5 Letter Boy Names

Name of a son of the Prophet Muhammad, with a particularly positive meaning. 

Qasim

Distinguished by association with renowned African diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim, this name is popular in many variations throughout the Arab world. Its use is growing in the US as well, especially in its Salem version.

Salim

This attractive Arabic name is gaining attention in the US, used equally for boys and girls. Indeed, its sound (it rhymes with the feminine Tamar but ends with the fashionably masculine -ar sound as in Oscar) and most logical nickname (Sam) make it a choice that's at once accessible and distinctive for both genders.


Samar

Symir is a masculine name with modern origins, possibly derived from a combination of elements or as a creative variation of names like Samir (Arabic, meaning 'companion in evening conversation'). This distinctive name has emerged in recent decades, particularly in urban American communities, though it remains relatively uncommon. Symir has a strong, contemporary sound with its crisp 'S' beginning and strong ending. The name carries a cosmopolitan flair that crosses cultural boundaries, making it appealing to parents seeking a modern name with an international feel. While not traditionally historical, Symir represents the trend of newly created names that offer uniqueness while maintaining a familiar phonetic structure.

Symir

Originating in Ethiopia, this warm-feeling name is now associated with Phoenix Suns basketball player Amare Stoudemire. It has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 2005.

Amare

Pronounced "crwa", this unusual name was chosen by Cedric the Entertainer for his son. 

Croix

This rising name, possibly a variation of the Irish Kian, has been associated with several accomplished athletes. 

Keyon

Layth is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'lion,' symbolizing courage, strength, and nobility. In Arabic culture, the lion represents bravery and leadership, making this name a powerful choice for boys. The name has been used for centuries in Middle Eastern countries but has gained more recognition globally in recent decades as parents seek names with cross-cultural appeal. Though not widely common in Western countries, Layth offers a distinctive yet accessible option for parents drawn to its powerful meaning and sleek, modern sound. The single-syllable pronunciation with the soft 'th' ending gives the name a gentle strength that balances masculine power with contemporary elegance.

Layth

Familiar in Brazil, Osmar may be one of two things: a compound name, taking elements from several popular names, or, a contemporary form of an Old English name.
 
As a compound name, it likely blends either Oscar ("deer friend; God's spear"), Osvaldo ("divine power"), or Ozias ("my power is Yahweh") with either Adelmar ("famous noblemen" or Omar ("flourishing, long life; speak, say"). This gives you a range of meanings, such as "famous deer friend", "to speak of Yahweh is my power", "flourishing divine power" and so on.
 As an Old English name, it could be a modernized form of Osmær, meaning "divine fame", or borrowed from the Germanic Ansmar, which has the same meaning.

Osmar

Some names referring to expensive things -- Tiffany, Armani, Porsche -- are in fact declasse, but Price transcends that label with its simplicity and strength. 

Price

Ryett feels like a trendy name, bringing to mind picks like Ryder and Ryker, as well as rhyming name Wyatt. However, being a homophone for "riot" might give some people pause.

Ryatt is the most common spelling, currently in the US Top 1000, but Ryett is reminiscent of other -ett boy names, such as Rhett and Everett. And, the connotations of the word "riot" aren't all bad: riot can be used to describe someone who is outrageously funny or entertaining. It also brings to mind the famous quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "a riot is the language of the unheard."

Ryett

Saige as a masculine name represents a gender-crossing usage of what has traditionally been more common as a feminine name in recent decades. Derived from the herb sage (Salvia), the name carries connotations of wisdom and knowledge—sage has long been a term for a wise person. The alternative spelling with 'i' gives it a contemporary touch while maintaining the connection to its meaningful roots. While Saige has gained moderate popularity as a girl's name in the United States since the 2000s, its use for boys remains relatively uncommon, making it a distinctive choice. The name's short, strong sound works well for any gender, offering a modern unisex option with ancient wisdom associations.

Saige

Zyler

Angus is a traditional yet stylish choice in the UK, especially in Scotland. And it's a cool choice for US parents too, particularly those whose roots go back to Glasgow. The ancient Celtic form Oenghus has important historical overtones in Scotland, and the Gaelic form Aonghas is associated with two distinguished modern poets. In Irish folklore, Angus Og is a chieftain-lord who used his magical powers for the pleasure and prosperity of mankind--and in Irish myth, Aonghus was the god of love and youth.
 These days, Angus is even more popular in Australia than Scotland, possibly due to the fame of Scottish-born Australian musician Angus Young, lead guitarist and co-founder of the seminal rock band AC/DC.
 Other pop culture references: Angus was the first name of TV's McGyver and the young actor who plays the half man on Two and a Half Men is Angus T. Jones. Angus Wilson was a noted British novelist and short story writer.

Angus

Clint

Cool spin on Miklos, a Hungarian form of Michael.

Miklo

An underused Biblical name borne by a New Testament prophet, Nahum feels like a good option for parents looking for a rare but traditional name that fits in with current trends. Derived from the Hebrew naḥam meaning "console" and "comfort", it has a gentle and amiable feel.
 
A relative of the names Nehemiah and Nechama, in Hebrew, Nahum would be pronounced as nah-OOM. In English, it would be more like NAY-uhm (or NAY-huhm), making it a possibility for those who like Noah, Nathan, and Graham. Given to just 60 boys in the US in a recent year, it isn't entirely unknown but it would still be unexpected.
 
Variations of the name include the Russian and Bulgarian Naum and the Hebrew Nachum.

Nahum

Nolen is a masculine name with Irish and English origins, typically considered a variant of Nolan, which means 'famous' or 'noble.' This surname-turned-first-name has gained moderate popularity as parents increasingly look to family surnames or distinctive alternatives to more common names. Nolen has a contemporary feel while maintaining traditional roots, making it appeal to those seeking balance between uniqueness and familiarity. The name has seen steady but modest usage in the United States since the early 2000s, particularly in southern states. Its straightforward pronunciation, pleasant sound, and positive connotations of distinction and honor make Nolen an attractive choice for parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and accessible.

Nolen

Though as a formal name Rusty is a little, well, rusty, it spent half a century among the Top 1000, departing only in 1995. Only 45 baby boys received the name in the US in one recent year and it's difficult to imagine it as the winning choice of many modern parents. Whether you want an informal name or a spin on a traditional name or even a word name or a name that means red, there are simply too many better options.

Rusty

Viaan is a modern masculine name with Indian origins, particularly popular among Hindu families. The name means "full of life" or "energetic" in Sanskrit, conveying vitality and dynamism. It gained notable recognition when celebrity couple Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra chose it for their son in 2012. Viaan appeals to contemporary parents seeking names that are meaningful yet concise and internationally pronounceable. The name has a flowing, harmonious sound with its two syllables and soft consonants. While still relatively uncommon globally, Viaan has been growing in popularity within South Asian communities and diaspora populations, representing a perfect blend of cultural significance and modern appeal.

Viaan

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 34)

Five Letter Boy Names