Boy Baby Names

Looking for baby names for a little boy? Here you'll find lists of classic and unusual boy baby names, boys' names from around the world, and baby names organized by meaning, image, and style.

• African Names for Boys

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• Ancient Names for Boys

  Unique baby names are the order of the day, yet why invent a unique name when there are so many ancient names -- from Rome and Byzantium, from Olde England and Germany -- that deserve to be unearthed in the interest of cool? Here's a selection of worthy ancient choices, from a range of eras and places, that make unique baby names for boys. Read More 

• Athlete Baby Names

  Looking for unusual baby names? You might find some of the choicest while watching a football game or a tennis match. While the legendary stars of sports history usually had regular guy names like Joe and Jimmy and Michael and Mickey (not to mention Billie Jean), some of the newer luminaries, as well as the surnames of classic athletes, offer options for baby names that go beyond the perimeters of that limited playing field. Read More 

• Baby Names That Mean Handsome

  Baby names that mean handsome can help your little boy's self-image. Good-looking baby names for boys include: Read More 

• Baby Names That Mean Powerful

  To give your son an extra measure of strength, choose one of these baby names that mean powerful. Read More 

• Badass Baby Names

  Badass baby names carry a macho image yet break with male traditions. These names suggest the kind of guy that rides a motorcycle and sings in a rock band, that can chop a cord of wood but would never wear a suit and tie. The badass baby names, most of them for boys, include: Read More 

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• Best Cool Unusual Boys' Names

  Here is a list of 100 cool and unusual boy's names with the most potential---they have genuine roots, are attractive, and work in the modern world. Best of all, they're still widely underused! Read More 

• Biblical Baby Names for Boys

  Biblical baby names have been popular for boys for more than a generation now, with early favorites Aaron and Adam giving way to new favorites such as Asher and Abraham. Here's our collection of biblical baby names for boys. Read More 

• Boy Baby Names Moving Up Fast

  Boys' baby names moving quickly up the popularity ladder include: Read More 

• Boy Baby Names That End in S

  Boy baby names that end in S are a fashionable group. The S ending is commonly found in Roman names, stylish now for boys, as well as other fresh, cool choices. Stylish boy baby names that end in S include: Read More 

• Boy Baby Names That Mean Wise

  Wisdom is a more valuable quality than ever. Here are some baby names that confer it by their meaning. Read More 

• Boy Baby Names Trendier Than You Think

  The trendiest boy baby names may be a very different group than you'd guess, especially for the first-time parent new to recent baby-naming fads and trends. Here, some surprisingly trendy baby names for boys. Read More 

• Boys' Names Dads Like More Than Moms

  Even though things are changing somewhat, men have historically wanted strong classic or he-man names for their sons. Sometimes, as in a few of those below, they cross the macho line. Read More 

• Boys' Names Kids Consider Cool

  What are the cool boys' names from the point of view of other kids? Choosing a name that other kids consider cool may be more important than one you think is cool yourself. Read More 

• British Baby Names for Boys

  Do British baby names have a distinct style? You bet, and often it's a step or two ahead of American baby names. Some of the hottest baby names for boys in England, Scotland, and Wales are still cool—and underused—choices in the U.S., as seen below. Read More 

• Christopher's International Variations

  Christopher, one of the most popular baby names in the US over the past decades, has many intriguing international variations. Read More 

• Classic Baby Names for Boys

  Classic baby names for boys, those that have been well used in the English-speaking world over time, are an elite group. While many Biblical baby names certainly qualify, we've grouped most of those on their own list. Here are the classic boy baby names that remain. Read More 

• Clunky but Cool Names for Boys

  Cool names for boys come in all shapes and flavors. There are some baby names that, like thick black-rimmed glasses and heavy oxfords, are so uncool they're cool. Here are some clunky but cool baby names for boys. Read More 

• Colonial Names for Boys

  Many of the baby names that were widely used during colonial times have fallen out of favor for long enough now to sound fresh and even cool again. If you like historic baby names but want to move beyond the Victorian and biblical choices we've heard so much of in recent years, consider these names culled from Revolutionary War rolls and eighteenth-century town histories. The only caveat: The choices are much wider and more appealing for boys than for girls. Read More 

• Cool Boys' Names From Around the World

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• Cool Guy Names

  Many of us name babies based on who we want them to grow up to be, and all of these names nudge your son toward cool guy status. These are the names of the guys who are good-looking but not pretty, tough but also tender, bad boys but in the best possible way. If this is your prime criteria for a name, forget name style (though many of these are stylish) and focus on names that convey the cool guy image. Read More 

• Coolator for Boys' Names

  Cool boys' names can sometimes be made from less-than-cool ones. With a bit of ingenuity you can ramp up a name you like to a similar one that's cooler, or tone it down if you want to go in a quieter direction. Here are some examples: Read More 

