A through Z [Boy Edition]

Yahir

Hebrew and Arabic

"he will enlighten, he shines; to be visible, shining"

This Hebrew and Arabic name hit the US Top 300 in 2004 via an unusual inspiration: A Mexican pop singer and telenovela star known simply as Yahir, who was himself named after a Brazilian soccer…

Basil

Greek

"royal"

Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class…

Hansel

German diminutive of Hans

"God is gracious"

Those "Where's Gretel?" jokes will get old pretty fast.

Keane

Gaelic

"ancient"

Has a sharp investigative quality that's not a bad thing to impart to a child.

Phinneas

Phinneas is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, serving as a variant spelling of Phineas or Phinehas. The biblical Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron and known for his zealousness. The name is…

Sloan

Irish

"raider"

A few decades back, this name -- which hardly shows its Irish roots -- evoked a man in a gray flannel suit; now, though still upscale, it's more likely to be attached to a female.