Personal favorite boy names

X = probably out, as mom and dad pronounce differently (American vs British). Middle name Ambrose. Last name Norman.
  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. Amias
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "loved"
    • Description:

      Amias or Amyas is a unique name with an attractive sound and feel and a lovely meaning. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, it is not, but is a surname that may be related to Amadeus or even be a male version of Amy--which would make it one of the few boys' names to be derived from a girls'.
  3. Angus
    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Aonghus, Aonghas, Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "one strength"
    • Description:

      Angus is a traditional yet stylish choice in the UK, especially in Scotland. And it's a cool choice for US parents too, particularly those whose roots go back to Glasgow. The ancient Celtic form Oenghus has important historical overtones in Scotland, and the Gaelic form Aonghas is associated with two distinguished modern poets. In Irish folklore, Angus Og is a chieftain-lord who used his magical powers for the pleasure and prosperity of mankind--and in Irish myth, Aonghus was the god of love and youth.
  4. Ari
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ariel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.
  5. Auburn
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Meaning:

      "deep reddish-brown"
    • Description:

      A strong, warm name and a strong warm color. Would make an excellent alternative to August or Aubrey.
  6. Audrick
    • Description:

      Audrick is a masculine name that combines elements of traditional Germanic naming patterns. It likely blends the prefix "Aud-" (meaning "wealth" or "fortune" in Old Germanic languages) with the common suffix "-rick" (meaning "ruler" or "powerful"). This construction follows the pattern of classic Germanic names like Audwin, Frederick, and Roderick. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, Audrick has a strong, distinctive sound that conveys leadership and strength. The name maintains traditional masculine qualities while offering uniqueness in modern contexts. Parents might choose Audrick seeking a name with historical roots but relative rarity. Its meaning suggesting "wealthy ruler" or "fortunate leader" carries positive connotations of prosperity and authority.
  7. August
    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.
  8. Austin
    • Origin:

      English, shortened form of Augustine, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      Austin is one of the most attractive city names for babies, with an appealing southwestern feel and place-name panache.
  9. Autry
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "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.

  10. Axl
    • Origin:

      Variation of Axel, Scandinavian version of Absalom
    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"
    • Description:

      Guns 'n' Roses musician Axl (born William) Rose created this name by dropping a vowel, a la Barbra Streisand. The traditional Axel is more popular, though celebrity parents Fergie and Josh Duhamel deliberately chose the Axl spelling to honor her rock hero.
  11. Aquilan
    • Banjo
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        When actress Rachel Griffiths chose this highly unusual name for her son, many assumed it was a bizarre invention. But a noted Australian poet (Griffiths is an Aussie) is known by this name.
    • Barley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "grower or seller of barley"
      • Description:

        A bit too bad-boy (think bars, beer, Harley) for us, as well as being the name of a grain.
    • Barnaby
      • Origin:

        English variation of Barnabas, Aramaic
      • Meaning:

        "son of consolation"
      • Description:

        Barnaby, a genial and energetic name with an Irish-sounding three-syllable lilt, is an ancient appellation that manages to be both unusual and highly attractive and deserves to be used more than it is. A sweet-spot name that's a real winner.
    • Baxter
      • Origin:

        English occupational name
      • Meaning:

        "baker"
      • Description:

        An x makes any name cooler, so that Baxter has a bit more pizzazz than the original Baker. Baxter had some currency as a first name a century ago--it was on the popularity lists sporadically from 1880 till the 1920s, peaking at Number 515 in 1886-- which means it's just about due for a comeback. And we can see Bax as a worthy follow-up to Max and Jax.
    • Bear
      • Origin:

        Animal name
      • Meaning:

        "bear"
      • Description:

        Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his boy Buddy, and Alicia Silverstone called her son Bear Blu, followed by Kate Winslet's Bear Blaize.
    • Benji
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Benjamin
      • Description:

        Benji is undeniably cute, much in the way of a — yes, an adorable movie mutt. Ben is the handsome traditional short form of Benjamin, but Benji makes a more unexpected nickname
    • Bennett
      • Origin:

        English medieval form of Benedict, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "blessed"
      • Description:

        Bennett is Ben with a bow tie, kind of a cross between Benjamin and Beckett. It's been trending up on the popularity charts in recent years, and its choice by The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Jane Krakowski could shoot it even higher.
    • Benson
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "son of Ben"
      • Description:

        Benson has outgrown its long association with a wisecracking TV butler with a fresh new association: singer songwriter Benson Boone. Parents may see it as an alternate route to nickname Ben, very different in image than the biblical Benjamin.
    • Bentley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "meadow with coarse grass"
      • Description:

        Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.