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You wouldn’t name your son Fuzzy Wuzzy or Yogi, but there are an awful lot of great boy names that bring to mind bears. Some literally mean bear, while others have been worn by a famous ursine.
Let’s start with names that literally mean bear – or at least could mean bear.
Arthur - After years of being relegated to the grandpa set, Arthur has reclaimed his regal roots. First Courtney Cox’s character on Cougar Town mentioned it as the name she had in mind for a possible son. Then Selma Blair chose it for her newborn son in 2011. While the name’s meaning is debated, one of the more popular theories is that Arthur comes from the Celtic artos - bear. Harry Potter – er, I meant Daniel Radcliffe – plays a young lawyer named Arthur in the upcoming thriller The Woman in Black.
Orson – Orson Scott Card is a sci-fi legend, the author of Ender’s Game, among others, and Orson Welles was a Hollywood legend. Originally a surname derived from the Latin ursus via the French ors, Orson was more common in the nineteenth century than today. With boys answering to Carson and Oliver, he’s not a huge stretch. Whether his easily overlooked ursine roots is a problem or a plus, well … that’s up to you.
Dov – He brings to mind an animal, but it isn’t a growly bear. Dove - the symbol of peace – could be an intriguing pick for the middle spot. But Dov is a Hebrew name that literally translates to bear, much like Zev means lion. American Apparel founder Dov Charney could’ve given his name some serious Hebrew hipster cred, but Charney’s turned out to be too controversial to boost his name.
Benno - He sounds like a spin on the Biblical Benjamin, but he’s actually a cousin to Bernard - from the Germanic bern - bear. Names like Leo and Milo are at the height of fashion, and nickname Ben lets your boy lose the -o if he’s so inclined.
Berlin – The city’s name may – or may not – come from the German word for the animal, but it doesn’t much matter. There’s a bear in the coat of arms, and the Berlin International Film Festival bestows the Goldener Bär – the Golden Bear – to its best film. If you’re looking for a cosmopolitan borrowing from the map with an ursine tie, Berlin is it.
But how ’bout names that just make us think of bears?
Teddy – Original a diminutive of Theodore or sometimes Edward - neither of which have anything to do with bears – Teddy took on a different connotation thanks to a political cartoon featuring then-President Theodore Roosevelt. The story goes like this: Roosevelt was on a hunting trip and declined to shoot a defenseless bear. (Nevermind that the bear was defenseless because the hunting party had been chasing it …) In any case, an aspiring toy maker spotted the cartoon and made a stuffed bear called Teddy. The rest is history.
Then there are the names of famous bears. The most famous bears don’t have particularly wearable appellations. Is anyone really thinking about Paddington or Winnie the Pooh? But there are a handful.
Rupert – A British comic strip staple, Rupert has been adapted for books and television. On a less innocent note, he also inspired the name of Stewie’s teddy bear on Family Guy. In the US, the association isn’t well known, and other Ruperts – like the young actor who played Ron in the Harry Potter franchise – might be better known.
Barney – An animated bear from a series of shorts in the 1930 and 40s, the ever-ready to hibernate Barney Bear had a second life in comic books, and was still appearing in new material in the 1980s. But like Rupert, Barney isn’t likely to scream bear to modern parents or kids. Purple dinosaurs and sitcom Lotharios are more of an issue.
Aloysius – The beloved bear from Brideshead Revisited, Aloysius is a throwback appellation with a literary twist. If you’re going for a barely-there bear name, he’s a good option … assuming you’re daring enough to put Aloysius on your list.
Lastly, what about the just sticking with the name Bear, as in Coach Bear Bryant - born Paul William - or Alicia Silverstone’s little guy, Bear Blu? While animal names can be dismissed as silly, outlandish choices, their history of use is impressive. There’s a reason so many names conjure up the wild kingdom – the best qualities of animals have inspired parents for millenia. Bear is a legitimate option, symbolizing strength, and standing in for places from Germany to Russia to the state of California.
There you go – lots of possibilities for your little cub!
Don’t forget Bjorn! It also means Bear in several Nordic languages. I went to school with a guy with the name too
My first ancestor who immigrated to the US was names Björner. I’ve always thought Björn was a handsome name, but I wonder has Baby Björn turned it into a brand name? Or does it’s new familiarity makes it more usable in the US?
I’d love to have the guts to put Aloysius on my list (I have a penchant for boys’ names that begin with “Al”), but I think the name has too many drawbacks: a) it’s unusual, b) some might find it difficult to pronounce, c) it’s most famous for being the name of a bear owned by a gay literary character — not something you’d want your son’s classmates to find out! It’s a pity, since Brideshead Revisited is one of my favourite novels.
It would be an easier name to give a pet. I named my dog, Miles, after another of Waugh’s homosexual characters (from the novel _Vile Bodies_), but it’s a rather more common name and dogs don’t have to worry about potential teasing by mean classmates anyway.
I actually know a little boy named Yogi! I dont think he was named after the bear though – However, I never did ask his parents why they chose Yogi. It did seem like an odd choice at the time, now I can’t imagine him with any other name. Not my style though. (BTW, I live in rural Australia).
It’s possible he was named after baseballer Yogi Berra..I think he’s the one Yogi Bear was named after.
If you’re in to central North Carolina indie rock, there’s a song by Bombadil called Oto the Bear.
You didn’t mention Smokey or Fozzi! Like Yogi, not ones that I would imagine would get widespread use on a child. One of DH’s early memories is of seeing Smokey at the National Zoo.
I like Ursula for a girl bear.
Me too. Love that name, but I think the wicked witch from Little Mermaid has made it unwearable for a lot of folks
I have a friend who named her son Shemar – the O’odham word for bear! She, of course, is O’odham (Native American) but the name is adorable nonetheless!
I love Arthur and Teddy as a nn for Theodore. Barney does bring to mind Barney Rubble firstly, and secondly NPH’s character Barney from How I Met Your Mother…but I’m probably to young to have heard of Barney Bear.
I love so many of these names. Teddy (Theodore) is my number one if I have anymore boys and Arthur is close behind. I could always go super bear
. Theodore Arthur, anyone?
Superbear – love it! And a great combination, too. Clio could’ve been Theo, except now Theodore is off our lists, obviously.
Correction: Zev means ‘wolf’ in Hebrew.
My husband and I like to watch the British teen drama, Skins. In the 5th season there is a character named Aloysuis, but he is known as Alo, and I didn’t know his real name was Aloysuis until near the end of the 5th season.
This list is focused on boys, but I really love Ursula for a girl, and I heard the meaning has something to do with bears.
It only sounds like Bruin, but Bruno “feels” like a bear name.
There’s also Knut, as in the little polar bear was at the Berlin Zoo.
I like Bear as a name option like Wolf, Fox, Griffin and Phoenix. They all call to mind animal qualities, hyper masculinity and a cool edge.
On a funny note. My grandfathers name was Ephraim Aloysius and he forbade any of us from passing his name on. I kind of like it, but probably wouldn’t use both. He went by Eph (eef).
I’ve had Orson on the top of my list for boys for a long time, and even have been thinking of the name combo Orson Bear, but it’d probably be overkill…surpassing the “Superbear” status
. Unless you think it’d be fine??
I had a little league coach whose last name was Baer but we all called him Coach Bear, mainly because he was as big and hairy as one! We loved him
We’re actually using Bear as a middle name for a son, in part as a nod to my grandfather who had the middle name Osborne. It’s also a bit because my husband is a huge football fan, with Bear Bryant and George “Papa Bear” Halas.
Zev means wolf. Ara is lion.