Western Names

Ode could be part of the extended Otto/Otis family, or it might be a literary term, referring to an elaborate lyric poem, such as Keats's Ode to a Nightingale..

A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the 2020s.
 
While it could be positively spun as a word name for an enterprising and spirited person, most people will only think of the small handheld firearm. For fans of Gunner, Hunter, Thrasher, Blade, and similar, this would be part of the appeal, though it might be worth bearing in mind that Pistol combines a violent (or rugged) image with an unfortunate first syllable.
 
You could alternatively consider a Pistol brand name, like Colt, Remington, Bond, Kimber, or Zenith.

Pistol

Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again. 

Much more common on girls, but this virtue is occasionally given to boys too. It has the option of Bert(ie) as a nickname.

Liberty

Clint with a glint; used for flinty characters in old TV westerns and soap operas. 

Quint

Any name that combines two big trends -- in this case, occupational and western names -- has potential. 

Rancher

This cowboy-ish surname has an equine connection — Larimer originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other hardware needed for riding horses.

Larimer

We've seen babies with Texas city names like Austin, Houston and Dallas--, why not the unexplored Laredo, which has a lot of cowboy charisma? Laredo might make for a more modern and creative namesake for an Uncle Lawrence/Larry--as could the related Laramie.
 There was a 1960s TV Western series about the Texas Rangers titled "Laredo." There is also a famous cowboy ballad, "Streets of Laredo," recorded by Johnny Cash, and a Band of Horses song called simply "Laredo."

Laredo

One of the simplest, most down-to-earth yet evocative of the word names, which could work — especially as a middle.

Land

Laird is a Scottish title for the landed gentry – it ranks just below a Baron – with a pleasantly distinctive Scottish burr that must have appealed to Sharon Stone, who chose it for her son.
 Laird Cregar was an early movie actor, known for playing creepy roles; Laird Hamilton is a famous American big-wave surfer.

Laird

Reno Sweeney is the heroine of the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes, played on Broadway by Ethel Merman, Patti Lupone, and Sutton Foster. While Reno was not used for any baby girls in 2022, it's certainly a gender-neutral choice.

Reno, Nevada is named for Civil War Union General Jesse Lee Reno. The name is said to be an anglicization of Reynaud or Reynold, which means "powerful counsel".

Reno

While still rare, this compound name for boys jumped nearly 3000 places in rank last year, perhaps thanks to its cowboy-core vibe and its bad boy image.

Jessejames

Riles is the coolest surname name that nobody's using. Seriously nobody — Riles (and the older version of the name, Ryles) have never been given to more than five American baby boys in a single year. But we're hoping to put Riles on the map. Its similarities to trendy names like Riley and Miles make it a great option if you're looking for a name that fits in but stands out.

Riles

This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.

Romer might be considered a streamlined spelling of the German surname Rohmer, whose root means fame or renown, or a name that was given to those who made pilgrimages to Rome, which is related to Romeo and its brothers.  With the style value of other Rome names from Roman to Romy, this is one we predict we'll hear more of.

Romer

The charming Hitch played by Will Smith in the eponymous movie put this into the lexicon. Also known as the nickname of director Alfred Hitchcock and writer Christopher Hitchens, who titled his autobiography "Hitch." 

Hitch

Could be difficult to grasp: Hoss. The "Bonanza" cowboy. 

Hawes

Gussie fits the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Charlie and Frankie. But Gussie is a bit fussy — try Gus.

Gussie

Grange is an uncommon masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old French word meaning 'granary' or 'farm.' Initially a surname or place name describing someone who lived near or worked at a granary, Grange has occasionally transitioned to first-name usage. The name carries rustic, earthy connotations, evoking images of pastoral landscapes and agricultural heritage. It has a strong, single-syllable structure that gives it a certain solidity and straightforwardness. While rare as a first name, Grange offers a distinctive option for parents seeking something unique with historical roots. The name's connection to farming and land management gives it a grounded quality that resonates with values of productivity, sustainability, and connection to the earth.

Grange

Gertie has a certain homespun charm, summoning to mind butter-yellow braids and denim overalls, summoning mind the adorable character played by little Drew Barrymore in E.T.  Is the world ready for the return of Gertie and Gertrude? Maybe?

Gertie

Western names, baby names that carry the 

 are trending today in some new and surprising ways.

Western baby names first became popular with the 

 and movies of the 1960s and 1970s, bringing back 

used in the West in the 19th century like Adam and Zeke (from Ezekiel) and casual cowgirl names such as Annie (as in sharpshooter Oakley) and Belle (as in outlaw Starr).

 include place names such as Arizona and Reno, surname names like Bowie and Oakley, nature names like Canyon and Juniper, and especially word names from Stetson to Rancher to Wilder.

 are particularly trendy names with Western associations, including Remington, Cannon, and Colt.

Here is our complete collection of Western baby names.

Western baby names including western girl names, western boy names, top western names, unique western names, names that mean west and names that have a western cowboy or cowgirl image. (Page 26)