Boy Names Lists · Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Greek, diminutive of various names beginning with the element Niko-
Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.
Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus
"beloved, desired"
A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and…
Variation of Aloysius, Latin
"renowned warrior"
Alois and Aloysius are variation of Louis. Alois ranked in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, and still ranks in the Top 1000 in Germany. Last year in the US, only seven baby boys were named Alois.
English
"someone who lives or works near the barn"
This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but…
Irish
"from the island"
An appealing Irish placename with a unisex feel, Ennis would be a fresh alternative to Dennis and Ellis. It's little-used for boys and even rarer for girls, but since Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons…
Diminutive of Jocelyn or Joseph, German
"member of the Gauts tribe; Jehovah increases"
Succinct and to the point, Joss may appeal to those who enjoy the likes of Jude, Jesse, Jem, and Ozzy. Brought into the spotlight by Joss Whedon , creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Angel and…
Greek
"order, beauty, universe"
Cosmas was the name of an Arabian saint who was martyred with his twin brother Damian. They are the patron saints of physicians. Cosmas is related to the more familiar Cosmo. a name gaining more…
"son of the uncle"
An upscale surname with a nice modern design connection to the creators of the Eames chair and other midcentury furniture classics, Charles and Ray Eames.
Variation of Zachariah, Hebrew
"the lord has remembered"
A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite. And it still gets you to Zac.
"rock"
Piers was the first version of Peter to reach the English-speaking world, via the Normans, but it's never made it in the US, despite its large measure of understated panache. This might change due to…
Welsh
"rainbow"
The Welsh name Enfys is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used as a feminine name. It is rare even in the United Kingdom, used on only a handful of children each year.
Mythological name
"ocean"
Oceanus was the Titan in ancient Greek mythology who rules what they thought was the body of water that surrounded the Earth. Oceanus was, appropriately enough, the name of the baby born on the…
Greek variation of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
Greek variation of Joseph used in the New Testament. Joses is one of those names that feels at once novel and familiar, perhaps because it also sounds like Moses. An intriguing option.
English literary name
"kite"
Poetic and easy to pronounce (it's keets), this is one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson. Likely meaning "kite", in…
"from the mountain"
The Greek form of Orestes. An interesting and morally gray character from Greek myth, drama and literature, and a somewhat common name in Greece. It would be a handsome and unexpected choice for…
Erasmus has long retained the image of the bearded and bespectacled Dutch philosopher, but could be one that the audacious baby namer just might dare to dust off. The fourth century Saint Erasmus was…
Czech, Slovak, Slovene
"defending men"
An airy boy name with a unique, softer sound, originating as a diminutive for Alexej in Czechia and Slovakia, or Aleksander in Slovenia. It is seen both as a stand-alone name and occasionally as a…
English, Welsh, and Spanish surname
"of the East"
For some, a name that will evoke the beauty of the national park in the Colorado Rockies.
English variation of Yves
"yew wood"
Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
Dutch Surname
The added S at the end turns Ever from a hipster word name into a modern prepster.
