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231 Iambic Boy Names

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 21 2025
Iambic names have two syllables, with the emphasis on the second syllable. They are particularly popular as middle names, as iambic names create rhythmic flow. Names like Eugene, Maurice, and Jerome have long been common middle names for boys, and modern iambic boy names like McCrae, Jakai, and Gael are rising in popularity. If you need a strong iambic middle name for your baby boy, search our complete collection here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
  1. Ivan

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Though some might find it a bit heavy-booted, Ivan is one of the few Russian boys' names to become fully accepted into the American naming pool.
  2. Idris

    • Origin:

      Welsh; Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "ardent lord; studious, interpreter"

    • Description:

      A name that crosses cultures, Idris was virtually unknown in the US before the emergence of the charismatic actor Idris Elba, first on The Wire and then for depicting Nelson Mandela. Since then, the name has grown with the actor and is a popular choice in the UK and Belgium, and a familiar one in The Netherlands, France, and the US.
  3. Gael

    • Origin:

      Breton

    • Meaning:

      "Gaelic"

    • Description:

      This cross-cultural name, found in Wales, Brittany, and Spain, is a surprise star in the U.S in recent years, largely thanks to actor Gael Garcia Bernal. Also written as Gaël, it's a popular choice across Spain, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and France, and the US.
  4. Lior

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "I have a light"

    • Description:

      Lior is a unisex name frequently heard in Israel, capturing the popular light theme through its meaning. For English speakers, the one down side is possible pronunciation confusion with "liar," though it's really lee-OR, with a long e sound and emphasis on the second syllable.
  5. Marcel

    • Origin:

      French variation of Marcellus

    • Meaning:

      "little warrior"

    • Description:

      Marcel, despite distinguished namesakes including Proust and Duchamp, suffers from a terminal headwaiter image in this country. But along with its sister name Marcella and French variation (and Jolie-Pitt pick) Marcheline, Marcel may be on the brink of a style renaissance.
  6. Eugene

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"

    • Description:

      Eugene is a classic that has rather lost its way. On the one hand, it's a grandpa, even great-grandpa name that hasn't been one of the cool kids recently—or to quote Jim Carrey, who bears this name in the middle spot, "You can never get too cool with a name like Eugene." The hero of Disney's Tangled felt the same way, when he changed his birth name of Eugene to the more romantic Flynn.
  7. Emil

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "rival"

    • Description:

      Derived from the Latin word aemulus, Emil is a name with international appeal. Concise and sturdy but with the gentle Em sound, Emil is popular across Europe, from Azerbaijan to Finland, from Germany to Norway, and Denmark. Alternative spelling Emile also ranks highly in Belgium and Canada.
  8. Monroe

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "mouth of the Roe river"

    • Description:

      Monroe is a presidential surname which feels fresher than Jackson, Lincoln and Taylor. Marilyn Monroe is a famous female namesake, but her smart Scottish surname feels equally usable for either sex. Plus, we think old man nickname Moe would sound both cool and adorable on a baby boy today!
  9. Milan

    • Origin:

      Italian place name, Slavic, Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "middle of the plain; gracious, dear; union"

    • Description:

      Effortlessly stylish with an international feel, Milan re-entered the US charts back in 2013 after a 55 year hiatus. It has been powering up the charts ever since, following in the footsteps of sweet sound-alike Mila, and spotlighted by singer Shakira, who chose it for her son.
  10. Zaire

    • Origin:

      Place name, Congo

    • Meaning:

      "the river that swallows all rivers"

    • Description:

      Zaire was a Central African state from 1971 to 1997 that has recently risen up the charts as a boys name. Deriving from a Congo term meaning "the river that swallows all rivers", it makes a bold and wearable choice for a son.
  11. Sinclair

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "from the town of St. Clair"

    • Description:

      Could be a novel way for a boy's name to honor an ancestral Claire.
  12. Amir

    • Origin:

      Arabic or Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "prince, ruler; treetop"

    • Description:

      Concise, familiar and multicultural, Amir enjoys widespread popularity around the world. A common name in the Middle East and across Africa, it has been on the rise in the US since the late 70s, and in a recent year, sat within the Top 100.
  13. Angel

    • Origin:

      Spanish and English

    • Meaning:

      "angel, messenger"

    • Description:

      As a boys' name, Angel has two distinct name personalities. One is as a perennial favorite Hispanic boys’ name, popular in the US along with Spain, Mexico, and South America.
  14. Mccoy

    • Origin:

      Anglicization of MacAoidh or MacAodha, Scottish, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Aodh; son of fire"

    • Description:

      One of many Irish and Scottish surnames starting with Mac and Mc that also feel usable as given names, McCoy has a jaunty and energetic sound. The name entered the US Top 1000 in 2020, and was given to around 220 boys in the US in a recent year, along with 6 girls.
  15. Malik

    • Origin:

      Arabic; Greenlandic

    • Meaning:

      "king; owner; wave"

    • Description:

      A name with many spelling variations, including Malek, Melik, and Maliq, Malik is a popular name of Arabic and Semetic origin that is used internationally as both a given name and a surname. In terms of meaning, it can be considered a royal name meaning "king", though other sources suggest it is an alternative transcription of Maalik, making "owner, possessor" a more accurate meaning.
  16. Pascal

    • Origin:

      French; English

    • Meaning:

      "of the Passover; Easter"

    • Description:

      The French-accented Pascal was historically used for sons born at Easter, and can make an interesting choice for a boy with Gallic roots arriving around that holiday.
  17. Pierre

    • Origin:

      French variation of Peter

    • Meaning:

      "rock, stone"

    • Description:

      One of the most familiar — if not stereotypical — Gallic names. Pierre was a Top 5 name in France from the 19th century through 1940 and is now on a steady decline in its native land. In the US, Pierre was most common in the 1980s but it has never cracked the Top 300.
  18. Samir

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "a friend to talk with in the evening"

    • Description:

      Samir has a pleasing sound and lovely meaning. One of those distinctive names that can also fit right in—and you could always call him Sam.
  19. Maurice

    • Origin:

      English and French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dark-skinned"

    • Description:

      In the USA, Maurice was in the Top 200 for most of the 20th century; since 1990, however, it has been on a slow and steady decline. This name has the potential for some old-school cute nicknames such as Mo as well as the more trendy Reece.
  20. Jerome

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sacred name"

    • Description:

      Jerome has a bespectacled, serious, studious image, just like its namesake saint, who was a brilliant scholar. St. Jerome is the patron saint of students, librarians, and archaeologists.