Table Of Contents
You’re expecting a boy! Congratulations! Now, comes the daunting task of picking the perfect boy name for your little bundle of joy.
Choosing the right baby boy name can be overwhelming and causes many new parents stress.
There are so many names to choose from, with so many different meanings, and from so many different origins.
This ultimate guide to the top baby boy names aims to eliminate the headache of naming your baby boy.
Use this list of the most popular boy names to help you choose the perfect one for your new addition to the family.
Let’s dive in.
Top Trendy Baby Boy Names
Baby name trends tend to reflect the social climate in the world at the time.
For example, in both the 1920s and 1960s, there was an upbeat, bright social vibe as people began to reinvent style and culture after a period of hardship.
In 2023, you can expect to see more larger-than-life names rooted in mythology and cowboy culture, as well as nostalgic icons from 1980s pop culture.
Think big, bold, and colorful!
- Valerian – Latin, “strength” or “health”
- Morpheus – Greek, “god of sleep and dreams”
- Zebedee – Hebrew, “gift from God”
- Oberon – English, “noble” or “bearlike”
- Octavius – Latin, “eighth”
- Draco – Greek, “eighth”
- Lazarus – Hebrew, “God is my helper”
- Amadeus – Latin, “lover of God”
- Lysander – Greek, “liberator”
- Perseus – Greek hero, son of Zeus
- Wolfgang – German, “traveling wolf”
- Jiraiya – Japanese, “young thunder”
- Dustin – Norse, “brave warrior”, Stranger Things
- Dallas – Irish, “skilled”, a city in Texas, cowboy name
- Billy – English, “resolute protection”, a nickname for William
- Sonny – English, “son”, popular in the 1970s and 1980s
- Johnny – Nickname for John, “God is gracious”, popular since the 1950s
- Marty – Nickname of Martin, made popular in 1980s by Back To The Future character Marty McFly
- Travis – French, “tollgate-keeper”, popular in 1980s and 1990s
- Richie – German nickname for Richard, “dominant ruler”, popular in 1980s and 1990s
- Ferris – Irish, English, “strong man’ or “ironworker”, associated with movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- Todd – English, “fox“, popular in the 1980s
- Ned – English nickname for Edward, weathly guardian, popular in 1990s sitcoms The Simpsons, and Ned and Stacey and movies Groundhog Day and School of Rock. Became reinvigorated by Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.
- Blane – Scottish, “yellow”, made popular by 1980s movie Pretty In Pink”
- Eddie – English nickname for Edward, “wealthy”, most popular between 1950 and 1980
- Perry – English, “dweller near a pear tree”, popular from 1950s to 1990s for singer Perry Como, designer Perry Ellis, and fictional characters Perry Mason and Perry White.
- Ren – Japanese nickname for Rene, “water lily” or “lotus”, made popular in 1990s by tv show Ren and Stimpy and movie Footloose
- Hank – German nickname of Henry, “estate ruler”, popular in 1980s and 1990 for its cool, sports guy vibe. Also popular among country music fans for Hank Williams (Jr. and Sr.).
