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Boy Names That End in -er

  1. Calder

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "rocky water"

    • Description:

      Artistic associations with the sculptor who invented the mobile make this one of the more creative surname choices.
  2. Thatcher

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "roof thatcher"

    • Description:

      Thatcher is an open and friendly freckle-faced surname, fresher sounding than Tyler or Taylor, that dates back to the days of thatched-roof cottages. It is catching on with modern parents—it reached the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
  3. Booker

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "scribe"

    • Description:

      Booker would make for a very cool name, for writers, reformers, R & B fans and those wanting to pay tribute to Booker T. Washington.
  4. Porter

    • Origin:

      English from French occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "doorkeeper or carrier"

    • Description:

      It may surprise you to know that surname name Porter was fairly popular in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries, then went underground for 40 years only to reemerge at the turn of this century and climb the ladder again.
  5. Abner

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of light."

    • Description:

      This once neglected Biblical name is back on the scene, ready to shake off both its association with the long running satirical comic strip, L'il Abner and its historical Puritan image. The name appears in the Bible several times, notably on the cousin and commander of Saul's army and by two figures in the New Testament. It re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2023, and was a fast rising choice in 2024 when it was given to nearly 300 boys.
  6. Kyler

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "victory of the people"

    • Description:

      Kyler was once a creative solution for 90s parents who enjoyed the sounds of Kyle and Tyler but didn't want to use anything so popular. Now a well-established name on the US charts, it is given to more than 1000 babies every year.
  7. Ledger

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Description:

      Ledger, another surname-turned-first name, carries associations of the great and late Australian actor Heath Ledger. It appeared on the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2017, perhaps bolstered by the potential of Lej and Edge as nicknames.
  8. Ever

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "always, constantly, eternally"

    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Evan and Everett, Ever is an evocative word name that's currently on the rise. Used by Alanis Morissette and Souleye back in 2010, Ever was given to more than 200 boys in 2024, compared to 115 girls.
  9. Piper

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "one who plays the pipes or flute"

    • Description:

      Piper's rising popularity for girls makes it an unlikely masculine choice.
  10. Foster

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "forester"

    • Description:

      Foster is one commonly heard last name that makes a fine first. The word foster means "to nourish" — as in "fostering hope", or "fostering a relationship". The only problem with Foster might be its association with "foster child."
  11. Tucker

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "fabric pleater"

    • Description:

      Tucker has more spunk than most last-name-first-names, and also a positive, comforting ("Tuck me in, Mommy") feel.
  12. Iver

    • Origin:

      Norwegian variant of Ivar

    • Meaning:

      "yew wood, archer, warrior"

    • Description:

      Iver is a popular name in its native Norway, but parents in the U.S. are starting to take note of this rugged yet gentle name. Stemming from the original Norse name Ívarr, it is part of a small group of names with similar roots: Ivar, Ivor, Ivo, Ives, and Evander. It was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers in the Middle Ages, and to the US by in the 19th century.
  13. Ember

    • Description:

      Ember is traditionally a unisex name that has been increasingly used for both boys and girls, though it's somewhat more common for females. Derived from the English word for a small, glowing piece of coal or wood in a dying fire, Ember evokes warmth, light, and enduring energy. The name gained popularity in the early 21st century as part of the trend toward nature-inspired names. For boys, it carries connotations of strength and subtle power. Ember also has connections to the ancient calendar month name 'September' (though etymologically distinct). Its short, two-syllable structure makes it straightforward yet distinctive, with a contemporary feel despite its ancient word origins.

  14. Ender

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "very rare"

    • Description:

      This popular Turkish name has a very on-trend sound and is familiar to English speakers thanks to Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel Ender’s Game. The book has recently been turned into a movie, starring Asa Butterfield as Andrew "Ender" Wiggin.
  15. Javier

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Xavier, Basque

    • Meaning:

      "new house"

    • Description:

      One of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US, Javier is embodied for many Americans in the magnetic persona of Spanish-born Oscar-nominated actor Javier Bardem.
  16. Tanner

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "leather tanner"

    • Description:

      One of the hot two-syllable T names of the nineties (along with Tyler, Trevor, and Taylor), and well represented on soap operas; Tanner is still widely used, but its popularity is declining.
  17. Oleander

    • Origin:

      Botanical name

    • Description:

      The name of this pretty Mediterranean shrub is reminiscent of popular classic Oliver, and interestingly its etymology appears to overlap too: oleander most likely derives from Greek rhododendron "rose tree", with its form successively influenced by laurea "laurel" and olea "olive tree".
  18. Colter

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "colt herder"

    • Description:

      A variation on the popular Colton, Colter has been climbing up the US charts since 2010. Given to around 1000 boys each year, it is now in the Top 500, and ticks the boxes for being a cool occupational name with rugged, Wild West vibes, and for giving the familiar nickname Col, or the alternative, Colt.
  19. Mercer

    • Origin:

      French occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "a merchant"

    • Description:

      Mercer is an attractive possibility which is an occupational name that doesn't sound like one. Mercer and its cool, sophisticated short form Merce project a super creative image via their artistic namesakes.
  20. Rainer

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "wise army"

    • Description:

      Rainer is one of those baby names that is still under-the-radar but has been quietly gaining traction: The number of boys who've received the name has doubled in the past decade, to just under 50. Part nature name and part traditional German name for boys, Rainer can claim a place among the two-syllable r-ending baby names so fashionable for boys today.