Heathcliff is the name of the original passionate macho hero of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, and also of the cartoon cat. It was chosen by fashionista Lucy Sykes for her son, and inspired the late Heath Ledger's name. But otherwise it's barely used, and perhaps a bit much of a namesake. For a modern boy we'd recommend Heath....or Cliff.

Leif is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks to Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, and is still one of the best, with a pleasant aural association with the word leaf.

Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given the Spanish variation Adolfo and a handful given the old school Adolphus, but none named Adolf or Adolph....thank goodness.

Wolf is a name with a split personality. It can be seen as one of the fierce animal names, like Fox and Bear and Puma, with a touch of the werewolf, or it can be viewed as a quieter, Wolf Blitzer kind of name, fairly common in German (where is pronounced Vulf) and Jewish families, sometimes as a short form of Wolfgang, or even Wolfram or Wolfhart.

Reef is an uncommon nature name with mainstream potential. Its laidback, beach-y vibe makes it a perfect choice for ocean lovers.

Cliff is a familiar, timeless short form -- never too popular, yet widely known -- that you might also think of as a geographical name ala Vale or Field.

Griff is a masculine name with Welsh origins, functioning both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of Griffin or Griffith. The name derives from the Welsh 'Gruffydd,' meaning 'strong lord' or 'strong faith.' Griff has a concise, strong quality that appeals to parents seeking short, impactful names. The name carries associations with strength and courage, partly due to its connection to the mythological griffin creature (part eagle, part lion). In Welsh culture, variations of this name have been used for centuries, connecting it to a rich Celtic heritage. While not among the most common names, Griff has maintained steady usage, particularly in Wales and among families with Welsh ancestry.

Raif (or Raef, Rayif) is a Muslim name usually given in reference to the Qur’anic verse "God is most compassionate and most merciful to mankind." A notable bearer is Saudi writer, dissident and activist Raif Badawi.

Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical character in Disney's Frozen, he might get some more attention.

This ancient name is that of the hero of the epic Beowulf, which is thought to be the oldest-ever poem in English lit written in the vernacular. J. R. R. Tolkien used the poem as one of his inspirations for The Lord of the Rings.

A fairly common nickname in England that has never caught on in America. The rise of acronyms like MILF and DILF probably won't help its prospects going forward.

Yusuf is the Arabic form of Joseph, used in the Middle East, as well as internationally from France and the US, to the UK, Turkey and Azerbaijan - where, as of 2023, it ranked in the Top 100.

Harvard's sibling.

The nature boy version of the Scandinavian Leif, which actually means "heir". In the creative-naming Phoenix family, Leaf is the former name of the actor we know as Joaquin.

Haitian-born rap superstar and humanitarian Wyclef ("Fugees") Jean has lent this name a powerful musical beat.

While Yusuf is the more popular Arabic form of Joseph, Yousef is the Persian variant and is sometimes used as an Arabic transcription. Currently in the Top 500 in the UK and the Top 1000 in the US, it is still a familiar choice.

A widely used Hebrew form of Joseph, with a sophisticated and continental air.

This is the Turkish form of Alif, the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. Actor Natalie Portman gave another spelling to her son, Aleph. Elif can also mean "slender", from the Turkish phrase elif gibi, literally "shaped like Elif."

Ahnaf is a masculine name of Arabic origin derived from the word 'hanif,' meaning 'one who believes in the true faith' or 'one who is upright and righteous.' In Islamic tradition, the term 'hanif' refers to those who maintained pure monotheistic beliefs even before the advent of Islam. The name gained particular significance as Abu Hanifa, founder of the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, was sometimes called Ahnaf. While traditionally used in Muslim communities across the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, the name has become increasingly international as Muslim diaspora communities maintain their naming traditions. Ahnaf combines religious significance with a distinctive sound that works well across different languages.

Raf is a raffish short form that many a cool boy would love to call his own.