• Cowboy Baby Names

  Looking for a name that says cowboy boots and stirrups? Check out this list of cowboy baby names, many of them inspired by Westerns of the last century. Read More 

• Dutch Baby Names for Boys

  Popular baby names for boys in The Netherlands range from familiar English nicknames such as Tom and Nick to Latinate choices like Guido and Adrianus to fashionably short European baby names like these. Read More 

• Finnish Baby Names for Boys

  Although Finnish baby names are Scandinavian, they sound a lot quirkier to the American ear than Swedish, Norwegian and Danish baby names do. Here are some of the more accessible. Read More 

• French Baby Names for Boys

  Charming French baby names for boys, far beyond old-fashioned Jean and Jacques, are just waiting to be discovered. Here: some of the best new French baby names for boys. Read More 

• Geeks Forever

  Some baby names just seem irredeemably geeky, on a permanent no list for the modern child. The baby names here qualify for now on the boys' side -- though we've learned in the world of baby naming, to paraphrase Heidi Klum, one day you're out, and the next day you may be very very in. Read More 

• George's International Variations

  George is one of those classic baby names that bridges many cultures and languages, each of which feature of variation on the name. Here, the international variations of the baby name George. Read More 

• Gladiator Baby Names

  Gladiator baby names -- boys' names from Ancient Rome -- are suddenly hot again after a couple of millennia, thanks to Hunger Games, HBO's Rome, Atticus Finch, and Russell Crowe. If you're looking for a baby name for your own little gladiator -- or emperor or god, for that matter -- consider the following. Read More 

• If You Like Max, You'll Love.....

  Love the name Max but fear it's overused? Consider these alternatives with a similar sound, feel, or flavor. Read More 

• If You Like Oscar, You Might Love....

  Oscar is the grouchy old man name that rose from the ashes to become a recent stylish favorite. But now many parents who a handful of years ago might have chosen Oscar feel they need to look further abroad. If you like Oscar, you might love one of these other, more adventurous baby names. Read More 

• Irish Baby Names for Boys

  Irish baby names for boys have been growing in popularity in the U.S. in recent years. While Irish names have become more popular for both genders, we see the style factor on the rise particularly in boys' names unheard of here a generation ago, such as Aidan and Finn. Click here for the full list of Irish baby names. Some of our favorite Irish baby names for boys you might want to consider: Read More 

• Italian Baby Names Beyond Giovanni & Giuseppe

  Italian boys' baby names heard more often in Rome, Italy than Rome, New York, but eminently usable here as Italian baby names continue to grow in favor. Read More 

• Jacob's International Variations

  Jacob has been the Number 1 boy baby name in the US for so long now you might want to think about using one of its international variations. Read More 

• Jane Austen Names for Boys

  Looking for strength, masculinity and sophistication? Search no further. These traditional Old English baby names have lost none of their royal luster, and are shared by some of Jane Austen's bravest male literary heroes. And no, we're not just talking about Mr. Darcy. Read More 

• John's International Variations

  For centuries the most popular of all boy baby names, borne by saints, kings, and countless other illustrious notables, John is still in the Top 20. For a new spin on one of the longest-running favorite baby names, try one of John's international variations. Read More 

• Joseph's International Variations

  Grandpa Joe's namesakes can take many forms, as the baby names here demonstrate. Read More 

• Literary Names for Boys

  These literary baby names for boys are derived from characters in books from all genres and periods. Here, a selection of the most distinctive baby names from books. In the literary names category, as always, feel free to think about your own personal favorites. Read More 

• Michael's International Variations

  Michael is one of the most popular baby names of the past century. To honor a dad or grandpa named Michael, or find a fresh way to spin the old favorite, consider these international baby names that are variations on the original. Read More 

• Military Baby Names

  Military ranks and weapons--everything is fair game in the struggle to find the right baby name. Read More 

• Mythological Baby Names for Boys

  Baby names inspired by mythological figures are on the rise, inspired by the use of mythological names for boys in the Hunger Games series. The pantheon of Greek and Roman deities and other classical mythological figures can provide an abundant source of audacious baby names, all combining deep history with not-heard-in-a-long-time freshness. Mythological names that might sound right for modern baby boys include: Read More 

• Names No Boy May Be Cool Enough For

  You have to be pretty damn cool to name your kid Elmer, cool in that I-like-it-and-I-don't-care-what-the-world-thinks kind of way. Except you're not the one who's going to have to deal with having the name Elmer when you play Little League. You're not the one who's going to have to introduce yourself as Elmer to girls at parties. In fact, if you think it's so cool, maybe you should change your own name to Elmer rather than laying it on a poor little kid. The point: While we can appreciate the contrarian cool inherent in these clunky names, we fear that few children at this point in time are cool enough actually to live with them. Read More 

