My Boy Names

Ian is Scottish form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan. It is an Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic Iain, which is also a viable spelling. Ian was introduced to Americans by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

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.

In the 90s, Michael Jordan inspired thousands of parents around the world to name their babies Jordan. Retired NBA star Allen Iverson hasn't yet had anywhere near that impact, but a respectable 64 baby boys born in 2016 were named Iverson. The "Iv-" beginning does feel distinctive.

The new Jason, spelled many different ways, and popularized by basketball star Jalen Rose.

Jayce, which probably started out as an abbreviation of names like Jason, with the 'y' borrowed from Jayden, now has a life of its own, making a strong showing on the popularity lists.

The surname name Jenson is in the British Top 100 thanks to champion race car driver Jenson Button. Jenson might be an honorific for an ancestral John, the English form of Jens or Johannes, or even Jen.

A biblical place name with trumpeting verve and strength.

A product of the contemporary Scrabble approach to baby naming.

Jovany may be easier to understand for English speakers, but the more serious and authentic Jovan or Giovanni would be better choices.

Kayson is one of several versions of a popular boys' name -- or maybe we should call it a mega-name. Kayson is the most popular spelling, but further down the list we have Cayson, Casen, Cason, Kaisen, and so on.

A favorite among younger parents, this is one of the names that rose to the surface when Tyler and Kyle started to sink.

Leo is a strong-yet-friendly name that was common among the Romans, used for thirteen popes, and is now at its highest point ever in the US thanks in part to Leonardo "Leo" DiCaprio.

This aristocratic, somewhat formal Germanic route to the popular Leo is a royal name: Queen Victoria used it to honor a favorite uncle, King Leopold of Belgium. Though Leopold sounds as if it might be a leonine name, it's not really a relative of such choices as Leon, and Leonard.

Has a slight aura of danger, from its being two types of weapons and a looming character in the Star Wars films. Best left as a nickname for Mason.