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urbanbambino
By urbanbambino
Updated Sat Nov 28 2020
  1. Abel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "breath"

    • Description:

      Abel, the name of Adam and Eve's unfortunate younger son, compensates with positive connotations: capable, competent, ready and willing.
  2. Abner

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of light."

    • Description:

      This once neglected Biblical name is back on the scene, ready to shake off both its association with the long running satirical comic strip, L'il Abner and its historical Puritan image. The name appears in the Bible several times, notably on the cousin and commander of Saul's army and by two figures in the New Testament. It re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2023, and was a fast rising choice in 2024 when it was given to nearly 300 boys.
  3. Abram

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of multitudes"

    • Description:

      Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American usage, in 1936 Abram completely disappeared for nearly forty years, until its return in the 1970s.
  4. Adler

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "eagle"

    • Description:

      Adler is a German-Jewish surname that is beginning to be used occasionally as a first and is among the stylish new German names for boys. Among the distinguished bearers of Adler as a last name are Freud colleague Alfred Adler, actress and influential acting teacher Stella Adler and Guns N' Roses drummer Steve Adler.
  5. Alden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "old, wise friend"

    • Description:

      Hot young actor Alden Ehrenreich, the new Han Solo, gives this formerly-stodgy surname name an attractive new image, making it a fresh successor to Aiden or Holden. Before it got this fresh shine, Alden was among the classic Thanksgiving baby names.
  6. Amos

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "carried by God"

    • Description:

      Amos is a robust biblical name that's being discovered by a new generation of parents in a major way.
  7. Arden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "valley of the eagle; high"

    • Description:

      Arden is a gender-neutral name that's sleek and stylish but always seems to bob just below the surface of popularity, despite ticking all the boxes with its fashionable two-syllable, N-ending shape and its awesome nature-inspired meanings. In the 2021 US statistics, 41 percent of the babies named Arden were boys to 59 percent girls.
  8. Asa

    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "healer; born in the morning"

    • Description:

      A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame.
  9. Asher

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate, blessed, happy one"

    • Description:

      Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.
  10. Atticus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Attica"

    • Description:

      Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
  11. Augden
    • Barret

      • Description:

        Barret is a masculine name with Germanic and French origins, traditionally a surname that evolved into a given name. It derives from elements meaning 'bear strength' or 'bear hardy,' reflecting qualities of power and resilience. The spelling Barret (with one 't') is less common than Barrett (with two 't's). This name has maintained consistent though modest usage over decades, experiencing periodic increases in popularity. It carries an air of dignified masculinity and strength without being overly aggressive. Barret appeals to parents seeking a traditional-sounding name that isn't overly common, fitting well in professional environments while still having character. The name's connection to nature through its 'bear' etymology adds an appealing dimension for nature-oriented families.

    • Beau

      • Origin:

        French

      • Meaning:

        "handsome"

      • Description:

        Beau suggests someone devilishly handsome, with a large measure of southern charm—a nice image to bestow on your boy. Often solely a nickname in the past, it's now standing firmly on its own. Beau has been on the Social Security list non-stop since 1969.
    • Blake

      • Origin:

        English

      • Meaning:

        "fair-haired, dark"

      • Description:

        Blake -- an early unisex option -- dropped out of the Top 100 in 2017 for the first time since 1988, but remains a sophisticated choice. And yes, both conflicting meanings of Blake are accurate. It originated as a surname in England derived from a nickname. Much of its masculine image was influenced by the wealthy, silver-haired character Blake Carrington in the massively popular 80s TV series Dynasty. Rosie O'Donnell has a son named Blake.
    • Boden

      • Origin:

        English or German surname, variation of Beauden, French

      • Meaning:

        "hill shaped like a bow; floor; beautiful"

      • Description:

        Boden is most often inspired by the clothing catalog of the same name, and it feels like an appropriate first name for boys because of its stylish two-syllable -n ending rhythm, a la Logan, Mason, Owen, and other trendy choices. While Boden or Bowden is a fairly common English surname, in German it is the everyday name for "floor".
    • Briggs

      • Origin:

        English variation of Bridges

      • Description:

        Having only entered the US Top 1000 in 2012, Briggs is yet another ends-in-s surname name for boys currently on the rise, along the lines of Brooks and Hayes.
    • Cade

      • Origin:

        English

      • Meaning:

        "round, barrel; battle"

      • Description:

        Strong and modern, Cade shot up the popularity lists around the millennium—it was as high as Number 201 in 2001. Now, it has declined in popularity slightly, but nevertheless remains in the US Top 300, given to around 1200 babies each year. Combined with all the baby Kades, Cadens, Kaidens and Kaydens however, it might feel even more popular that it actually is.
    • Calder

      • Origin:

        English

      • Meaning:

        "rocky water"

      • Description:

        Artistic associations with the sculptor who invented the mobile make this one of the more creative surname choices.
    • Cianan

      • Origin:

        Irish, diminutive of Cian

      • Description:

        This original spelling may present its challenges outside of Ireland, but it certainly has a more poetic look to it. Those daunted by the pronunciation obstacles may wish to consider Keenan.
    • Cormac

      • Origin:

        Irish

      • Meaning:

        "charioteer"

      • Description:

        Both offbeat and upbeat, this evocative traditional Irish name that runs through Celtic mythology is known here via award-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy (born Charles). The author's adopted name is related to Cormac Mac Airt, one of the great legendary high kings of Ireland.