Male names collection 2

Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.

Adrian is one of those names that’s easy to picture on all kinds of people. From an active and energetic five-year-old to your great grandpa, from the coolest, breeziest guy you know, to the quiet, serious one, it’s no wonder Adrian has always made the US Top 500 since the early 20th century.

Alexander has been in a Top 25 boys' name in the US for 30 years now. But namers are still attracted to its imposing historic pedigree.

One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.

Rooted in Greek mythology, Ares entered the US Top 1000 in 2013, when it was one of the year's fastest rising names. Similar in style to Atticus, Atlas, and Ari, it has continued to climb up the charts, and now ranks in the Top 500, given to around 770 babies each year .

Arto is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Finnish, it derives from the name Arthur, meaning "bear" or "stone." It's also used in Armenian communities, where it may be short for Artoush -- another Arthur variation meaning bear -- or Artavazd. In Spanish-speaking contexts, it could relate to "arte" meaning "art."

Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.

Aurik is a rare masculine name that may have several possible origins. It could be a variation of Auric, relating to gold (from Latin 'aurum'), giving it connotations of wealth and value. Alternatively, it might be connected to Germanic elements, possibly related to names containing 'aur' meaning 'ear of corn' or symbolizing wealth. The name has a strong, compact sound with its crisp ending. Aurik has very limited usage internationally, making it an exceptionally distinctive choice. Its brevity and strong consonant ending give it a masculine feel, while the unusual letter combination makes it memorable. Parents might choose Aurik for its unique quality and potential golden associations.

Birk is a masculine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It derives from the Old Norse 'björk' or German 'birke,' both meaning 'birch tree.' In Nordic countries, the birch symbolizes new beginnings, resilience, and growth, lending these positive associations to the name. Short and strong with just one syllable, Birk projects a rugged, outdoorsy character while remaining approachable. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, it enjoys some usage in Scandinavian nations where nature-inspired names have traditional appeal. The name's botanical connection also places it within the modern trend of nature names while its Norse heritage gives it historical depth. For parents seeking a brief, distinctive name with natural symbolism and Nordic flavor, Birk offers an understated yet meaningful choice.

Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.

While substituting a C for a K is a modern trend, Erik is in fact the traditional spelling of the name, derived from the Old Norse Eiríkr and introduced to the English speaking world in the Anglo-Saxon period. Now, Erik is popular in Scandinavia and throughout much of Central and Eastern Europe, where it ranks in the Top 100 in Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, and more.

Fedor is a strong masculine name with Slavic origins, particularly prominent in Russian culture as a variation of Feodor or Theodore. Derived from Greek elements meaning 'gift of God' (from 'theos' meaning 'god' and 'doron' meaning 'gift'), this name carries profound spiritual significance across numerous cultures. Fedor gained international recognition through notable bearers like Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky and MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko. While remaining distinctly Slavic, the name's relatively straightforward pronunciation makes it accessible internationally. Fedor offers parents a name with substantial historical and cultural depth, combined with a strong, masculine sound. Its cross-cultural history and meaningful etymology make it appealing for families with Slavic heritage or those simply drawn to names with rich traditions and powerful, distinct character.

A Julian derivative, via Spanish conquistadors, that could be a more unusual yet still reasonable substitute for that current favorite.

Jasper originated as a variation of the Latin Gaspar, which ultimately derived from the Persian word ganzabara, meaning "bringer of treasure." As a given name, Jasper’s etymology is unrelated to that of the gemstone, which comes from a Semitic word meaning "speckled stone." Jasper is the usual English form for one of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the infant Christ according to medieval tradition and appears in the Bible as a reference to the stone itself in Revelations 4:3.

Leif is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks to Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, and is still one of the best, with a pleasant aural association with the word leaf.

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.