- Sterling – English, “of the highest quality”
- Golden – English, “of the highest quality”
- Ochre – Greek, English, “pale yellow”
- Apollo – Greek, god of medicine, music and poetry
- Sovereign – English, “supreme ruler, ultimate power”
- Lucien – French, “light”
- Helios – Greek, “sun”
- Elio – Italian, “sun”
- Lux – Latin, “light”
- Ennis – Irish, “from the island”
- Reeve – English, “bailiff”
- Tex – English, nickname for Texas resident
- Zane – English form of the Arabic name “Zayne” meaning “God is gracious”
- Lloyd – Welsh, “gray”
- Brando – Italian, “firebrand” or “sword”
- Briggs – English, “little village near the bridge”
- Truett – English surname, “dry wood + river bend”, associated with the Baptist church in the Southern US
- Boone – French, “blessing” or “lucky”, associated with Daniel Boone
- Huck – English, nickname of literary character Huckleberry Finn
- Hawkins – English, “hawk”
- Steele – English, “steele”
- Abbott – Hebrew, Arabic, “father”
- Ridge – English, “hilltop” or “mountain range”
- Jones – English surname, “God is gracious”
- Rhett – Dutch, “advice”, associated with book Gone With The Wind and country singer Thomas Rhett
- Dutton – English, “hill settlement” or “Dodd’s town”, associated with the show Yellowstone
- Beck – English, “small stream”
- Dacre – English, “trickling stream”, associated with the show Stranger Things
- Wilder – English surname, “growing in the natural environment”
- Foster – English, “forester”
- Django – Romani, “I awake”, associated with the movie Django Unchained
- Rhodes – Greek, “where roses grow”
- Wade – English, “at the river crossing”
- Waylon – English, “land beside the road”, associated with country singer Waylon Jennings and Simpson’s character Waylon Smithers
- Sayer – English, “woodcutter” or “reciter”
- Walker – English, “cloth-walker”
- Royal – French, “royal”,
- Xavi – Catalan, Arabic, “new house of bright: nickname of Xavier
- Indi – English, “land of the Indians”
- Tavi – Scottish nickname for Thomas, “twin”, also a variation of Tavish
- Rafi – Arabic nickname for Rafiq, Spanish nickname for Rafael, “friend”, “companion”, “gentle”, “kind”, associated with well-known children’s singer
- Ezri – Hebrew variation of Ezra, “help”
- Ravi – Hindi, “conferring”
- Huxley – English, “inhospitable place”, associated with author Aldous Huxley
- Pax – Latin, “peaceful”
- Onyx – Greek, “nail”, “claw”, “veined gem”
- Calix – Latin, “chalice”
- fox – English, “cunning” or “sly”
- Abraxas – Persian, “magically gifted”
- Lexington – English, well-known city name
- Rex – Latin, “king”
- Eryx – Greek, son of Poseidon and Aphrodite in mythology
- Beaux – French, “handsome”
- Bronx – English, well-known borough in New York City
- Hendrix – Dutch, German, “estate ruler”
- Felix – Latin, “happy” or “fortunate”
- Xerxes – Persian, “hero among heroes”
- Ajax – Greek, associated with a character in Homer’s Ilaiad
- Roux – French, “russet”
- Bright – English, “reflecting light”
- Majestic – English, “impressive beauty or dignity”
- Zealous – English, “fervent, enthusiastic”
- Valiant – Latin, “brave”
- Righteous – English, “virtuous”
- Epic – English, “heroic” or “legendary”
- Lucky – English, “having good luck”
- Glorious – English, “worthy of admiration”
- Sincere – English, “genuine”
- Noble – Latin, “aristocratic”
- Stellar – English, “of the stars”
- Wild – English, “in a natural state”
- Legendary – English, “of legend”
Popular Unique Baby Boy Names
In American pop culture, celebrities are the trailblazers for unique baby boy names.
Sometimes they are cool and quirky, but sometimes these names really push the envelope. You be the judge!
Check out these most popular unique baby boy names.
