There’s a curious trend that’s taken hold over the past century of names for girls ending in vowels and names for boys ending in consonants. For boys, some of the most commonly given names end in N and R. Benjamin, Carter, Mason, Cooper, Christian, and Grayson are just a few examples from the top 50 most popular names.
While this is the norm, there are plenty of excellent names for boys that end with vowels. These names make for lively choices and they are often names with Italian, Greek, or Spanish origins. Not a single name in the top 25 ends in a vowel! The two most popular are Milo and Levi and both are incredible, however, we’re after more unique names that have fallen into obscurity or simply not been picked up by American parents yet. From vintage gems to exotic finds, here are 25 baby names for boys that end with a vowel.
25. Sekani
The Sekani, also spelled Tse’khene, are a First Nations culture in Canada. Their name was derived from words in the Sekani language meaning “people on the rocks.” Sekani was the fastest-rising boy name of 2019, sparked by the character Sekani Carter in the 2017 book and subsequent movie adaptation, The Hate U Give.
24. Asa
Asa is a vintage name that’s enjoying a resurgence. It currently sits just outside the top 500 far from its most popular days in the 1880s! Asa has the excellent quality of sounding like Ace but the added benefit of meaning “healer” in Hebrew.
23. Kuba
Kuba might sound like the Island country in the Caribbean, but it is a name that hails from somewhere far chillier. Kuba is a common shortened form of Jakub, the Polish form of the Hebrew name Jacob. It shares its meaning, “supplanter.”
22. Archie
We have Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to thank for the popularity of this long-neglected name. Archie has Teutonic and German origins coming from the name Archibald. Archie sounds much cuter than Archibald and means “truly brave.”
21. Dante
Dante has been on the rise in the states since the 1960s. It’s been slow and steady, but there are now a number of baby boys lucky to have this romantic name. Dante is the Latin diminutive of the surname Durant. Believe it or not, but this name is more popular in Sweden than Italy now!
20. Ravi
A title of the Hindu sun god made cross-culturally famous by sitar player Ravi Shankar, Ravi is an attractive and sunny moniker. The name means “conferring.” This name is effortlessly cool and your child will adore it.
19. Apollo
Names inspired by mythology are on the rise. Apollo has been riding the waves of this trend. The name has roots in Greek mythology. Apollo was the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things.
18. Elio
Elio should be familiar to you if you read the novel or watched the film adaptation of Call Me by Your Name. This name has serious cross-cultural appeal and appears in Greek, Spanish, and Italian traditions. It’s currently one of the most popular names for baby boys in France. The name is a form of Helios, the Greek sun god.
17. Enzo
If you’d like an E-name with a bit more zing, consider Enzo. This name is far more popular in the US, but still sounds fresh. Enzo is the Italian answer to the German name, Henry. It’s made possible by other Italian names like Vincenzo and Lorenzo. Like Henry, Enzo means “estate ruler.”
16. Nico
Nico is the short form of the Greek name Nicholas that’s commonly used in Italy as a nickname for Niccolo. You’ll find this adorable name in the top 500 in the US and heard in France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, and Spanish-speaking countries. It’s one very versatile name! Nico shares its meaning with Nicholas, a name that means “people of victory.”
15. Rocco
We’re currently on our fifth name ending in O in a row. They’re some of the very best and most popular choices in the US. Rocco has been found on the top 1000 for the last century. It’s enjoying renewed favor from new parents lately. This Italian name comes by way of German like Enzo. Rocco means “rest.”
14. Otto
We promise we’ll give you a break from the O-names after we tell you about our love of Otto. Otto is an exceedingly popular German name that suffered in the US during the World Wars. Now, parents are bringing this blissfully simply name back. It means “wealthy.”
13. Keanu
Keanu Reeves is so wonderful that many parents have been inspired to give their child his unique Hawaiin name. Keanu has a meaning that’s just as fresh as it sounds, “cool breeze over the mountains.” It’s currently the 630th most popular name in the US.
12. Ryu
Ryu is a Japanese family name or masculine given name that’s becoming a favorite of parents around the world. Ryu means “dragon.” We absolutely love this magical name.
11. Dimitri
You’ll find the Greek name Demetrius on the top 1000 list in the US, but its Russian counterpart has yet to make the transition. Dimitri is the Slavic form of Demetrius, a name the means “follower of Demeter.” Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain, agriculture, and the harvest.
10. Selasi
If you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off you’ll probably recognize this name as belonging to the very charming Selasi Gbormittah. Selasi is a Ghanian name that means “God hears me.”
9. Alfie
The Brits are very fond of retro nickname-names at the moment. Alfie is one of their greatest exports. While it’s not enjoying the same surge in popularity as Archie, Alfie could be a charismatic alternative. Alfie is a form of the very British-sounding Alfred which means “wise counselor.”
8. Hugo
Hugo is the Latinized form of Hugh. Hugo can be found in German, Spanish, and Portuguese traditions. This delightful name is in the top 500 in the US, but in several European countries, it’s one of the most popular names (currently number 1 in Spain). The name means “intellect.”
7. Viggo
Viggo is a Scandi name that’s most commonly found in Denmark and Sweden. This appealing name has a brute meaning, “war.” That didn’t seem to bother Taylor and Natalie Hanson who chose it for their fourth child. We hope to see more of this name in the US soon!
6. Elie
Eliel makes the top 1000 but Elie for boys does not. Elie is the French variation of the Hebrew names Eli and, curiously, Lazarus. Eli is extremely popular in the US and could lend Elie the meaning “ascended.” Or, if you take the Lazuras route, the name could mean “God is my helper.” Elie is blast, don’t pass it up!
5. Benicio
Spanish actor Benicio Del Toro helped bring this name more recognition in the US. It’s a popular Spanish name that means “blessed.” It makes for a thrilling alternative to Benjamin. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2016, when it was the third-fastest-rising boys’ name.
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4. Hiro
Another Japanese name to make this list is Hiro. Hiro is a form of Hiroshi and we think it sounds perfectly heroic. This name means “widespread.” While that’s not true about this name’s popularity in the US, it’s still an excellent moniker.
3. Bruno
Bruno is a German name that means “brown” but that’s not stopping parents in the US from choosing it. Thanks to Bruno Mars, this name has seen more energy behind lately. You’ll find this name throughout Europe and South America, but it’s still got a ways to go here to catch up here in the US.
2. Ira
Ira is the sort of vintage old-man name that’s making a comeback at the moment. Similar to Asa, Ira was most popular in the 1880s and has steadily fallen ever since then. Ira is an Old Testament name, but it doesn’t sound like one. The name means “watchful one.”
RELATED: 25 Best Names for Baby Girls That Don’t End with a Vowel or Y
1. Jovani
While we love the traditional spelling of this name, Giovanni, so many people mispronounce it that we decided to recommend this alternative that helps folks get it right. Giovanni is an Italian classic that’s an alternative form of John. It means “God is gracious.” Jovanni has not gone unnoticed as a possibility the name made the top 1000 last year.
There you go! 25 baby names for boys that are unique in that they end in a vowel. This handsome names would fit perfectly for an energetic and adventurous little boy.
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