Favorite Boy Names

  1. Alaric
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "all-powerful ruler"
    • Description:

      Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
  2. Alexander
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Alexander has been in a Top 25 boys' name in the US for 30 years now. But namers are still attracted to its imposing historic pedigree.
  3. Benjamin
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the right hand"
    • Description:

      Benjamin is a biblical name that has enjoyed widespread favor for decades, ranking in the US Top 50 for almost half a century and the Top 10 from 2015 until 2023.
  4. Baylor
    • Carlisle
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "from the walled city"
      • Description:

        This stuffy English surname and hotel name took on Twilight cool when attached to vampire Carlisle Cullen. Inspired by the character, it's more popular in this spelling than as Carlyle and more widely used for boys than for girls.
    • Elvis
      • Origin:

        Meaning unknown
      • Description:

        When the King was alive, and for years afterwards, few people (except Declan McManus who became Elvis Costello) dared use his singular name, but now it's very much up for grabs.
    • James
      • Origin:

        English variation of Jacob, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "supplanter"
      • Description:

        James is one of the classic Anglo-Saxon names, a stalwart through the ages that is more popular—and yes, stylish—than ever today. It recently came out Number 1 in a poll of America's favorite boys' baby names, and is the most common male name, counting people of all ages, in the US.
    • Jameson
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "son of James"
      • Description:

        This is a strong new James varietal, sometimes shared by girls. An original way to honor Grandpa Jim, Jameson is swiftly moving up the charts, entering the Top 100 for the first time ever in 2017. Jameson is one of the hottest boy names starting with J, still the most popular first initial for boys' names. One small caveat: Jameson is also a brand of whiskey.
    • Judah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "praised"
      • Description:

        Judah is the strong, resonant Old Testament name of the son of Jacob who was the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel, and from whom the word Jew is derived. Some of the names' popularity might be attributable to the similarly named Jude Law.
    • Judas
      • Origin:

        Greek variation of Judah
      • Meaning:

        "praised"
      • Description:

        Though there were two apostles named Judas, everyone remembers the one who betrayed Jesus, and the name has been permanently shunned.
    • Lyle
      • Origin:

        Scottish and English from French
      • Meaning:

        "someone who lives on an island"
      • Description:

        Straightforward single-syllable name, though children named Lyle may get tired of hearing "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". Lyle was at the height of fashion in the 1920s, which makes him due for a comeback right about now. The double L certainly gives it a fashionable sound.
    • Magnus
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian from Latin
      • Meaning:

        "greatest"
      • Description:

        Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning "greatest," that has a Scandinavian feel. It dates back to Charlemagne being called Carolus Magnus, or Charles the Great. Norwegian king Magnus I, named after Charlemagne, introduced it to his culture, and thus Magnus was the name of six early kings of Norway and four of Sweden. It is still a highly popular name in Denmark and Norway.
    • Michael
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "who is like God?"
      • Description:

        Michael was the Number 1 American boys' name for almost half a century. While Michael has moved out of the Top 10 baby boy names, it's still widely used.
    • Tobiah
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "the Lord is good"
      • Description:

        Tobiah is the original Hebrew form of the better known Greek Tobias, to which it could make a distinctive alternative. With its ah ending, Tobiah fits in with other stylish Biblical names today, from Noah to Isaiah to Josiah and Zachariah. And of course, Toby is an adorable nickname.
    • Tobias
      • Origin:

        Greek from Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God is good"
      • Description:

        Tobias is one of a number of s-ending boys' names that are riding a wave of popularity. With its Old Testament-Dickensian feel, it's a name with a distinguished pedigree.