Boy Names

Quirky cool Arlo is now well and truly back. Last year it broke into the US Top 200 boy names and consistently ranks among the most popular boy names on Nameberry.

Esten is a masculine name with Scandinavian and Old English origins. It may be derived from the Old Norse name Eysteinn, combining elements meaning 'island' and 'stone,' symbolizing strength and steadfastness. This short, strong-sounding name has a crisp modern feel despite its ancient roots. Esten remains uncommon in contemporary usage, making it a distinctive choice that stands out while still being relatively straightforward to spell and pronounce. The name's brevity gives it a certain punch and memorability. It carries connotations of resilience and natural elements, which may appeal to parents seeking a name with subtle connections to nature and enduring qualities. Esten works well across various personality types with its balance of strength and simplicity.

This name of several early Irish saints makes a nice Logan/Conan alternative.

With a cool color meaning and a woodsy, earthy feel, this anglicized spelling of the Irish name Odhrán could rise in popularity thanks to Olympic rugby player, Orrin Bizer. The name did rank in the US Top 1000 in the late 1800s and the early 20th century, but has been out of the charts since the 60s.

In the past, Orson has felt like a one-person moniker, tied to film director Orson Welles, who dropped his given name of George in favor of his more distinctive middle. While the Citizen Kane creator seemed to own the name during his lifetime, it's now an interesting possibility for any parent seeking an unusual yet solid name. It's started to appear to the celeb set too -- both Paz Vega and Lauren Ambrose have little Orsons.