sunkernplus's list "boys names I like" of 20 great name ideas: Darragh - Benno!

boys names I like

some of these are technically unisex but shhhh i would name a male oc, a male leaning self insert, a male dog, a male cat, or suggest a male baby be named this

Also Anglicized as Dara and also spelled Daire in its native form, Darragh has an undeniably rugged appeal. It's used for both girls and boys in Ireland, but it's very popular in particular for boys.

Darragh

The most famous Lautaro was a leader of the indigenous resistance against the Spanish in Chile in the 16th-century, making it a historically significant choice, still used today in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, where recent years have seen it rank at #17, #85, and #10 in each respective country.
 
Derived from the Mapuche Lef-Traru, Lautaro is the Spanicized form and has the distinctive, nature-connected meaning of "swift hawk". In Mapuche culture, this could associate it with vision and self-awareness, with being a messenger, and with being someone who lived up to the rules and ideals of the society.
 
A notable bearer today is footballer Lautaro Martínez.

Lautaro

Loch is a watery word that sounds more like a name because it's one step removed from its English form. Pronounced as "lock," it's also a short form of the variously-spelled Lachlan.

Loch

Lorcan is a name rich in Irish history as belonging to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. Lorcan O'Toole, known in English as Laurence O'Toole, is the patron saint of Dublin, so it's not too surprising that Irish-born actor Peter O'Toole named his son Lorcan.
 In the Harry Potter epic, Lorcan is the twin son of Luna Lovegood Scamander.
 Strong, easy to pronounce and spell, Lorcan is an Irish name that would stand out from the more common crop of Connors and Liams.

Lorcan

Stylized as McCrae, this attractive Scottish surname-name is found in Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, as the surname of hero Augustus/Gus McCrae. Also spelled MacCrae or McRay among other variations, the meaning is variously given as son of grace or luck, or more literally as "son of Rath".
 
With appealing nickname Mac, McCrae was given to just 18 boys in a recent year and McCray to 7, though similar McKay and McCoy were more popular.

Mccrae

Bright and energetic, Neon seems like it would be a modern coinage, borrowed from neon lights. 

Instead, Neon is found way back in Ancient Greece. The lights are named for neon gas, discovered in 1898 and named because it was new. 

Neon was also as recently as the 1940s and 1950s, mostly for boys. 

Today parents would probably opt for Neo or Nova, but Neon feels both vintage and space age - an interesting combination! This may be one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/boys-names/n">boy names starting with N</a> ripe for discovery.

Neon

Osian is the easier-to-comprehend version of the ancient Irish Oisin, an important name in mythology. Osian or Oisin was a warrior poet. Osian is popular in modern Wales and England. While Oisin is pronounce oh-SHEEN, Osian is pronounced O-shan -- though we bet most Americans would just say ocean, which you may consider a good thing.

Osian

Not your typical jovial Irish surname; but has a dark, craggy appeal, and Tag as a nickname.

Taggart

Vache is a masculine name with Armenian origins, derived from the Armenian word 'vach' meaning 'shield' or 'protection'. This name has deep historical roots in Armenian culture, having been borne by several Armenian kings and nobility throughout history, including King Vache II of Albania (a historical region now part of Azerbaijan). Despite its rich heritage, Vache remains quite rare outside of Armenian communities. The name carries connotations of strength, defense, and security, reflecting its original meaning. In modern usage, Vache offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with historical significance and uncommon sonics. Its pronunciation (typically 'vahsh' or 'vahch') gives it a strong yet flowing quality.

Vache

Aurel is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from 'Aurelius' meaning 'golden' or 'gilded'. Popular in Romania, France, and other European countries, it carries an elegant, classical feel. The name has connections to the ancient Roman family name Aurelius and to the Latin word 'aurum' for gold. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, Aurel has maintained steady popularity in Eastern Europe. It offers a sophisticated yet accessible alternative to more common names, with a musical quality that makes it both distinctive and pleasing to the ear. Notable variations include Aurèle (French) and Aurelio (Italian, Spanish).

