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-on Boy Names

  1. Nelson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Neil"

    • Description:

      Nelson is a rather stiff and dated surname name that is sometimes used to honor distinguished South African activist Nelson Mandela, as Celine Dion did for one of her twin boys. Other notable associations are with the British Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, novelist Nelson Algren and movie operetta star Nelson Eddy. It was also the given name of "Rabbit" Angstrom, protagonist of John Updike's series of novels.
  2. Peyton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fighting-man's estate"

    • Description:

      Peyton is the most-used spelling of this popular name, thanks to football star Peyton Manning. It rose to fame in the 90s and was solidly - or statistically - unisex in the early 2000s, however, the 2010s saw it shift to a more feminine leaning option. Nevertheless, with its surname-style and gentle sounds, Peyton could still fit in with the likes of Grayson, Everett, and Cameron.
  3. Devon

    • Origin:

      English place-name

    • Description:

      Devon, spelled like the lovely seaside county in Britain that inspired the name, has crashed since its heyday around the Top 100 in the 1990s. Despite its use as a female name, for example for Devon on the TV show The 4400, Devon continues to be far more popular for boys than for girls.
  4. Sutton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the southern homestead"

    • Description:

      Swanky sound via New York's ritzy Sutton Place. It fits with current popular boys’ names, due to its two syllables and -on ending. It debuted in the US Top 1000 for boys in 2015, though it is currently more popular for girls.
  5. Keaton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "shed town"

    • Description:

      Keaton is an engaging surname with warmth, energy and a sense of humor, identified with silent comedian Buster Keaton and contemporary actors Michael and Diane Keaton. Although rare as a first name, a young Keaton would fit right in with classmates Keenan and Kellen.
  6. Wilson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Will"

    • Description:

      Wilson is a substantive presidential choice far less prevalent than Taylor or Tyler, and with the advantage of being a new route to friendly nickname Will. We see Wilson growing in popularity as an alternative to William; and as a patronymic, it would make a conceivable (if possibly confusing) choice for a son of William.
  7. Kingston

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "king's town"

    • Description:

      Chosen for their first son by musical couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, this Jamaican place and elegant British surname also boasts the more regal yet user-friendly short form, King.
  8. Burton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fortified enclosure"

    • Description:

      Burton originated as a habitation surname that now feels like a appropriate first. Actor Richard Burton, two-time husband of Elizabeth Taylor, was the most famous bearer. Burtie makes an adorable short form.
  9. Tyson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "firebrand"

    • Description:

      As parents were finding too many Tylers at the neighborhood playground, they began looking to Tyson as an alternative, no longer concerned with possible connections to Mike Tyson or Tyson chicken.
  10. Sheldon

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "steep-sided valley"

    • Description:

      Like Marvin and Melvin, Sheldon has been perceived as about as far out as you can get, though there are very pretty towns in Devon and Derbyshire that inspired it. Sheldon Lee Cooper is the lead nerd character on the TV hit The Big Bang Theory, giving the name a brainy image. Nickname Shel (as in Shel Silverstein, author of Where the Sidewalk Ends) could, in the modern world of nature name love, be seen as beach evoking.
  11. Tennyson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Dennis"

    • Description:

      Few people would have considered the surname of this famous Victorian poet as a first name until Russell Crowe chose it for his son in 2006. But, as a rhythmic three-syllable patronymic, Tennyson has a lot going for it, not least of all the appealing nickname Tenny; it would make a novel choice for the son of a Dennis.
  12. Gibson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Gilbert's son"

    • Description:

      An undiscovered patronymic surname, Gibson blends the cool, rugged feel of names like Bridger, Riggs, and Hudson with the clunky charm of names like Gilbert, Wilbur, and Digby. Associated with the popular brand of guitars, it could make an unexpected, music-related option.
  13. Jetson

    • Origin:

      Variation of Judson

    • Description:

      The surname name Jetson may have originated as a variation on Judson, a patronymic related to Jordan, but it is more familiar to most Americans as the last name of the futuristic cartoon family. Jetson may appeal to parents as a proper form leading to the cool boy nickname Jet.
  14. Jefferson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Jeffrey"

    • Description:

      The name of the third U.S. President sounds, like Harrison and Jackson, more modern and stylish now than its root name. Used as a first name long before our surname-crazed era, Jefferson was most famously used as a first name by the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, which may justifiably make you not want to use it. Jefferson is the middle name of another Prez, William Clinton.
  15. Trenton

    • Origin:

      English, place-name

    • Meaning:

      "Trent's town"

    • Description:

      There's only one Trenton, New Jersey, but it's a widely used name, more for its fashionable -on ending than the reference to the city. Since 2007, however, Trenton has been on a steady decline. Trenten is another popular spelling.
  16. Branson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of the raven"

    • Description:

      Branson is a fairly recent addition to the Top 1000, first breaking in at Number 988 in 1995. While it may not be a common sighting yet, it fits the trend of more popular cousins Mason, Grayson, Hudson, and Carson.
  17. Tucson

    • Origin:

      American place-name

    • Description:

      A southwestern city name that could make a distinctive alternative to Dallas.
  18. Barton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the barley settlement"

    • Description:

      More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew.
  19. Kensington

    • Origin:

      Place name

    • Description:

      A posh area of London, as well as being a section of Brooklyn, Kensington would make an overly formal, butlerish boy's name. There are several preferable paths to the nickname Ken, including KENYON, KENDALL and KENNEDY.
  20. Ogdon

    • Description:

      Ogdon is a masculine name with Old English origins, likely derived from place names or surnames combining elements meaning 'oak' and 'hill' or 'settlement.' This uncommon name carries a strong, distinctive sound with historical English roots. Ogdon has never achieved widespread popularity, remaining a rare choice throughout naming records. The name evokes images of strength and stability through its connection to oak trees, which symbolize endurance in many cultures. Ogdon has an aristocratic quality that suggests heritage and tradition. The uncommon nature of this name makes it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive with authentic historical origins. While rare, Ogdon shares qualities with more familiar names like Ogden, providing a balance between uniqueness and recognizability.