Cool Cat Names

Though the mythological Hero was female, this name might prove too big a responsibility for a little guy to shoulder.

Odyssey is a rare and weighty word name — following the footsteps of Hero, Legend, and Story. Despite its literal connection to Odysseus, Homer's epic hero, Odyssey has always been slightly more common among baby girls. The word figuratively refers to a long and eventful journey.

Gatsby is one of the most famous literary surnames, borne by the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The book's Jay Gatsby gussied up his surname from Gatz, whose meaning is given variously as left-handed, cat, God, and person from Gat. As a first name, it's got a lot of energy and that great literary pedigree.

Relaxed western place-name that still has some masculine punch, but be warned: this whole posse of similarly trendy names, like Sierra and Dakota, will soon ride toward the sunset.

Alaska's Denali National Park is the home of the highest mountain in the US, officially renamed Denali in 2014, endowing the name with a lofty feel. There were 20 boys and 55 girls given the name in 2014.

Santana was most recently heard on a female character on hit television show Glee. Nonetheless, this name ranks higher for boys, which can be credited to Grammy Award-winning musician Carlos Santana.

Nani is a multicultural feminine name with origins spanning several traditions. In Hawaiian, it means 'beautiful' or 'glory,' while it can also be a shortened form of names like Danielle or Natalie in Western cultures. In Hindi and Sanskrit, Nani affectionately refers to a maternal grandmother, adding a warm familial connection. This short, melodic name has gained appeal in diverse communities for its simplicity and positive associations. The name's brevity makes it accessible across languages and cultures, while its various meaningful connections give it depth. Nani's contemporary sound fits well with modern naming trends favoring short, distinctive names with cross-cultural resonance. Its gentle tone and positive meanings contribute to its growing popularity.

ALLEGRA is a delicate ballet-dancer name; ALLEGRO, which means a fast-paced movement in music, is stronger and more vibrant.

Variation of Cluny best only if you're a major George fan. And even then, better go with George, Georgia, or Georgiana.

Merrit is a spelling variation of the more usual Merritt.

Unlike the feminine Blanca, this name for some reason seems to put more emphasis on the "blank" aspect.

Though Davy Crockett is a childhood hero, a frontiersman, soldier, politician, congressman and prolific storyteller. But be aware that "crock" is American slang for a lot of nonsense or something broken.