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Top Boy Names Ending in Y
Boy names ending in Y are a popular bunch.
Henry is the most popular boy name ending with Y right now. Along with Henry, other boy names in the US Top 1000 include Anthony, Wesley, Zachary, and Bentley.
Unique boy names that end in Y and make our recommended list include the Irish Flannery, the presidential McKinley, and the bluesy Ray (bet you didn't see that one coming).
Here are all Nameberry’s boy names that end with the letter Y. 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.
Henry is the most popular boy name ending with Y right now. Along with Henry, other boy names in the US Top 1000 include Anthony, Wesley, Zachary, and Bentley.
Unique boy names that end in Y and make our recommended list include the Irish Flannery, the presidential McKinley, and the bluesy Ray (bet you didn't see that one coming).
Here are all Nameberry’s boy names that end with the letter Y. 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.
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Henry
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
Henry was derived from the French Henri, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Heimrich, made up of the components heim, meaning "home" or "estate," and rich, meaning "ruler." The most famous wearer is Henry VIII of England, best known for having six wives—two of whom he beheaded for not bearing him sons. It’s been used in the British royal family many times since.
Anthony
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"priceless one"Description:
Anthony is derived from the Roman family name Antonii, and was initially used as Antony, without the “h.” The name evolved into Anthony in the 17th century, when it was speculated that it derived from the Greek word anthos, meaning “flower.” In England, whether it's spelled Anthony or Antony, the name is often pronounced as the latter, while Americans typically utter the “h” if present.
Wesley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"western meadow"Description:
Wesley is one of a group of W-starting surname names reminiscent of the Old West that are making a comeback -- though it's not as well used as it was in the 1970s, when he ranked as high as Number 66.
Zachary
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord has remembered"Description:
Zachary is the English variation of Zacharias, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Zechariah. The name Zachary is attached to eight different people in the Bible, the most prominent being the father of John the Baptist, and it's also presidential, via 12th president Zachary Taylor. Zackery is an alternate spelling, and nicknames include Zack, Zach, Zac, and Zak.
Bentley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow with coarse grass"Description:
Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.
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Brody
Origin:
Irish, English, and ScottishMeaning:
"broad eye or broad island"Description:
The energetic Brody is a name that claims different meanings and origins depending on whether you're looking at its Irish, Scottish, or English history -- and Eastern Europeans claim a version too. An alternate spelling is Brodie.
Timothy
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"honoring God"Description:
A second-tier classic, the New Testament Timothy moves in and out of fashion more than John and James. But though it peaked in the 1960s, many modern parents still appreciate its familiarity and lively rhythm. And the short form Tim feels eternally boyish.
Avery
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ruler of the elves"Description:
Avery's a last-name-first-name being used increasingly for girls -- perhaps because of Avery's similarity to Ava and Ivory. It's still well-used for boys and is one of today's most popular unisex names. About 2000 baby boys were named Avery in 2018, compared with about 8000 baby girls.
Jeremy
Origin:
English form of JeremiahMeaning:
"appointed by God"Description:
This one-time trendy form of Jeremiah hovered just outside the Top 25 throughout the 1970s and 80s.
Brantley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"sword, fiery torch"Description:
Brantley is one of several English surnames that was new to the tops in 2009. A possible-probable inspiration is the country rock singer Brantley Gilbert.
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Riley
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
Riley -- one of the most popular unisex names -- is rising faster now for girls than boys. Still, there are lots of athletes and other notable real-life namesakes for a boy named Riley, as well as fictional ones in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight: Eclipse.
Bradley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide meadow"Description:
An English surname name, Bradley has a long history, dating way back to at least 1086, but as a first name it actually succeeded in the US before it reached England--though Dickens used it in his novel Our Mutual Friend. Bradley Cooper is one namesake.
Cody
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"helpful, pillow"Description:
In the early 1990s, Cody was in the Top 25 most popular boys' names in the USA; but it has been in decline since then. It retains a greater degree of popularity in the UK, however. Cody might be short for Dakota but despite its nickname feeling, it's a name of its own.
Finley
Origin:
Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"fair-haired hero"Description:
Finley is a Scottish royal name (it belonged to Macbeth's father) riding the wave of Finn names. Chris O'Donnell used it for one of his sons, and Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn did a gender switch when they named their daughter Finley.
Brady
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"broad meadow or large-chested"Description:
The Irish name given to Miranda Hobbes's son on the dearly departed Sex and the City is a friendly and energetic choice. You well might want to make your son part of the Brady bunch.
