Boys' Names Ending in -a Part 2

Names ending in -a are popular for girls, but there are loads of names ending in -a that are used for boys too.
  1. Sasha
    • Origin:

      Russian diminutive of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      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.
  2. Sacha
    • Origin:

      French variation of Sasha, Russian short form of Alexander, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defending warrior"
    • Description:

      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.
  3. Shea
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "the stately, dauntless one; hawk"
    • Description:

      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.
  4. Ra
    • Origin:

      Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      The name of the sun god of Egyptian mythology could only be used in combination with a longer name.
  5. Pasha
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Pavel
    • Meaning:

      "small, humble"
    • Description:

      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.
  6. Zia
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "splendour, light, glow; shaking, trembling"
    • Description:

      A succinct variation of Ziya, Zia is an Arabic boy name, with a glowing meaning, also used as the Urdu and Bengali transcription. Notable bearers of the name include Bangaledeshi politician Ziaur Rahman (also known as Zia-ur-Rahman), scholar Zia Uddin, and former president of Pakistan, Zia-ul-Haq.
  7. Seneca
    • Origin:

      Latin surname and Native American
    • Meaning:

      "people of the standing rock"
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Sascha
    • Origin:

      German variation of Sasha
    • Meaning:

      "defending warrior"
    • Description:

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

      Vasya is a masculine name of Russian origin, functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of the name Vasily (Russian form of Basil, meaning 'royal' or 'kingly'). Common throughout Russia and other Slavic countries, Vasya maintains a warm, familiar quality that makes it popular as a nickname rather than a formal given name. In Russian culture, diminutives like Vasya play an important role in expressing closeness in relationships. The name carries cultural significance in Slavic literature and folk traditions, where characters named Vasya often represent the everyday Russian man. Though rarely used as a legal name in international contexts, Vasya's simple pronunciation and friendly sound have given it recognition beyond Slavic countries.

  10. Vanya
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of John
    • Description:

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

      Swahili or Shona
    • Meaning:

      "lion; strength"
    • Description:

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

      Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Yochanan
    • Meaning:

      "God is Gracious"
    • Description:

      Yahya is an Islamic name derived from the Hebrew Yochanan, making it both an honor for the prophet John the Baptist, and one of many international forms of John. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is celebrated for his gentleness, his goodness, and his dedication to and understanding of scriptures from a young age.
      Currently popular in Tunisia, and Belgium, Yahya has also been on and off of the US Top 1000 charts since 2015. In a recent year, however, it was one of the fastest rising names, climbing 175 places and given to nearly 380 boys. It also made the England and Wales Top 100 for the first time in the same year.
  13. Roma
    • Description:

      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.
  14. Sitara
    • Origin:

      Urdu from Persian
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      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.
  15. Séafra
    • Description:

      Séafra is a masculine Irish name derived from the Gaelic 'Seafra' or 'Séafra,' traditionally meaning 'peaceful' or 'gentle.' The addition of the accent mark (fada) over the 'e' indicates the traditional Irish pronunciation. This name has deep roots in Irish heritage but remains relatively uncommon even within Ireland. Séafra carries cultural significance while offering a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with authentic Celtic origins. The name's peaceful meaning contrasts interestingly with its strong sound. While challenging for non-Irish speakers to pronounce correctly, its uniqueness appeals to families wishing to celebrate Irish heritage or those simply drawn to its melodic quality and meaningful etymology.

  16. Yasha
    • Origin:

      Russian
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      A less-known member of the Sasha-Misha family, deriving from Yakov, the Russian form of Jacob.
  17. Zakaria
    • Description:

      Zakaria is a masculine name of Arabic and Hebrew origin, serving as a variant of Zachariah or Zechariah, which means "God has remembered." This name appears in both the Bible and the Quran, where Zakaria (or Zakariya) was a prophet and the father of John the Baptist (Yahya in Islamic tradition). The name is widely used across Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. In Western countries, this spelling is less common than Zachary or Zachariah but has gained recognition with increasing global cultural awareness. Zakaria offers a meaningful spiritual connection while being recognized internationally, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with religious significance and cross-cultural resonance.

  18. Vaska
    • Origin:

      Russian
    • Meaning:

      "king"
    • Description:

      A traditional Russian diminutive of Vasiliy, never given as a full name there but occasionally found as such outside of Russia. The name Vasily/Vaska has also been popular in the country of Georgia.
  19. Vida
    • Description:

      Vida is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Slavic languages, it derives from 'vid' meaning 'sight' or 'vision,' while in Spanish it simply means 'life.' The name carries positive connotations of vitality and perception across different cultures. In Eastern European countries, particularly Croatia and Slovenia, Vida appears as a male name, though in Western countries it's often used for females. Throughout history, Vida has maintained a consistent but modest usage, with slight variations in popularity according to regional naming trends. The name has a timeless quality, balancing simplicity with distinctive character. It's worth noting that Vida is considered gender-neutral in some cultures, adding to its versatility as a name choice.

  20. Nevada
    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name
    • Meaning:

      "covered in snow"
    • Description:

      Western place-name that feels equally appropriate for both genders. Note: Natives say rhyme that second syllable with had, so it's not nehv-AH-da.