88 Boy Names That Peaked in 2022 - Page 4
- Ali
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"supreme, exalted"Description:
This is one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah, deemed by Muhammad to be a recommended name for a male child. In this country, it's been primarily associated with boxing immortal Muhammad Ali, known as "the greatest." But Ali is also one of the most popular unisex names for both boys and girls.
- Colson
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"son of Nicholas"Description:
Author Colson Whitehead introduced this surname-name to the lexicon, perfect for a son or grandson of a Nicholas, a Nicole, or a Colin. Or anyone else who likes the sound for that matter, since there are plenty of Jacksons and Harrisons whose parents are not called Jack or Harry.
- Gatlin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wandering man"Description:
Gatlin has risen into the Top 1000 in recent years on the strength of its association with the Olympic champion sprinter Justin Galtin as well as the Gatlin Brothers of Nashville fame. The name has the same root as gadabout, thus the meaning related to wandering.
- Dior
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"golden"Description:
Dior was among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys in the US in the early 2020s, but was the fastest-falling name for boys in the 2023 statistics.
- Kaisen
Origin:
Variation of KaisonDescription:
Kai is the it syllable of the moment, spawning this Kai - Jason hybrid. Kaisen made the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, along with similar name Kaizen.
- Yehuda
Origin:
Variation of Yehudah, HebrewMeaning:
"to praise"Description:
This modernized version of Yehudah is the source of on popular choice Judah and is traditionally given to boys born at Chanukah — a Jewish festival of lights and rededication which is celebrated in the winter. Yehuda first appeared on the US Top 1000 in 200 and, as of 2023, it has ranked consistently since 2014. The Yehudah spelling has never ranked, while Judah is used six times more often than Yehuda.
- Mustafa
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"the chosen one"Description:
Mustafa is a name widely used in Turkey, as it was the given name of the man popularly known as Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Mustafa is also an epithet of the prophet Muhammad and was the name of four Ottoman sultans. Other spellings include Mostafa, Moustafa, and Moustapha.
- Tru
Origin:
Diminutive of Truman, word name, EnglishMeaning:
"loyal one; true"Description:
With its gentle sound but edgy vibe, Tru ticks the boxes for several modern trends: one syllable boy names (see Brooks), alternatively spelled word names (see Chozen), word names with spiritual undertones (see Shepherd), and nickname style choices (see Bo). Currently in the Top 1000 for girls and boys, it is joined in the rankings by Truett and True
- Ezequiel
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese form of Ezekiel, HebrewMeaning:
"God strengthens"Description:
Ezekiel and Ezequiel have both featured in the US Top 1000 since the 1980s , though it has been since the 2010s that they've become favorites. Joining Biblical or international style choices such as Gabriel and Raphael, Ezekiel is in the Top 100, while this Spanish and Portuguese variation sits comfortably in the Top 400.
- Sincere
Origin:
English, Word nameMeaning:
"honest, genuine, and heartfelt"Description:
Reminiscent of Puritan and Pilgrim name choices, Sincere is a relatively modern virtue name that has been in the US Top 1000 since the 2000s.
- Camilo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant"Description:
The increasing popularity of Camila may have pushed this underrated Spanish name into the Top 1000 — though it remains far less popular than its feminine counterpart. A perfect familiar-but-rare choice.
- Zayd
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"increase, growth"Description:
Zayd (or its most common variant Zaid), an old and still well used Arabic name, was a enslaved man whom Muhammad adopted as his son.
- Kashton
Origin:
American invented nameMeaning:
"town of the box maker; money town"Description:
This newly invented name takes a cool short form—Kash/Cash—and adds the trendy -ton suffix, a la Ashton, Colton, and Weston. It made its first appearance on the US Top 1000 list in 2015 and has risen up into the Top 500 since then.
From its Latin root, Kash/Cash is an occupational name for someone who makes boxes, however, it is of course also related to the word "cash", as in money. The meaning of this newly coined name could then be "town of the box maker" or "money town".
- Krew
Origin:
Variation of Crew, EnglishMeaning:
"a band or force of armed men"Description:
With Crew having entered the Top 1000 in 2010, it was only a matter of time before variants started popping up. Krew is one of the trendiest names of the 21st century having risen more than 9700 places up the charts since the 2000s, however as of 2024, Crew is still three times as popular.
- Kanan
Origin:
Arabic, Sanskrit, Azerbaijani, HebrewMeaning:
"merchant; woods, grove; variant of Canaa; low, humble"Description:
Kanan is multicultural name with a number of different origins, making it a versatile choice that travels well. A Top 50 choice in Azerbaijan, Kanan also made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2022. Given to around 200 boys each year, it feels familiar and rare at the same time.
- Chaim
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"life"Description:
Despite being one of the rare boy names that mean life, Chaim barely survived early Jewish immigration, being watered down to Hyman and Hymie. Today, the original seems like the most promising form of the name, familiar thanks to bestselling author Chaim Potok.
- Cartier
Origin:
French variation of Carter, EnglishMeaning:
"transporter of goods by cart"Description:
Luxury baby name associated with Jacques Cartier's eponymous jewelry company.
- Kayson
Origin:
Modern invented name, or English "enclosed town" "calf town"Meaning:
"calf town"Description:
Kayson is one of several variations of the boys' name Cason, a favorite of the 2010s when it appeared in many different forms, from the Casen to Kaisen to Cayson. Likely inspired by the popular Mason and Jason, the name is also a place name and surname, derived from the English town Cawston .
- Shmuel
Origin:
Variation of Samuel, HebrewMeaning:
"told by God"Description:
Shmuel is a Modern Hebrew variation of Samuel used almost exclusively by Orthodox Jewish families. Very popular in Israel, Shmuel also appeared on the US Top 1000 list in 2017, 2022, and 2023 and is given to around 240 boys each year.
- Ivaan
Origin:
Variation of Ivan, Russian form of John, HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This variation of Ivan, itself a form of John, entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2022. Double As are trending across the states, such as Saanvi and Aarush, and Ivaan is running right along with them — all the way into the Top 1000 in 2022.