Names Ending in B for Boys
Jacob is the most popular boy name ending with B right now. Along with Jacob, the only other B-ending boy names in the US Top 1000 are Caleb, Kaleb, and Jakob.
But unique B-ending names are much more plentiful for boys than girls, with such options as Seb, Jeb, and Leib worth a look. And of course there's always the classic Bob and Rob!
Here are all Nameberry’s boy names that end with the letter B. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
- Jacob
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Biblical Jacob ceded his Number 1 spot to biblical Noah, in 2013, after holding first place on the list of baby boy names from 1999 to 2012, given a huge boost by the Twilight phenomenon.
- Caleb
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"dog; whole heart"Description:
Caleb is an attractive Old Testament name that has been in the US Top 100 for nearly three decades now. Consistently popular but never too popular, Caleb feels more like a classic than a momentary trend.
- Kaleb
Origin:
Spelling variation of CalebMeaning:
"devotion to God"Description:
Kaleb is one of several boys' names starting with k that started life as a classic C name, Caleb. Kevin Federline named his boy Kaleb Michael Jackson.
- Ebb
Description:
Ebb is an uncommon masculine name with English origins, derived from a word meaning 'low tide' or 'receding water.' This short, punchy name carries natural imagery related to the rhythmic flow of ocean tides. As a given name, Ebb has historical usage in rural American communities, particularly in the South during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It may have originated as a nickname or shortened form of Ebenezer or similar names beginning with 'Eb.' The name's brevity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality in an era of longer names. While rarely used in contemporary naming, Ebb offers an intriguing option for parents seeking a nature-inspired name with vintage appeal and minimalist charm.
- Webb
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"weaver"Description:
This pleasant single-syllable surname might be especially appealing to someone involved with the internet (and who isn't?)--even if some others might see it as a drawback.
- Gottlieb
Description:
Gottlieb is a traditional German masculine name with deep religious roots. Derived from the elements 'Gott' meaning 'God' and 'lieb' meaning 'love' or 'dear,' it can be translated as 'God's love' or 'beloved of God.' This theophoric name was particularly popular among German Protestant families following the Reformation, reflecting its strong spiritual significance. While common in German-speaking countries in past centuries, Gottlieb has become less frequently used in modern times. In North America, it was brought by German immigrants but has remained relatively uncommon. The name carries a dignified, traditional quality that connects to German heritage and religious devotion.
- Zeb
Origin:
Diminutive of Zebediah or Zebulon, HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God, exaltation, or little dwelling"Description:
Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy.
- Job
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"persecuted"Description:
A rare and single syllable Biblical name with a hint of Jude, Jonah, Jacob, and Joseph about it, Job is a weighty choice that may appeal to those who enjoy both heavily Biblical names and short, snappy choices. Given to 61 boys in the US in a recent year, it is a quietly but not totally unheard of option.
- Ab
Description:
Ab is a short masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it derives from 'אָב' (av) meaning 'father,' reflecting paternal significance in ancient societies. It appears in the Bible as a component of compound names and as the name of the fifth month in the Jewish calendar. In Arabic contexts, Ab can be a variant of Abd, meaning 'servant of.' The name also exists as a diminutive form of Albert or Abraham in some Western traditions. While historically present across several cultures, Ab remains quite rare as a standalone given name in modern usage, offering a distinctively brief, masculine sound with deep historical roots.
- Herb
Description:
Herb is a masculine name that originated as a shortened form of Herbert, which comes from Germanic elements 'hari' meaning 'army' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright.' Primarily used in English-speaking countries, Herb peaked in popularity in the United States during the early 20th century. The name has a friendly, unpretentious quality that reflects its association with everyday herbs and plants, despite its martial etymological origins. Herb gained cultural recognition through notable bearers like American bandleader Herb Alpert and basketball player Herb Williams. While rarely given as a formal name to newborns today, it retains a warm, vintage charm that evokes the mid-century era. The name's brevity and straightforward pronunciation give it an accessible, down-to-earth character.
- Tab
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
A Hollywood agent created the name Tab Hunter and poof -- the former Arthur Gelien became a fifties teen idol. We don't advise trying this at home.
- Bob
Origin:
English, diminutive of RobertMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may tag along. Charlie Sheen used it for one of his twin sons.
- Jaycob
Origin:
Spelling variation of JacobDescription:
No, adding a Y does not do enough to separate this name from the ever-popular Jacob.
- Abb
Description:
Abb is a rare masculine name of Old English origin, derived from a diminutive form of 'Abbott.' The name literally refers to 'father' or 'abbot,' designating the head of a monastery. Historically, it may have been used as a nickname for someone who worked in an abbey or had characteristics associated with an abbot. Abb has maintained an extremely low profile throughout modern naming history, making it an uncommon choice that carries religious and historical resonance. The simplicity of this short, one-syllable name gives it a distinctive quality in today's naming landscape, though it remains largely unused compared to other abbreviated masculine names.
- Rob
Origin:
English, diminutive of RobertMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Rob has claimed Bob's turf.
- Jakob
Origin:
German, Norwegian, and Slovenian variation of Jacob, Hebrew variation of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
After cracking the US Top 200 in the early 2000s, fueled by Jacob's rise, this name has been losing steam in recent years. But Jakob is the top form of the name in many other countries, cultures, and languages, ranking highly in Germany, Norway, Austria, Iceland, and Slovenia. Jakub is the Polish variation.
- Jeb
Origin:
Diminutive of Jebediah, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved friend"Description:
Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a mainstay on early TV westerns, and then went upscale as the nickname (his birth name being Josiah) of the President on "The West Wing."
- Robb
Description:
The version of Rob used in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books and HBO's Game of Thrones.
- Ib
Origin:
Danish, diminutive of JacobDescription:
Ib, though it sounds insubstantial here, is actually a pretty common name in Denmark.
- Hob
Origin:
English, diminutive of RobertMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
A Robert nickname out of use for hundreds of years, but now sounds cooler than Bob or Rob for a modern boy.
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