10 Z Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

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On April 30, 2014, I wrote a post entitled 10 A Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls. Now, over thirteen months and 52 posts later, this little series is coming to an end. Sob! Enjoy the final installment of this alphabetical series. Without further ado, I present to you, 10 Z Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys.

Zacha- Lately we have come to see Sasha as a possibility for boys, but if that's still a little feminine for you, try Zacha. This spelling is definitely more masculine than Zosia (of the same pronunciation).

Zade- Names like Cade, Kade, and Jade all reside within the top 500, so why haven't parents gravitated toward Zade? I don't have a satisfying answer, but if you like modern, invented names, just know that Zade is an underused option.

Zale- Dale is more likely to be baby's grandpa rather than the baby, and that name can be a tough one for honoring purposes. Zale offers a contemporary equivalent.

Zed- Zed is the pronunciation of the letter Z in English speaking countries besides America. So I know he'd be an interesting and usable choice here in the United States, but what about for Canadians and Europeans? (someone tell me). That being said, we name our children Bea, Sea, Jay, Kay, and Elle, so why not Zed?

Zelman- Zelman is a variation of Solomon, which means "peace." If you're looking to put a modern spin on a biblical classic, Zelman is one to consider.

Zen- What better name for the baby of spiritual, meditative parents? Zen requires a brave namer, so if you're not up to the challenge, put him in the middle.

Zero- Zero might not be the best number to name your kiddo for, but after watching The Grand Budapest Hotel a couple of times, I'm convinced it could work.

Zeru- Of course, the name Zeru eliminates the number connotation, all while keeping the same sounds. He's actually a Basque name meaning "sky."

Zevi- If you love Levi, but not his popularity, Zevi could be the right name for you. The two are actually not related--Zevi comes from Zvi, both Hebrew names meaning "deer."

Zorion- Zorion (and brother Zorian) is the Basque form of Orion, a name that is surging in popularity. For a shorter version, you could use Zoran or Zoren, of the same origins.

Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: 2014 Boys

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Uninspired by the names in the top 1000? Looking for something particularly unusual? Consider one of the following names for your son--none of them were given to more than 204 boys last year (and some were only given to 5!) It's all after the jump.

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 11

We're only two months into 2017, and already we have been blessed with the two best pregnancy announcements of the year (dare I say decade?). Yes, both Beyoncé and Amal Clooney are pregnant. Better yet—they're each having twins. The Carters and Clooneys are American royalty, and these will be regal pregnancies. So start placing your bets! What are the odds of a Queen Carter or Warren Clooney (500/1? 2500/1?)? I'm not quite sure, but I am confident that whatever the names of these noble children, they will be fit for a prince or a princess. 

Beyoncé and Jay Z

Gender: unknown twins

Siblings: Blue Ivy

Blue Ivy is a name with such subtle significance for Beyoncé and Jay Z that no one predicted it back in 2012. The Carters are likely to surprise us again with the names of their twins, but I made my best guesses as to what they might be. Maybe another name that nods to the number four, or an honor name?
Girl: Celeste, Chatura, Delta, Lumi, Lux, Moon, Nova, Queen, September, Soleil

Boy: Chance, Deréon, Dynasty, Hero, Luck, Nash, Origin, Quade, Royal, Truth
*Update* Welcome to Rumi and Sir Carter! 

Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney

Gender: girl/boy twins

Siblings: none

The rumors were true! Amal and George Clooney are going to be parents to twins—a boy and a girl. The latest rumors say that the Clooneys love classic names, especially ones that honor family members. Luckily George has many well-named relatives to draw inspiration from.

Girl: Eleanor, Elizabeth, Emma, Frances, Helen, Jane, Louise, Margaret, Marie, Nina, Rose

Boy:  Andrew, Charles, Edward, Henry, James, Joseph, Nicholas, Peter, Philip, Warren
*Update* The twins are here! Ella and Alexander Clooney

GloZell Green and Kevin Simon

Gender: unknown

Siblings: O'Zell Gloriana De Green

YouTube personality GloZell Green gave her daughter the honor name to end all honor names. She took bits and pieces of her family members' names and came up with O'Zell Gloriana De Green. Lest you think GloZell used all possible honor names at once, I have some fresh ideas for her.
Girl: Gigi, Glorielle, Glory, Glow, Ria, Zella, Zia, Zoria

Boy: Deon, Evan, Kevin, Orlando, Oz, Shaw, Shawn, Zevi

Chelsea Peretti and Jordan Peele

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Chelsea Peretti and Jordan Peele have stressed that they want their child to have a happy name. Whether that means a name that means happy or one with an upbeat, friendly feel, I've got it covered. 

Girl: Abby, Blythe, Emilia, Fiona, Georgia, Julia, Livia, Lucy, Sadie, Trixie

Boy: Arlo, Asher, Dexter, Felix, Gus, Henry, Milo, Nico, Oscar, Otto, Roscoe
*Update* It's a boy--Beaumont Gino!

Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour

Gender: boy

Siblings: Chloé

Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour gave their daughter the name Chloé, with an intentional accent over the E. This French-ification makes me think they'll choose a similarly European name for their son. 

Boy: Bastien, Dominic, Jackson, James, Leo, Luca, Max, Michael, Pierce, Simon
*Update* Yes, it's James!

Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Jason Statham

Gender: boy

Siblings: none

British couple Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Jason Statham are expecting their first child later this year—a baby boy! The pair currently reside in Hollywood, but I suspect their little one's name will have some English flair as a nod to Mom and Dad's home country. 

Boy: Charles, Frankie, Harvey, Hunter, Jake, Oliver, Rex, Toby, Winston, Yates
*Update* Hello, Jack Oscar!

Hannah Davis and Derek Jeter

Gender: girl

Siblings: none

It's been said that Derek Jeter already has a name picked out for his unborn daughter, but he's keeping it a secret for now. Whatever he has in mind, I have a feeling it's sweet and feminine.
Girl: Amelia, Aubrey, Charlie, Charlotte, Dorothy, Grace, Laila, Natalia
*Update* Feminine, indeed! Welcome, Bella Raine!

Kayla Rae Reid and Ryan Lochte

Gender: boy

Siblings: none

Ryan Lochte and his girlfriend Kayla will be welcoming a baby boy into their family! This fit, athletic couple is bound to give their son a strong and "streamlined" name.

Boy: Beckett, Cruz, Elijah, Hudson, Jaxon, Jude, Maddox, Reid, Tucker
*Update* Baby boy is Caiden Zane!

Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: 2015 Boys

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It can feel almost impossible to find a unique, uncommon name for a boy. But trust me, not everyone gives their son a name in the top 20, and there are some wonderful options out there if you want a name on the less popular side. I've culled the beyond the top 1000 list (so you don't have to) and picked out some of the best underused names, with between 202 and 5 uses. Last year's list is here--click over the jump to view this year's.