My Favorite Boy's names

One of the most romantic of appellations, Caspian is a geographical name referring to the large salty sea between Asia and Europe. It's also the name of the hero of C.S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.

Jacobi is a masculine name derived from Jacob, which has Hebrew origins meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." This form represents a Latin genitive case of Jacobus, essentially meaning "of Jacob" or "son of Jacob." Particularly used in Germanic and Jewish naming traditions, Jacobi carries scholarly and religious significance. While less common than Jacob or Jakob, Jacobi has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents seek distinctive variations on traditional names. The name projects intelligence and sophistication while maintaining connection to the biblical patriarch Jacob. Jacobi appeals to families looking for names with substantial historical roots but contemporary feel, offering familiar sounds in a less common package.

Kaidan is a masculine name with multiple potential origins, most commonly associated with Japanese and Gaelic roots. In Japanese, it can mean "mysterious story" or "ghost story," while as an Anglicized form of the Irish name Caden, it connects to "cath" meaning "battle." The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the early 2000s, part of the trend toward names with the appealing "aid" sound. Its rise coincided with similar names like Aidan, Jayden, and Brayden. Kaidan offers versatility with its cross-cultural connections and modern feel. The spelling variant Kayden is also common. Parents are often drawn to its contemporary sound combined with meaningful origins, making it appealing for those seeking a name that feels both current and substantial.

Lucian is a sleeker, more sophisticated version of Lucius that is climbing in tandem with other Lu-starting names.

Nathaniel was derived from the Hebrew name Netan’el, meaning "gift of God," composed of the elements natan, meaning "to give," and ’el, in reference to God. The name is featured several times in the Old and New Testaments, typically spelled Nathanael. In the New Testament, Nathanael is also known by his other name, Bartholomew.

Russian forms, like Russian supermodels, are hot these days. This is a strong, worldly way to make Nicholas new; it was chosen for his son by Barry Bonds, Jr. Nikolai also comes with several attractive nickname options, including approachable Nik, spunky Niko, or even hip Kai. A traditional nickname for Nikolai in Russia is Kolya.

Quinn is an engaging Celtic surname that is still on the rise for girls but beginning to flag for boys. As a female name, Quinn is in the Top 100, used for over 3000 baby girls last year, but toward the bottom of the Top 500 for boys, given to 700 baby boys.

Tobias is one of a number of s-ending boys' names that are riding a wave of popularity. With its Old Testament-Dickensian feel, it's a name with a distinguished pedigree.