American Names for Boys

American Names for Boys

Boy names of American origin tend to be invented names or names drawn from American places or values. Many of these names convey a somewhat Western, rowdy vibe. Just think of American boys names like Stetson or Maverick. Our list of American boys names even includes the name Rowdy!

If you're looking for a name that suggests energy or evokes a classic American place like Taos or Brooklyn, take a gander at our list of American origin names for boys, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

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Boy Names

American Names

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  1. Maverick
    • Origin:

      American
    • Meaning:

      "independent, nonconformist"
    • Description:

      It's ironic that the name Maverick is not such a maverick anymore. Heard first in a 1950s James Garner western TV series, and then as the Tom Cruise character in Top Gun, Maverick symbolizes an unfettered, free spirit.
  2. Bode
    • Origin:

      German, Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "order, command; return"
    • Description:

      Bode is a short and sharp name that has been on and off the US charts since the mid-2000s. Similar to on-trend choices such as Brooks, Beau, Boone, Brody, and Bodhi, Bode suffers a little, perhaps because it might be read as the word "bode" , as in "that doesn't bode well", and because it has several acceptable pronunciations.
  3. Stetson
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "cattle dealer"
    • Description:

      Best known as a popular brand of Western hats, this surname gives off rugged, cowboy vibes and a sense of confident coolness. A name on the rise, Stetson entered the US Top 200 in 2023 when it was given to nearly 2000 boys.
  4. Rowdy
    • Origin:

      American word name
    • Description:

      Rowdy was first famously used as a given name in the television series Rawhide, with the young Clint Eastwood playing Rowdy Yates. More recently, competitive swimmer Rowdy Gaines has been featured in a series of TV commercials, and a new badass baby name is gaining notice. The word Rowdy originated in the U.S. in the early 19th century, used to describe a rough or lawless backwoodsman. It's one of the distinctly American names.
  5. Brooklyn
    • Origin:

      Place-name from Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "marshland"
    • Description:

      It may be the hippest of hispter neighborhoods, but as a baby name Brooklyn is now on the decline: down from a peak of 120 births for boys in 1999, and over 7000 births for girls in 2011.
  6. Kaiden
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kaden, modern invented name
    • Description:

      This version of Kaden is also a popular choice and one of the many boys' names starting with k that can also start with a C, as in Caiden, Cayden et al.. Kaiden Alenko is a character in the video game Mass Effect.
  7. Huckleberry
    • Origin:

      Word name and literary name
    • Description:

      Everybody knows Huckleberry Finn, the Mark Twain character named, Twain said, for the 19th century slang term for "humble." A few modern parents have put it on a birth certificate, including "Man Vs. Wild" star Bear Grylls, who, like many parents, will call the boy the much more manageable Huck. It was also the name of a child on TV's West Wing,
  8. Westin
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Weston, English
    • Meaning:

      "western town"
    • Description:

      A spelling variation of Weston most associated with the Westin hotel chain. To avoid looking like an advertisement, we think it’s best to stick with the more traditional spelling.
  9. Spike
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "a very large nail"
    • Description:

      Spike is part mid-century nickname-name, ala Buster or Buck, and part word name, with an all-over cool creative dude feel thanks to directors Spike Lee and Spike Jonze. Mike Myers named his son Spike. That's right: Spike and Mike. Spike qualifies as one of the distinctly American names.
  10. Daxton
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Meaning:

      "from Dax town"
    • Description:

      Following in the footsteps of Weston, Braxton, Clayton, and Paxton, Daxton has been climbing the US charts since the late 2000s. While recent years have seen it decline slightly, it remains a Top 500 choice, with the cool possibility of nickname Dax.
  11. Raylan
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Raylan, one of an uncountable number of two syllable, surname-like boys’ names end in n that are in style these days, is inspired by Raylan Givens, the cowboy hat-wearing U.S. Marshall created by writer Elmore Leonard and starring in the television series Justified. The Ray part of the name is of course a traditional choice -- it's usually said to mean "wise" -- but the lan takes it out of Old School Raymond territory. Other variations include Raylen, Raylon, Rayden and so on. The name is also sometimes given to girls, but not nearly as often as it is for boys.
  12. Biff
    • Origin:

      American nickname
    • Description:

      The quintessential midcentury nickname, famously found in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman."
  13. Brycen
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Bryson
    • Description:

      This name may be a variation of the more-popular Bryson, but it has appealed to enough parents to make it a widely used name in its own right.
  14. Charleston
    • Origin:

      American place-name
    • Meaning:

      "Charles' town"
    • Description:

      Lovers of the languid South Carolina city might be attracted to this rich-sounding name. Could make an interesting update on Charles -- and can certainly work for a girl too. Actor Joey Lawrence used it for his daughter.
  15. Erie
    • Origin:

      American place-name
    • Description:

      One of the Great Lakes and a city next to it, named after a Native American people. This name swings between being more popular for boys and girls, but is currently rare for both. It could also be short for a, Er- name like Erasmus. Be aware that it sounds like the word "eerie".
  16. Braylen
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Brayden meets Jalen to make Braylen, another entry in this trendy group of names.
  17. Kody
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Cody
    • Description:

      Both Kody and Cody — shining stars of the 90s — are in decline, although more people are choosing Cody than Kody.
  18. Bubba
    • Origin:

      American nickname
    • Description:

      The original southern Good Ol' Boy.
  19. Satchel
    • Origin:

      American nickname
    • Description:

      First Woody Allen, then Spike Lee named their children to honor the great early black pitcher, Leroy "Satchel" Paige. A bit luggage-related for non-celebrity use, however.
  20. Braylon
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Enough parents have appreciated this combinations of the sounds from Brayden and Jaylen to make it a widely used name. Its most noted bearer is former football player Braylon Edwards.