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Names For Characters (Boys)

  1. Altair

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "falcon"

    • Description:

      The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
  2. Icarus

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Description:

      Icarus, the mythological figure famous for flying too close to the sun, has a couple of negatives: his rash reputation, and those "icky" nicknames.
  3. Damon

    • Origin:

      English variation of Damian

    • Description:

      Damon is a name with a strong, pleasing aura (much like the persona of Matt D.) and extremely positive ancient associations. From the classical myth, Damon and Pythias have become symbols of true friendship, as Damon risked his life to save his friend from execution. And Damon of Athens was the fifth century philosopher who taught both Pericles and Socrates.
  4. Castor

    • Origin:

      Greek; Latin

    • Meaning:

      "beaver; pious one"

    • Description:

      Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.
  5. Valor

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "courage and bravery"

    • Description:

      This modern virtue name gives a nod to ancient chivalry and could also work as an updated form of the classic Victor. A bold choice, but one that an increasing number of parents have been making in the last decade.
  6. Madden

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little dog"

    • Description:

      Madden is an Irish surname relative of Madigan rising through the charts thanks to its trendy two-syllable, -en ending sound along with its appeal to Madden Football video game-playing dads. John Madden is a former pro football player who went on to coach the Oakland Raiders and become a popular NFL commentator. Madden is also the surname of groovy Nicole Richie baby daddy Joel Madden.
  7. Cael

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "slender"

    • Description:

      Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale and Kale (and Kyle and Cayden etcetera).
  8. Riordan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bard, royal poet"

    • Description:

      Has a legitimate first name history in its native land and an appealing meaning, but pronunciation is far from obvious.
  9. Tiernan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little lord"

    • Description:

      Tiernan is the slightly edgier and sharper cousin of Kiernan. This is one Irish surname that is attractive but distinctive; Tierney is another, related, option.
  10. Winslow

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "friend's hill"

    • Description:

      Winston meets Marlow in this surname-style choice, blending old-fashioned charm and a hint of stuffiness with a bit of modern edge and breeziness too. Borne by the distinguished American landscape painter Winslow Homer, it could make a creative and unexpected choice, though some may be put off by the 'slow' ending.
  11. Hadrian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from the Adriatic; dark-haired"

    • Description:

      Most parents would find this old Roman name pretentious compared to the more accessible Adrian, but some history buffs just might want to commemorate the enlightened emperor.
  12. Mordecai

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "follower of Marduk"

    • Description:

      Mordecai, although it has a noble heritage, has never caught on in this country, because of its rather weighty image. Nevertheless, with parents searching for rarer Biblical names that work as alternatives to Malachi and Matthew, Mordecai has seen increased interest in recent years and was given to 74 boys in the US in 2024.
  13. Corin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "spear"

    • Description:

      Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.
  14. Calixto

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Calixto is known in Spain as the name of three popes, one of whom was the martyr, Callixtus I, regarded as a saint. Calixto has a lot of energy and futuristic spirit, thanks in part to the attention-grabbing 'x.' He is the main character in the Spanish classic, Fernando de Rojas's Tragicomedy of Calixto and Melibea.
  15. Thorin

    • Origin:

      Norse and Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "thunder or brave and daring"

    • Description:

      Some sources give Thorin as a variation of the thunder god name Thor, equivalent to Thoren, while others says it comes from the verb að þora, meaning "to dare." This is a dwarf's name that first appeared in the thirteenth century mythology compilation Prose Edda, which, along with the Poetic Edda, represents nearly all of pagan Scandinavian mythology. Tolkien later used the name for character Thorin II Oakenshield of The Hobbit.
  16. Torrin

    • Description:

      Torrin is a masculine name with Scottish Gaelic origins, derived from the Gaelic word "toirinn" meaning "thunder" or possibly from "tòrr," a Gaelic word for "hill" or "mound." The name also refers to a village on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, giving it geographical significance. Torrin shares some similarities with other Celtic names like Torran and the Irish Torcan. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Torrin has maintained a steady if minimal presence in English-speaking countries, particularly among families celebrating their Scottish heritage. The name carries connotations of natural strength and power, with its connection to thunder and highlands. Its distinctive sound balances uniqueness with straightforward pronunciation, making it accessible despite its rarity.

  17. Theron

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "hunter"

    • Description:

      Theron is best known these days as the surname of actress Charlize, but it does have a long history as a first name, ranking in the Top 500 in the early part of the 20th century and only dropping out of the Top 1000 in the early 1990s. Theon is a similar name made familiar by the popular series Game of Thrones: Might it and Theron rise in tandem?
  18. Silvio

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of Silvius

    • Meaning:

      "wood, forest"

    • Description:

      A shiny and sylvan choice, this sleek yet spirited name feels familiar yet is rarely used.
  19. Storm

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the name - he designed iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Cranberries, Anthrax, and Pink Floyd.
  20. Marcellus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "young warrior"

    • Description:

      This ancient Roman family name, first borne by the distinguished Marcus Claudius Marcellus and later by two popes, is a possibilty in the hot new category of names from antiquity.

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