English Names for Boys

Blending word name Rock (or Rocky) with the popular lynn suffix, this is a contemporary sounding choice used occasionally for boys since the 1960s. The alternative spelling Rocklin has seen more use however.

Rocklyn

A spelling variation of vintage Percy or a Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Russian form of the Greek Persey. In the first case, the pronunciation is PUR-see, while in the second, it would likely be PEER-say.

Persey

A new spin on Nova, Novie was chosen by influencer couple, Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes in 2023. While it has begun to catch on for girls, both this spelling and the Novi alternative are used much more quietly for boys in the US. With its gentle-yet-sassy feel and its similarity in sounds to Noah, Levi, Coby, and Cove, it nevertheless may appeal to those looking for something unexpected. 

Novie

Edgy and cool but ancient too, Tyro fits in with the likes of Kyro and Mylo. It appeared on the US stats for the first time on 2024 when it was given to 5 boys.
 
In Greek mythology, Tyro featured as a feminine name, borne by a princess whose name was given in reference to her pale, "goat's cheese" complexion. The similar Tyros also appears, worn by a nymph and lover of Heracles, whose name comes from the city of Tyre in Lebanon, which means "rock".
 
Additionally, as a modern, masculine name, it could be a spin on Tyrone, literally meaning "Land of Eoghan" or more figuratively, "land of the Yew tree", or even a word name, meaning rookie, novice, or beginning.

Tyro

Rhodie blends the cool sounds of Rhodes, Rory, Brodie, and Bodhi into one, into this easy-going choice. Possibly a diminutive of Rhodes (also used as a short form of Rhoda), it could equally be a spin on Rod- names such as Roderick or Rodney.  Five boys were given the name in the 2010s.


Rhodie

Also (and more popularly) spelled as Stratton, this is a surname and placename, referring to somewhere with paved streets. While this form has only appeared in the US stats in 2008, Stratton was given to 70 boys in a recent year. 


Stratten

Appearing in the US stats a handful on times in the early 20th century, this name can be read in two ways. On one hand, it's a surname-style choice, derived from either the English Leofman meaning "dear, beloved person" or from the Gaelic Lagmont meaning "law man". On the other, it is a modern twist on the fruit name Lemon.  



Lemmon

Derived from the surnames Grayland and Graylin, this spelling has occasionally been used for boys, but in recent years, it has been given almost exclusively to girls. For boys, Graylon, Graylen, Graylin, or Graylan are usually preferred. 

Graylyn

A spiritual word name, referring to the teachings, doctrines and life of Christ, along with a form of singing in some evangelical churches, Gospel fits in with the likes of Psalm, Praise, Prayer, and Rejoice. It may also refer to an absolute truth, giving it the feel of names like True , Truth, and Honor too.


Gospel

An off-beat Medieval diminutive of Robert and Robin, Hobby likely emerged in the same way Bobby and Billy did – by swapping the first letter of the more obvious nickname, possibly due to the number or Roberts, Robbys, and Robins one might have known. Today, Hobby might be considered more of a word name, but the name was in fact the source of the word! 
 
First used to describe a (real) medium sized horse, by the 16th-century, Hobby was also being used to describe a wooden horse for children to practice or pretend riding on. This eventually led to it being used, negatively at first, to refer to any childish (or non-productive) leisure activity. Over time, it began to shed (some) of those negative connotations, particularly after it was used in Laurence Sterne's 18th-century novel,Tristam Shandy, to describe playful and fanciful obsessions. Now, it brings to mind pleasurable activities, engaged in regularly for enjoyment and interest.
 
Moving on from that etymological detour, Hobby has only appeared once in the US stats, back in 1918 when it was given to 9 boys.

Hobby

A variation of the Biblical name Jadon, more likely to lead you to the JAH- sound over the JAY- one that may alternatively be used as the first syllable. The meaning of the name is debated, though one theory is that it comes from yaḏa meaning "thankful".

Jahdon

A surname-style choice, Rydon could be a trendy spin on Ryder meaning "mounted warrior", or it could combine the Old English elements ryge and dun meaning "rye" and "hill". While it could work in the US, in the UK, this name is likely to be associated with the contractor responsible for the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower and with the subsequent tragedy.

Rydon

Is Thearthur a declaration that your baby is the ultimate Arthur or is it a blend of the regal name with the popular Theodore or Theo? In the first instance, it may be interpreted as literally meaning "the Arthur" or "the bear", while in the latter case, "God's bear" or "bear of God" may be considered.
 
The name has appeared just once in the US stats, back in the 50s.

Thearthur

An elaboration of the Greek element kleos, possible inspired by the feminine Cleotha (as borne by singer Cleotha "Cleedy" Staples of the Staple Singers musical group. It has appeared in the US charts just once, in 1958. 
 
