Boy Names
This is where our boy name lists start. Below are more than 80 hand-picked names, each with its meaning and origin, grouped by style: today’s favorites, classics that never fade, strong names, short names, nature names and names from around the world. Under them you’ll find more than 40 focused lists to explore.
If you already know the feel you want, go straight to popular boy names, unique boy names or strong boy names. Naming twins or a sister? Our girl names section is set up the same way.
Boy Names: browse all lists
Boy Middle Names90+ names
Boy Names with Meaning100+ names
Classic Boy Names90+ names
Country Boy Names90+ names
Cute Names to Call your Boyfriend100+ names
K Boy Names90+ names
Nature Boy Names110+ names
Nicknames for Boyfriend140+ names
Boy Names That Start With A100+ names
Boy Names That Start With B100+ names
Boy Names That Start With C100+ names
Boy Names That Start With D100+ names
Boy Names That Start With E100+ names
Boy Names That Start With G100+ names
Boy Names That Start With H100+ names
Boy Names That Start With J100+ names
Boy Names That Start With L100+ names
Boy Names That Start With M100+ names
Boy Names That Start With N100+ names
Boy Names That Start With P100+ names
Boy Names That Start With R100+ names
Boy Names That Start With S100+ names
Boy Names That Start With T100+ names
Boy Names That Start With Z90+ names
Unique Boy Names110+ names
Boy Names That Start With F100+ names
Boy Names That Start With I100+ names
Boy Names That Start With O100+ names
Boy Names That Start With U90+ names
Boy Names That Start With V90+ names
Boy Names That Start With W100+ names
Boy Names That Start With Y100+ names
Popular Boy Names100+ names
Short Boy Names100+ names
Strong Boy Names100+ names
Cool Boy Names100+ names
Cute Boy Names100+ names
One Syllable Boy Names100+ names
Royal Boy Names100+ names
Hipster Boy Names100+ names
Preppy Boy Names100+ names
Mythology Boy Names100+ names
Two Syllable Boy Names100+ names
Southern Boy Names100+ namesPopular boy names right now
Names that have been near the top of US Social Security data in recent years. The full rundown is on popular boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Liam | Resolute protector (from William) | Irish |
| Noah | Rest, comfort | Hebrew |
| Oliver | Olive tree | English/Latin |
| Theodore | Gift of God | Greek |
| James | Supplanter | Hebrew |
| Henry | Ruler of the home | Germanic |
| Elijah | My God is Yahweh | Hebrew |
| Mateo | Gift of God | Spanish |
| Lucas | From Lucania; light | Latin |
| Benjamin | Son of the right hand | Hebrew |
| Levi | Joined, attached | Hebrew |
| Sebastian | Venerable, revered | Greek |
| Ezra | Help | Hebrew |
| Luca | From Lucania | Italian |
Classic boy names
Traditional names that have been used for centuries and still sound right today. Browse classic boy names for the full list.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| William | Resolute protector | Germanic |
| Charles | Free man | Germanic |
| Thomas | Twin | Aramaic |
| Edward | Wealthy guardian | Old English |
| George | Farmer | Greek |
| Samuel | God has heard | Hebrew |
| Joseph | God will increase | Hebrew |
| Arthur | Bear (possibly) | Celtic |
| Robert | Bright fame | Germanic |
| Frederick | Peaceful ruler | Germanic |
| Peter | Rock | Greek |
| Hugh | Mind, heart | Germanic |
Strong boy names
Names with bold sounds and powerful meanings: warriors, kings and lions. More on strong boy names and names that mean warrior.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Maximus | Greatest | Latin |
| Ethan | Strong, firm | Hebrew |
| Everett | Brave as a wild boar | Germanic |
| Griffin | Strong lord (Welsh Gruffudd); the mythic beast | Welsh |
| Leonidas | Son of the lion | Greek |
| Magnus | Great | Latin |
| Valentino | Strong, healthy | Italian |
| Conan | Little wolf, hound | Irish |
| Titus | Honored (possibly) | Latin |
| Bruno | Brown, armor | Germanic |
| Kenji | Strong, healthy second son (varies by kanji) | Japanese |
| Andrew | Manly, brave | Greek |
Short boy names
One or two syllables, easy to spell and easy to shout across a soccer field. See short boy names and one-syllable boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Jack | God is gracious | English |
