Sugary Sweet Names for Boys

Bowie

Scottish

"blond, yellow"

Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn put this name in play as a first name, but David Bowie (born with the considerably less marketable moniker of David Robert Jones) gave it charisma. He changed his…

Kenny

Diminutive of Kenneth

Kenny might be all South Park to some, but it has been in steady use in the US since the 1930s. Singer-songwriters Kenny Chesney and Kenny Loggins were both born Kenneth.

Percy

French surname from place name Perci-en-Auge

Percy is an adorable old name that is finally shedding its pampered Little Lord Fauntleroy image in this new era of boys with soft yet traditionally male names like Jasper and Elijah. Originating as…

Benji

Diminutive of Benjamin

Benji is undeniably cute, much in the way of a — yes, an adorable movie mutt. Ben is the handsome traditional short form of Benjamin, but Benji makes a more unexpected nickname

Marley

English

"pleasant seaside meadow"

Harley is a tough guy, while the rhyming Marley has a softer, gentler image. The name brings to mind reggae great Bob Marley, as well as the lovable dog from bestseller Marley and Me . Marley is…

Fox

Animal name

Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files . Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting…

Lenny

Diminutive of Leonard, German

"brave lion"

A nickname of yesteryear that like alongside Reggie, Alby, Archie, and Bertie, is back in consideration. Already in the UK Top 200, a high-ranking choice in Switzerland and a familiar option in The…

Ozzie

Diminutive of Osmond, Oswald, or Oscar

"divine; deer"

Ozzy has been on the rise in recent years and currently sits in the Top 1000 in the UK and the US. The Ozzie spelling has yet to catch up, but has nevertheless gained more attention thanks to its…

Monty

Diminutive of Montague or Montgomery, variation of Monte, English, Spanish

"mountain"

Monty, a name with a World War II feel, is rarely used on its own in the US. But we're hearing rumblings of a comeback and think that Monty, whatever it's short for, is an adorable vintage nickname…

Eddy

Diminutive of Edward

"wealthy guardian"

Eddy, recently used by Celine Dion for one of her twin boys, was chosen to honor Eddy Marnay, who produced her first five records. Though less common a nickname for Edward than Eddie, Eddy is used…

Kip

American diminution of Christopher, Greek and Latin

"bearer of Christ"

Kip Thorne, nobel laureate and long-time colleague of Stephen Hawking, is just one of several Kips who don't have a longer name. But Kip is often short for Christopher.

Wynn

Welsh

"fair, blessed"

Wynn or Wyn is a Welsh male name deriving from the very productive gwyn element, which forms part of all Welsh names ending -wyn or -wen, as well as the Gwen names and the Irish Fin- names. Wynn is a…

Rico

Spanish, diminutive of Ricardo

"dominant ruler"

Consider this short form for your little Richard.

Charley

Short form of Charles, French

"free man"

Charley is, at this point, an old-fashioned spelling for the most popular short form of Charles, better known these days as Charlie. But Charley is a classic and relates more directly to Charles.…

Lonnie

Short form of Alonso or Alonzo, variations of Alphonso

"noble, ready"

Lonnie is one of those antiquated nicknames that is used much more often in the US than you might think, especially as a short form of Alonso or Alonzo, names always on the US Top 1000.

Reggie

Diminutive of Reginald

"counsel power"

Old time nickname that's starting to sound fresh again, à la Alfie and Freddie.

Lou

Diminutive of Louis or Lewis, French and German

"renowned warrior"

Lou, all by itself, is become fashionable for girls, which usually makes a name LESS fashionable for boys. But Lou, like Bill or Jim, is rarely used on its own for boys anyway. (You wouldn't name a…

Rumi

Japanese

"beauty, flow, lapis lazuli"

While Rumi has received attention in the contemporary US as the name of Beyonce and Jay-Z's young daughter, it's most famously the name of a (male)13th century Muslim mystic and poet. The most famous…

Cosmo

Italian, English, Greek

"order, beauty, universe"

With a touch of celestial power, a hint of clunky charm, and the totally cool -o ending, Cosmo may well be finally shaking itself free of both the Seinfeld association (which made it a punchline of a…

Cosmo

Italian, English, Greek

"order, beauty, universe"

With a touch of celestial power, a hint of clunky charm, and the totally cool -o ending, Cosmo may well be finally shaking itself free of both the Seinfeld association (which made it a punchline of a…