Cool Cowboy Names

Short and curt.

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.

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."

Though Davy Crockett is a childhood hero, a frontiersman, soldier, politician, congressman and prolific storyteller. But be aware that "crock" is American slang for a lot of nonsense or something broken.

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.

Strictly for a Vegas baby.

One of the less common members of the currently popular craftsmen's guild, Becker once had a self-named sitcom, and is also associated with Wimbleton tennis legend Boris Becker.

Tillman is a strong masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the occupational surname meaning 'farmer' or literally 'one who works the land' (from Middle High German 'til' meaning field and 'man' meaning person). This name reflects agricultural heritage and a connection to the earth, embodying values of hard work and perseverance. Historically common in Germanic countries and later among American settlers, Tillman carries a rustic charm and steady reliability in its sound. While never reaching top popularity charts, it has maintained consistent usage, particularly in the American South. Parents might choose Tillman for its solid, traditional feel and subtle nod to farming ancestry, appreciating its distinctive quality without being too unusual.

Cowboy swagger via the non-cowboy flick "The Guns of Navarone," chosen by Priscilla Presley.

More familiar now via its Salman form, thanks to author Rushdie; this is an unusual biblical alternative.

This US state name has been rising slowly but steadily for girls over the last 30 years, but à la Dakota, it could easily be a male name too.

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.

Whether pronounced like the wag of a tail or as the correct German VAHG-ner, this might be something a devoted opera buff could consider as a middle name.

Retro nickname for Charles that has the potential for revival, a la Hal, Ike, and Gus.

Wheeler is one of the most energetic of the newly stylish occupational names, all those 'e's giving it a friendly, freewheeling sound.

Lucchese is a luxury cowboy boot company that was founded in San Antonio by the Lucchese brothers. The Luccheses were Sicilian immigrants, but their surname originally denoted someone from Lucca, a Tuscan city.

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.

This would make a startling but likable choice; poet Dylan Thomas used it for a character in his play "Under Milk Wood."

Asking for trouble.

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.