| Leo | Lion | Latin |
| Max | Greatest | Latin |
| Finn | Fair | Irish |
| Cole | Swarthy, charcoal | English |
| Jude | Praised | Hebrew |
| Eli | Ascended, uplifted | Hebrew |
| Kai | Sea | Hawaiian |
| Beau | Handsome | French |
| Reid | Red-haired | Scottish |
| Ben | Son (from Benjamin) | Hebrew |
| Zane | God is gracious (possibly) | English |
Modern and cool boy names
Newer favorites with a fresh feel, many of them surnames or place names. Browse cool boy names for more.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Silas | Of the forest | Latin |
| Atlas | To endure | Greek |
| Milo | Soldier or merciful (debated) | Germanic/Slavic |
| Hudson | Son of Hugh | English |
| Beckett | Beehive or little brook | English |
| Jasper | Treasurer | Persian |
| Brooks | Of the brook | English |
| Nolan | Champion (possibly) | Irish |
| Ryker | Rich, powerful (possibly) | Danish/Dutch |
| Knox | Round hill | Scottish |
| Ronan | Little seal | Irish |
| Enzo | Ruler of the home (from Heinz) | Italian |
Nature-inspired boy names
Trees, rivers, stones and weather give boys earthy, outdoorsy names. The full list is on nature boy names.
| Name | Meaning / source | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Rowan | Rowan tree; little red one | Irish/English |
| River | Flowing body of water | English |
| Forrest | Woods dweller | English |
| Ash | Ash tree | English |
| Bear | The animal | English |
| Oakley | Oak clearing | English |
| Ridge | Mountain ridge | English |
| Stone | Rock | English |
| Heath | Open wild land | English |
| Cedar | The evergreen tree | English |
| Wolf | The animal | Germanic |
| Canyon | Deep valley | English (from Spanish) |
Boy names from around the world
Names that come from one culture but travel easily. Compare them with Irish boy names, Italian boy names and Japanese boy names.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago | Saint James | Spanish |
| Soren | Stern (from Severinus) | Danish |
| Anders | Manly (Andrew) | Scandinavian |
| Emil | Rival, eager | Latin/German |
| Idris | Ardent lord | Welsh |
| Arjun | Bright, shining | Sanskrit |
| Omar | Flourishing, long-lived | Arabic |
| Callum | Dove (from Columba) | Scottish |
| Tomas | Twin | Spanish/Irish |
| Hiro | Generous, abundant (varies by kanji) | Japanese |
| Kofi | Born on Friday | Akan (Ghana) |
| Felix | Lucky, happy | Latin |
How to choose a boy name
- Say the full name aloud. First, middle and last together. Watch for rhymes, run-together sounds and awkward initials.
- Check its popularity. Some parents love a top-10 name and others don’t want three in the same class. The SSA’s yearly data shows where a name stands.
- Think about nicknames. Theodore becomes Teddy or Theo, and Alexander becomes Alex or Xander. Make sure you’d be happy with the likely ones.
- Find the right middle name. A short first name often pairs well with a longer middle name. Our boy middle names list has hundreds of combinations.
- Look up the meaning. A name with a meaning you love is easier to commit to. See boy names with meaning.
- Browse by first letter. Honoring a relative’s initial? Start with boy names that start with J or pick another letter below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular boy name in the US?
Liam and Noah have traded the No. 1 spot in Social Security Administration data for several years, with Oliver, Theodore, James and Henry close behind.
What are timeless boy names?
William, James, Henry, Charles, Thomas, Edward and Samuel have been used for centuries and never sound dated.
What are strong boy names with meaning?
Ethan (strong), Everett (brave as a wild boar), Maximus (greatest), Leonidas (son of the lion) and Andrew (manly, brave) all have bold meanings.
What are good short boy names?
Jack, Leo, Max, Finn, Jude, Eli, Kai and Beau are popular one- and two-syllable names that are easy to spell and say.
How do I choose between two boy names?
Use each one for a day, say them with your surname and middle name, and see which feels natural. Many parents find the right name only after meeting their baby.