American Names for Boys

Maverick

American

"independent, nonconformist"

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…

Stetson

English surname

"cattle dealer"

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…

Zayden

Modern invented name, Arabic

"growth, increase"

Used by parents who love that Z initial, Zayden is also part of the Rhymes-with-Aiden-Clan. This particular for form ranks in the US Top 300 and the UK Top 600, outranking spelling variations Zaiden…

Kaiden

Spelling variation of Kaden, modern invented name

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…

Zyaire

Variation of Zaire, Kongo "the river that swallows all rivers"

"the river that swallows all rivers"

Zaire has been a rising choice in the US in recent years, derived from the name of a now dissolved Central African state which takes its name from the Kongo term "the river that swallows all rivers".…

Kyaire

Modern Invented, American

"to shine; good"

Kyaire was among the fastest-rising boy names of 2025, and a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2023. Popular amongst African American parents, it is speculated that Kyaire was inspired by modern…

Daxton

Modern invented name

"from Dax town"

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…

Jasai

Modern invention

"God supports"

One of the fastest rising names of 2025, Jasai made its debut on the US charts, leaping straight into the Top 500 when it was given to 719 babies (four times more than the year prior). Likely…

Jaxton

Modern invented name

"Jack's town"

We've had Jackson, Jaxcon and Jaxon, and now we have Jaxton. According to our most recent Playground Analysis, which calculates the popularity of names when all spellings are considered together,…

Westin

Spelling variation of Weston, English

"western town"

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.

Braylen

Modern invented name

Brayden meets Jalen to make Braylen, another entry in this trendy group of names. While Braylen is drifting downward now, it's ranked among the Top 1000 boy names in the US for two decades and is…

Bode

German, Yoruba

"order, command; return"

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…

Raylan

Modern invented name

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…

Braylon

Modern invented name

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.

Brycen

Spelling variation of Bryson

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.

Koah

Variation of Koa or Koach, Hawaiian, Hebrew

"warrior; strength"

Koa and Noah are both contemporary favorites, so it was only a matter of time before Koah caught on too. Likely used as a variation of the Hawaiian Koa (meaning "warrior"), it may also be seen as a…

Syaire

Variation of Zaire or Sire, Kongo, English

"the river that swallows all rivers; king, royal, noble"

Zaire has been a hugely stylish choice in the US in recent years, derived from the name of a now dissolved Central African state which takes its name from the Kongo term "the river that swallows all…

Rowdy

American word name

"noisy, disorderly, riotous"

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…

Kaycen

Modern invention, from Cawston or Casey

"calf town; brave in battle"

One of many spelling variations of Cason, Caysen, Kasen, and so on, Kaycen made its debut in the US charts in 2025 when it was one of the fastest rising choices for boys. Climbing 241 places, it may…

Kody

Spelling variation of Cody

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