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Favorite Boy Names

  1. Merritt

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "boundary gate"

    • Description:

      Merritt is an old-style surname name that could be seen as a positive virtue name. It was used in the late 19th and early 20th century for boys, reaching the Top 400 in 1899, and is notable today for being one of the names most evenly divided between boys and girls. Emmy winner Merritt Wever helped popularize it for girls.
  2. Noble

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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?
  3. Valor

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "courage and bravery"

    • Description:

      This modern virtue name gives a nod to ancient chivalry and could also work as an updated form of the classic Victor. A bold choice, but one that an increasing number of parents have been making in the last decade.
  4. Zenon

    • Origin:

      Ancient Greek and Polish form of Zeno and Zeus

    • Meaning:

      "sky, shine; gift of Zeus"

    • Description:

      Zenon is a relative of Zeno, which is a form of Zeus, used in both ancient Greece and modern Poland. With the new rise of all names mythological, this one may deserve a fresh look.
  5. Justice

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair"

    • Description:

      Justice, one of the rare virtue names for boys, entered the popularity ranks in 1992, and remained in the charts until the 2020s. While it has fallen out of favor in more recent years, it remains a fresh but solid feeling option.
  6. Urban

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "of the city"

    • Description:

      Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both urban and rural. Yet in this era of word name appreciation and trend for 'an'-ending boys' names, we're thinking it might be ready for a return.
  7. Lyric

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "of the lyre; songlike; a personal, emotive poem"

    • Description:

      Associated with poetry, pop music, and the Greek lyre, Lyric has a light and zippy sound to it. Currently more popular for girls in the US, it was in the Top 1000 for boys between 2007 and 2020. Currently given to around 170 boys each year, for every baby boy called Lyric, there are three girls given the name.
  8. Warrick

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "strong leader who defends."

    • Description:

      Warrick has recently come into the spotlight as the character Warrick Brown on the TV show CSI. The more conventional spelling is Warwick, a medieval English noble name.
  9. Cobalt

    • Origin:

      Color and nature name

    • Description:

      Even among the range of blue names on the current baby naming palette -- Blue itself, Azure, Cerulean, Teal, Aqua, Cyan, Indigo -- Cobalt remains the most unusual, not to mention the most masculine.
  10. Sheridan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "searcher"

    • Description:

      Sheridan is one surname-name that hasn't come into style for either gender, though it was lightly used for boys around the turn of the 20th century and girls 100 years later. The name does have an attractive sound and an appealing meaning.
  11. Tane

    • Origin:

      Maori, Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "man, male"

    • Description:

      In Maori mythology Tāne (also called Tāne Mahuta) was the god of forests and birds, son of the sky god Rangi and the earth goddess Papa. Tāne was the one who pushed his powerful parents apart to create the land and sky.
  12. Falcon

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      There is a whole new species of bird names open to the baby namer, from the light and feminine Lark to the sleek and powerful Falcon.
  13. Maguire

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the beige one"

    • Description:

      Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan. The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience. The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.
  14. Gian

    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanni

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Gian sounds (almost) like John, so there's some potential for confusion, but the spelling makes it unmistakeably Italian. It could be a solution if longer names like Gianni and Gianluca aren't your style.
  15. Cadogan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "honor in battle"

    • Description:

      This surname borne by several early Welsh leaders has a lot of energy.
  16. Valiant

    • Origin:

      English word name from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "brave"

    • Description:

      While still very rare, the name Valiant was given to six baby boys in the US last year. And it's an inspiring choice.
  17. Dunstan

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dark stone"

    • Description:

      A two-syllable surname feel puts this name of an important English saint in the running -- though it could sound like a confused cross between Duncan and Dustin.
  18. Harlen

    • Description:

      Harlen is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Harlan, derived from Old English elements 'here' meaning 'army' and 'land,' together conveying 'army land' or 'land of the warriors.' Less frequently, it may be considered a variation of Harlem, the famous New York City neighborhood. While not as common as the Harlan spelling, Harlen offers a slightly softer phonetic quality with the 'e' instead of 'a' in the second syllable. The name emerged in America particularly in the early to mid-20th century, though it has always remained relatively uncommon. Harlen carries connotations of strength and ruggedness with a touch of vintage appeal, fitting well with the revival of classic masculine names. The name suggests reliability and steadfastness, attributes that continue to attract parents seeking a distinctive yet recognizable name with historical roots.

  19. Dice

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Strictly for a Vegas baby.
  20. Garnet

    • Origin:

      Jewel name, for the French

    • Meaning:

      "pomegranate"

    • Description:

      One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, for both boys and girls, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl. But interestingly, Garnet means pomegranate, the fruit who shares a deep red color with the jewel.

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Nameberry App
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