Boy Names

Aisa is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'loved one' or 'one who is cherished,' while in Swahili traditions, it relates to 'life' or 'living.' The name also appears as a variant of Aisha, an Arabic name meaning 'alive' or 'prosperous.' This multicultural background gives Aisa global appeal and versatility. Though not widely common in Western countries, the name has seen occasional use throughout different periods and regions. Its brevity makes it distinctive yet easy to pronounce across languages. Aisa carries positive connotations in its various cultural contexts, typically relating to concepts of life, love, and vitality. The name's simple elegance and cross-cultural significance make it appealing to parents seeking something meaningful yet uncommon.

Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.

Demetri is a masculine name of Greek origin, derived from Demetrius, which honors Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility. The name literally translates to 'follower of Demeter' or 'earth-lover.' This shorter variant maintains the classical heritage while offering a more streamlined, contemporary feel. Demetri has gained moderate popularity in the United States and Europe, particularly appealing to parents seeking names with historical depth and cross-cultural appeal. The name appears in Greek, Russian, and Eastern European naming traditions, making it recognizable across multiple cultures. With its strong consonants and rhythmic three-syllable pronunciation, Demetri projects strength and sophistication while remaining approachable.

Dimitri is a Slavic variation of the Russian Dmitriy, a name that comes from the Greek Demetrius. Demetrius was derived from Demeter, the name of the Greek goddess of fertility and farming. Among the possible spelling variations are Dmitri, Dmitrii, Dmitriy, and Dmitry.

With its sharp, succinct sounds and cool, laidback style, Eli is a popular choice among parents today. Compact and punchy, it is a Biblical name with plenty of charm.

This name of an Old Testament king is reminiscent of the woodsy nature name Hazel. Given to just 35 boys in 2024, it could make a similar but less popular option than Top 1000 Azael.

Isaiah, like brethren Isaac and Elijah, is a once neglected biblical name now firmly back in favor, already surpassing such long-popular Old Testament stalwarts as Aaron and Adam. Isaiah has ranked on the US Top 1000 list for boys every year but two, 1969 and 1970.

Jeremiah is a solid Old Testament prophet name that has gradually taken the place of the now dated Jeremy, Gerard and Gerald, joining other currently popular biblical 'iah' names like Josiah and Isaiah. In the Bible Jeremiah is a famous prophet whose story is recorded in the book named after him.

Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.

Lior is a unisex name frequently heard in Israel, capturing the popular light theme through its meaning. For English speakers, the one down side is possible pronunciation confusion with "liar," though it's really lee-OR, with a long e sound and emphasis on the second syllable.

Malachi is one of the surprise Biblical hits of recent years, in the US Top 200, and now spelling variation Malaki is in the Top 1000 too. Both names are pronounced with a long final i, as in "eye," but the Irish variation Malachy is MAL-ah-kee, which Malaki might mimic instead.

This variation of Michael is very popular in Iceland and Puerto Rico, but has only made the cut for the US Top 1000 two separate years —2016 and 2023. Angel-esque boy names ending in L trended upwards last year, meaning we may see some more little Mikaels around soon.

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.

Oliver is an international star, ranking near the top of the charts throughout the English-speaking world and in a host of European and Latin American countries, from Norway to Chile, Slovenia to Switzerland. Why? Because Oliver is energetic and good-natured, stylish but classic, with a meaning symbolizing peace and fruitfulness.

Friendly but substantial.

A cool Biblical option that entered the US Top 1000 in 2024, Ozias gets extra points for its user-friendly nicknames Oz and Ozzie. Given to around 280 boys in 2024, it is five times more popular than it was in 2014.

Phineas is the English variation of Phinehas, a Hebrew name likely derived from the Egyptian name Pa-nehasi. Pa-nehasi, meaning "the Nubian" can also be translated as "the bronze-colored one." The Egyptians distinguished themselves from their Nubian neighbors through differences in skin tone.

Remy is one of the hottest names today for both boys and girls, sometimes spelled Remi. . It entered the popularity list in 2009 and has quickly become one of the fastest-rising names on the list.

Solomon, a name that evokes wisdom and peace, is an Old Testament name that, along with other patriarchal classics, is finally beginning to shed its long white beard and step from the pages of the Old Testament into modern nurseries.

A perfectly respectable Old Testament name ruined forever through its association with the odious Uriah Heep in David Copperfield. Some people also find this name just too close to the word urine. These negative connotations may be wearing off, however. (Perhaps because people don't read as much Dickens as they used to.)