Lopes da Silva (male names, Part 8 of 12)

To Americans, a quintessential British name, introduced to the U.S. public by suave journalist/PBS Masterpiece Theater host Alastair Cook. Sometimes used in the U.S. by parents with Scottish heritage.

The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.

This Anglicized form of Bearach or short form of Finbarr was in the Top 200 in the USA for 50 years until the early 80s when it rapidly fell out of favor. Barry has not yet found popularity in the modern era - but that may well change as people rediscover their love of classic figures like musician Barry White, baseballer Barry Bonds or even Barack Obama, whose nickname as a young man was Barry.

Brandyn is a modern spelling variant of Brandon, a masculine name with English origins meaning 'beacon hill' or 'broom hill.' This alternative spelling gained popularity in the late 20th century as parents sought more distinctive versions of traditional names. The 'y' substitution gives the name a contemporary edge while maintaining the familiar sound of the original. Brandon itself derives from an Old English surname that became popular as a first name in the 1950s-1970s. The Brandyn spelling peaked in usage during the 1990s but remains in use today. This variation appeals to parents who appreciate the strong, classic nature of Brandon but desire a more unique spelling to help their child stand out.

Brennan is a winning Irish surname name, more modern than Brian or Brendan, more unusual than Conor and Aidan. The only possible problem with Brennan: people might think you're saying Brendan.

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.

This stuffy English surname and hotel name took on Twilight cool when attached to vampire Carlisle Cullen. Inspired by the character, it's more popular in this spelling than as Carlyle and more widely used for boys than for girls.

Rugged but gentle at the same time, Cassian is a saintly and stylish choice that was derived from the name Cassius. Before 2017, it was an obscure choice, given to a tiny handful of boys each year. As of 2023, however, it's become one of the top ten fastest-rising names in the US, more than doubling in usage since 2022 and edging closer towards the Top 500.

Clay is a rich, earthy one-syllable name with a southern-inflected handsome-rogue image, featured on soap operas and reality TV. Its longer forms are Clayton and Clayborne.

Cohen is a common last name among Jews and an important spiritual name in the Jewish religion, associated with the hereditary priests who claimed descent from the biblical Aaron. As a result of its religious significance, Cohen is considered by some to be inappropriate to use as a first name, particularly by people with no Jewish heritage.

This variation of Connor was practically unused before the 1990s.

Conor's more popular brother name Connor has been in the Top 100 for long enough that both are ready to make way for a new generation of Irish boys' names.

This Roman Emperor's name has long been considered too grand for an American boy. But in this era of children named Augustine and Atticus, it just may be prime for an unlikely comeback.

Craig is a single-syllable baby-boomer name, still common in its native Scotland, but most modern Americans would prefer something like Kyle.

Cullen is an appealing Irish surname name that upped its cool factor considerably when it became the Twilight family name of Edward et al. It's considerably less popular than it was at its peak in 2010, but is still widely used.

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.

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.

Darrien is a modern variation of the name Darren or Darius, blending contemporary style with historical roots. Of English origin, the name carries connotations of goodness and maintains the strength of its predecessors. The additional 'i' adds a distinctive touch while preserving the melodic quality. Darrien has gained modest popularity since the 1990s in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where parents appreciate its familiar sound yet uncommon spelling. The name strikes a balance between uniqueness and accessibility, making it appealing for parents seeking something slightly different without being overly exotic. As a masculine name, Darrien conveys a sense of reliability and character while maintaining a contemporary edge.

Dominic comes from the Latin name Dominicus and is common in the Roman-Catholic community. In the past it has been given to boys born on Sunday—the word "Sunday" in languages including Spanish and French shares Dominic’s roots. In use in the English-speaking world since medieval times, its most famous bearer was St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican order of monks in the thirteenth century.