SSA Top 1000: Boy Names Ranked #1000

  1. Alva
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "his highness"
    • Description:

      Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think that it has become too corporate with the advent of Elon Musk's company.
  2. Stephan
    • Origin:

      Variant of Stephen
    • Description:

      If you wanted to try to get people to pronounce your son's first name the way Stephen Curry does, this might be a way to do it.
  3. Lizzie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Lizzie was commonly used as an independent name in the last half of the nineteenth century. Today Lizzie is still one of the most stylish short forms of Elizabeth, but few U.S. parents put it on the birth certificate.
  4. Burnice
    • Description:

      Burnice is a masculine name variant of the more common Bernice, which derives from Greek 'Berenikē' meaning 'bringing victory.' This spelling with 'u' instead of 'e' gives the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining the original pronunciation. Historically, Bernice appears in the New Testament as a feminine name, but Burnice emerged as a male variant primarily in early to mid-20th century America, particularly in southern regions. The name peaked in popularity between the 1910s-1940s but has since become quite rare. Though uncommon today, Burnice carries a vintage charm and uniqueness that might appeal to parents looking for distinctive traditional names with historical roots.
  5. Marcos
    • Origin:

      Portuguese and Spanish variation of Mark
    • Description:

      Another culture's slant on Mark, sometimes associated with former president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos and his shoe-collecting wife, Imelda.
  6. Benito
    • Description:

      Benito is a masculine name of Spanish and Italian origin, derived from the Latin name 'Benedictus,' meaning 'blessed.' It's essentially the diminutive form of 'Benedicto' in Spanish. The name carries significant historical associations, most notably with Italian political figure Benito Mussolini and Mexican president Benito Juárez. Outside of Spanish and Italian-speaking countries, the name remains relatively uncommon but recognizable. Benito has a warm, friendly sound with its soft consonants and ending with an 'o,' typical of Italian and Spanish masculine names. The name conveys a sense of heritage and tradition while maintaining a certain musicality that makes it appealing across cultures.

  7. Minoru
    • Description:

      Minoru is a masculine Japanese name written with various kanji combinations, most commonly meaning 'truth,' 'reality,' 'fruition,' or 'success.' It can also signify 'harvest' or 'bearing fruit,' symbolizing prosperity and achievement. The name has traditional roots in Japan and gained international recognition through notable individuals including artists, athletes, and scholars. Minoru has historical significance in Japanese-American communities, where it remained popular even during challenging periods of Japanese-American relations. The name balances strength with gentleness through its soft consonants and rhythmic sound. While primarily used in Japan and Japanese diaspora communities, Minoru has gained some recognition globally. Parents might choose it for its authentic Japanese heritage, meaningful connotations of truth and accomplishment, and its accessible pronunciation for non-Japanese speakers.
  8. Harrell
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God's mount"
    • Description:

      While everyone may think you said "Harold," this name sounds more up-to-date. And if you get tired of explaining, you can always call him Harry.
  9. Orange
    • Origin:

      Fruit and color name
    • Description:

      No babies of any gender were named Orange in the US in the most recent year counted. But that doesn't mean, in this era of anything-goes baby names, that it couldn't happen. In fact, Orange did appear in the US stats for boys throughout the 20th century, and was given to 20 boys in 1920. Not all that many, but still quite a lot to be called Orange.
  10. Willian
    • Description:

      Willian is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of William, one of the most enduring names in Western culture. William comes from Germanic roots, combining "wil" (will or desire) and "helm" (helmet or protection), meaning "resolute protector" or "determined guardian." This particular spelling, Willian, is more common in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries, especially Brazil, where it has gained popularity. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking regions, the name has gained some recognition through Brazilian footballer Willian Borges da Silva. The name maintains the strong, classic appeal of William while offering a slightly different phonetic quality with the final '-n' rather than '-m' sound. Parents might choose this spelling for its international flair or to honor Portuguese or Brazilian heritage.

