2014 NBA Slam Dunk Names for Boys

Originating in Ethiopia, this warm-feeling name is now associated with Phoenix Suns basketball player Amare Stoudemire. It has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 2005.

Andrea may be a gender neutral name in its native Italy and other European countries, but in the US it's 98 percent a girls' name, with only about 20 males to more than 1800 baby girl given that name in the most recent year counted.

Arron is a masculine name that represents an alternative spelling of Aaron, which has ancient Hebrew origins. The biblical Aaron was the elder brother of Moses and the first High Priest of the Israelites. The name may derive from an Egyptian origin meaning 'exalted' or 'high mountain,' or from Hebrew roots meaning 'bearer of martyrs.' This variant spelling with the double 'r' gives the traditional name a slightly different visual appearance while maintaining the same pronunciation. Arron gained some popularity in the late 20th century as parents sought variations on classic names. It shares the strong, masculine qualities of the original Aaron while offering a subtly distinctive spelling. The name conveys strength and leadership, carrying its biblical heritage into modern usage.

Avery is a unisex name that is used four times as often today for girls as for boys. But while Avery's popularity is starting to soften for girls, it continues to get stronger for boys -- in keeping with our finding that gender neutral names are becoming more favored for boys than for girls.

Blake -- an early unisex option -- dropped out of the Top 100 in 2017 for the first time since 1988, but remains a sophisticated choice. And yes, both conflicting meanings of Blake are accurate. It originated as a surname in England derived from a nickname. Much of its masculine image was influenced by the wealthy, silver-haired character Blake Carrington in the massively popular 80s TV series Dynasty. Rosie O'Donnell has a son named Blake.

Now that the popularity of Brooke is waning, and surname style variant Brooks is on the rise, Brook seems live a newly fresh nature-inspired option.

Carlos is the Spanish and Portuguese variation of Charles, which has been used in solid numbers in the US for as long as data has been kept. Carlos has never fallen out of the Top 600, but peaked from the 70s-early 2000s. Today Carlos is still within the Top 200. Notable namesakes include musician Santana, writers Fuentes and Castaneda, and numerous athletes. Carlos Irwin Estevez is the birth name of Charlie Sheen.

Carmelo is a well-used Hispanic name associated with Mt. Carmel, home of the prophet Elijah and the location of the convent for the order of Carmelites. Carmelo is also a saint's name and — in modern times — tied to basketball player Carmelo Anthony.

For a generation, this name will always be linked to 1990s hit TV series Friends. Whether this is a positive or a negative will depend on your fondness for the show, and character Chandler Bing, but this name deserves consideration beyond these connotations: Chandler is a fresh take on the professional surname names.

A name halfway between its old milquetoast image and a more jovial Irish-sounding contemporary one.

Conley has a contemporary surname feel but is actually vintage in its usage. It was used as a masculine given name through the 1940s and peaked in 1905 at Number 709. Ready for revival? Definitely.

Makes a Biblical favorite new and interesting.

Heard more often as a surname in Italy, its meaning has also been linked to the dolphin--which would make a cool nursery motif.

Deron appears to be a modern given name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Darren (from the Irish Ó Dairinín, meaning "descendant of Dairin"), or could be derived from the Greek name Demetrius or from a surname. The name gained notable popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, possibly influenced by basketball player Deron Cherry who played in the NFL during that period. Another spelling variation, Daron, also saw similar usage patterns. The name's streamlined form fits with naming trends of the era, which favored short, strong-sounding masculine names. Deron has maintained steady though modest usage in subsequent decades, demonstrating its establishment as a recognized given name with particular popularity in the late 20th century.

Benevolent name found in Israel in several forms, including Doran and Doroni.

Duncan is jaunty, confident, and open, a Scottish royal name that's brimming with friendly charm and makes it into our golden circle of names that are neither too popular nor too strange. Popularity aside, Duncan is one of the most classic Scottish names for boys.

Durant's meaning signifies staying power, a good quality to impart to your child. Notables with the surname Durant include Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Will and Ariel Durant, most famous for their eleven-volume The Story of Civilization, and William Crappo Durant, co-founder of General Motors and Chevrolet.