​
​
Advanced Search

Bold Boy Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Vulcan

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "to flash"

    • Description:

      Vulcan was the Roman god of fire (from which, volcano) and metalworking, but this name is now more familiar as the pointy-eared humanoids on "Star Trek," represented by Mr. Spock.
  2. Cager

    • Origin:

      Short form of Micajah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Who is like God?"

    • Description:

      Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for revival.
  3. Grizzly

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "gray"

    • Description:

      Now that Bear is becoming a hot name, can Grizzly be far behind? A handful of baby boys did get this name last year in the US.
  4. Diablo

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "devil"

    • Description:

      The Spanish word for "devil" makes for a very daring baby name, but in the era of babies names Hades, Azrael, Loki and even Lucifer, it feels like a plausible possibility. Indeed, 5 baby boys were named Diablo in 1975 – the only year the name has made the US extended list for either sex.
  5. Dinand

    • Origin:

      Short form of Ferdinand

    • Meaning:

      "bold voyager"

    • Description:

      Dinand is popular in the Netherlands thanks to a local singing sensation. Dinand is one of many Dutch short forms that come from the middle or end of a name -- think Bas for Sebastian or Hans from Johannes -- rather than from the beginning as is more usual in the U.S. and UK, though we're catching on.
  6. Bernardo

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "strong as a bear"

    • Description:

      This Latinate form of Bernard hovered in the lower regions of the US Top 1000 from the late 1940s until 2006, possibly inspired by the character in West Side Story. It remains popular in Portugal and it does have a little more flair than the grandpa style Bernard.
  7. Baldemar

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "bold and renowned"

    • Description:

      The name of a monk who is the patron saint of blacksmiths -- not a twentieth-century occupation or baby name.
  8. Bravery

    • Origin:

      Virtue name

    • Description:

      This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.
  9. Alamo

    • Origin:

      Place-name, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "poplar tree"

    • Description:

      The unique O-ending makes this name memorable, especially for someone with ties to Texas.
  10. Boulder

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      A tough and rugged nature name.
  11. Gunter

    • Description:

      Gunter is a Germanic masculine name derived from the elements 'gund' meaning 'war' and 'hari' meaning 'army' or 'warrior'. It has historical significance in Germanic mythology and medieval literature, appearing in the Nibelungenlied as a Burgundian king. The name was popular in medieval Germany but became less common in modern times. Today, Gunter remains more prevalent in Germany, Austria, and other Germanic countries, though it's considered somewhat traditional. In English-speaking countries, it's relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive European flair. The name has variations including Günther, Günter, and Guenther.

  12. Viper

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "snake"

    • Description:

      As cool as it is frightening.
  13. Rodolfo

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "bold wolf"

    • Description:

      Romanticizes Rudolph and distances the name from the red-nosed reindeer. After remaining steadily in the US Top 500 for much of the twentieth century, Rodolfo has been slipping of late.
  14. Venture

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bonaventure, English word name

    • Meaning:

      "fortune; new, exciting, and dangerous project"

    • Description:

      A distinctive word name or a short form of the Italian Bonaventura, Venture could make a bold choice, similar in style to Knight, Worthy, Brave, Truth, and Valor. It has been given to around 10 boys each year since 2020.
  15. Dionysius

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"

    • Description:

      Dionysius derives from Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, revelry and fertility. This Romanized spelling has been used for poets, soldiers, and saints throughout the centuries, but is hardly ever seen today.
  16. Diallo

    • Origin:

      West African (Fula)

    • Meaning:

      "bold"

    • Description:

      Possibly meaning "bold", this West African surname is less commonly found as a first name, too.
  17. Bawden

    • Origin:

      Cornish, English

    • Meaning:

      "bold friend"

    • Description:

      An English surname and occasional first name deriving from the same root as Baldwin, "bold or brave friend".
  18. Fergal

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "brave, manly"

    • Description:

      Very common in early Ireland and still in use there today, it was the name of an eighth century high king and also a saint. Not as well known in this country as Fergus, Fergal is currently appearing as a character on the TV series Catastrophe.
  19. Mingo

    • Origin:

      Short form of Domingo

    • Description:

      Mingo is a cute nickname of the Spanish version of Dominic. It's not to be confused with Mungo, the name of the patron saint of Glasgow.
  20. Boss

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      If you like the idea of King and Prince but find them too regal, too royalist, this might be the name for you. Eight boys were called Boss in a recent year, and while it may feel like a totally modern choice, it has been appearing in the US stats since the late 19th century.