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Rory
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red king"Description:
This spirited Gaelic classic, which became popular in Ireland via the illustrious twelfth century king Rory O'Connor, makes a highly energetic choice, now used for either sex. Rory's gender split is still trending boyward; it's one of the coolest boys' names starting with R.
Remy
Origin:
French from LatinMeaning:
"oarsman"Description:
The name of a fifth century saint and one of a new generation of French names being discovered in the US, Remy sounds particularly modern and attractive. The name Remy is being revived for both boys and girls, sometimes as Remi. It entered the popularity list in 2009 and has quickly become one of the fastest-rising names on the list.
Jay
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"jaybird"Description:
Though this feels like a modern invention, Jay has been in use for centuries. Early Jays often were named in honor of founding father John Jay, whose surname derived from the jaybird. A popular mid-century choice, Jay was in the Top 100 from 1956 to 1970. In the last couple of decades he was replaced by such more elaborate forms as Jayden, Jaylen, and Jayce. But Jay could make a comeback in tandem with cousins May, Kay, Fay, and Ray.
Jeffrey
Origin:
Spelling variation of GeoffreyMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
The mostly Americanized version of Geoffrey was a trendy mid-century hit, with nickname Jeff the epitome of cool. Jeffrey entered the pop list in 1934 and was a Top 20 name from the mid-fifties to 1978.
Johnny
Origin:
Diminutive of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The ultimate midcentury nickname, retaining a good measure of retro charm, was chosen for her son by Mira Sorvino.
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Grady
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"noble, illustrious"Description:
Following in the footsteps of popular brother Brady, Grady is another lively, ebullient Irish surname name. The O'Gradys (originally O Gradaugh) were an ancient clan that produced an impressive number of bishops.Perhaps the most remarkable O'Grady descendant is Muhammad Ali, whose mother's maiden name was Grady.
Andy
Origin:
Diminutive of AndrewDescription:
Although we prefer Drew to the old Raggedy Andy, Andy has overtaken Drew as a name in its own right.
Harvey
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"battle worthy"Description:
Two of the worst events of 2017 involved the name Harvey, the storm and accused sexual harasser Weinstein. And that's not good for the baby name Harvey's future.
Troy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of foot soldier"Description:
Troy shot to popularity as a first name in tandem with that of 1960s heartthrob Troy (born Merle) Donahue; its image has now, thanks in part to the Brad Pitt-starring epic, Troy, receded back to conjuring up the ancient site of the Trojan wars.
Oakley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"oak wood or clearing"Description:
As sturdy as Oak, with deeper roots. For males, it's been on the rise in recent years.
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Gregory
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"vigilant, a watchman"Description:
The Greek name of sixteen popes and fifteen saints, the gregarious Gregory became big in the United States with the emergence of admirable actor Gregory Peck (born Eldred) in the late 1940s. From 1950 to 1973, it was in the Top 30, with nickname Greg becoming a Cool Dude name. So while Gregory may have morphed into an Upstanding Dad Name, it carries the winning combination of deep roots and a modern feel that still deserves consideration.
Casey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"brave in battle"Description:
Casey is a name with a big wide grin, Irish, friendly, and open, and associated with several American folk heroes--Casey Jones, the engine driver of the Cannonball Express who gave his life to save his passengers, and the legendary Casey at the Bat.
Corey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the hollow"Description:
Former teen idol name, now middle-aged. This name has been on a steady decline since the early-1990s.
Sonny
Origin:
Nickname for "son"Meaning:
"son"Description:
Sonny is one of the generic boy nickname names making a surprise reappearance, and it was recently used by actor Jason Lee. Another surprise: It's been on the US Top 1000 list every year since 1927, reaching a peak in 1975, when it hit Number 428.
Huxley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"inhospitable place"Description:
Huxley is definitely rising as a surname name, with its X that makes almost any name cooler. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015. The modern nicknames Hux and Huck certainly don't hurt.
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Danny
Description:
A diminutive of Daniel that's been immortalized in odes ranging from 'Danny Boy' to 'Danny's Song.'
Roy
Origin:
French "king,"; Celtic "red-haired"Meaning:
"red-haired"Description:
We've seen Ray regain his cool, but could this country/cowboy name epitomized by Roy Rogers (born Leonard Slye), Acuff, and Clark, do the same?Roy came into use in the late nineteenth century, probably influenced by the main character of Sir Walter Scott's novel Rob Roy, in which the historical character Robert M'ac Gregor is nicknamed Roy for his red hair.
