by Pamela Redmond Satran

　　Some parents want their babies to be beautiful, some put an upbeat disposition first, while others wish most for an intelligent child.

　　If you’re interested names that mean intelligence and wisdom, here are a range of choices for boys. (Of course there are wonderful choices in this vein for girls too, including the popular Sophia, name of the goddess of wisdom. But today is the boys’ turn.)

　　Aakil — This Hindi name means intelligent or smart.

　　Alden – This English surname, quietly but historically used as a first, means “old wise friend”.

　　Alfred – After nearly touching the bottom in 2013, Alfred — which means “wise counselor” — has regained nearly 200 places on the US popularity list. The name is Number 19 in Sweden and was discussed as an option for one of Britain‘s royal babies, so its profile is rising. Alfred was a Top 50 names until the early 1930s.

　　Apollo — This Greco–Roman god ruled wisdom and knowledge, along with light and the sun. And was obviously adept at multi-tasking.

　　Boman – This unusual-but-accessible Persian name has a stylish sound and means “great mind”.

　　Cato – Roman statesman Cato the Elder was renowned for his wisdom; the name means “all-knowing”.

　　Ethan – Popular Ethan, the Number 6 name in the US that’s in the Top 50 throughout the English-speaking world, was an Old Testament figure praised for his wisdom.

　　Hugh or Hugo – Both the English Hugh and his more dashing Latinate brother Hugo mean mind or intellect. After a low in 2008, Hugh has been slowly but steadily climbing in the US charts.

　　Kendry — This unusual-but-highly-usable name from Madagascar means “wise man”.

　　Nestor – The legendary wise ruler whose advice helped the Greeks win the Trojan war.

　　Rafiki – Rafiki was the wise elder in Lion King.

　　Rainier — Royal and mountain name that means “wise army”.  Can be varied, but not improved, to Rainer.

　　Raymond – This German name that means “wise protector” is a rising Geek Chic name, with cool short form Ray. Redmond is an attractive Irish variation.

　　Sage – This word name can suggest a wise person…or an herb.

　　Senan — This name, which might also be spelled Seanan, is in the Irish Top 100 but virtually unknown in the US, where it might make a good Sean update.  It means “old and wise”.

　　Solomon – Though the name means peace, Solomon was a biblical king renowned for his wisdom.

　　Wisdom – For those who don’t want to merely suggest wisdom, but come right out and say it.

　　Zeki — This name means clever in Turkish and is certainly translatable and cute, though feels like a nickname for Ezekiel or Zachary or even Isaac.