Wonderful Word Names for Boys
- Fate
Origin:
Short form of Lafayette, French, English word nameMeaning:
"faith; predestined, destiny, chance"Description:
Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word name among English speakers, akin to Destiny, Chance, Blessing, and Chosen. Around six boys are given the name Fate each year in the US, though 2023 saw it rise a little, with ten babies receiving the name.
- Flip
Origin:
Nickname for Philip, Phillip, or FelipeMeaning:
"lover of horses"Description:
Flip is a cute, attitude-filled nickname for the very proper Philip and variations. A perfect choice if you're looking for a buttoned-up proper name with an informal short form.
- Shade
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Nice sound, but double meaning -- shady glen or shady character.
- Cypress
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
Attractive entry into the tree name genre, joining Ash, Oak, and Juniper. Over 110 baby boys were named Cypress in the US last year, along with 70 baby girls.
- Day
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"the time of light between one night and the next"Description:
Many African tribes have a tradition of naming children for the day or time they were born -- Friday, Afternoon -- a practice finding new life in the Western world as word names become more popular.
- Bay
Origin:
English word, Old EnglishMeaning:
"an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"Description:
Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
- Truth
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"the state of being the case"Description:
True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named Ross, the word name is edging up on the Top 1000.
- Bravery
Origin:
Virtue nameDescription:
This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.
- Fort
Origin:
French, EnglishMeaning:
"strong; a protected building, a stronghold"Description:
A saints name and a word name, this is a modern, original way to convey a powerful meaning, especially in the middle place.
- Quay
Origin:
French word nameMeaning:
"wharf"Description:
A name that looks intriguing and masculine on paper, but is, unfortunately, a homonym for a girl's name.
- Peace
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Peace may be an admirable sentiment to convey in a child's name, but the translated and thus more subtle versions, like Pax or Placido, might work better as first names.
- Green
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
Middle name possibility for a nature-loving family -- Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke used it for their son's middle name.
- Fortitude
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"courage during adversity"Description:
Fortitude is the kind of virtue name the Puritans favored that could feel rather heavy for a modern boy. Nevertheless, with options such as Sincere, Chosen, Messiah, and Valor on the rise, perhaps in coming years, it might not seem so hefty after all, though for now, we think it would be best reserved for the middle spot.
- Shady
Description:
Shady is a unisex name though more commonly used for males, with Arabic origins where it's pronounced 'Sha-dee' (شادي). In Arabic, the name means 'singer' or 'one who sings,' conveying artistic and joyful qualities. The name also appears in Egyptian naming traditions with connections to happiness and melodiousness. In Western contexts, the name has been adopted with varied pronunciation and carries different connotations due to the English word 'shady' suggesting something questionable or dubious, which differs entirely from its original meaning. Despite these dual interpretations, the name maintains steady usage in Middle Eastern communities worldwide. Its cross-cultural nature gives it a distinctive quality, though parents outside Arabic-speaking regions might consider the potential for misinterpretation in English-speaking environments.
- Elder
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Anyone who's seen "The Book of Mormon" or visited Utah knows this as the title taken by male Mormon missionaries during their term of service. We'd advise anyone who lives somewhere with any significant Mormon population to avoid it for that reason.
- Rainy
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"rainy"Description:
In Colonial America, Rainy was commonly used among enslaved people of both genders. The practice of giving children names that relate to their birth — such as the day, weather, or time — is common in West Africa.
- Truly
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"in a truthful way"Description:
The potential it had was squashed by the spiked seltzer brand.
- Wash
Description:
Wash is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Washington, which itself began as an English surname meaning 'estate of a person named Wassa.' The name gained prominence in America due to the first U.S. president, George Washington. As a standalone name, Wash has a concise, strong quality that appeals to parents seeking brief, distinctive names. While uncommon as a given name, it has occasionally appeared in Southern U.S. naming traditions and literature, notably in the science fiction character Hoban 'Wash' Washburne from 'Firefly.' The name carries connotations of simplicity, straightforwardness, and American historical connections, while its brevity gives it a modern feel despite its traditional roots.
- Brave
- Calender