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Virtue Names for Boys

Deleted User
By Deleted User
Updated Wed Apr 13 2022
Virtue names have always been popular for girls with choices like Patience and Hope. The options for boys are fewer and a little more unusual, but could make for a meaningful name.
  1. Anchor

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "heavy object used to moor a ship; provide with a solid foundation"

    • Description:

      Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability, currently given to a small handful of boys in the US each year.
  2. August

    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.
  3. Ardent
    • Benevolent

      • Origin:

        Word name

      • Description:

        One of the new generation of virtue names, with Peace and Justice taking over from the Puritans' Absolution and Forgiveness, but this one is still a bit heavy to carry.
    • Bravery

      • Origin:

        Virtue name

      • Description:

        This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.
    • Bright

      • Origin:

        English word name

      • Meaning:

        "bright"

      • Description:

        Rare word name that works for either gender.
    • Blythe
      • Calm

        • Origin:

          Word name

        • Description:

          A modern virtue name, particularly desirable in this pressure-cooker world.
      • Clement

        • Origin:

          Latin

        • Meaning:

          "mild, merciful"

        • Description:

          Clement, the name of fourteen popes and several saints, has a pleasantly, positive, slightly antiquated feel, like the phrase "clement weather."
      • Comfort

        • Origin:

          Word name

        • Description:

          This Puritan virtue name is unstylish, but sympathetic and appealing, in these largely uncomfortable times.
      • Concord

        • Origin:

          Word name

        • Meaning:

          "harmony, peaceful coexistence"

        • Description:

          With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name. It may also make people think of Concorde, the supersonic airliner plane, retired back in 2003.
      • Constant

        • Origin:

          French from Latin

        • Meaning:

          "steadfast"

        • Description:

          A traditional French male name that could, with American pronunciation, become an admirable word name.
      • Courage
        • Discovery

          • Origin:

            English word name

          • Description:

            Adventurous word choice, but still quite a burden for a child to bear.
        • Earnest

          • Description:

            Earnest is a masculine name of English origin that developed from the word 'earnest,' meaning 'serious,' 'sincere,' or 'determined.' The name gained popularity during the Victorian era when virtue names were fashionable and personal qualities were considered appropriate inspirations for given names. Oscar Wilde's 1895 play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' playfully highlighted the name's association with seriousness and sincerity. Throughout the early 20th century, Earnest maintained moderate popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, before gradually declining after the 1950s. Often confused with Ernest (without the 'a'), this spelling variant has always been less common. The name conveys qualities of dedication, sincerity, and moral seriousness, making it appealing to parents who value these traditional virtues.

        • Experience

          • Origin:

            English word name

          • Description:

            Experience is a word name used by the New England Puritans but probably too joke-worthy for a modern child...or teenager. It does not have as direct a biblical reference as most Puritan names.
        • Explorer

          • Origin:

            English word name

          • Meaning:

            "one who explores"

          • Description:

            A bold word name choice for the intrepid baby namer who hopes her son will face the world with a sense of discovery.
        • Endeavor
          • Fortitude

            • Origin:

              Word name

            • Meaning:

              "courage during adversity"

            • Description:

              Fortitude is the kind of virtue name the Puritans favored that could feel rather heavy for a modern boy. Nevertheless, with options such as Sincere, Chosen, Messiah, and Valor on the rise, perhaps in coming years, it might not seem so hefty after all, though for now, we think it would be best reserved for the middle spot.
          • Harbor

            • Origin:

              Word name

            • Description:

              If you like names that are not really names -- some say, the wave of the future -- Harbor has an attractive sound as well as an appealing meaning and image.