character names-- boys edition

Seneca

Latin surname and Native American

"people of the standing rock"

Seneca's distinguished heritage as the name of the ancient Roman philosopher-playwright who tutored Nero, and of an Iroquois tribe makes this an interesting choice for either sex.

Shay

Anglicized spelling of Shea or Shai, Irish, Hebrew

"dauntless, fine, hawk; gift"

Gentle yet rugged, cool but well established, Shay is straightforward and memorable. An anglicized spelling of the Irish Shea ("dauntless, fine, good" "hawk") and the Hebrew Shai ("gift"), Shay…

Sigmund

German

"victorious protection"

The connection to Freud is a strong one, but this German name has a strong and interesting sound and great nickname potential: Ziggy, Iggy, Sim, Sid...

Sinclair

Scottish

"from the town of St. Clair"

Could be a novel way for a boy's name to honor an ancestral Claire.

Starling

animal name

Easy to pronounce and with good nickname potential, this bird name is given to a handful of boys and girls each year in the US

Valentine

Latin

"strength, health"

Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to…