mermuse's ABCs - boys

  1. Arthur
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      " bear"
    • Description:

      Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by stylish parents, inspired perhaps by the new generation of royals. Arthur has led the list of possible names for the young British princes, chosen as a middle name for Prince Louis, son of William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales.
  2. Bertram
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "bright raven"
    • Description:

      Old Norman name last current in the 1930s, and firmly in our 'so far out it will always be out' category – despite its appearance as a Hogwarts student in Harry Potter. This is the full first name of P.G. Wodehouse's inimitable Bertie Wooster.
  3. Caedmon
    • Dean
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "church official"
      • Description:

        Dean may sound to some like a retro surfer boy name, but it is once again climbing up the popularity chart in the USA. For decades it was associated with Dean (born Dino) Martin; more recent representatives include Dean Cain, Dean McDermott and Dean Koontz -- not to mention Jared Padalecki's dreamy Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls.
    • Ethan
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "strong, firm"
      • Description:

        Ethan is a name that succeeds in being at once classic and fashionable, serious and cheery, strong and sensitive. Given a big boost via the name of the Tom Cruise character in the Mission Impossible film series, Ethan has fallen from its peak at Number 2 in 2009 and 2010, but is still popular in the US along with several other countries.
    • Frederick
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "peaceful ruler"
      • Description:

        Frederick, and friendlier nickname Fred, seemed almost to have disappeared, leaving just the memory of Freds past such as Astaire, Mr. Rogers and Flintstone. But today's parents are beginning to recognize it as a strong classic and one of the top royal baby boy names.
    • Galahad
      • Horatio
        • Origin:

          English variation of Latin Horatius
        • Meaning:

          "hour, time"
        • Description:

          Like Horace, Horatio is a variation on the Latin Horatius, but its Shakespearean and optimistic Horatio Alger pedigree makes it an attractive up-and-comer, especially with its cool final o. A modern reference is the charismatic TV character Horatio Caine played by David Caruso in CSI: Miami.
      • Ives
        • Origin:

          English variation of Yves
        • Meaning:

          "yew wood"
        • Description:

          Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
      • Johannes
        • Origin:

          German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Estonian variation of John
        • Meaning:

          "God is gracious"
        • Description:

          An Old World name that might have a chance to rise again with other ancient and worldly forms. Be sure to say yo-HAHN-es.
      • Kent
        • Origin:

          English surname and place-name
        • Meaning:

          "edge"
        • Description:

          Kent is a no-nonsense, brief, brisk one-syllable name, almost as curt as Kurt.
      • Llewellyn
        • Origin:

          Welsh, variation of Llywelyn
        • Meaning:

          "leader's image"
        • Description:

          Llewellyn/Llywelyn is a common patriotic first name in Wales, with its distinctive Welsh double LL's; in the U.S. Llewellyn would make a daring choice, though with the chance that some might find the ellen sound slightly feminine.
      • Matthias
        • Origin:

          Aramaic variation of Matthew
        • Meaning:

          "gift of God"
        • Description:

          With Matthew sounding somewhat exhausted, and ancient endings sounding new again, this New Testament apostolic name makes an appealing and recommended choice. Both Mathias and Matias are well used in the Hispanic community, and throughout Europe. Will Ferrell and his Swedish wife chose Matias for their second son.
      • Nathaniel
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "gift of God"
        • Description:

          Nathaniel was derived from the Hebrew name Netan’el, meaning "gift of God," composed of the elements natan, meaning "to give," and ’el, in reference to God. The name is featured several times in the Old and New Testaments, typically spelled Nathanael. In the New Testament, Nathanael is also known by his other name, Bartholomew.
      • Olivier
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "olive tree"
        • Description:

          More and more frequently heard as the Gallic version of Oliver, Olivier could be seen as a tribute to the great British actor, Sir Laurence O.
      • Peregrine
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "traveler, pilgrim"
        • Description:

          Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's not beyond consideration — in fact it's already been chosen by at least one Berry.
      • Quirin
        • Origin:

          German from Latin
        • Meaning:

          "spear"
        • Description:

          A child might like to have a name connected to the legendary Quirin stone, which, when placed on a sleeping person's head, prompts him to expose his secret thoughts.
      • Robin
        • Origin:

          Bird name; or English, diminutive of Robert
        • Meaning:

          "bright fame"
        • Description:

          Now that it's no longer fashionable for girls, Robin is rising for boys again. Robin Hood, Robin Williams, Christopher Robin, and Robin the Boy Wonder are all male namesakes, after all. It reentered the US Top 1000 boys names in 2015 for the first time since 1999 and continues to bounce around the lower end of the Top 1000.
      • Sebastian
        • Origin:

          Latin from Greek
        • Meaning:

          "person from ancient city of Sebastia"
        • Description:

          Sebastian is an ancient martyr's name turned literary, and Little Mermaid hero—think Sebastian the Crab—that's more popular than ever, as a classic-yet-unconventional compatriot for fellow British favorites T Theodore and Oliver.
      • Taliesin
        • Origin:

          Welsh
        • Meaning:

          "shining brow"
        • Description:

          This unusual Welsh mythological name just might appeal to architect parents wishing to honor Frank Lloyd Wright, who called his two famous residences Taliesin and Taliesin West.