Big List of Boys
- Aubrey
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"elf ruler"Description:
Once a popular choice in for boys in the Middle Ages and again during the 19th century, Aubrey has mostly been used for girls in the US since the 1970's. With its arty, surname-y, and sophisticated feel, however, it is rising up the UK charts for both boys and girls.
- Trent
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"the flooder"Description:
This strong single-syllable boys’ name has been finding favor with parents since the fifties, though it's been slipping in recent years; it fell out of the Top 500 for the first time since 1959 in 2015. Its main associations have been with the River Trent, whose name dates back to prehistoric times, and with former Mississippi Senator Trent (born Chester) Lott, and Trent Reznor (born Michael) of Nine Inch Nails.
- Fox
Origin:
Animal nameDescription:
Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.
- Elroy
Origin:
English variation of LeroyDescription:
Once a staple of the 1920s, like Leroy and Elwood, Elroy is languishing in style limbo now. One feature that might make it worth a second glance is its royal meaning, for those looking for a vintage twist on names like Royal and Reign. If you're in search of unique vintage baby names, this may be one for your list.
- Emmet
Origin:
English; HebrewMeaning:
"universal; truth"Description:
Honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, Emmet is a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, but the more common spelling is Emmett. Emmet dropped off the US Top 1000 in 1934 and reentered the list in 2014; Emmett, on the other hand, has never been off the charts.
- Horace
Origin:
Latin clan nameMeaning:
"timekeeper"Description:
The ancient name Horace sounds fustily fuddy-duddy, and yet, with the resurrection of Homer, and the new interest in old Roman names...who knows.
- Monroe
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"mouth of the Roe river"Description:
Monroe is a presidential surname which feels fresher than Jackson, Lincoln and Taylor. Marilyn Monroe is a famous female namesake, but her smart Scottish surname feels equally usable for either sex. Plus, we think old man nickname Moe would sound both cool and adorable on a baby boy today!
- Autry
Origin:
French surnameMeaning:
"noble strength"Description:
Loose, lean, and lanky cowboy-sounding names have become a recent trend, but how about the name of a real one--the Singing Cowboy Gene. Autry might be thought of as a masculine spin on the fashionable Audrey or a fresher version of Austin or Auden.Some other cowboy surnames from the Golden Age of movie and TV westerns: Boone, Boyd, Cody, Corrigan, Gibson, Hart, Holt, Houston, McCoy and Renaldo.
- Vaughn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"small"Description:
Vaughn, also commonly spelled Vaughan, has been used quietly over the years, reaching a peak of Number 349 in 1949. It is now in the process of rediscovery, being seen as a good Sean alternative or an updated way to honor an ancestral Paul (which also means small).
- Ellwood
Description:
Ellwood is a masculine name of Old English origin, composed of the elements 'ell' (old, elder, or foreign) and 'wood' (forest). This surname-turned-first-name literally means 'elder forest' or 'old forest.' Ellwood had modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s-1930s, but has since become quite rare as a given name. It carries a vintage, distinguished quality that evokes images of wooded estates and English countryside. The name has seen occasional revival interest among parents drawn to its nature associations and vintage character. Ellwood shares similarities with other woodland-inspired names like Woodrow and Forrest while offering the friendly nickname options of Ellie or Woody. Its uncommon status makes it distinctive without being difficult to spell or pronounce.
- Dash
Origin:
Diminutive of Dashiell, meaning unknownDescription:
Dash is a nickname that can stand on its own and sounds, well, dashing. Connected these days with Kardashian enterprises.
- Noble
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"aristocratic"Description:
With parents beginning to show an interest in virtue names for boys, this Puritan favorite just might be revived, for what could be more admirable than nobility in terms of having strength of character, dignity, and high moral ideals?
- Neo
Origin:
Latin or TswanaMeaning:
"new or gift"Description:
This nouveau name of Keanu Reeves's character in The Matrix has not enjoyed the same burst of popularity as its female counterpart, Trinity, but it definitely sounds, well, newer. Neo Rauch is an interesting contemporary German artist.
- Cosmo
Origin:
Italian, English, GreekMeaning:
"order, beauty, universe"Description:
With a touch of celestial power, a hint of clunky charm, and the totally cool -o ending, Cosmo may well be finally shaking itself free of both the Seinfeld association (which made it a punchline of a joke) and the cartoon fairy association from The Fairly OddParents. In fact, it is in the Top 1000 in the UK and a favorite on Nameberry.
- Harper
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"harp player"Description:
Harper got its start as a celebrity baby name when Paul Simon chose it for his now-grown son. Since then, other famous parents have followed suit: musician Tim Finn and actor Cecilia Peck both have sons called Harper.
- Seamus
Origin:
Irish variation of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Parents who have tired of Sean are now contemplating Seamus, the Irish form of James, which has a lot more substance and verve.
- Ansel
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"with divine protection"Description:
Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a family name – he was named after his uncle, Ansel Easton. And, in turn, Adams was the namesake of young heartthrob Ansel Elgort, son of a photographer.
- Toby
Origin:
Diminutive of Tobias, Greek, HebrewMeaning:
"God is Good"Description:
Sweet and spirited, kindly and handsome, posh and approachable, Toby is a versatile nickname, popular in the UK as a stand-alone choice, but familiar in the Netherlands and New Zealand too. In the US, it had its heyday in the 70s but has since been outranked by long form Tobias.
- Byron
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"barn for cows"Description:
For centuries, this name had a romantic, windswept image due to its strong connection to the poet Lord Byron, who inspired its use as a first name. It is one of those surprise names that's appeared on the Top 1000 every year since 1880.
- Kingsley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"king's meadow"Description:
Kingsley is a sophisticated Harry Potter name that entered the US Top 1000 in 2013.
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