Animal Names for Baby Boys!

Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his boy Buddy, and Alicia Silverstone called her son Bear Blu, followed by Kate Winslet's Bear Blaize.

A wild animal name given to only five boys in 2018. Five boys we're afraid to meet. (And fewer than five every year since then.)

Solemn but soaring name with patriotic symbolism.

There is a whole new species of bird names open to the baby namer, from the light and feminine Lark to the sleek and powerful Falcon.

Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.

Animal names are on the rise, especially more of the aggressive Hawk-Fox-Wolf variety than cute little Bunnys or Robins, and Hawk is a prime example.

Lion is a masculine name with straightforward derivation from the powerful animal, symbolizing strength, courage, and nobility across many cultures. With Germanic, French, and English language roots, Lion functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of names like Lionel. Though relatively uncommon as a given name in English-speaking countries, it has seen increased interest among parents seeking bold, simple names with powerful associations. In some European countries, particularly Germany and France, Lion has enjoyed more consistent usage. The name's brevity and unmistakable meaning give it a striking quality, while its familiar word-name status makes it accessible despite being unconventional. Lion projects confidence and natural authority.

One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.

Moose is an unconventional masculine name derived from the North American mammal. As a given name, it emerged from nickname usage, typically assigned to individuals with large, strong builds or gentle personalities reminiscent of the animal. The name carries associations of strength, imposing presence, and a connection to wilderness and nature. While extremely rare as a legal first name, it has occasionally appeared as a nickname for athletes and other public figures. The name reflects a contemporary trend toward bold, nature-inspired naming choices. Moose projects a masculine, rugged image while simultaneously conveying a certain playful, approachable quality. It remains outside mainstream naming statistics but may appeal to parents seeking distinctive, memorable names with strong character associations.

Despite its somewhat menacing meaning, this name has been widely used in recent years, probably due to the appeal of its trendy on ending.

Wolf is a name with a split personality. It can be seen as one of the fierce animal names, like Fox and Bear and Puma, with a touch of the werewolf, or it can be viewed as a quieter, Wolf Blitzer kind of name, fairly common in German (where is pronounced Vulf) and Jewish families, sometimes as a short form of Wolfgang, or even Wolfram or Wolfhart.