Dudes

A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame.

Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.

The popular single-named alternative singer (born Bek) has given this cool nature-meets-surname name a new lease of life. Another notable bearer is Beck Weathers, a Texan pathologist who survived the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, which was covered in the book and film Into Thin Air.

An aromatic, unconventional name.

Short and curt.

Ellard is a masculine name with Germanic roots, derived from elements meaning 'noble' and 'brave' or 'hardy.' This distinguished name dates back to medieval times and was brought to England during the Norman Conquest. Ellard has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, giving it a distinctive quality for modern bearers. The name carries connotations of strength, nobility, and resilience. While not widely used in contemporary naming practices, Ellard offers a dignified alternative to more popular names with similar sounds, such as Elliot or Edward. Its traditional roots and strong meaning make it appealing for parents seeking a name with historical substance and character.

Emmett, honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, is on the rise as a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, not to mention being a character in the popular Twilight series.

Eston is a masculine name with English origins, primarily derived from Old English elements meaning 'east town' or 'eastern settlement.' It began as a surname indicating someone who came from a place called Eston before transitioning to use as a given name. Eston has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, giving it a distinctive quality. The name has seen occasional usage in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It has a strong, traditional sound while still feeling somewhat unique in modern contexts. Eston conveys a sense of stability and geographic connection.

Everett is a preppy but outdoorsy name, with wintery New England vibes. In the last decade, it’s had a leap in popularity, perhaps because of its similarity to trendy girls’ names like Ava and Scarlett, or perhaps because it offers a fresh alternative to 90’s style Evan and Brett.

This appealing name has a good chance of catching on due to the popularity of Ewan McGregor, and the trend towards Gaelic names in general. Pronunciation is YOO-un.

Flint is one of the new macho names on the rise today, part old-school tough guy, part rebel. You won't find a tougher, steelier-sounding name; it's part of a genre on the rise along with cousins Slate, Stone and Steel.

This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.

Pleasant but uninspired surname name somewhat connected to writers Ellison and Coben. After three decades off the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2013, maybe because it's an unusual example of the trendy class of two-syllable n-ending boys’ names. Kevin Harlan is an NFL, NBA, and college basketball announcer for TV and radio.

Holland, like most place names, is gender neutral. There's about one boy Holland born in the US these days for every girl Holland.

Ivo is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'. Hardly heard in the U.S., it is used a bit more frequently in England, as is the related Ivor, a favorite of such novelists as Evelyn Waugh and P.G. Wodehouse. Ivo is currently most popular in the Netherlands.

The graceful, natural image of the verdant shade tree transcends any connection with President Johnson.

Kate and William shocked the world when they announced that they'd named their third child Louis -- Prince Louis Arthur Charles, to be more precise. But we've been predicting a comeback for this classic name for a long time.

Very popular in France and Belgium, this name -- pronounced mat-tees, like the surname of the painter Matisse -- might make an appealing new way to say Matthew here.

Mercer is an attractive possibility which is an occupational name that doesn't sound like one. Mercer and its cool, sophisticated short form Merce project a super creative image via their artistic namesakes.