- Supreme – English, “most important”
- Loyal – English, “most important”
- Cerulean – English, “most important”
- Sky – Norse, “abode of God”
- Halcyon – Greek, mythological bird that calmed the rough ocean waves
- Caspian – Latin, “white”
- Forest – Latin, “wooded area”
- Blues – English, musical style
- Cyan – Greek, “brilliant greenish blue”
- River – English, “flowing water”
- Azure – French, “sky blue”
- Ocean – Latin, “great river”
- Wave – Old English, “wander”
- Moss – English, “born of a God”
- Oakland – English, “land of oaks”
- Romer – German, “pilgrim” or “fame”
- Kailo – English, “narrow spit of land”
- Foxton – English, “fox town”
- Khairi – Arabic, “goodness”
- Beauden – English, German, “hill shaped like a bow” or “floor”
- Braven – English, “invented name”
- Woodson – English, “place at the houses in the woods”
- Bowyn – Welsh, “son of Owen”
- Zakhai – Hebrew, “pure”
- Rhyett – English, made up name comprised of Rhett and Wyatt
- Cyaire – Made up English name
- Aziel – Hebrew, “God is my strength”
- Dariel – English, made up name comprised of Darren and Gabriel
- Levitt – German Jewish surname, “place where your trees grow” or “Levite”
- Arlo – English, “rock hill” or “fortified hill”
- Teo – Spanish, “divine gift”
- Cason – Scottish, “son of marsh-dwellers”
- Vander – Greek, “good man”
- Tryp – English, “traveler”
- Riftyn – English, “to split or cleave”
- Oslind – Swedish, “grove”
- Taj – Sanskrit, “crown”
- Lennox – Scottish, Gaelic, “elm grove”
- Royce – German, “fame”
- Lucien – French, “light”
- Thane – Scottish, “clan chieftain”
- Kai – Japanese, “of the ocean” or “shell”
- Brighton – English, “bright town”
- Kobe – Swahili, “turtle” or “tortoise”
- Stirling – English, “little star”
- Atlas – Greek, “to carry”
- Koufax – Hungarian, “smith”
- Atticus – Latin, “hailing from Athens”
- Ledger – English, “Spear Tribe”
- Lawson – English, “son of Lawrence” or “from Larentium (a city in Italy known for its gorgeous laurel trees)”
Popular Gender-Neutral Names
It is difficult to find a gender-neutral name for your baby boy that incorporates all of the characteristics you want to instill in him while still allowing him to make his own decisions.
These unisex baby boy names are nonspecific, while still being inclusive.
Check out these gender-neutral names for your baby boy.
- Charlie – German nickname for Charles, “free man” or “warrior”
- Taylor – English, “cloth cutter”
- Logan – Scottish, “hollow”
- Jayden – Hebrew, “thankful” or “God will judge“
- Sutton – English, “southern farm”
- Carson – Scottish, “son of marsh-dwellers”
- Sparrow – English, “productivity” or “teamwork”
- Grayson – English, “son of a gray-haired man”
- Sawyer – English, “woodcutter”
- River – English, “a flowing body of water”
- Jordyn – Hebrew, “down-flowing”, associated with the River Jordan in the holy lands
- Cameron – Gaelic, “crooked nose” or “crooked river”
- Hunter – English, “pursuer” or “one who hunts”
- Remy – French, “oarsman” or “remedy”
- Lane – English, “small roadway or path”
- Marion – French, “star of the sea” or “beloved”
- Corey – Greek, “in a cauldron”
- Jessie – Hebrew, “the Lord exists”
- Ari – Norse, Icelandic, “eagle”
- James – Hebrew, “supplanter”
- Glenn – Irish, Scottish, “valley”
- Blake – English, “dark one”
- Yonah – Hebrew, “dove”, a variant of Jonah
- Ellis – Welsh, “kind” or “benevolent”
- Quin – Irish, “wisdom”
- Fenix – Greek, “dark red”, variant of Phoenix
- Teegan – Cornish, “special thing“
- Rene – French, “re-born”
- Clemency – English, “merciful”
- Fernley – English, “fern meadow”
- Waverly – English, “meadow of aspens”
- Ryan – Irish, “little king” or “illustrious”
- Shannon – English, “wise river”
- Florian – Latin, “flourishing”
- Riley – English, “wood clearing”
- Bryn – Welsh, “hill” or “mount”
- Dakota – Native American, “friend” or “ally”
- Bailey – English, “debt collector”
- Ember – English, “spark”
- Adrian – Latin, “sea” or “water”
- Eden – Hebrew, “paradise”
- Frankie – Latin, “free” or “truthful”
- Channing – French, “official to the church” or “young wolf”
- Piper – English, “pipe player”
