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Carissa's Favorite Boys' Names

  1. Nye

    • Origin:

      Welsh diminutive of Aneurin

    • Meaning:

      "honor"

    • Description:

      This can make an unusual yet simple middle name choice, especially for anyone with family ties to Wales.
  2. Ellery

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Hilary"

    • Description:

      Ellery is a rhythmic three-syllable boy's name that is familiar and yet rarely used--and just waiting to be discovered. It's long been identified with Ellery Queen--which was both the pen name of two cousins, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee, and the detective they created.
  3. Callaghan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "lover of churches"

    • Description:

      A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
  4. Slade

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the valley"

    • Description:

      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 that pops up in comic books and video games.
  5. Gallagher

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of foreign helper"

    • Description:

      Gallagher is, like so many of its genre, friendly, open, and optimistic. Some might associate it with the fraternal members of the band Oasis, Noel and Liam Gallagher.
  6. Rooney

    • Origin:

      English or Gaelic surname

    • Meaning:

      "descendent of the champion"

    • Description:

      Rooney is one of many bouncy Irish surnames that could make an agreeable first, once tied to Mickey Rooney (who was actually born Joseph Yule) in his young and spunky Andy Hardy period.
  7. Jorah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "early rain"

    • Description:

      Jorah, a Biblical name with a lovely nature-related meaning, might make a fresher alternative to the overused Jordan. It's similar to the feminine Nora, Cora, and Laura, but depending on your viewpoint, that may be an advantage.
  8. Sutter

    • Origin:

      English surname and occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "shoemaker"

    • Description:

      Sutter is a new entry to the fashionable class of occupational surnames, brought to the fore by the hero of the 2013 indie film The Spectacular Now. More masculine than Sutton and more distinctive than Sawyer, Sutter might be a good choice for the child of a shoe designer or shoe lover.
  9. Elton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the old town"

    • Description:

      Elton is an unassuming, lesser-used place name belonging to several towns in the British Isles, the US and Canada, and even a lake in Russia. The singer Elton John gives it a bit of extra pizzazz.
  10. Deegan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark-haired"

    • Description:

      This name shares sounds with Keagan and Teagan, but has its own roots in Irish culture. It comes from the surname O'Duibhginn, meaning "descendent of the dark-haired one". Freestyle Motocross rider Brian Deegan may be partly responsible for this name's appearance in the US Top 1000 between 2008 and 2013. While it is now out of the charts, it remains a familiar choice, given to just shy of 100 boys in a recent year.
  11. Case

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      A brisk and unconventional name that could be a style stand-in for confederates Casey, Chase, Cale, and Cade.
  12. Bron

    • Origin:

      Polish diminutive of Bronislaw

    • Description:

      Crisply appealing.
  13. Hobbes

    • Origin:

      English variation of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      All varieties of Hob are antiquated nicknames for Robert, though this one has the "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoon association too. It may also be linked to philosopher Thomas Hobbes, giving it a more refined feel.
  14. Aldan

    • Description:

      Aldan is a feminine name with Celtic and Gaelic origins, though it's also used as a masculine name in some traditions. The name is thought to derive from elements meaning 'old' or 'wise' combined with 'river' or 'water,' suggesting ancient wisdom flowing like a stream. In Scottish geography, the River Aldan may have influenced the name's usage. As a feminine name, Aldan carries a distinctive quality that balances strength with fluidity. The name remains relatively uncommon, offering a unique alternative to more popular Celtic-inspired names. Its gentle sound combined with strong consonants gives it a balanced quality that works well across cultures. Aldan appeals to parents seeking a name with natural elements and Celtic heritage while avoiding more mainstream options.

  15. Upton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "upper town"

    • Description:

      Uppity name associated with muckraking novelist Upton Sinclair.