the ultimate boys name list
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~cool and unusual ~
- Abraxas
Origin:
Persian mythology nameDescription:
Abraxas is a sci-fi-sounding name with earthly possibilities, but some playground challenges.
- Alvah
- Amadeo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"lover of God"Description:
Amadeo and Amedeo are both valid Italian forms of the Roman Amadeus, most famous as the middle name of the composer Mozart as well as the title of a movie about him. Mozart's name was actually the Greek Theophilus, but he transformed it to the Latin version. Amadeo is also used in Spain, where it was the name of a 19th century king who was born in Italy.
- Anastasios
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"resurrection"Description:
Greek name more familiar here in its feminine form, Anastasia, the masculine version bears further consideration. Traditional nicknames are Sakis and Staas.
- Anchor
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability.
- Ansel
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"with divine protection"Description:
Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a family name – he was named after his uncle, Ansel Easton. And, in turn, Adams was the namesake of young heartthrob Ansel Elgort, son of a photographer.
- Archie
Origin:
Diminutive of Archibald, TeutonicMeaning:
"truly brave"Description:
Archie made global news as the surprise first name of the newborn royal baby, son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aka Harry and Meghan. Archie has now officially transcended Archie Bunker and Riverdale's Archie to take the, um, throne as the quintessential retro nickname name.
- Arland
- Arlo
Origin:
Irish or EnglishMeaning:
"between two hills"Description:
Quirky cool Arlo is now well and truly back. Last year it broke into the US Top 200 boy names and consistently ranks among the most popular boy names on Nameberry.
- Artemis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"butcher"Description:
Although it could well sound masculine, Artemis was actually the Greek goddess of the moon, the equivalent of the Roman Diana. Also spelled Artemas and Artemus, this name has a mythological, historical, Three Musketeer-ish ring.
- Auden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
The poetic, soft-spoken Auden has recently started to be considered as a first name option, used for both sexes, appreciated for its pleasing sound as well as its link to the distinguished modern Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden.
- Bard
Origin:
Irish variation of Baird, ScottishMeaning:
"minstrel, poet"Description:
Great Irish middle name choice for Shakespeare lovers.
- Barnabas
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"son of consolation"Description:
Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the update Barnaby, but could gain some attention as boys' names ending in 's' are enjoying a comeback.
- Barnabe
- Bartleby
Origin:
English surname, probably related to BartholomewMeaning:
"son of the furrow"Description:
Bartleby (that's his last name) the Scrivener is a famous Herman Melville character whose surprisingly powerful refrain was, "I would prefer not to." Or, in the immortal words of any two-year-old: No.
- Beacon
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"signal light"Description:
A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.
- Beale
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"fair, handsome"Description:
Surname of a character in Henry James' What Maisie Knew.
- Benno
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bear"Description:
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.
- Benny
- Boden
Origin:
English or German surnameMeaning:
"hill shaped like a bow or floor"Description:
Boden is most often inspired by the clothing catalog of the same name, and it feels like an appropriate first name for boys because of its stylish two-syllable -n ending rhythm, a la Logan, Mason, Owen, and other trendy choices. While Boden or Bowden is a fairly common English surname, in German it is the everyday name for "floor". Boden entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. You might also consider Bowen, Bode, Bodhi, and Bowie.