By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 200 pages
of 200
American word or occupational name
Another bad boy occupational name, joining Bandit, Rogue, and Gunner, though Vandal feels more obviously destructive. The Vandals were a tribe that swept through Europe and North Africa in the sixth…
Catalan
"golden"
Intriguing name that's a Top 100 choice in Spain and virtually unknown outside that country. But has definitely possibilities for the adventurous baby namer.
Gaelic
"chief"
Also a medieval short form of Nicholas, it is still heard in Ireland and Scotland, where it has mythological resonance – Colla Uais was an ancient Irish prince who ruled over northern Britain before…
Hebrew
"servant of God"
Avdel is an obscure Old Testament name with a straightforward feel and sound and the fashionable A initial. One to consider if you want a highly unusual yet not difficult Hebrew or Biblical name.
Farell is a masculine name that likely developed as a variant of Farrell, which originated as an Irish surname derived from 'Fearghal,' combining elements meaning 'man' and 'valor' or 'courage.' This…
Miguel Angel is a masculine compound name combining two powerful religious and cultural elements. Miguel, the Spanish form of Michael, derives from Hebrew meaning 'who is like God?' while Angel comes…
Jose Manuel is a masculine compound name with Spanish origins that combines two classic names. Jose, derived from the Hebrew Yosef meaning "God will add," is the Spanish equivalent of Joseph. Manuel…
Word name
"fiream"
A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the…
Catalan and Portuguese, diminutive of Manuel
A streamlined version of Manuel that could freshen up a classic.
Spanish variation of Ralph
"wolf counsel"
Icelandic
"glacier, ice"
This Top 5 boys' name in Iceland has a nature meaning that makes a lot of sense in that icy country.
Egill is a masculine name with deep Norse roots, derived from ancient Scandinavia and particularly prominent in Icelandic culture. The name is associated with the legendary Icelandic hero and poet…
French, Latin
"flowering, flourishing"
An ancient and dashing princely European name, belonging to one of the Grimaldi princes of Monaco from the 18th and 19th centuries. Florestan is also a character in Ludwig van Beethoven's opera…
English, Celtic, Norse
"meeting place in the wood"
Originally spelt Ceoftefne, this English surname and place name is formed from a Celtic element meaning "wood" and a Norse word meaning "meeting place". It was originally a place name in…
Daniël is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, derived from the biblical figure Daniel, meaning 'God is my judge.' This spelling variation with the diaeresis over the 'e' is particularly common in…
Basque
"Shadow"
The Basque name, meaning shadow, has the virtue of having both an interesting meaning and an obvious pronunciation.
English surname
"grower of darnel"
Darnel, the plant from which this name derives, is an intoxicating plant, which used to be grown to make medicines and poisons.
"the branch of the river"
Most closely associated with famed English novelist George Orwell (whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair), this English surname is now occasionally sported as a literary first name. Given its…
Cornish place and saint's name
This Cornish place name comes from the name of a Breton saint who came to Cornwall. It could be an interesting alternative to Austin. The spelling has also been recorded as Austol.
Romanian
"powerful, brave"
Decebal was the name of an ancient ruler of Dacia who resisted but was eventually conquered by the Roman military leader Traianus. Both Decebal and Traian are names used in modern Romania.
