Boys' Names Ending in -a Part 2

The name of the sun god of Egyptian mythology could only be used in combination with a longer name.

The energetic Russian nickname name Sasha is being used increasingly on its own, though since the prominence of the First Daughter, more than 90% of the American babies named Sasha are girls. Sacha Baron Cohen bears one of the alternate spellings.

Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls. Its most prominent current bearer with this spelling is Sacha Baron Cohen.

Not to be confused with shea butter, this name is a common surname in Ireland, combining spirit, substance, and gentleness. The traditional Irish form is Séaghdha (SHEH), though it could also be used as a short form of Séamus, connecting it to James.

Seneca's distinguished heritage as the name of the ancient Roman philosopher-playwright who tutored Nero, and of an Iroquois tribe makes this an interesting choice for either sex.

Nicola may be more familiar as a female name in English-speaking countries, but it's a popular classic choice for Italian baby boys – currently just outside the Top 50 there. A historic bearer is Nicola Pisano, a renowned and influential thirteenth century sculptor.

This short form of Ivan just could join the other Russian nickname names coming into fashion, and it does have the Chekhov connection.

Similar in sound to Sasha, Pasha is a Russian diminutive of the name Pavel, itself a form of Paul. Also used as a title for a high ranking officer in the (now historical) Ottoman military, and as the common name of a type of butterfly, it is a name well-suited for an Easter baby, due to its similarity to the word Pascha.

In Europe, this name is mostly male, but here it's more fashionable for girls. It's a diminutive of Alexander.

Yeshua is often considered the "real" name of Jesus, via the Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English evolution of Yeshua to Iesous to Iesus to Jesus. It is also used as a common alternative of Yehoshua in the later parts of the Hebrew Bible, making it a variation of Joshuah.

Traditional African name made cartoonish by the Disney character in The Lion King. In Shona it means "strength".

Santana was most recently heard on a female character on hit television show Glee. Nonetheless, this name ranks higher for boys, which can be credited to Grammy Award-winning musician Carlos Santana.

A beautiful Urdu name with a musical sound and a lovely celestial meaning. Sitara got a boost in 2022, potentially from the award-winning 2020 short film "Sitara: Let Girls Dream", bringing awareness to the issue of child marriage.

Savva is the Russian variant of the Spanish name Sabas. Chekhov used it for a handsome charmer in one of his short stories.

A popular choice in Russia, Nikita is a sharp, zippy choice that became heavily associated with the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in the 50s and 60s. Derived from the Greek name Niketas meaning "victory", it is also used in Moldova, Latvia, Czechia, and Poland.

A less-known member of the Sasha-Misha family, deriving from Yakov, the Russian form of Jacob.

A romantic alternative to River.

Roma as a masculine name has multiple potential origins, creating a rich cultural tapestry. In Latin contexts, it directly references the eternal city of Rome, carrying connotations of strength and classical heritage. In Romani culture, it can relate to the Roma people, adding dimensions of freedom and resilience. The name also appears in Indian Sanskrit, where it can mean "pleasing" or "delightful." While more commonly recognized as a female name in some regions, Roma has maintained usage as a male name in various cultures, particularly in parts of Eastern Europe and India. Its brevity gives it a strong, direct quality, while its open vowel sounds create a warm, approachable impression. The name's multicultural nature makes it particularly appealing for families with diverse heritage connections.

The O'Haras are descended from Eaghra -- pronounced and phonetically spelled Ara -- the lord of Luighne, the modern Leyney in County Sligo. As a name, this makes a satisfying new twist on Harry, and may remind people of the poet Frank O'Hara or the movie and novel, Gone with the Wind.