Amazing Boy Names

Leander

Greek

"lion-man"

Leander was once an almost unknown name, however, with the popularity of Leo and the rise of Leandro, it now feels like a perfectly accessible alternative to Leon or Alexander. In Greek legend,…

Mads

Danish variation of Matthew

"gift of God"

Mads is a perennial favorite in Germany, the Nordic countries, and the Netherlands, where it is usually to be found in the Top 50. Just remember the D is not pronounced. Famous bearers include Danish…

Mars

Roman mythology

"god of war; male; red planet"

Mars is a name with interesting potential, ticking the boxes as a mythological name, a space name, and a single syllable choice ending in -s. For parents wanting something unexpected, Mars could work…

Matisse

Art name

The surname of the great artist is pronounced the same way as Mathis, the German and French form of Matthew, so it's not a stretch for use as a first name.

Newt

English

"a small salamander"

Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.

Ovid

Latin, meaning unknown

Ovid is the English form of the Roman family name Ovidius, which possibly comes from the word for sheep. It is the usual English name for the first-century poet Publius Ovidius Naso.

Philippe

French variation of Philip

"lover of horses"

Philippe, pronounced fill-EEP, is Philip with Gallic flair.

Raife

Raife is a distinctive masculine name of English origin, representing a modern variation of Ralph. Deriving from Old Norse 'Ráðúlfr,' combining elements meaning 'counsel' and 'wolf,' the name carries…

Rainier

French, German

"wise army"

A royal, European name, and a relation of Rayner and Ragnar, Rainier is also associated with the majestic mountain in Washington state. Traditionally pronounced as REH-NYEH in French and as ray-NEER…

Ritchie

Ritchie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Richard, a Germanic name combining elements meaning 'powerful' and 'ruler' (literally 'strong king' or 'brave ruler'). The nickname…

Rob

English, diminutive of Robert

"bright fame"

Rob has claimed Bob's turf.

Robbie

Diminutive of Robert, English from German

"bright fame"

This short form of Robert was borne by famous figures from Robbie Williams to Robbie Coltrane to Robbie Robertson. At one point, Robbie was the cool new Bobby, but now Robbie is cool only for girls.

Robinson

English

"son of Robin"

This can be a cool and unusual way to honor your family Robert, conjuring up memories of Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson , as well as narrative poet Robinson Jeffers, born John Robinson,…

Rutherford

English

"cattle ford"

Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.

Seymour

English

"marshy land near the sea"

Out playing shuffleboard at his condo and not expected back for several generations -- unless it morphs into a girls' name, a la Sydney.

Talmadge

English surname, Old French, Norman

"pouch, knapsack; ringing of the bell"

Distinctive Talmadge could be an Anglo-Saxon name and English surname that was originally given to a person who carried a knapsack or pack, for example, a traveller or a pedlar. It comes from the Old…

Tangier

Place name

Unexplored Moroccan place name, conjuring up images of camels and palm trees and domed minarets.