There have been lots of notable non-country namesakes, including baseball's Roy Campanella, humorist Roy Blunt, Jr., Walt's brother and partner Roy Disney, singer Roy Orbison and pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Roy Hobbs was the protagonist of the Malamud novel The Natural, played in the film by Robert Redford.
Jerry
Origin:
Diminutive of Gerald or JeromeDescription:
Rapidly declining in popularity, as most Jerrys have their AARP cards.
Quincy
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"estate of the fifth son"Description:
Quirky in the way that all Q names are quirky, Quincy was once a buttoned-up, patrician New England name, an image countered in recent years by the talented and ultracool musician Quincy Jones (middle name: Delight; nickname: Q).
Finnley
Origin:
Spelling variation of FinleyDescription:
This variation adds a second n to the more popular Finley, presumably to provide a more direct link to nickname Finn. Both spellings create a distinctly unisex name. The Finnley version, however, only just entered the US Top 1000 for boys in 2014, and it remains unranked for girls. Regardless, it seems that this name will only continue to rise in the years to come.
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Colby
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"coal town"Description:
Colby Donaldson on Survivor made this a cool name in the early 2000s
Kingsley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"king's meadow"Description:
Kingsley is a sophisticated Harry Potter name that entered the US Top 1000 in 2013.
Tony
Origin:
Diminutive of AnthonyMeaning:
"priceless one"Description:
Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
Clay
Origin:
English word name; diminutive of ClaytonDescription:
Clay is a rich, earthy one-syllable name with a southern-inflected handsome-rogue image, featured on soap operas and reality TV. Its longer forms are Clayton and Clayborne.
Ty
Origin:
Diminutive of various Ty-beginning namesDescription:
As Tyler has begun to recede, a number of parents, including the Wayne Gretzkys, have cut straight to the livelier short form.
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Ricky
Origin:
Diminutive of Richard or FrederickMeaning:
"dominant or peaceful ruler"Description:
Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.
Trey
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"three"Description:
Originally a nickname for a third-generation son, as in Thurman Thackeray III, Trey is now being given to others, and it has also expanded to Treynor and Treyton.
Harry
Origin:
Diminutive of HenryMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
Harry is the medieval English form of Henry, which derived from the Germanic name Heimrich, meaning “estate ruler.” Harry was the nickname of all eight King Henrys; it is also a diminutive of Harold and Harrison.
Ray
Origin:
Diminutive of RaymondMeaning:
"wise protector"Description:
Ray, still and forever, is one of the all-time hippest boys' names, with its jazzy Ray Charles biopic overtones. It's one of the coolest middle names), but works perfectly fine as a first.
Jimmy
Origin:
Diminutive of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Every other little kid's name in 1957 but few Jameses are called Jimmy today; they're more often James or Jamie.
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Bellamy
Origin:
English and Irish from FrenchMeaning:
"fine friend"Description:
Bellamy is a surname name with an admirable meaning and upbeat rhythm, similar to jovial choices like Rafferty, Barnaby and Willoughby.
Stanley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"near the stony clearing"Description:
Although Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire personified brute force, most Stanleys have been portrayed as meek milquetoasts. It could be a Sydney-like girls' choice.-Bette Davis once played a character named Stanley, and it was the name of President Obama's mother (named for her father)--or possibly could be revived down the line a la Walter and Arthur.
Emery
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"industrious"Description:
Emery is one of the newly popular Em- names that has great potential, though right now for girls more than boys: it received a boost in 2009, a year after Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn used it for one of their daughters. Emery ranks on the Top 1000 for both boys and girls, but all the way up in the Top 100 for girls and down in the 700s for boys. Many related names are also trending for baby boys, from Emerson to Emrys to Amory to Emmett.
Tommy
Origin:
Diminutive of ThomasMeaning:
"twin"Description:
A surprising number of parents choose to put the nickname Tommy on their son's birth certificate rather than the more traditional Thomas. Perhaps even more surprising is thE fact that Tommy has never been off the United States popularity charts. More recently, however, the name has been trending downward.
Westley
Origin:
Variation of WesleyDescription:
This variation of Wesley moved into the Top 1000 among boys' names in the US in 2016, perhaps because it makes the name less like Lesley and more Western, with the cowboy nickname West.
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