Strong Yet Unusual Names for Boys

Gallagher

Irish

"descendant of foreign helper"

Gallagher is, like so many of its genre, friendly, open, and optimistic. Some might associate it with the fraternal members of the band Oasis, Noel and Liam Gallagher.

Galway

Place-name

Associated with the poet and novelist Galway Kinnell, this name of an Irish city, county, and bay would make an evocative choice. For further literary cred, writers Liam O'Flaherty and Frank Harris…

Gawen

Gawen is a medieval masculine name with Celtic and Arthurian roots, representing a variant of Gawain, one of King Arthur's most renowned Knights of the Round Table. The name derives from the Welsh…

Giacomo

Italian variation of James

"supplanter"

Giacomo is a primo member of the Giovanni-Gino-Giancarlo-Giacomo gruppo of Italian names that are beginning to be adopted by American parents. Singer/creative baby namer Sting chose it for his son.…

Glenn

Scottish

"valley"

Glenn appealed to a lot of post-World War II parents for its cool, leafy image, also calling up the Big Band sounds of Glenn Miller and the calm, composed image of actor Glenn Ford, whose name at…

Granger

English and French surname

"worker of the granary; farmer"

If you're seeking a solid but underused occupational name with a warm, friendly sound, and an earthy feel, Granger is one to consider. Associated with faming, grain, and the outdoors, it fits in with…

Gray

Color name, also diminutive of Grayson

The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Gray (or Grey), is one exception, which could make for a soft and…

Gulliver

Irish

"glutton"

Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors…

Hadrian

Latin

"from the Adriatic; dark-haired"

Most parents would find this old Roman name pretentious compared to the more accessible Adrian, but some history buffs just might want to commemorate the enlightened emperor.

Hagan

Irish

"little fire; young"

For fans of Hayden, Aiden, and Logan who are on the hunt for something familiar but unique, Hagan may be a possibility. It comes from the Irish surname Higgins, which itself derives from either Ó…

Halian

Native American

"youthful"

A Julian derivative, via Spanish conquistadors, that could be a more unusual yet still reasonable substitute for that current favorite.

Hartigan

Irish

"descendant of Arthur"

In Cool Names, we cite this as an "Artist Name," for twentieth-century abstract painter Grace Hartigan, though for you it may just be an upbeat Irish surname.

Hendrik

Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Henry

A bit stiff and formal for American use.

Hidalgo

Spanish

"nobleman"

Hidalgo is the name of a minor planet, and, on Earth, the Spanish word for a nobleman, but we don't see much crossover potential.

Iagan

Iagan is a masculine name with Scottish Gaelic roots, considered a variant of the more common name Eoghan (often anglicized as Owen). The name ultimately derives from the Celtic word 'eugenos,'…

Iago

Welsh and Galician variation of James and Jacob

Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello , was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.

Iggy

Latin, diminutive of Ignatius

"fiery"

Iggy is the quintessential pop star name, though it's the nickname Cate Blanchett uses for son Ignatius. Iggy does bring any grander-sounding name down to earth.

Ignatius

Latin

"fiery"

The striking Ignatius is making a truly surprising comeback, sparked by its selection by not one but two celebrities — Cate Blanchett and Julianne Nicholson. With its fiery qualities and magical…

Ingmar

Norse

"son of Ing"

Ingmar is known here almost solely through Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Ing was the powerful Norse god of fertility and peace, who lent his name to several mortal variations, more notably to…

Ingram

German

"angel-raven"

An undiscovered surname possibility with upscale overtones, could be enlivened with nickname Ingo.