New Boy Names

This variation of Jason and Jayce was the fastest-rising name of 2013 for boys -- leaping 845 spots in a single year to break into the Top 1000 for the first time ever. Its trendy sound, y spelling, and connection to rapper Jayceon "The Game" Taylor can be credited for this spike.

While Jamar fell out of the Top 1000 back in 2016, this sleek and modern elaboration remains popular. Inspired by Arabic Jamal and rising up the charts alongside Amari and Kamari, Jamari is given to around 500 boys a year.

A variation of the presidential surname, likely inspired by the band Linkin Park, this rock and roll name joins the likes of Bowie, Mercury, Jagger, Hendrix, Buddy, Cash, Guthrie, Lennon, and Zeppelin. Given to around 112 boys in 2023, the name peaked back in 2018 when it was given to nearly 200 babies, possibly in honor of the lead singer Chester Bennington, who died in 2017.

The given name of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, Ermias is a form of Jeremiah used in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It leapt into the charts in 2019 after the rapper's death, but has declined in use since then.

Brixton, a formerly rough but now cool-and-gentrified area of London, is also gaining notice as a baby name, especially for boys. About 20 baby girls were given the name in the US in the most recent year, vs. about 300 baby boys. Its similarity to the trendy Braxton and the x in the middle place help make it appealing to contemporary parents.

Created in the style of Jabari, a fashionable Swahili name. Jakari is mainly used among African American families in the US.

Also found as Brason, this is one of an army of Jason sound-alikes, which include Cason, Mason, Kaysen, and so on. Stylish, yes; recommended, no.

This attempt to masculinize Jules has made its way into the Top 1000. We recommend using the more traditional spelling, as this one will likely appear dated in a few years' time.

Daylen is a D-starting spin on the trendy Jaylen. Day is an appealing nickname.

Xavion is a modern variant of the name Xavier, which derives from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "new house." The name gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, showing a distinctive pattern of increased usage beginning in the 1990s. Xavion maintains the strong 'X' sound of Xavier but adds a contemporary ending. The name experienced modest popularity peaks in the early 2000s, particularly in the southern United States. Xavion follows a naming trend of creating variations with distinctive suffixes added to traditional names. The name carries associations with Saint Francis Xavier, a notable 16th-century Spanish missionary, though Xavion itself is a more recent creation without the same historical depth as its root name.

The popular -ley suffix can be credited for this name's use in recent years. We're not loving that it sounds as trendy and of-the-moment as it is.

Zavian is a modern masculine name that likely developed as a variant of Xavier or Zavier, or possibly as a unique creation combining popular name elements. The name has a contemporary feel with its strong 'Z' beginning and smooth flow. Its origins may connect to the Arabic 'Zavi' meaning 'bright' or draw indirect inspiration from the Basque-origin Xavier, meaning 'new house' or 'bright.' Zavian began appearing in the United States in the early 2000s and has gradually increased in usage, particularly appealing to parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet distinctive. The name's combination of strength and style gives it versatility, working well for various personalities. Zavian exemplifies the trend toward creating unique names with familiar sounds and strong consonants.

Jacob meets Jakob meets Kobe -- and apparently, parents in 2013 are fans. It rose 153 spots to break into the Top 1000, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names.