Boys' names

A figure in Greek drama who murdered his mother makes for an unconventional choice for a baby name, but it has appeared on the US extended list several dozen times since records began.

In this country, more recognizable with the Alistair spelling.

The ancient name Albus has modern currency as the first name of the headmaster of Harry Potter's Hogwarts, more formally known as Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Can Albus work if you're missing the long white beard and the magic wand? Maybe, though it might be a heavy mantle for a Muggle child to wear.

Could Philo be the next Milo?

Phyllon, the male version of Phyllis (which gives you a clue to its pronunciation), was introduced as a baby name by Dutch model Doutzen Kroes and her husband DJ Sunnery James. Phyllon is one of those nature names that hides its true, well, nature.

A common unisex name in Israel, more properly written as Ya'el, Yael rose more than 200 places in 2023 to become one of the fastest-rising boys' names of the year in the US.

Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.

Ancient Athenian statesman whose name was once used in the US mostly for enslaved people, following a trend for names of ancient figures.

Name of a tragic mythological hero, used as a surname in the works of James Joyce; heavy but ponderous for an American boy, though pulled off very well by single-name musician Daedalus and writer and artist Daedalus Howell.

Though the usual U.S. spelling is Sterling, this is the authentic Scottish family name version.

Lothar is cloddish, till you add a dashing io to the end...

Aleph came into the spotlight when chosen by Israel-born Natalie Portman for her son. Alef is a more common spelling of these related Hebrew baby names.

An old name still occasionally heard in the U.K., but still and perhaps forever a foreigner in the U.S. Can be spelled Ranulf.