Pet Names

Dash

Diminutive of Dashiell, meaning unknown

Dash is a nickname that can stand on its own and sounds, well, dashing. Connected these days with Kardashian enterprises. Dash can stand on its own—as is evidenced by its entry into the US Top 1000…

Ember

Word name

"ember, glowing coal or wood"

A contemporary word name that's been popular for girls in recent years, Ember refers to the still-glowing parts of a fire once much of it has gone out. Connected with hope, rekindling, and light in…

Emry

Variation of Emery, German

"industrious"

Emry is an abbreviated form of Emery but might also be considered a relative of the Welsh Emrys. Emry was used for only 35 baby boys in the US last year and about 150 girls, placing it well below the…

Hannibal

Punic and Assyrian

"grace of Baal, god of fertility and fortune"

These days, it's thought of less as the name of the great general and more as the first name of Lecter the fictional cannibal. Either association is too heavy for a child to bear.

Icarus

Greek mythology name

Icarus, the mythological figure famous for flying too close to the sun, has a couple of negatives: his rash reputation, and those "icky" nicknames.

Jonty

Diminutive of Jonathan

"gift of Jehovah"

Jaunty, to say the least, Jonty might be an option if Johnny feels too old school. It has been noticed most often on the playing fields, as in U.K. rugby player Jonty Parkin (born Jonathan) and South…

Jinx

English word name

"spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"

A popular choice for black cats, Jinx has become a quietly used option for baby boys in the US. Previously, it had been largely given to girls, likely because it appeared in the James Bond movie Die…

Marx

German philosopher and revolutionary socialist Karl Marx will be most people's immediate association with this uncommon name. The author of The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital is widely…

Mica

Short form of Michal

Mica is not the same name -- though it sounds the same -- as Micah, but the h makes it feel more masculine.

Neptune

Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs, and horses.

This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.

Nova

Latin

"new"

Nova might be a much more commonly used a girls' name, but enough parents saw unisex appeal in it for it to debut on the US Top 1000 for boys in 2017. Nova is an astronomical term for a star that…

Odysseus

Greek mythology name

"wrathful"

The name of the brave, resourceful hero of Homer's epic saga, Odysseus is associated with hatching the Trojan Horse plot, and with his long and challenging journey home to his kingdom. Possibly…

Pan

Greek

"all or shepherd"

Pan is the Greek god with the legs of a goat and the body of a pipes-playing man known for his mischievousness. Pan is also the god of shepherds, pastures, and fertility. Pan is also a Hindi name…