- Peyton – English, “fighting man’s estate”
- Morgan – Welsh, “sea-song” or “sea-born”
- Reagan – Irish, “little king”
- Rain – English, “abundant blessing from above”
- Hollis – English, “near the holly bushes”
- Harper – English, “harp player”
- Avery – English, “elf king”
- Vero – Latin, “great hero”
- Sam – Hebrew, “told by God”
- Emery – English, “powerful” or “industrious”
- Finnegan – Irish, “fair-haired”
- Aspen – English, “shaking tree”
- Kris – Latin, “follower of Christ”
- Billie – German, “will” or “desire”
- Hayden – German, “hay field”
- Kyle – Gaelic, “slender” or “strait”
- Parker – English, “park keeper”
- Makoto – Japanese, “sincerity”
- Emerson – German, “brave” or “powerful”
- Kennedy – Irish, “armored”
- Casey – Gaelic, “watchful”
- Wallace – French, “Welshman”
- Shelby – Norse, “willow” or “estate”
- Ash – Hebrew, a nickname for Asher or Ashley, “happy”
- Campbell – Scottish, “crooked mouth”
- Finley – Scottish, “white warrior” or “fair warrior”
- Robin – German, “diminuative”
- Bobbie – English, nickname for Robert or Roberta, “bright fame”
- Alex – Scottish, nickname for Alexander, “defender of man”
- Rory – Gaelic, “red king”
- Garnet – English, “dark red gemstone”
- Sydney – English, “white meadow”
- Shawn – Hebrew, “God is gracious”
- Murphy – Gaelic, “warrior of the sea”
- Quincy – Roman, “the fifth”
- Brooklyn – English, “one who lives near a brook”
- McKenzie – Gaelic, “fair and handsome one”
- Skylar – Dutch, “scholar”
- Addison – English, “son of Adam”
- Dorian – Greek, legendary Greek hero
- Jamie – Hebrew, “he who supplants”
- Tatum – English, “Tata’s homestead”
- Wren – English, “small bird”
- Blair – Gaelic, “meadow” or “battlefield”
- Amari – Hebrew, “promised by God”
- Dylan – Welsh, “born from the sea”
- Spencer – English, “administrator”
- Oakley – English, “meadow of oak trees”
- Stevie – Greek, “crown” or “garland”
- Bay – English, “bathe”
- Ariel – Hebrew, “lion of God”
Popular Classic Baby Boy Names
Traditional popular baby boy names aren’t always common these days, but many are rising in popularity.
Using this list, you can give your baby a traditional name while remaining trendy.
Check out these classic baby boy names that have withstood the test of time.
- Oscar – Gaelic, “friend of deer” or “spear of the gods”
- Bruce – Scottish, “the willowlands”
- Jesse – Dutch, “God’s gift”
- Oliver – Norse, “olive tree” or “ancestor’s descendants”
- Theodore – Greek, “gift of God”
- Scott – Scottish, “from Scotland”
- Benjamin – Hebrew, “son of the right hand”
- John/ Jonathan – Hebrew. “God has given”
- James – Hebrew, “may God protect”
- Arthur – Celtic, “bear”, associated with King Arthur from The Knights of the Round Table
- Victor – Roman, “conqueror”
- Nathaniel – Hebrew, “God has given”
- Charles – French, “free man”
- Henry – German, “estate ruler” or “rich”
- Douglas – English, “dark water”
- Patrick – English, “nobleman”
- Geoffrey – English, “pledge of peace”
- Paul – Latin, “small or humble”
- Richard – French, “strong ruler”
- George – Greek, “farmer”
- Lionel – Latin, “lion”
- Tobias – Greek, “God is good”
- Warren – French, “park keeper”
- Aaron- Hebrew, “exalted”
- Raymond – French, “adviser”
- Peter – Greek, “stone rock”
- Hugh – French, “intelligent”
- Thomas – Aramaic, “twin”
- Christopher – English, “he who holds Christ in his heart”
- Simon – Hebrew, “the listener”
- Daniel – Hebrew, “God is my judge”
- Andrew – Greek, “manly” or “strong”
- Lawrence – Latin, “of the laurel leaves”
- Frederick – German, “peaceful ruler”
- Louis – French, “renowned ruler”
- Matthew – Hebrew, “gift of God”
- Adam – Hebrew, “first man”
- Brian – Celtic, “noble”
- Timothy – English, “one who honors God”
- Martin – Greek, “god of war”
- David – Hebrew, “beloved”
- Walter – German, “army ruler”
- Brandon – Irish, Welsh, “prince” or “king”
- Stephen – Greek, “garland” or “crown”
- Francis – Latin, “French man”
- Edward – English, “wealthy guardian”
- Vincent – Latin, “prevailing”
Popular Religious Baby Boy Names
People often turn to religion when choosing a name for their bundle of joy.
