Boys' List

Bramwell

English

"well where the gorse grows; bramble well"

An unexpected route to nicknames Bram or Wells, this English surname derives from a historical hamlet in England, whose exact location has been lost to time. It comes from the Old English word for…

Rouvin

Rouvin is a masculine name of French origin, likely a variant of Ruben or Reuben, which has Hebrew roots meaning "behold, a son." This uncommon name carries an air of sophistication and uniqueness.…

Pascoe

Cornish variation of Pascal

"Easter"

Pascoe was popular in medieval times and is definitely deserving of revival, especially for a child born in the Easter season. Other spellings are Pasco and Pascow.

Colombe

French from Latin

"dove"

Pronounced ko-LUM, this sophisticated name associated with the symbol of peace, was borne by several French saints and martyrs.

Crispus

Latin

"curly-haired"

A potential hero name: Crispus Attucks, an African and Native American man, was the first colonist to die for independence in the Boston Massacre.

Cadmus

Greek

"one who excels"

Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents…

Jago

Cornish variation of Jacob or James

"supplanter"

A dashing alternative to the popular James and Jacob, Jago is the jaunty Cornish form of the Biblical names. Occasionally (or historically) appearing as Jagoe, Jego, and Jaego, it may have been…

Ludo

German

"famous"

This cool and quirky short form of the suave Ludovic could be an even-more-adventurous spin on Nico and Hugo.

Ludovic

English and Scottish variation of Ludwig

"famous warrior"

Euro-cool. Heard more in Scotland than in England or the US, Ludovic Lesly is a character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Quentin Durward and Sir Ludovic Kennedy was a noted Scottish broadcaster and…

Paco

Spanish, diminutive of Francisco; Native American

"eagle"

Another winning and relaxed but energetic o-ending Latin name, sometimes associated with designer Paco Rabanne.

Balthasar

Greek

"God protects the king"

Balthasar was one of the biblical Three Kings who visited the infant Jesus, also used by Shakespeare and in the oil-rich Getty family; offbeat and intriguing. Balthazar is another, equally…

Falconer

Occupational name

"falcon trainer"

Falconer is one choice that has morphed rapidly from outlandish to possible, even attractive, thanks to the fashion for occupational names. And really, if Archer is getting popular and Miller seems…

Silvius

Latin

"wood, forest"

With the rise of ancient Roman names, the now-obscure Silvius may be rediscovered. Sleek and silvery, Silvius was the name of several legendary kings and an early saint. It survives in the…