User-created list
classic and unusual character names for men
Across 18 pages
of 18
Zevadiah
Hebrew
"God's gift"
One of the most unusual of the "iah" names, it comes with the appealing and usable nickname Zev.
Zidane
Arabic
"growth and progress"
Closely associated with French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, who became the manager of Real Madrid after retiring from play. One of the Arabic names for boys with modern rather than Quranic origins.
Zinedine
Arabic
"beauty of the faith"
Zinedine Zidane is France's biggest soccer star, spawning a legion of little Zinedines in that country.
Zorian
Zorian is a masculine name with Slavic and Greek roots. It derives from the Slavic element 'zor' or 'zori' meaning 'dawn' or 'sunrise,' symbolizing new beginnings and hope. Some connect it to the…
Zyler
Modern invented name
Tyler, with zest.
Rainhart
Rainhart is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements 'ragin' (counsel) and 'hart' (strong, brave, or hardy). This powerful combination creates a meaning akin to 'strong counselor'…
Reinhart
Reinhart is a masculine German name derived from the Old Germanic elements 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' and 'hart' meaning 'strong' or 'brave.' It can be translated as 'strong in counsel' or 'brave…
Fenway
English
"through the marsh"
This rare but meaningful name is bestowed upon the children of Boston Red Sox fans in honor of their home ballpark, Fenway Park. Fenway Park is the oldest in the MLB. It was named after the…
Kirkby
Kirkby is a masculine name of Old Norse and English origin, derived from kirk (church) and by (settlement or village), literally meaning "church settlement" or "village with a church." It originated…
Beck
Short form of Rebecca or English
"one living beside a small stream"
Although the single-named singer is male, this might be a girl's nickname name or a sleek nature name that's perfect in the middle.
Coral
English word name
"a rock like substance formed by sea creatures; pinkish-red; gemstone"
A color name, a gemstone name, and an ocean-inspired choice, Coral has a lot going for it with its sharp C sounds yet sweet vintage feel. Unlike Scarlett or Violet, however, it is only quietly used…
Greer
Scottish, contraction of surname Gregor; Latin
"alert, watchful"
This attractive Scottish surname choice, has a certain amount of glamour thanks to feisty British-born red-haired forties Academy Award winner Greer Garson, who was born Eileen Evelyn Greer…
Kiernan
Irish
"little dark one"
Kiernan Shipka, aka Sally Draper on Mad Men , brings this Irish surname into the girls' column. And, like Kieran and Tierney and Tiernan, it's one of the perfectly unisex baby names . Only 14 girls…
Maxwell
Scottish
"great stream"
Maxwell may be thought of as one of the classic Scottish names for boys, but two celebrities have recently used Maxwell for their daughters - Jessica Simpson bestowed it upon her daughter, Maxwell…
Phaedra
Greek
"bright"
This name of a tragic figure in Greek mythology, the daughter of King Minos, sister of Ariadne and wife of Theseus, has a mysterious and intriguing appeal, and would make a dramatic choice. Phaedra…
Rosamund
German
"horse protection"
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation. There was a…
Rune
English word name
"secret"
Runes are symbols in ancient Germanic alphabets. They are often viewed as mysterious and therefore as a name, Rune imparts a feeling of folkloric mystery. As intriguing as that might be, the homonym…
Sigrid
Norse
"fair victory"
Sigrid is a distinctly Scandinavian name that is starting to edge out into the wider world, a la cousin Ingrid. Unfortunately, short form Siri is now off the table, but Sigrid is still a possibility.
Tiernan
Irish
"little lord"
An old Irish surname cousin of Tierney that makes an unusual and appealing Irish gender switch.
Vernon
English
"place of alders"
Much more upscale and modern for a girl than a boy.