Boys' names beginning with A

The English form of Greek Andreas, from 'andreios' ('manly, masculine'), itself from 'aner' ('man'). The apostle Andrew was the first disciple to join Jesus and is patron saint of Scotland.

Traditionally understood as the Hebrew word for 'man', with a wordplay connection in Genesis to 'ground/earth', since Adam is described as formed from earth.

From the Latin name Hadrianus. Borne by several saints and six popes, including the only English pope, Adrian IV.

Meaning debated — no single origin is established with confidence.

A diminutive/pet form, inheriting its meaning from Alfred — 'elf counsel', from Old English aelf ('elf') and raed ('counsel, advice').

Best known as the name of Moses's elder brother and the first high priest of Israel in the Old Testament; the literal meaning of the name itself is not reliably established.

Commonly interpreted as 'defender of men' or 'protector of the people'.

A short form of Alexander, Alexandra and other names beginning with 'Alex' — from Greek elements meaning 'defender' and 'man/people'.

The English form of the Roman family name Antonius, of unknown Etruscan origin. Later incorrectly associated with Greek 'anthos' ('flower'), which led to the addition of the 'h' to this spelling in the 17th century.

Exact meaning uncertain — possibly Brythonic for 'little rock', or from the tribal name of the Alans, an Iranian people who migrated into Europe in the 4th-5th centuries. Used in Brittany from at least the 6th century, brought to England by Breton settlers after the Norman Conquest.

Genuine, bold; from Germanic elements meaning roughly 'genuinely brave'.

Meaning uncertain — likely derived by Edmund Spenser from the real Irish place name Aherlow ('between two highlands') for the fictional Arlo Hill in The Faerie Queene (1590).

The English form of André, from the Greek root 'andreios' connected to the classical Andreas tradition (see Andrew).