Unusual but cute names for boys

Bronx

Place name

Rockers Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz put a new baby name on the map when they chose this downscale New York borough name for their son. The Bronx, the place, was named for early Dutch settler Jonas…

Banjo

Word name

"string instrument"

When Australian actress Rachel Griffiths chose this highly unusual name for her son, many assumed it was a bizarre invention, but noted Australian poet and writer of Waltzing Matilda , Banjo…

Edric

English

"wealthy ruler"

Formerly in style limbo, Edric has recently started to see more use by parents. It could be because it sounds medieval yet accessible - which George R. R. Martin took advantage of for several…

Loki

Norse mythological name

"lock"

Loki is the shape-shifting, gender-bending god of mischief in Norse mythology. Taking several animal forms, from a salmon to a seal to a fly, Loki is alternately friend and foe of the gods.

Dhani

Hindi

"rich"

Dhani is a haunting Hindi name for boys that's a million miles away from the similar-sounding Danny or Donny. One notable namesake is musician Dhani Harrison, look-alike son of Beatle George. He is…

Jim

English, diminutive of James

"supplanter"

Peaked in the 1940s, but still an amiable classic, a la Joe and Tom -- though rarely used on its own.

Slade

English

"from the valley"

Evoking the image of a shady glen, Slade could make a distinctive middle name. It entered the Top 1000 in 2007, and has been seen as a character name on the TV show "Smallville." It's also a name…

Helio

Spanish

"the sun"

More familiar to English speakers in the Italian Elio form.