5 Letter Boy Names

Arham

Rough and rugged, Talon is often associated with birds of prey, though more generally, it refers to any large claw, whether that's physical, metaphorical, or fantastical. The name has appeared in the video games League of Legends and The Legend of Zelda, in DC Comics' Teen Titans, in the Star Wars franchise (twice), and in the movies Transformers and Ratatouille.
 
Despite (or perhaps because of) its somewhat menacing image, this name has been widely used in recent years, though it did have its peak in the US back in 2005. With its trendy -on ending, the familiar al sound in the middle, and the animal-related meaning, Talon was nevertheless still given to more than 210 American babies in a recent count. 
 
Actress Jacqueline MacInnes Wood and her husband Elan Ruspoli named their son Talon in 2025, brother to Lenix and Rise.

Talon

Wylie is a friendly rodeo name with the unisex vibe of Riley and the cowboy air of Wesley and Wyatt. Also spelled as Wiley, two forms have been out of the US charts since the 1940s and 1970s respectively.
 
One of those names with multiple origins, Wylie can be viewed as an English surname, denoting someone from the town of Willey (meaning "from the willow clearing" or "idol's meadow") or someone from the River Wylye (meaning "tricky river"). Alternatively, its a Scots form of the classic William, making this an unexpected way to either honor the traditional name, or to consider as an alternative.
 Contemporary foodies know Wylie Dufresne as a renowned chef and a leading proponent of the molecular gastronomy movement, while others may think of Wile. E Coyote or Wylie Bay in Australia.
 
A recent year saw Wylie chosen for 175 boys (and 65 girls) in the US, revealing it is making subtle shifts up the stats. Wiley was also chosen for 165 boys, and viewed collectively, they would feel as popular as names round the #750 mark, such as Chandler, Murphy, and Salvador.

Wylie

Jamal is an Arabic <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys’ name</a> meaning "beauty." Jamal and its variants are popular in the Muslim community, although Jamal’s popularity within the US has decreased in recent years.
 Jamal has been used for at least one memorable character: the young hero of the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. Other variations are the Bosnian Džemal (prn: Jemal) and Egyptian Gamal.

Jamal

While the biblical Javan, the son of Japheth, is spelled with two a's, the -on version is by far the favorite in contemporary America. Variant spellings and pronunciations abound. This name has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1976, though it's in danger of falling off.

Javon

Khaza got a big boost when rapper Kevin Gates chose it for his son in 2014, and an even bigger boost with the release of his 2022 album of the same name. Gates' influence led to Khaza being one of the fastest-rising names of 2022, jumping 391 spots. It continued to climb in 2023, albeit more slowly, when it was given to more than 300 boys in the US. 
 
The name comes from the Arabic element kinz meaning "treasure", an appealing epithet for a child.

Khaza

One of those truly international names, with a similar feel to Roman, Arthur, and Artem, without the popularity, in the US at least. The name is in fact in the Top 50 in Armenia and Bosnia, while it also features in the UK Top 800.
 
Strong and solid, with the gentler M sound too, Arman could be a a variation of the German name Herman, meaning "soldier". It could be inspired by the French and Catalan form, Armand.
 
Alternatively, Arman could be a form of Armen, an Armenian name literally meaning "land of Armenia", but it can equally be a name in its own right, from Persian and Kazakh origin, meaning "hope, dream, purpose" or from Turkish meaning "wish".
 
A powerful name, Arman travels well.

Arman

Eyden is a modern masculine name that emerged as a variation of Aiden, with alternative spellings like Ayden and Aidan. It combines trendy elements with a distinctive look, featuring the fashionable '-den' ending that has become popular in contemporary naming. The name has gained modest popularity in the 21st century, particularly among parents seeking something familiar yet slightly unique. While Eyden doesn't have deep historical roots, it carries the appealing qualities of its Irish predecessor Aidan, which means 'little fire' or 'fiery one.' The distinctive spelling with 'Ey-' gives the name a more contemporary edge while maintaining its connection to more established variants.

Eyden

The name of a companion of the prophet Muhammad who became the first person to call Muslims to prayer. Bilal is well-used in the US.

Bilal

An entirely Jewish form of David, with the handsome nickname Dov.

Dovid

Thanks to Elmer Fudd, Elmer the Cow, Elmer the elephant, Elmer's glue and the similar Elmo, this name might, to some feel like a jokey choice: the quintessential so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out name. And yet, the US statistics don't quite support that perception. 
 
Derived from the Old English Æðelmær meaning "noble and famous", Elmer was in the US Top 100 from the late 19th century up until the late 1930s, before it began to decline. It didn't drop out of the Top 1000 until 2009 however and has been received by at least 135 babies every year since.
 
And, with its trendy El-beginning, popular er-ending, and potential nature-nickname, Elm, there might be potential for Elmer to rise again. A recent year saw it given to nearly 180 babies, meaning it ranked alongside Pslam, Haziel, Kasey, Torin, and Wiley. 
 
 One literary reference is the title character in Sinclair Lewis's novel Elmer Gantry; real life namesakes include playwright Elmer Rice, composer Elmer Bernstein and early American politicians Jonathan and Ebenezer Elmer. "Elmer's Tune" is a jazz classic.

Elmer

Just one more name to fall victim to the K trend. This version of the name has appeared in the US Top 1000 since the mid-1980s, having peaked at Number 359 in 2001. It is now steadily declining year after year.
 Several athletes bear this name: Kolby Smith, a former NFL player for the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars; Kolby Listenbee, a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills; and Kolby Allard, a pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization.

