is usually short for Armando, it can be an abbreviation for any name containing Mando or Mondo.
Short form of Oscar, Osias, Oswald et al
Ossie is best-known as the name of actor Ossie Davis, whose full name did not start with Os: It was Raiford. But Ossie makes a cute contemporary short form for any name beginning with Os.
English occupational name or surname
"fox"
Intriguing possibility if you want an animal name that's more than an animal name.
