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Cool Cowboy Names

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Sat Feb 08 2025
Cool Cowboy Names

Cool cowboy names for baby boys are as hot in Brooklyn as they are in Bozeman. The romanticized image of a cowboy and all that it stands for — heroism, adventure, and dashing good looks — has inspired parents to seek out names that embody those ideals. Cowboy names are rugged, casual, and handsome, like Wyatt, Luke and Beau.

Along with Wyatt and Luke, cowboy names ranking in the US Top 100 include Levi, Colton, Dylan, Wilder, Sawyer, Silas, Austin, and Maverick. Wild West names gaining attention — especially in the Western states — include Ryder, Gunner, and, well, West.

The appeal: Western boy names are decidedly masculine without being formal or traditional. Browse our entire posse of cowboy names and Wild West names for baby boys here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

RELATED:

Boy Names

Western Names

Hipster Cowboy Names

  1. Silas

    • Origin:

      Aramaic, Latin, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "of the forest; or prayed for"

    • Description:

      Sleek and smart, with a hint of mystique about it, Silas is a recent addition to the US Top 100. Both mythological and Biblical in origin, Silas joins the ranks of Isaiah, Atlas, Elias, and Sebastian: polished and contemporary feeling names with plenty of history.
  2. Jude

    • Origin:

      Latin diminutive of Judah, Hebrew, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "praised; to be generous, to be good to others"

    • Description:

      Jude is a modern star, maintaining a steady level of popularity -- but not TOO much popularity, in the US at least. Thank Jude Law and the great Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude", double-handedly responsible for propelling Jude up the charts.
  3. August

    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.
  4. Ellis

    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Elijah or Elias or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "benevolent"

    • Description:

      Ellis is a former Old Man Name turned gender-neutral choice for the 21st century. It's one of the less used names in the currently popular El-family.
  5. Phineas

    • Origin:

      English, Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "the Nubian"

    • Description:

      Phineas is the English variation of Phinehas, a Hebrew name likely derived from the Egyptian name Pa-nehasi. Pa-nehasi, meaning "the Nubian" can also be translated as "the bronze-colored one." The Egyptians distinguished themselves from their Nubian neighbors through differences in skin tone.
  6. Wyatt

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "brave in war"

    • Description:

      Wyatt has been hot, which is to say cool, for several years now. With its easy Wyatt Earpish cowboy charm, it's relaxed but still highly respectable.
  7. Kit

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Christopher

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of Christ"

    • Description:

      Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son back in the 2000s, while actor Kit Connor of Heartstopper fame may have introduced it to a wider audience.
  8. Calvin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "bald, hairless"

    • Description:

      Calvin is a slightly quirky but cozy name that has a fashion edge thanks to Calvin Klein. It has been steadily on the popularity list since records were kept, never lower than Number 250, peaking in the 1920s, the era of the Calvin (originally John Calvin ) Coolidge presidency.
  9. Remy

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "oarsman"

    • Description:

      Remy is one of the hottest names today for both boys and girls, sometimes spelled Remi. . It entered the popularity list in 2009 and has quickly become one of the fastest-rising names on the list.
  10. Levi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "joined, attached"

    • Description:

      Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.
  11. Quinn

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Conn, chief leader, intelligence"

    • Description:

      Quinn is an engaging Celtic surname that is still on the rise for girls but beginning to flag for boys. As a female name, Quinn is in the Top 100, used for over 3000 baby girls last year, but toward the bottom of the Top 500 for boys, given to 700 baby boys.
  12. Dylan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "son of the sea"

    • Description:

      Dylan still feels poetic and romantic after years of popularity. It still ranks highly on the charts, among the top boy names starting with D, so if you choose it, be aware that yours may not be the only Dylan in his class.
  13. Sayer

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "woodcutter or reciter"

    • Description:

      One of the more subtle occupational surnames, Sayer is a pleasant, open, last-name-first name, particularly apt for a family of woodworkers -- or writers.
  14. Otis

    • Origin:

      Variation of Otto, German

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      Otis has real appeal for parents attracted to its catchy O initial and combination of strength and spunk. The appealing hero of the British TV show Sex Education has done much to propel Otis into the forefront of cool names.
  15. Brooks

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "of the brook"

    • Description:

      A nature name, a word name, and a surname name, Brooks has plenty of cool factor. It gives off cowboy vibes and a sporty feel, while also maintaining a smart, collected image.
  16. River

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      River shares the tranquil feeling of all the water names, and seems to have pretty much escaped its past strong association with River Phoenix and his unfortunate fate. Actor Joaquin Phoenix named his son with actress Rooney Mara after his brother River.
  17. Luke

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "man from Lucania"

    • Description:

      Luke is a cool-yet-strong Biblical name with a relaxed cowboy feel, which has been on the rise since the advent of Luke Skywalker.
  18. Hayes

    • Origin:

      English surname and nature name

    • Meaning:

      "hedged area"

    • Description:

      One of those simple, straightforward English surnames -- and with a presidential pedigree -- that's easy to translate into a first. Chosen by both Kevin Costner and Jessica Alba for their sons, it has been climbing the US charts since 2009.
  19. Beau

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "handsome"

    • Description:

      Beau suggests someone devilishly handsome, with a large measure of southern charm—a nice image to bestow on your boy. Often solely a nickname in the past, it's now standing firmly on its own. Beau has been on the Social Security list non-stop since 1969.
  20. Sawyer

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "woodcutter"

    • Description:

      Sawyer is a surname with a more relaxed and friendly feel than many others, and is one of the hottest occupational names right now, with the Nameberry seal of approval. Sawyer is becoming one of the top unisex names. Both Sara Gilbert and Diane Farr used Sawyer for their daughters, while it was given a boost as a boys' name by the character Sawyer on Lost, an alias for the character really named James Ford.