Attitude Nicknames for Boys

  1. Duke
    • Origin:

      English rank of nobility
    • Description:

      While John Wayne and Duke Ellington are worthy role models, the reason Duke is currently enjoying a revival and returned to the Top 1000 in 2013 as one of the year's fastest-rising boys’ names is more likely due to the name given to high-profile TV couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic. Christened Edward Duke, he has always been called by his middle name, just as Edward Duke Ellington was. Duke is just one of several aristocratic titles being increasingly used by ordinary citizens.
  2. Dash
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dashiell, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Dash is a nickname that can stand on its own and sounds, well, dashing. Connected these days with Kardashian enterprises.
  3. Rocky
    • Origin:

      English, Italian
    • Meaning:

      "rock; rest; rook"
    • Description:

      A popular choice back in the 50s and 70s, Rocky fell into decline after Sylvester Stallone's battered but not beaten boxer character became the overwhelming association many had with the name. Now, nearly five decades on from when the first Rocky movie was released, this tough yet playful name is back in style, ready to forge an identity of its own. Given to around 420 boys in the US in 2024, it was one of the fastest rising names of the year.
  4. Jax
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name, English
    • Meaning:

      "God is Gracious"
    • Description:

      With its cool -X ending, Jax is an update on the classic nickname Jack, likely inspired by the rise of Jackson. It garnered attention in the US thanks to the game, Mortal Kombat II back in the '90s, and was pushed up the charts when it was used in the show Sons of Anarchy, in which Jackson "Jax" Teller is the central character.
  5. Fitz
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "son of"
    • Description:

      Any number of Fitz names -- Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Fitzroy, Fitzwilliam -- have been used as Christian names, in fact Fitzwilliam was the given name of the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Fitz can be a short form of any of them and is often, like Mac, a nickname drawn from a surname.
  6. Baz
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sebastian or Basil; Kurdish
    • Meaning:

      "regal; falcon"
    • Description:

      As Bas, it's a popular name in The Netherlands, but Baz, as in director Luhrmann, has potential for independent life too.

      Curiously, Australian-born Moulin Rouge director Luhrmann was born neither Sebastian nor Basil, but had the name Mark Anthony on his birth certificate; his nickname arose from his supposed resemblance to a British TV fox puppet named Basil Brush.

  7. Ike
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Isaac, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "laughter"
    • Description:

      Ike, once the quirky one-person nickname of President Dwight Eisenhower, has morphed into a cool kid nickname of the early 21st century.
  8. Indy
    • Description:

      The heroic movie figure Indiana Jones was often called Indy, as in the equally testosterone-laden Indy 500 car race. It could also be short for Indigo or Indio, or just use it as is.
  9. Buster
    • Origin:

      Modern nickname
    • Description:

      An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle name of Timothy.
  10. Oz
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, English, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "strength, powerful, courageous; god's warrior; deer friend"
    • Description:

      While some may think of ruby slippers and a yellow brick road, Oz is a legitimate Hebrew name denoting power. An element in a number of names including Ozni, Oziel, and Ozias, it may also be used as a stand-alone choice which may appeal to those who enjoy the likes of Ty, Ed, Bo, and Cy.
  11. Bix
    • Origin:

      Modern nickname
    • Description:

      Bix is a cool and jazzy nickname name, thanks to that final x. It's largely associated with the legendary and influential cornet player (and inspiration for the novel Young Man With a Horn), Bix Beiderbecke. He was born Leon Bismark Beiderbecke and his nickname derived from his middle name.
  12. Teo
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Teodoro or Mateo, Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      An international take on Theo that would be easily wearable for a child in the US or any European culture. Traditionally a nickname for international variations of Theodore or Matthew, including ultra popular Mateo and Matteo, Teo can also stand on its own. In fact, Teo rose into the Top 1000 in 2022, proving its ability as a stand-alone name.
  13. Ward
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "guard, watchman"
    • Description:

      Until recently Ward was, like Wally, a Cleaver name, but today's parents are seeing it as a cooler nickname for Edward than Eddie, and are also beginning to use it on its own.
  14. Iggy
    • Origin:

      Latin, diminutive of Ignatius
    • Meaning:

      "fiery"
    • Description:

      Iggy is the quintessential pop star name, though it's the nickname Cate Blanchett uses for son Ignatius. Iggy does bring any grander-sounding name down to earth.
  15. Judd
    • Origin:

      Medieval short form of Jordan
    • Meaning:

      "flowing down"
    • Description:

      Judd is a strong but sensitive short form that can easily stand on its own, the second 'd' giving it a lot more substance, and it would also be a good middle name choice. Two recent actors have given it credence--Judd Nelson and Judd Hirsch, and now it's most noticeably represented by comedy director Judd Apatow.
  16. Lex
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Cool short form of Alexander, fresher than Alex and less trendy than Xander... for now.
  17. Dex
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dexter
    • Meaning:

      "dyer; right-handed"
    • Description:

      Dex, the nickname for Dexter that is sometimes used on its own, has lots of energy and dynamism. It was chosen by comedian Dana Carvey for his now grown son. With the growing popularity of Dexter, we may be seeing more of Dex.
  18. Moe
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Moses
    • Meaning:

      "delivered"
    • Description:

      If Gus and Max have made it, why not Moe? Can it be the lingering Three Stooges effect? We think that Moe, like Joe, is one of the friendliest and most open of regular guy nickname names and should get a little more attention.
  19. Moe
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Moses
    • Meaning:

      "delivered"
    • Description:

      If Gus and Max have made it, why not Moe? Can it be the lingering Three Stooges effect? We think that Moe, like Joe, is one of the friendliest and most open of regular guy nickname names and should get a little more attention.
  20. Nat
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel
    • Description:

      Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.