Aurel

Boyce

Cerulean is just beginning to be heard as a name thanks to its distinctive sounds and the appealing electric-sky-blue it evokes. Reminiscent of Ocean, Aurelian, Cyrus, and Caspian, it was given to just 5 babies in 2024, but that could change in coming years.
 
Made more familiar by T.J Klune's popular novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea, the name was also fittingly chosen by fashion and lifestyle blogger Courtney Quinn — known as @colormecourtney and "queen of color". She shared the announcement on social media in 2024, and even took the time to explain her choice, noting that: Cerulean was Pantone's first ever color in the year 2000; features heavily in a favorite movie monologue from The Devil Wears Prada; gives the nicknames Rue, Leon, Sir, and Mr Blue Sky; and has both a sunny and celestial energy to it.
 
Courtney Quinn sells it well and even provides both cute and grounded nicknames, so perhaps this bright and intriguing name might find its way onto more parents' lists.

Cerulean

The "To Be or Not to Be" jokes, via Shakespeare's tortured prince, will get old by Month Two. 

Hamlet

Maks is a masculine name with Slavic origins, functioning as a shortened form of Maksim or Maksymilian (variations of Maximus and Maximilian). Popular throughout Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, the name means 'greatest' or 'the greatest,' reflecting its Latin roots. Maks gained increased international recognition in the early 21st century, partly due to globalization and the influence of Slavic celebrities and public figures. The name's concise, strong phonetic quality gives it a contemporary feel despite its traditional roots. While still relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Maks has been gradually rising in usage as parents seek short, distinctive names with cross-cultural appeal and straightforward pronunciation.

Maks

Ossian, or Osian, from the Old Irish name Oisin, was the son of Finn in Irish legend that was transformed into a Scottish hero in the Ossianic poems of James Macpherson in the eighteenth century--which also popularlized Oscar, Fingal, Selma and Malvina.
 Downside: could be confused with Ocean.

Ossian

The girls have Apple, Plum, Peaches, Cherry, and Berry: here's one variety of fruit suitable for a boy. 

Quince

Variant of Rewan. This spelling of the medieval saint's name is found in the place name Ruan Lanihorne in Cornwall. The name is of uncertain etymology but most likely comes from "Roman".

Ruan

Arek is a masculine name with roots in several cultures. Primarily of Armenian origin, it means 'sun' or 'solar,' connecting to themes of light and warmth. The name also appears in Polish communities as a diminutive of Arkadiusz (Arcadius), meaning 'from Arcadia' - the mythological paradise in ancient Greece. Compact and strong-sounding, Arek has a contemporary feel while maintaining traditional roots. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it has moderate popularity in Eastern European countries and Armenia. The name's straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it accessible across cultures, while its relative rarity gives it a distinctive quality.

Arek

This evocative name of one of the Three Wise Men of the Orient, also spelled Balthasar, may finally be ready for prime time. Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar were the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, though their names were not mentioned in the Bible.
 Balthazar, in its various spellings, has been attached to a number of distinguished artists, writers and philosophers of the past; the most prominent contemporary bearer is Balthazar Getty, actor and great-grandson of J. Paul Getty. The iconoclastic modern painter Balthus was born Balthasar.
 Balthazar is well represented in literature. The name appears in no fewer than four Shakespeare plays, is the title of a Lawrence Durrell novel, is the main character of a Balzac novel, and has been seen in everything from a James Bond film to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to The Smurfs to Xbox and online games, and there is a J. P. Donleavy novel titled The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B.

Balthazar

Benno is a cool name in its own right -- there was a tenth century Saint Benno -- though it is also used as a lively nickname for Benjamin. Saint Benno of Meissen is the patron saint of anglers and weavers and, strangely enough, alliteration.
 Benno came to attention in the U.S. via the father and son duo of Benno Schmidt Sr. and Jr. Senior was the venture capitalist who invented the term venture capitalist and Junior was the president of Yale University. Benno is also the appellation of a student character in Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose.