Maerad's list "What on earth do people name boys???" of 5 great name ideas: Oren - Willow!

What on earth do people name boys???

No really, how does anyone name a boy? At this point we might just have to start using our spare girls names! But here are some we think are 'familiar but unusual'. (More common ones are more likely for middles!)

Soft and sensitive name often heard in Israel. 

Oren

Orev

A very popular unisex name in Japan, Ren is a concise and versatile choice that could work across multiple languages. A rising star in England and Wales where it ranks in the Top 1000, it is also on the rise in the US where it was give to nearly 90 girls and 200 boys in a recent year.
 
From its Japanese roots, the meaning of Ren varies depending on which kanji element is used, but possibilities include "lotus", "move forward", and "water lily". 
 Beyond its Japanese origins, it may be seen as a diminutive of any of the Renatus family, including French René or Spanish Renato, all of which mean "reborn". Alternatively, it might be used as a short form of Lawrence, Lorenzo, or Laurent, giving it the meaning "from Laurentum or bay laurel"
 
 The word name Wren, the Game of Thrones character Renly Baratheon, and the Star Wars character, Kylo Ren may be other sources for the name. 
 
Notable pop cultural associations include the cartoon series, Ren and Stimpy and the hero of both the original and updated versions of Footloose.

The name of several ancient kings and princes of Ireland, Tadhg became so common at one point that it was used to represent a kind of Irish Gaelic everyman, or man in the street, as Paddy and Mick would later. Tadhg has seen a major resurgence in recent years and is also now ranked in England. 
 
It is sometimes used as the Irish equivalent of Timothy and is also anglicized as Teague and Thaddeus. Tadleigh and Thad are pet forms. Pronunciation is like tide ending with a g or like the first syllable of tiger.

Tadhg

Fresh and surprising on a boy – and how can you not love the cool classic nickname Will?