Strong Boys Names From Childhood-Adulthood

  1. Desmond
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "one from south Munster"
    • Description:

      Desmond is a sophisticated and debonair name, with noble ties to 1984 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Desmond Tutu, and with some great nicknames: Des/Dez, Desi/Dezi.
  2. Edmund
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "fortunate protector"
    • Description:

      The sophisticated Edmund and its nearly-identical French twin Edmond are coming out of mothballs now that Edward, inspired by Twilight, is once again a hot name.
  3. Elwood
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "elder tree forest"
    • Description:

      The "el-" sound is red-hot these days, and a myriad of place names and surnames give this name a wealth of possible namesakes. The main drawback is its kinship to the name of the hero of the Legally Blond series, Elle Woods, though that will fade with time.
  4. Hyde
    • Origin:

      Medieval measure of land, or English surname
    • Meaning:

      "hide"
    • Description:

      Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.
  5. Lennon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "lover"
    • Description:

      A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.
  6. Redd
    • Description:

      Redd is a masculine name that originated as a nickname for people with red hair or ruddy complexions before evolving into an independent given name. Derived from the Old English 'read' meaning "red," the distinctive double-d spelling gives the name added character and visual impact. Redd carries associations with vitality and distinctiveness, often evoking images of strength and individuality. While never extremely common as a first name, it has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century, sometimes gaining recognition through cultural figures like comedian Redd Foxx. The name has a punchy, concise quality that fits with the trend toward brief, impactful male names. Redd's simplicity belies its strong presence, making it a bold choice with historical roots.

  7. Redford
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "red ford"
    • Description:

      An unusual surname-style choice with a strong meaning and potential for nicknames Ford and Red. Associated with the actor Robert Redford, it was also used for a one of the main characters in the 2019 novel Get a Life, Chloe Brownby author Talia Hibbert.