Boys Names U Through Z

Van

Dutch

"of"

Whether it's used as a short form or on its own, this jazzy midcentury name is poised for a comeback along with brothers Ray and Walt. More often heard as a surname prefix (e.g. Vincent van Gogh,…

Udoka

Igbo

"peace is great"

Udoka is an Igbo-Nigerian name derived from the word Udo, meaning peace.

Uduak

Ibibio

"will, desire"

Uduak is a name from the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria.

Ulf

Scandinavian

"wolf"

A common Scandinavian name , but hard to imagine being used elsewhere.

Ull

Norse

"glory"

This mythological name of the Norse god of winter sounds, uh, ill.

Ultan

Irish

"man from Ulster"

This name of eighteen Irish saints of the past is relatively popular in Ireland, though little known outside it.

Umber

Color name

Conjures up the rich brown colors of raw and burnt umber, but it may be too close to girls' Amber.

Unique

Word name

"one of a kind"

Finding a really distinctive name is probably a better way to make sure your child stands out, but then again, is choosing Unique really any different to parents choosing Saint, Messiah, Chosen,…

Urh

Slovene variation of Ulrich, German

"rich and noble heritage"

A relatively stylish choice in Slovenia, where it is the standard form of Ulrich. Unlikely to catch on in the US, where U is the least common initial. Urh is also a Slovenian place name.

Urien

Welsh

"of privileged birth"

Too close to the name of a bodily fluid.

Urijah

Spelling variation of Uriah

A creative spelling of Uriah, possibly without the negative connotation. Biblically, Urijah was a prophet mentioned in the book of Jeremiah.

Uroš

Slavic, Serbian, and Slovenian from Hungarian

"lord"

Uroš was derived from the Hungarian root úr , meaning "lord." It is primarily used in Serbia, but ranks in the Slovenian Top 100 as well.

Uziah

Hebrew, variant spelling of Uzziah, “Jehovah is my strength”

One of the most unusual of the biblical iah-options, this was the name of a long-reigning king of Judea, and just might appeal to the parent looking for a quasi-unique Old Testament choice. And it…

Valentine

Latin

"strength, health"

Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to…

Valerian

Latin

"strength, health"

This name of a Roman emperor and of a sedating plant is still used quietly, given to about a dozen baby boys in the US last year. It has a strong, rhythmic sound and could make a modern-feeling honor…

Valeriano

Valeriano is a distinguished masculine name with Latin and Italian roots, derived from the Roman family name Valerius, meaning 'strong' or 'healthy.' This extended form of Valerian adds a distinctly…

Valerien

Valerien is a distinguished masculine name with Latin and French origins, derived from the Roman family name Valerius, meaning 'strong' or 'healthy.' It shares roots with the more common Valerian,…