Current Obsessions - Boys

  1. Adair
    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish
    • Meaning:

      "oak tree ford"
    • Description:

      Adair has flair, the grace of a Fred Astaire. It's a Scottish surname which came from the first name Edgar.
  2. Ash
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Asher, English
    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"
    • Description:

      Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.
  3. Bastian
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sebastian, Latin from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "man of Sebastia"
    • Description:

      In Spanish cultures, and spelled either Bastian or Bastien, this is a fairly common nickname name. The German fantasy children's book The Neverending Story features a young boy character called Bastian Balthlazar Bux, and it has also been seen in several screen versions.
  4. Caius
    • Origin:

      Variation of Gaius, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rejoice"
    • Description:

      Caius is classical and serious but also has a simple, joyful quality. There was a third century pope named Caius, as well as an early Christian writer, several Shakespearean characters, and a Twilight vampire. We would pronounce the name to rhyme with eye-us though at Cambridge University in England, where it's the name of a college, it's pronounced keys.
  5. Calix
    • Origin:

      Male variation of Calixta or Latin
    • Meaning:

      "chalice"
    • Description:

      Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 47 baby boys were named Calix in 2023. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.
  6. Callum
    • Origin:

      Scottish form of Columba, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "dove"
    • Description:

      Callum, a charming Scottish name high on the list in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is rising through the ranks in the US now too. And it comes complete with the easy nickname Cal.
  7. CASHIEL
    • Casimir
      • Origin:

        Polish, Slavic
      • Meaning:

        "destroyer of peace"
      • Description:

        Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering if you've got an adventurous streak — and bet your son will too.
    • Casmir
      • Castor
        • Origin:

          Greek; Latin
        • Meaning:

          "beaver; pious one"
        • Description:

          Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.
      • Caton
        • Castle
          • Grey
            • Origin:

              Color name
            • Description:

              The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Grey/Gray is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative—if slightly somber—choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney named their son Leo Grey.
          • Ianto
            • Origin:

              Welsh
            • Meaning:

              "God is gracious"
            • Description:

              Ianto is a lively and unique spin on John, possible familiar to American sci-fi fans via the popular character on Torchwood.
          • Kasimir
            • Maxon
              • NIKOLAJ
                • Orion
                  • Origin:

                    Greek
                  • Meaning:

                    "boundary, limit"
                  • Description:

                    Orion is a rising star, with both mythical and celestial overtones.
                • Prescott
                  • Origin:

                    English
                  • Meaning:

                    "priest's cottage"
                  • Description:

                    Prescott is one of several distinguished, upper-crusty surnames beginning with P.
                • Rhys
                  • Origin:

                    Welsh
                  • Meaning:

                    "ardor"
                  • Description:

                    There's Rhys and there's Reese (now more popular for girls) and there's Reece, and we particularly like the traditional Welsh spelling, which entered the list in 2004, possibly influenced by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, of The Tudors, and Welsh-born actor Rhys Ifans.