Religion provides so many name options that are rich in history and meaning and can help pave the way for the kind of life you want your baby boy to live.
Check out this list of the most popular religious baby boy names.
- Ashish – Indian, “blessing from God”
- Asher – Hebrew, “happy” or “blessed”
- Caleb – Hebrew, “faithful”, “wholehearted”, or “loyalty”
- Ezekiel – Hebrew, “God’s strength”
- Ezra – Hebrew, “help”
- Deacon – Greek, “messenger” or “servant”
- Joseph – Hebrew, “God will provide”
- Malachi – Hebrew, “messenger of God”
- Levi – Hebrew, “united”, “joined”, or “joined in harmony”
- Samuel – Hebrew, “name of God”
- Jacob – Hebrew, “may God protect”
- Eli – Hebrew, “high” or “elevated”
- Matias – Hebrew, “gift of God”
- Luke – Latin nickname for Lucas, “bringer of light”
- Josiah – Hebrew, “God has healed”
- Isaac – Hebrew, “one who rejoices”
- Zion – Hebrew, “highest point”
- Isaiah – Hebrew, “Yahweh is salvation”
- Christian – Latin, “follower of Christ”
- Gabriel – Hebrew, “God is my strength”
- Jeremiah – Hebrew, “God is high”
- Noah – Hebrew, “rest”
- Elijah – Hebrew, “Yahweh is my God”
- Matteo – Italian, Hebrew, “gift of God”
- Muhammad – Arabic, “praiseworthy”
- Nathan – Hebrew, “gift of God”
- Joseph – Hebrew, “God will provide”
- Bodhi – Sanskrit, “enlightenment” or “awakening”
- Abishek – Hindu, “bathing to God” or “shower of milk”, symbolizes purification or cleanising during worship
Popular Cool Baby Boy Names
While what you consider cool is truly relative to your own personal experiences and perspectives, there are some names that just exude “cool kid” vibes.
Check out this list of the most popular cool baby boy names you’ll find in 2023.
- Brett – English, “from Britain”
- Maxwell – Scottish, “Mack’s stream or spring”
- Maddox – Welsh, “fortunate” or “mad”
- Marlon – American, “little warlike one” or “little hawk”
- Tucker – German,”all heart” or “fabric pleater”.
- Trevor – Welsh, “large homestead” “ambitious”
- Hans – German, “God is gracious”
- Terrance – Roman, “smooth” or “tender”
- Reed – English, “red-haired”
- Jett – English, “jet black”, ” black stone” or “free”
- Jamin – Hebrew, “son of the right hand”
- Sullivan – Gaelic, “dark eyes”
- Leo – Latin, “lion”
- Gustavo – Swedish, “royal staff”
- Miles – Latin, “soldier” or “merciful”
- Jack – English nickname for John, “healthy”, “strong” or “full of energy”
- Connor – Gaelic, “lover of wolves/hounds” or “hunter”
- Kit – English, “pure” or “bearing Christ”
- Brody – Scottish, “muddy place” or “ditch”
- Archer – Latin, “bowman”
- Kian – Variation of Gaelic Cian, “ancient” or “king”
While there are so many more names that are options for your baby boy, this guide serves to provide an inclusive list to help you find the perfect name.
Congratulations on your new baby boy and best of luck in your parenthood journey!
Related Posts
Check out more lists of the most popular baby names around: