By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 197 pages
of 197
Hungarian
"god is my strength"
Probably most familiar to English-speakers as Zsa Zsa Gabor's last name, the rise of other Eastern European boys' names like Casimir, Milo and Laszlo make Gabor an increasingly wearable option.
Slavic
"precious peace, precious world"
This name, used in many Eastern European countries including Serbia and Romania, has two possible (and equally lovely) meanings. The feminine version is Dragomira.
Sanskrit
"peacock"
An interesting choice for people looking for a nature name that is off the beaten track. Mumbai-based actor and songwriter Mayur Puri is a notable bearer of this name.
German surname name
This unusual German surname name continues the style set by the Grey family so stylish for modern boys.
Olvier appears to be a variant spelling of Oliver, a name with Medieval French origins derived from the Norse name Áleifr or the Old French 'Olivier.' The traditional Oliver means 'olive tree,'…
English
"bird name"
The name of a small songbird, similar to a Lark – but far less commonly used as a name. Could give you the adorable nickname Pip.
Ensar is a masculine name of Turkish and Bosnian origin with deep Islamic significance. The name refers to the 'Ansar,' the people of Medina who supported the Prophet Muhammad and early Muslim…
Alper is a masculine Turkish name with roots in the Turkic word 'alp,' meaning 'hero,' 'brave,' or 'courageous.' The suffix '-er' adds the meaning of 'one who is,' making Alper translate roughly to…
German
"God spear"
Ansgar is an ancient name still used in modern times, especially in Scandinavia. Saint Ansgar is the patron of Scandinavia. The name Ansgar may be related to Oscar, so you can use it to honor an…
Variation of Ealar, Scottish form of Hilary
"cheerful"
Ellar Coltrane, the star of Richard Linklater's acclaimed 2014 movie "Boyhood," is an outlier, namewise. Most others with his first name are girls, and there aren't even many of them -- the last time…
English occupational name
More familiar from TV -- Rake , Leave It To Beaver -- than real life, and perhaps likely to stay that way, given the gruesome association with a butcher's knife. Cleaver was, for instance, the title…
French
"help, mercy"
Not all names that end in -er were originally occupational. This one, for instance, is a surname name that derives from the Old French for "help" or "mercy."
Welsh
"victory"
Gwythyr is sometimes used as the Welsh equivalent of Victor. However, his role in mythology is much more ambiguous, representing the never-ending struggle between summer and winter.
Basque
This Basque variation of Viktor is perhaps a little too close to bitter in English.
English word name
Kicker could be a great name for a cheeky kid, along the lines of Cricker, Striker or Becker. In literature the term Kicker is used to describe the twist or turn in a story.
Booker and Author are being used as names (the former is best known care of Booker T Washington), so why not Reader? Reader certainly fits in with both these and other "doing" names like Ryder,…
Rhymer feels right at home with names like Ryder, Ryker and Riley, but brings an artsy edge to this group of names.
Modern invented name
Rhaegar Targaryen is one of the most glamorous, noble characters in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series... even though he's been dead over a decade when the books begin. The reader…
Greek
"light of man"
Cassander is the masculine form of Cassandra, and the name of an ancient king of Macedon from the 3rd century BC. It could make a nice alternative to Alexander or a refreshing way to honour a female…
