Boys Names

  1. Aidan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little and fiery"
    • Description:

      Aidan was originally a pet form of the Irish name Aodh (pronounced 'ee'), the name of the old Celtic god of the sun and fire. The name was borne by numerous early Irish saints, one of whom was noted for his kindness and generosity.
  2. Amory
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "industrious"
    • Description:

      Amory is the kind of executive-sounding surname name that became popular in the 1990s. Amory Blaine is the protagonist of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, This Side of Paradise.
  3. Argus
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "watchful guardian"
    • Description:

      In mythology, a creature with a hundred eyes, making it a better name for a camera than a baby.
  4. Ash
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Asher, English
    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"
    • Description:

      Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.
  5. Baird
    • Origin:

      Scottish occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "minstrel, poet"
    • Description:

      Meaning bard, this is an original choice with poetic and melodic undertones. Bard itself has also come into consideration, both names bringing to mind Shakespeare and other literary lights.

      The Scottish surname Baird's most notable bearer was John Logie Baird, the Scottish engineer and inventor of the televisor, the world's first practical television system in 1926, and also the world's first fully electronic color TV tube two years later. Some might also remember puppeteers Bil and Cora Baird.

  6. Cai
    • Description:

      Cai is a name with rich multicultural origins. In Welsh, it means 'rejoice' and is a form of the Arthurian knight Sir Kay. In Chinese, Cai (蔡) is a respected surname and can also be a given name meaning 'talent' or 'ability.' The name has gained modest popularity in Western countries as parents seek short, distinctive names with cross-cultural appeal. In Scotland and Ireland, it may be a shortened form of Cailan or related Celtic names. Cai's simplicity and strong sound make it an increasingly attractive choice for boys, especially among parents looking for names that are brief yet meaningful and easy to pronounce across languages.
  7. Cailean
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "pup, cub"
    • Description:

      This is the original Gaelic spelling of the Anglicized Colin -- more authentic, yes, but could make your American child's life unnecessarily complicated.
  8. Callum
    • Origin:

      Scottish form of Columba, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "dove"
    • Description:

      Callum is a gentle, charming name of Scottish origin, that is a popular choice across the UK. In the US, it was a rare option until the late 2000s, however, since 2017 it's been rising up the ranks. Complete with easy, breezy and cool nickname Cal, it climbed more than 60 places in the US in 2024, placing it just outside the Top 150.
  9. Conan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little wolf"
    • Description:

      The fierce image of the Barbarian made a complete turnaround thanks to amiable talk show host O'Brien, making Conan one of the newly desirable Irish choices, a perfect alternative to Conor/Connor.
  10. Frost
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "freezing"
    • