A Song of Ice and Fire: Male

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.

Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains in the Top 100 for baby boys as a family favorite.

Brandon, a forebear of the Braden-Caden pack, had a great run of popularity over several decades, being in the Top 10 from 1992 to 1998, one of its inspirations being hearthrob Brandon Walsh played by Jason Priestley on the original Beverly Hills 90210--and it was aso the name of several soap opera characters.

Ned is a gently old-fashioned Nancy Drew-Bobbsey Twins-era short form for Edward that sounds cooler than Ed and is enjoying a small style renaissance.

Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France

A Hispanic classic that has lost some momentum in recent years. It could be misunderstood by some as Jamie -- which is how it's pronounced on Game of Thrones.

Streamlined version of the classic boys' names, sometimes a short form of Jonathan, which is in fact an entirely different name from John attached to a different Biblical personage. Jon feels more modern than the traditional John, but some may find it an overly slight variation on an already slim name. Jon Snow is a popular character on HBO's Game of Thrones.

Theon, an ancient name attached to a noted Greek teacher of mathematics and astronomy, also father to the first woman mathematician, might appeal to parents in this field. You can think of Theon as Theo with something a little extra.

Common in Holland, the appealing Willem (as in de Kooning and Dafoe) makes William fresh and distinctive.

Jorah, a Biblical name with a lovely nature-related meaning, might make a fresher alternative to the overused Jordan. It's similar to the feminine Nora, Cora, and Laura, but depending on your viewpoint, that may be an advantage.

Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.

Lothar is cloddish, till you add a dashing io to the end...

Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And then there's Gregor Clegane, one of the most feared and purely evil characters in the world of Game of Thrones.

A surname occasionally used as a first, as in former attorney general Ramsey Clark. This spelling is now closely associated with the psychopathic Game of Thrones villain Ramsay Snow (later Ramsay Bolton), and so is probably best avoided as long as the show and books are popular.

Formerly in style limbo, Edric has recently started to see more use by parents. It could be because it sounds medieval yet accessible - which George R. R. Martin took advantage of for several characters - or because it's an offbeat alternative to the more popular Ed-names.

Has a slight aura of danger, from its being two types of weapons and a looming character in the Star Wars films. Best left as a nickname for Mason.

Tyrion is one of the many new names entering the lexicon thanks to George R. R. Martin, author of the Game of Thrones book. Tyrion's name shares its first two letters with those of his father Tywin and his grandfather Tytos. The Tyrion Lannister character, a dwarf, is played by award-winning actor Peter Dinklage. Martin has said he saw the Tyrion character as being both the ugliest and the most intelligent person in the world, a mixed legacy for any child.

Aeron was possibly a minor Celtic god of war, and is definitely a river in modern-day Wales.

Raynald is a masculine name with Germanic origins, a variant of Reynold or Reginald. It combines the Germanic elements 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' or 'decision' and 'wald' meaning 'rule' or 'power,' creating a meaning of 'powerful ruler' or 'wise decision-maker.' This noble name was carried by various medieval European nobles and crusaders, including Raynald of Châtillon, a controversial figure during the Crusades. The name fell from common usage in modern times but retains an aristocratic, vintage charm. The spelling variation with 'ay' rather than 'ey' gives it a slightly distinctive quality while maintaining its historical roots. For parents drawn to names with medieval character and strong meanings, Raynald offers historical depth without being as common as similar names like Ronald or Raymond.

Beric is a masculine name with medieval Anglo-Saxon origins, possibly derived from an Old English term meaning 'barley ruler' or 'grain farmer.' The name gained some recognition through George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and its television adaptation 'Game of Thrones,' where Beric Dondarrion is a recurring character known for his resilience. Despite this cultural reference, Beric remains uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality while still sounding familiar enough to be easily pronounced. The name has a strong, compact sound with its two syllables and crisp ending consonant. For parents seeking a name with historical depth that remains relatively unique, Beric offers a compelling option with its blend of ancient roots and modern recognition.