Macho Nerd

Benjamin

Hebrew

"son of the right hand"

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. One of those golden boys' names that…

Levi

Hebrew

"joined, attached"

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. Now it's being…

Ezra

Hebrew

"help"

Ezra has a lot going for it: the strength of its heroic Biblical legacy, its quirky sound, and its fresh but familiar feel. Ezra is now at its highest point ever, but its intuitive streamlined…

Julian

English from Latin, variation of Julius

"youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"

Cool and charming, with plenty of flair and sophistication, Julian manages to strike the balance between being a sensible classic and contemporary choice. Appealingly international, it is no wonder…

Miles

English form of Milo, Latin and Old German,"soldier or merciful"

"soldier or merciful"

Miles, which has a permanent veneer of cool thanks to jazz great Miles Davis, is a confident and polished boys' name that's an American classic. Always ranking in the US Top 1000, it's been drifting…

Waylon

English

"cunning, craft"

With its rugged, country charm and confident sounds, Waylon is among the wave of Old Western names that parents are choosing. A relatively new entry to the US Top 100, this once uncommon choice has…

Gael

Breton

"Gaelic"

This cross-cultural name, found in Wales, Brittany, and Spain, is a surprise star in the U.S in recent years, largely thanks to actor Gael Garcia Bernal. Also written as Gaël, it's a popular choice…

Austin

English, shortened form of Augustine, Latin

"great, magnificent"

Austin is one of the most attractive city names for babies , with an appealing southwestern feel and place-name panache. Austin has been an Anglo-Saxon surname and a first name since medieval times.…

Hayes

English surname and nature name

"hedged area"

One of those simple, straightforward English surnames -- and with a presidential pedigree -- that's easy to translate into a first. Chosen by both Kevin Costner and Jessica Alba for their sons, it…

Jason

Greek

"to heal"

Jason, the Number 3 name for the entire decade of the 1970s -- thus the title of our original baby-naming book, Beyond Jennifer & Jason -- is more likely to be dad's name now than baby's, but it's…

Malakai

Fijian and Tongan form of Malachi

Malakai puts a South Sea Island spin on the Biblical Malachi, which may be just what It needs to fit in with contemporary trends.

Oscar

English or Irish

"God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior"

Oscar is one of the most stylish Old Man Names of our era. While it's softened slightly in popularity over the past 20 years, that may be considered a very good thing. In the nineties and the…

Alex

Diminutive of Alexander, Alexis

"defending men"

The independent Alex has become a classic in its own right. One of the truest unisex names , Alex is used almost equally for both sexes. Alex is used both on its own and as a short form of formal…

Zyaire

Variation of Zaire, Kongo "the river that swallows all rivers"

"the river that swallows all rivers"

Zaire has been a rising choice in the US in recent years, derived from the name of a now dissolved Central African state which takes its name from the Kongo term "the river that swallows all rivers".…