• Nicknames for Boys

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• Old Man Names

  Old man names like Max and Sam and Henry have been used for babies for so long now that they no longer sound like old man names. But don't worry, there are plenty more where those came from. To qualify as a cool old man name, a name has to feel both classic and slightly moth-eaten, like the perfect vintage suit. Read More 

• One-Syllable Middle Names for Boys

  While we are happy to see baby namers move beyond boring middle names that were mere connective tissue, there are still times -- like when first and last names are elaborate -- when you want a short, strong middle name. Here, some cool one-syllable middle names for boys. Read More 

• Operatic Baby Names

  You don’t have to be an opera buff to appreciate the rich variety of baby names found in the classic repertoire. It’s an especially appealing category because it contains such an interesting mix of languages: there are frilly French female names, unusual Italian mens’ names, as well as some usable German and Russian character names. These range from leads such as Aida and Tristan, to featured players to those with minor roles. So, omitting common names like Amelia, Norma and Susanna, and the more uber-the-top names like Brunhilde, here are some lyrical opera baby names: Read More 

• Papal Names

  The selection of Pope Francis I has added a new name to the ist of papal names, which began in the year 32 with St. Peter. Here are some other names of popes that are still usable today--many of them worn by multiple bearers. Read More 

• Paul's International Variations

  Paul is one of those classic baby names that's neither in style nor thoroughly out. Paul's many international versions all start with P. Read More 

• Perennially Popular Boy Baby Names

  There are just over 200 boy baby names that have been on the Top 1000 since 1880, when the U.S. Social Security office began tracking baby names. The names here are included among that elite that has been perennially popular. For the full group plus analysis, see our blog on perennially popular boy baby names. Read More 

• Peter's International Variations

  Peter is one of the classic if not fashionable baby names that may be more appealing in one of its international variations. Read More 

• Popular Baby Names for Boys

  The list of popular baby names for boys in the U.S. is more straightforward than the girls' list, which is skewed by spelling variations. Except for the Aiden/Caden/Jaden names, which are more popular than they look on the national list because of their many variations, most of the popular baby names for boys exist in one form only. Here, the current 25 most popular baby names for boys. Read More 

• Prince Names

  The prince names here are those chosen by royal families around the world for their little boys over the past decade or so. Your idea of prince names can be expanded to include those used over past generations -- Charles and Andrew, say -- and to extend to fictional princes such as Phillip or...well, maybe not Charming. Some of the real little princes have three or four middle names. For more details, see our blog on prince names. Read More 

• Relaxed Baby Names For Boys

  These are boy baby names that are casual, laid back and friendly. Read More 

• Roman Names for Boys

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• Royal Names for Boys

  Royal names for boys on this list are those used by the British royal family for over a thousand years. Some of the royal names for boy you might consider are: Read More 

• Russian Names for Boys

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• Scottish Names for Boys

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• Son Baby Names

  Baby names that end in son originated just the way you think: They designated that the person -- Jackson, say, or Jefferson -- was the son of Jack or Jeffery. Son makes a stylish first name ending today, mostly for boys but since the era of Allison, also for girls. Son baby names can make for an original way to honor an ancestor while slightly varying the name. Some prime examples: Read More 

• Spanish Baby Names for Boys

  Spanish baby names for boys that move beyond the obvious choices like Juan and Jose include: Read More 

• Stephen's International Variations

  Stephen is one of the classic baby names widely used in the middle of the last century. Some variations you might want to consider instead: Read More 

• Thomas's International Variations

  Thomas is among the most classic baby names, with variations in several Western cultures. Read More 

• Video Game Names for Boys

  Movie- and TV-character names may seem both inspired and inspirational to parents at the beginning of the twenty-first century, but what of the next generation of parents-to-be, those raised not on movies and television but on video games? Their idea of a cool name is sure to be way wilder than that of parents today. These names from popular video games will give you an idea of the kind of choices that could inspire the names of your grandchildren. Read More 

• Vintage Baby Names for Boys

  Vintage baby names for boys are in style now, along with vintage clothes and furniture. The most popular vintage baby names for boys include the following. Read More 

• Vintage Nicknames for Boys

  There's a group of nicknames that were used in distant past and are all but forgotten now. The following might be worth a fresh look. You may also want to consult the larger list of Nicknames for Boys. Read More 

• Vintage Nicknames for Boys

  Vintage nicknames that were once widely used for boys and might be revived by modern parents include: Read More 

• Vowel Baby Names for Boys

  Baby names that start with vowels are growing the most in popularity. Here, some of the best baby names for boys starting with A, E, I, O, and U. Read More 

• William's International Variations

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• Yupster Baby Names for Boys

  Yupsters -- a blend of yuppies and hipsters -- prefer baby names that are to the left of the most popular list but far to the right of most choices on this site. The Yupster Baby Names are classic as well as cool, embodying style along with history. The only problem is that you may hear them far more than you want to in the years to come. Read More 

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