Best friends names/ Nick names

A second-tier classic, the New Testament Timothy moves in and out of fashion more than John and James. But though it peaked in the 1960s, many modern parents still appreciate its familiarity and lively rhythm. And the short form Tim feels eternally boyish.

Alexandra fell out of the Top 100 for the first time since 1983 in 2015 but is still a popular choice. Strong, tasteful, and elegant, Alexandra remains a chic modern classic with a solid historic pedigree.

Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out to Laird and Ewan territory, this may be worth consideration. It also sounds just like the Yiddish word for homey.

Hunter has been dropping a bit for the past few years but is still one of the leaders of a distinctive band of boys' names that combines macho imagery (Hunter, Austin, Harley) with a softened masculinity. Hunter was for years attached to gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson; Josh Holloway used it for his son.

Converting Damian to Damien – or Julian to Julien or Lucian to Lucien – adds a certain je ne sais quoi to names. But most people in English speaking areas will still pronounce this the same as the -an ending form. The French pronunciation is more like "dah-mee-u(n)".

Ryder, one of the current favorite er-ending boys’ names, has been in the spotlight since Kate Hudson and her rocker husband Chris Robinson chose it for their son in 2004. Very popular in several provinces of Canada, Ryder was chosen by John Leguzamo for his son and adorns Boy Meets World star Ryder Strong.

Together with Julian, the name Juliana/Julianna derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".

Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.

Joesph is an alternative spelling of the classic biblical name Joseph, which derives from Hebrew and means 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' This masculine name carries the same rich biblical heritage as its more common spelling, referring to the son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a high official in Egypt. While less conventional than the standard spelling, Joesph maintains the same pronunciation and cultural significance. The variant spelling sometimes occurs due to clerical errors or deliberate modification for distinctiveness. Though less common, those named Joesph benefit from the positive associations of industriousness, faithfulness, and resilience connected to the biblical Joseph.

Racheal is an alternative spelling of Rachel, a feminine name with Hebrew origins meaning "ewe" or "female sheep." This variation maintains the biblical connection to Rachel in the Old Testament, who was the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The spelling with "ea" instead of "ae" emerged as a modern variant, giving the traditional name a slightly different visual presentation while maintaining its pronunciation. Racheal has never been as common as the standard Rachel, which enjoyed tremendous popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Those named Racheal might appreciate having a recognizable name with a unique spelling. The name carries connotations of beauty and gentleness from its biblical roots while still feeling contemporary and accessible.