Lopes da Silva (male names, part 1 of 12)

Adrian is one of those names that’s easy to picture on all kinds of people. From an active and energetic five-year-old to your great grandpa, from the coolest, breeziest guy you know, to the quiet, serious one, it’s no wonder Adrian has always made the US Top 500 since the early 20th century.

Allen is the spelling of this name -- other common spellings are Alan and Allan -- most associated with the surname; it might also be the most appropriate if you're trying to steer clear of Al as a nickname, as this can easily offer you Len or Lenny as options.

In Spanish cultures, and spelled either Bastian or Bastien, this is a fairly common nickname name. The German fantasy children's book The Neverending Story features a young boy character called Bastian Balthlazar Bux, and it has also been seen in several screen versions.

Benjie is a masculine name functioning as an affectionate diminutive of Benjamin, which comes from Hebrew origin meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south.' This friendly, approachable nickname has a casual charm that makes it popular in informal settings, though some bearers adopt it as their formal name as well. Particularly common in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom, Benjie has a warm, unpretentious quality that conveys boyish likeability. While it doesn't typically rank on most popular name charts as a given name, Benjie remains a steadfast nickname choice for Benjamins seeking a more playful alternative to Ben or Benji (with an 'i' ending).

Most Bills today are dads...or grandpas. The younger Williams are usually nicknamed Will, or called by their full names.

Calvin is a slightly quirky but cozy name that has a fashion edge thanks to Calvin Klein. It has been steadily on the popularity list since records were kept, never lower than Number 250, peaking in the 1920s, the era of the Calvin (originally John Calvin ) Coolidge presidency.

Damon is a name with a strong, pleasing aura (much like the persona of Matt D.) and extremely positive ancient associations. From the classical myth, Damon and Pythias have become symbols of true friendship, as Damon risked his life to save his friend from execution. And Damon of Athens was the fifth century philosopher who taught both Pericles and Socrates.

Though closely associated with the great medieval Florentine poet Dante Alighieri -- who's so famous most people skip the last name -- it's not as much of a one-man name as you might think. Heck, it's not even a one-poet name, thanks to British pre-Rapahaelite Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Though especially well used in the Italian-American community, it would make a striking name for any little boy.

The Darien spelling, which relates to the posh Connecticut town, peaked at Number 393 in 1994 but more recently has been just hanging on at the bottom of the Top 1000. Still, a name with an appealing sound and feel that may ascend again.

Darren and wife Sharon shop for fifties memorabilia on eBay. The Connecticut place-name Darien might offer an update.

Darrian is a modern masculine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Darian, which derives from the Persian name Darius, meaning 'possessor of good' or 'maintains good.' Alternatively, it could be connected to the Greek name Darius, meaning 'wealthy' or 'kingly.' The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining connections to ancient roots. Darrian gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s, appealing to parents seeking a modern-sounding name with distinctive rhythm. Its '-ian' ending follows a popular naming pattern while the overall sound conveys strength and masculinity.

Eliott is a masculine name representing a variation of Elliott, which originated as an English surname derived from the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning 'my God is Jehovah' or 'the Lord is my God.' This specific spelling with one 't' is less common than the double-t version, giving it a slightly more distinctive appearance while maintaining the familiar sound. Eliott combines traditional roots with a clean, modern feel. The name has seen steady usage throughout English-speaking countries, experiencing an uptick in popularity during the early 21st century as part of the trend toward classic names. It offers the friendly nicknames Eli or El. Eliott carries an intellectual, approachable quality that works well from childhood through adulthood.

One of several Latin names starting with E that would work and play well with others in any family.