English Names for Boys

More than 300 babies have been named Shooter in the US since 2002, which, depending on who you ask, is arguably about 300 too many. One of the violent names for boys that have gained traction in recent years, the most optimistic view perhaps is that parents were thinking about sports or honoring a family connection to the militiary when choosing this name.
 
Previously known only as the nickname of musician Waylon "Shooter" Jennings, Jr., the word became a "proper" name when painter Julian Schnabel used it for his newborn son with gallerist May Andersen back in 2013. The name was given to at least 24 other boys the same year, though it has never been used to the same extent since.
 
Joining ranks with Cannon, Caliber, Gunnar, and Trooper, it might be worth typing "shooter" into your news app and having a flick through the latest headlines before you commit to using the name. Plus, the aforementioned options might give you the same feel, but with just a bit more subtlety. 
 
You could also check out this list of <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/1755/aggressive-boy-names>similar, aggressive names for boys</a> including Gage, Wolf, Blaze, Radar, Mace, and Chief.

Shooter

Could catch on in tandem with the newfound popularity of Griffin and Griffith. 

Gifford

Boo as a first name first achieved notoriety as the name of the child-man in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Arthur "Boo" Radley was meant to be frightening, but only in a simple, non-threatening way. More recently, Boo has been used as the middle name of one of chef Jamie Oliver's children and the nickname in the middle of television's Honey Boo Boo. Boo is also the name of the world's cutest dog and of the adorable little girl in Monsters Inc. In a more basic way, Boo is a term of endearment.

Galton

Fortitude is the kind of virtue name the Puritans favored that could feel rather heavy for a modern boy. Nevertheless, with options such as Sincere, Chosen, Messiah, and Valor on the rise, perhaps in coming years, it might not seem so hefty after all, though for now, we think it would be best reserved for the middle spot. 

Fortitude

Wharton is a rather stiff banker name that becomes creative as a middle name choice for lovers of the novels of writer Edith. 

Wharton

This is an occupational surname for one who made nails and has been used by one Berry to honor a Canadian World War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude Nayler, Naismith, Naysmith and Neasmith.
Trivia note: Dr. James Naismith is considered the inventor of basketball.

Nasmith

Crusoe, as in castaway hero Robinson, is a literary invention by author Daniel Defoe. In the novel, the character says his name is an Anglicization of the German Kreutznaer, which may be a place name or refer to a crossing of the river Nahe. Alternatively, it may translate to "dweller by the cross", from Kreuzbewohner.
 
Short form Cru was given to over 100 boys in the US in a recent year, while Crue was chosen for around 440. Crusoe, however, has only ranked occaionally, most recently in 2021 when it was given to 10 boys.

Crusoe

If it's not too phlegmatic for you, this surname and name of a Scottish clan could honor a number of people, especially Alexander Fleming, the father of antibiotics, and Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.

Fleming

This scary word name was given to five baby boys in the US in 2013, entering the lexicon for the first time.  Are the boys named Vice destined for a life of crime, or the creation of a media empire?

Vice

A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the 2020s.
 
While it could be positively spun as a word name for an enterprising and spirited person, most people will only think of the small handheld firearm. For fans of Gunner, Hunter, Thrasher, Blade, and similar, this would be part of the appeal, though it might be worth bearing in mind that Pistol combines a violent (or rugged) image with an unfortunate first syllable.
 
You could alternatively consider a Pistol brand name, like Colt, Remington, Bond, Kimber, or Zenith.

Pistol

For die-hard Fleetwood Mac fans, though Fleet is definitely a cool short form. 

Fleetwood

Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal. 

Fisk

Riggan found fame as the first name of the hero of the Oscar-winning film Birdman, played by Michael Keaton.  Riggan has the two-syllable n-ending surname feel so trendy for boys' names today.  It may be a variation of Reagan or Regan or it may be a play on the word rigging.

Whatever its origin, we bet this is one fictional name that will find wider use in real life.

Riggan

"Saturday Night Live" cast member Finesse Mitchell often mocks his own and similar names when portraying the character Starkeisha on the show. 

Finesse

Named for Millard. Or the late great rock palace. 

Filmore

While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase "having the blues", the musical connection gives it greater potential. It could make for a laid-back name that oozes cool and works as an alternative for those wanting to avoid more obvious choices like Indigo or Hendrix.
 
 In August 2024, Justin and Hailey Bieber announced the birth of their son, Jack Blues Bieber, which could draw people's attention to the name in coming years.

Blues

Fielding is a surname style name, originally given to someone who lived in the country or worked in the fields, however it might also be considered a word name relating to sports (cricket and baseball specifically) or with the term for dealing with something difficult by evading it. A notable Fielding was Henry Fielding, author of Tom Jones, giving it literary appeal alongside its sporty and outdoorsy connotations. Given to a handful of boys most years in the US since the stats began in the late 19th century, a recent count saw it chosen for 10 babies.

Fielding

Darnel, the plant from which this name derives, is an intoxicating plant, which used to be grown to make medicines and poisons. 

Durnell

The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.

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 50)