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

  1. Adam
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the red earth"
    • Description:

      Adam -- a primal Old Testament name -- was revived as a 1960s cowboy name. Adam is not as popular as it once was and feels ready for a respite, replaced by newer A names like Aidan/Aiden, Avery and Axel. Its most prominent current bearers include Adams Sandler, Levine, Brody and Driver -- who plays a character named Adam on Girls.
  2. 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.
  3. Avery
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "ruler of the elves"
    • Description:

      Avery is a unisex name that is used four times as often today for girls as for boys. But while Avery's popularity is starting to soften for girls, it continues to get stronger for boys -- in keeping with our finding that gender neutral names are becoming more favored for boys than for girls.
  4. Benito
    • Description:

      Benito is a masculine name of Spanish and Italian origin, derived from the Latin name 'Benedictus,' meaning 'blessed.' It's essentially the diminutive form of 'Benedicto' in Spanish. The name carries significant historical associations, most notably with Italian political figure Benito Mussolini and Mexican president Benito Juárez. Outside of Spanish and Italian-speaking countries, the name remains relatively uncommon but recognizable. Benito has a warm, friendly sound with its soft consonants and ending with an 'o,' typical of Italian and Spanish masculine names. The name conveys a sense of heritage and tradition while maintaining a certain musicality that makes it appealing across cultures.

  5. Benjamin
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the right hand"
    • Description:

      Benjamin is a biblical name that has enjoyed widespread favor for decades, ranking in the US Top 50 for almost half a century and the Top 10 from 2015 until 2023.
  6. Billy
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of William
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      Cute kid with freckles, bouncing a Spalding ball. Cool couple Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton put the name Billy Burton on their son's birth certificate. While the classic William, name of the future king of England, may in fact be German, the nickname Billy along with such other classic short forms as Jim and Joe are authentically English names for boys.
  7. Caleb
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "dog; whole heart"
    • Description:

      Caleb is an attractive Old Testament name that has been in the US Top 100 for nearly three decades now. Consistently popular but never too popular, Caleb feels more like a classic than a momentary trend.
  8. Cedric
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "bounty"
    • Description:

      Cedric was invented by Sir Walter Scott for the noble character of the hero's father in Ivanhoe, presumed to be an altered form of the Saxon name Cerdic. The name was later also given to Little Lord Fauntleroy, the long-haired, velvet-suited, and lace-collared boy hero of the Frances Hodgson Burnett book, who became an unwitting symbol of the pampered mama's boy.
  9. Clive
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lives near a high cliff"
    • Description:

      Clive started life as a surname for someone who lived near a cliff, making it a secret outdoorsy name.
  10. Colin
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Nicholas or Irish and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "people of victory; pup"
    • Description:

      Thanks to its dashing Anglo-Irish image — due partly to Colins Firth and Farrell — and its C-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin and its cousin Collin have enjoyed a long run of popularity, reaching as high as Number 84 in 2004.
  11. Cristian
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Romanian and Italian form of Christian, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "follower of Christ"
    • Description:

      Both Christian and Cristian rank in the US Top 500 names for boys, and while the classic "Ch" spelling is used more than four times as often, Cristian is still given to more than 1000 boys each year, and is often used in the Hispanic community.
  12. Cyrus
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      Cyrus is one of those surprising names that have always ranked among the Top 1000 boy names in the US. On an upward trend since the mid-90s, Cyrus now sits in that comfortable place between too popular and too unusual.
  13. Chrystian
    • Daimon
      • Description:

        Daimon is a masculine name representing an alternative spelling of Damon, which derives from Greek origins meaning "to tame" or "to subdue." In Greek mythology, Damon was known for his legendary friendship with Pythias, symbolizing loyalty and self-sacrifice. The variant spelling with 'i' gives the name a slightly more distinctive appearance while maintaining the original pronunciation. This spelling might also connect to the concept of "daimon" in ancient Greek philosophy, referring to a guiding spirit or divine inspiration. While less common than Damon, Daimon emerged in usage during the late 20th century when alternative spellings became more popular. The name conveys strength and classical heritage while offering a subtle uniqueness. Parents might choose this spelling to honor Greek traditions while giving their son a slightly more distinctive version of the traditional name.
    • Daren
      • Description:

        Daren is a masculine name with multiple origins, primarily considered a variant of Darren, which derives from the Irish surname Ó Dairrín, meaning 'descendant of Darragh' (oak tree). This nature-connected etymology gives the name an earthy strength. The spelling 'Daren' offers a streamlined, modern alternative to the more traditional 'Darren.' The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Daren projects qualities of reliability and straightforwardness with its clear, strong sounds. While less common than some contemporary male names, Daren maintains a timeless quality that works well across different age groups, making it neither trendy nor outdated.

    • Darien
      • Origin:

        Spelling variation of Darian
      • Meaning:

        "rich, kingly"
      • Description:

        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
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "little great one"
      • Description:

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

        Short form of David, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "beloved"
      • Description:

        Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off the Top 1000 a few decades ago and shows no signs of a comeback. Baby Davids today, often named for dad or grandpa, are more likely to be called David than Dave.
    • Davy
      • Origin:

        Short form of David, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "beloved"
      • Description:

        Davy and Davey are certainly short forms that are frequently used but rarely wind up on the birth certificate. And why, since David is such a handsome, classic, yet short and simple name on its own?
    • Desmond
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "one from south Munster"
      • Description:

        Desmond is a sophisticated and debonair name, with noble ties to 1984 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Desmond Tutu, and with some great nicknames: Des/Dez, Desi/Dezi.