Likely meaning "glory, renowned", a (slightly) more popular form of this name is Cleotis.

Cleothis

Short and snappy, Tol has an entirely different feel to its longer forms, Bartholomew, Ptolemy, and Anatole. Similar in sound and feel to the stylish Sol, it makes a lighter choice for several grandiose names.
 
Borrowed from Biblical Bartholomew, likely via the English nickname Tolly, Tol could mean "son of Talmai" or "son of the furrow". From the Greek Ptolemy it has the tough meaning of "warlike", while from the French Anatole (itself from the Greek ς Anatolius), it relates to the the rising sun.
 
Other sources of the name could be the Turkish Tolga meaning "helmet"; the Khmer name, Tola, also used as the word for October; a a Polish diminutive of Antoni, inspired by the use of Tola for Antonia. It may also originate from various names including the Old Norse Þórr (Thor), such as Tollak, Torkell, Torgils, and Torleif. 
 
There's also the surname Tolliver ("ironworker"), the Nahuatl Tlatol ("language"), or the Indonesian Tolha (via the Arabic ṭalḥ, meaning "fruit tree").

An ancient name with a modern twist, Wolfstan comes from the Anglo-Saxon name Wulfstan. It maintains the power of its older form while feeling looking and feeling familiar and cool. Meaning "wolf stone" from the Old English elements wulf and stan, it comes with three versatile nickname options: edgy and on-trend Wolf; cute and playful Wolfie; and vintage grandpa name, Stan.
 
It may also appeal as a rare and unexpected saint's name, Saint Wulfstan being an 11th century monk and bishop.

Wolfstan

Derived from an English surname, Hawksley ticks the boxes as a surname and as a nature name. It's got the edgy feel of Talon and Wolf, and the on-trend sounds of Harley, Oakley, and Wesley. Meaning "hawk's meadow" or "hawk's clearing", it is notably borne by singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman. While it is a stage-name, it may inspire parents to use it as a given name too, probably on boys, but it could go unisex too. 

Hawksley

Oceander is a modern creation, spinning cool words name Ocean and Océane into a name in the style of Leander, Evander, Alexander, and similar. As such, it may be said to mean "ocean man", pairing the nature-name with the Greek ander element.
 
You may choose to pronounce the name as o-see-AN-der, O-shan-der, or O-shuhn-der, and alternatively may consider it a compound name. In that case, meanings could include "ocean defending man" (from Ocean and Alexander) and "bow man from the sea" (from Ocean and Evander).
 
A currently very rare choice, used just a handful of times in South America, Oceander would certainly be a one-of-a-kind option.

Oceander

A way to Hal and an alternative to Callum, with English surname refers to somewhere rocky. Also spelled as Hallam (the form used by the poet Lord Tennyson for his son, in honor of his friend, Arthur Hallam), this variation was chosen in 2025 by influencers Josie and Kelton Balka for their son's middle name, chosen in honor of Kelton's grandfather.  

Hallum

A playful and unexpected possibility, Presto may appeal to those who like Banjo and Lyric along with Rio, Pablo, and Arlo.
 
The name comes from a variety of sources, including an Old English surname meaning "brushwood headland"; from the Italian word presto describing a piece of music with a fast tempo; and as a Cornish form of Preston ("priest town"), in the style of Jago, Pascoe, or Kitto.
 
In English, it may be best linked to the idiom "hey presto", an exclamation used both on stage by magicians performing tricks and in general conversation when something good happens quickly and suddenly, as if by magic.

Presto

English names for boys dominate the popularity lists of the US, the UK, and other English-speaking countries, with William and James ranking highly in the US, and Jack, Oscar, and Charlie reigning in the UK.



Many English names for boys drawn from surnames are currently trending in the United States: Jackson, Cooper, Lincoln, Hunter, and Landon, for instance. And then there are English word names from Royal to Loyal that have become fashionable for baby boys.

 include Carter, Grayson, Julian, Mason, Parker, Robert, Sawyer, and Wyatt. Trending English names for boys include surname names such as Reeve and Miller and antique names such as Auberon and Anson.

Baby boy names of English origin popular in the UK

 include Oliver — a top name throughout the United Kingdom — Harry, Leo, and Alfie. The English name Tom ranks highly in France, while James is favored in The Netherlands and Oliver is popular in Spain.



Some of the straightforward boys’ names we think of as English — like the royal Charles, William, Henry, George, and Louis — all have non-English roots but may carry nicknames like Charlie or Bill that are distinctively English.

English Names for Boys rank highly throughout the English-speaking world, including William, James, Jack, Oscar, and Charlie. (Page 47)