Kostas makes the ancient emperor's name more approachable.

A bold, brave choice, that some may worry is a little heavy to bestow on a child, Hero wouldn't seem too out of place alongside Chosen, Merritt, or Noble. Though the mythological Hero was female, as a word name, it could easily be a unisex option.

Axe, spelled like this, is used for a handful of baby boys in the US each year. You can see it as one of the new weapon names, along with Dagger and Beretta, or as an abbreviation of the very popular Axel.

This version of the sea god's name may be more ready for prime time than the Roman version, Neptune -- slightly.

Great Irish middle name choice for Shakespeare lovers.

Tierney is a Celtic surname with a definite Irish twinkle, a name just waiting to be discovered. Though now sometimes used for girls (in the US, not Ireland), as in jazz singer Tierney Sutton, it still has plenty of masculine punch.

Extreme cool possibilities in either of these modern categories, like a postmodern Linc.

Familiar in France where it ranked in the Top 400 in a recent year, Orso is related to the English Orson, Swiss Urs, and astronomy-inspired Ursa. Derived from the Latin ursus, it is the Italian word for a male bear "bear", making this both a word name and an animal name.

There are many fire-related names, from Aidan to Fiammetta, but the Flame isn't one that's often found on birth certificates. It's a highly symbolic word: flames can represent faith, passion and cleansing, for example, as well as straightforward heat and light.

The version of Rob used in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books and HBO's Game of Thrones.

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.