Kolby

Wiley may be considered a variation of Wylie, a Scottish diminutive of strong, classic William. As such, it may work an appealing way to honor a Bill, Will, or William, or as an alternative to popular Liam. 
 
Alternatively, Wiley may be considered a surname-style name, ultimately derived from two English places: Willey (meaning "clearing of willows") or Wylye (the name of a river, meaning "tricky"). 
 
Additionally, it may be considered a word-adjacent choice, associated with intelligence, sass, and trickery, owing to its similarity to wily. This may endear the name to some, but may put others off.
 
The name was in the US Top 500 up until the 50s when it began to decline in use, possibly thanks to the rise of the Looney Tunes character, Wile E. Coyote. In more recent years, it has seen more use, with 180 boys (and 23 girls) receiving the name in the latest count.

Wiley

A contracted from of Asaiah with a touch of Azariah about it, Aziah is currently in the UK Top 1000 and trending upwards. In the US, the tradition form is favored, followed by Asiah, with Aziah not far behind. Given to 75 boys in a recent year, it was also used for nearly 30 girls.
 
From its Hebrew roots, Aziah honors God as a creator, however, it might also be used as spelling variation of geographical name Asia.

Aziah

Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn put this name in play as a first name, but David Bowie (born with the considerably less marketable moniker of David Robert Jones) gave it charisma. He changed his surname in 1965 to avoid confusion with the then popular Davy Jones of The Monkees, borrowing it from the American hero of Alamo, Jim Bowie.
 
An obscure choice until the 2010s, Bowie really took off in 2016 after the star's death, when admirers began to see it as a viable namesake - or, as a usable alternative to Bodhi, Brody and co. Given to around 200 boys and 120 girls each year, Bowie sits just outside the US Top 1000.
 
Deriving from the Scottish Gaelic word buidhe, meaning yellow, or blond, Bowie is Top 300 choice in the Netherlands and sits just within the Top 500 in the UK. It is also now at Number 457 on Nameberry, and actor Jackson Rathbone used it for his daughter.
 Successfully combining Gaelic charm, a Western drawl, and musical cred, it's understandable that parents are choosing Bowie. The only problem? It can be said three different ways.

Bowie

Variation of Amir that debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016 and still ranks in the lower part of that list.

Ahmir

From the Arabic letters ya and sin, which begin the 36th chapter of the Quran (surah Ya Sin).

Yasin

Ammar is a masculine name of Arabic origin with deep historical roots. It derives from the Arabic word 'āmir' meaning 'builder,' 'constructor,' or 'one who builds and establishes.' The name carries positive connotations of someone who creates, develops, and contributes positively to society. Ammar was the name of a notable companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Ammar ibn Yasir, who was known for his devotion and steadfastness, giving the name additional significance in Islamic tradition. In Arabic-speaking countries, Ammar has remained consistently popular over centuries. The name has gained increasing recognition in Western countries in recent decades as Arabic names have become more globally appreciated. Ammar is valued for its pleasant sound, meaningful etymology, and cultural significance across Muslim communities worldwide.

Ammar

Cedar is, like Ash, Oak, Pine and Ebony, one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider; this one is particularly aromatic with a similar feel to more classic options like Cedric, Edgar, Reed, and Sawyer. 
 In the Bible the cedar is mentioned in Psalm 92:12: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon." The Lebanon  Cedar was used to build King Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, and there are now several hospitals called Cedars of Lebanon, plus a U2 song by that name.
 A contemporary bearer of the name is the jazz pianist Cedar Walton, while Cyrus and Cypress are similar options. 
 
The name was chosen by 170 boys and 76 girls in a recent year.

Cedar

This modern virtue name gives a nod to ancient chivalry and could also work as an updated form of the classic Victor. A bold choice, but one that an increasing number of parents have been making in the last decade.
 
Rarely used as a given name before 2011, Valor began to gather attention in 2013, possibly thanks to actor Emile Hirsch choosing it for his son. More than tripling in use since then, Valor was given to 124 boys and 15 girls in 2024.
 
With the likes of Chosen, Sincere, and Saint in the charts, Valor no longer feels totally out there, and, as a virtue name it could be considered versatile, given that courage and bravery can take many forms.
 
Influencer Valyssa Stark (sunsetsistersandsweettea) called her son Valor Job in 2025.

Valor

Boy names with 5 letters are a populous group, containing some of the top names for boys throughout the Western World, from James to Jakob to Jules.

The classic James is the leading five letter name for boys in the US

. Along with James, three other five letter names rank among the Top 10 names for boys in the US: Lucas, Mason, and Logan. The British Top 10 includes five-letter boy names Harry and Oscar.

 are Elias, Jonas, and Felix. Along with Lucas at Number 1, 

, while in France the top five-letter names for boys are Lucas (again!) and Jules.

 classic boy names that contain five letters

 include Henry, Jacob, and Peter, with other countries featuring such five-letter variations as Henri, Jakob, and Pedro.

 that we recommend include Atlas, Bodhi, Linus, and Urban.



If you're looking for a five-letter name for your baby boy, here's our complete collection, ranked according to their current popularity on Nameberry. 

Five letter boy names, including popular and unique boy names with five letters, including meanings, origins, and current popularity (Page 18)

Five Letter Boy Names