Boys’ Names: 10 New Favorites
by Esmeralda Rocha
In Part one of our blog on names new to the Nameberry database, we discussed highlights of our recent additions to the girls’ database. Part two focuses on our favorite ten additions to the boys’ name database.
Armel – This Welsh name, also used in France, means ‘bear prince’ — a meaning that is sure to delight any little boy. It also has a dashing and cosmopolitan sound to it, which may help it age well.
Bashir – We were surprised to discover only 25 boys were named Bashir in the US last year. The Quranic name has a wonderful meaning (“the one who brings good news”) and is fairly familiar to English-speakers. Pronunciation is ba-SHEER.
Darragh – Darragh (pronounced Dahr-ah) is a popular name in its native Ireland, where it is sometimes written as Dara. Usually a girls’ name with the spelling Dara in the US, Darragh may find new acceptance there now that other boys’ names with vowel-sound endings such as Noah, Ezra, Elijah and Joshua have become so popular.
Finlo – Finlo is a Manx name which relates to the Isle of Man sun God Lugh. Given the popularity of all names Finn-related, Finlo could be a great alternative for people who love the “Fin” sound but want a more unusual formal version.
Kiro – Compared with its English variation (Cyril), this Macedonian name meaning “lord” is packed full of spunk and charm. Kiro may be an unusual choice, but it has a lot going for it: it’s short, easy to spell and rhymes with hero.
Minik – This name has long been popular in its native Greenland, but it was only after the Danish Royal Family used it as a middle name for Prince Vincent that the name came to international attention. It has a modern, edgy sound to it that could lend itself to greater use outside of Greenland and Europe.
Rupin – A handsome name that literally means ‘handsome’ in Sanskrit. Although rarely used in the West, this name has so much potential given its similarity to names such as Reuben and Rupert.
Truett – We found this name on the US popularity list – where in 2014 nearly 100 boys were given this name. We like the overtones of a virtue name without going all the way to word names True or Truth.
Tybalt – Tybalt is a middle English variation on the French name Thibault and the German name Theobald; like those names, it means “bold people”. This name is probably most familiar from Shakespeare’s immortal play Romeo and Juliet.
Zimri – The Bible is a perennial (and seemingly inexhaustible) source of name inspiration. Zimri is an underused Hebrew gem that has a great modern sound, a lovely meaning (my music or my praise) and royal connotations, belonging to one of the Kings of Israel.