Boys - ?

  1. Boyd
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "blond"
    • Description:

      Has a bit of a hayseed image, and that oy sound is tough to work with.
  2. Declan
    • Origin:

      Irish, meaning unknown, possible "man of prayer"
    • Meaning:

      "man of prayer"
    • Description:

      Declan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Deaglán. St. Declan was one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Ireland, preceding St. Patrick. Originally from Wales, he founded the monastery of Ardmore in Ireland.
  3. Elias
    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Elijah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh is God"
    • Description:

      Strong, charismatic, and sleek, Elias has followed in the footsteps of Elijah and Eli to become a popular choice among parents today.
  4. Ford
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the ford"
    • Description:

      The long association to the Ford Motor Company doesn't stand in the way of this being a strong, independent, single-syllable name.
  5. Garner
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "granary"
    • Description:

      Garner is an unncommon word and surname with some prospect of garnering popularity, especially now that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have given it to son Samuel as his middle name, and Jessica Alba and Cash Warren have used it as the middle name of second daughter Haven. Garner is also Cash Warren's middle name. Gardner or Gardener is another, similar though unrelated possibility.
  6. Garrett
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Gerard
    • Meaning:

      "spear strength"
    • Description:

      Garrett, also spelled with one 't', is an Irish-inflected name that was in the Top 100 in the nineties, but has now slipped in popularity.
  7. Grady
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "noble, illustrious"
    • Description:

      Following in the footsteps of popular brother Brady, Grady is another lively, ebullient Irish surname name. The O'Gradys (originally O Gradaugh) were an ancient clan that produced an impressive number of bishops.

      Perhaps the most remarkable O'Grady descendant is Muhammad Ali, whose mother's maiden name was Grady.

  8. Granger
    • Origin:

      English and French surname
    • Meaning:

      "worker of the granary; farmer"
    • Description:

      If you're seeking a solid but underused occupational name with a warm, friendly sound, and an earthy feel, Granger is one to consider. Associated with faming, grain, and the outdoors, it fits in with the likes of Colton, Sawyer, and Cooper, with a hint of classic George about it too.
  9. Greyson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of the steward"
    • Description:

      Greyson and Grayson, nephews of Jason, are both on the fast track. Both variations have made their way all the way up to the Top 100 since 2016. Gray/Grey makes a nice nickname. The name of the child in The Nanny Diaries is Grayer, and actor Tyler Christopher opted for the unusual spelling of Greysun for his son. Some parents are considering Grayson -- or Gracen or Gracyn -- for girls as an androgynous spin on Grace.
  10. Grayer
    • Hayes
      • Origin:

        English surname and nature name
      • Meaning:

        "hedged area"
      • Description:

        One of those simple, straightforward English surnames -- and with a presidential pedigree -- that's easy to translate into a first. It was recently chosen by both Kevin Costner and Jessica Alba for their sons, which can likely be credited for its spike in popularity in the past few years. Surname names and nature names like Hayes, which qualifies on both counts, along with occupational names all make up the new generation of stylish English names for boys that go far beyond Harry and Edward.
    • Hollis
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "near the holly bushes"
      • Description:

        Hollis is a rugged, gentle and quietly used name, given to over 200 boys and 150 girls each year in the US. In 2023, it became one of the newest entries to the US Top 1000, where it fits in with the surnames-as-first-names trend, and other familiar choices like Ellis, Silas, and Holden.
    • Holt
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "son of the unspoiled forests"
      • Description:

        Has that blunt masculine feel -- à la Cole and Kyle -- that many modern parents are drawn to.
    • Hoyt
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "long stick"
      • Description:

        Distinctive though somewhat abrupt, most prominently borne by country singer Hoyt Axton.
    • Isaiah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "Salvation of the Lord"
      • Description:

        Isaiah, like brethren Isaac and Elijah, is a once neglected biblical name now firmly back in favor, already surpassing such long-popular Old Testament stalwarts as Aaron and Adam. Isaiah has ranked on the US Top 1000 list for boys every year but two, 1969 and 1970.
    • Jack
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of John
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Jack may have fallen from its Number 1 place in England, but in the US it's as popular as it was at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. A durable, cheery, everyman form of John, Jack ranks as one of the most popular boy names starting with J.
    • Lance
      • Origin:

        English variation of Lanzo, German "land"
      • Meaning:

        "land"
      • Description:

        Though the fuller Lancelot has for the most part been shunned as a 'too-much-name' name, the short form Lance has been consistently in or around the Top 500 since 1938, climbing as high as Number 76 in 1970. It was used as a character name by Walter Scott as far back as 1823. Lance is also the name of a medieval weapon, making this name all boy.
    • Landry
      • Origin:

        French and English
      • Meaning:

        "ruler"
      • Description:

        St. Landry was a seventh century bishop of Paris, founder of the city's first hospital. The name is more familiar in recent years thanks to legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, an association that makes this a sports hero name, as well as a thoroughly masculine one. Landry is also in use for girls in the US. Landry is one of the oldest surnames in France, dating back to the medieval period, and is particularly popular among Cajun-Americans. It has been on the Social Security list since 2010.
    • Levi
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "joined, attached"
      • Description:

        Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.
    • Nash
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "by the ash tree"
      • Description:

        Nash is an English surname whose sound puts it right in step with currently trendy names like Cash, Dash and Ash. It first came to prominence via TV character Nash Bridges, portrayed by Don Johnson in the late nineties, and also via mathematician John Nash, played by Russell Crowe in the acclaimed film A Beautiful Mind.