  11. Richmond
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "powerful protector"
    • Description:

      Richmond is a place-name — it's the capital of Virginia, US, and a town in London, UK — that makes a fresh way to honor an ancestral Richard.
  12. Hughie
    • Description:

      Hughie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Hugh, which comes from the Germanic name 'Hugo,' meaning 'mind' or 'intellect.' This affectionate nickname-turned-given-name carries a friendly, approachable quality that has made it endearing across generations. While never reaching the heights of popularity that Hugh achieved, Hughie has maintained a consistent presence, especially in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of England. The name experienced modest popularity in the early 20th century but has since become less common, giving it a vintage charm. In recent years, the character Hughie Campbell from the television series 'The Boys' has brought some renewed attention to this warm, unpretentious name.

  13. Octavio
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Octavius
    • Meaning:

      "eighth"
    • Description:

      The most popular of the number names used by Hispanic parents, open to all. Octavia and Octavio are two Spanish baby names that are moving out into the wider world.
  14. Deric
    • Description:

      Deric is a masculine name that serves as a variant spelling of Derek or Derrick, which ultimately derived from the Germanic name Theodoric, meaning 'people's ruler.' This streamlined spelling offers a more phonetic and modern approach to the traditional name. While less common than Derek, Deric maintains the same strong, masculine qualities with its concise form and firm ending. The name peaked in popularity during the 1960s and 70s but has since become less common, giving it a somewhat distinctive quality today. Deric projects an image of straightforward reliability and strength, with its direct spelling reflecting these qualities.
  15. Flem
    • Description:

      Flem is an extremely rare masculine name that likely originated as a short form of Fleming, a surname referring to someone from Flanders (a region spanning parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands). The name has historical roots but has never been common as a given name in English-speaking countries. Flem has a brief, punchy quality with its single syllable and strong consonant ending. While uncommon as a first name, it might be encountered as a nickname or family name passed down through generations. The brevity and uniqueness of Flem give it a distinctive quality, though its similarity to the word "phlegm" has likely contributed to its rarity as a given name.

  16. Mohammad
    • Origin:

      Persian, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "praiseworthy"
    • Description:

      A variation of Muhammad, the name of the 7th century prophet who founded the Islamic religion. One of the most popular Muslim and Arabic names, it is used across the globe in various forms. This spelling is currently in the UK Top 100, but less popular than Muhammad.
  17. Lorin
    • Description:

      Lorin is a gender-neutral name with multiple cultural origins, though traditionally used more often for males. In Hebrew, it's a variant of Loren or Lawrence, meaning 'crowned with laurel,' symbolizing victory and honor. In French usage, it has connections to the name Laurent. Lorin also appears in Hungarian naming traditions. The name has a gentle yet distinguished quality, with its soft consonants creating a flowing sound. While never extremely common, Lorin has maintained consistent usage across decades. The name appeals to parents seeking something recognizable but not overused, with international appeal. Its cross-cultural nature makes it versatile and adaptable across different linguistic traditions, while its short, two-syllable structure gives it a clean, modern feel.
  18. Antone
    • Description:

      Antone is a masculine name derived from the Latin Antonius, sharing roots with the more common Anthony. The name carries the meaning "priceless" or "of inestimable worth." This variant spelling emerged in Mediterranean and Hispanic cultures, though it appears across various European traditions. Throughout history, Antone has maintained modest usage without reaching widespread popularity. In the United States, it experienced its highest usage in the early 20th century among immigrant communities before declining. The name carries a warm, classic quality with its distinctive ending, offering an alternative to the more conventional Anthony while retaining its dignified heritage and meaningful roots.
  19. Norwood
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "woods in the north"
    • Description:

      Another stiff northerly choice.
  20. Young
    • Description:

      Young is a masculine name that originated as a surname in English, derived from the Old English word 'geong,' meaning 'young' or 'youthful.' As a given name, it has been most commonly used in East Asian cultures, particularly in Korea, where it's pronounced differently than in English. In Korean usage, Young (or Yeong) can have various meanings depending on the Chinese characters used to write it, including 'brave,' 'flourishing,' or 'eternal.' The name is straightforward, simple, and carries positive connotations of youth and vitality. While uncommon as a first name in Western countries, its simplicity and positive meaning make it an accessible cross-cultural option.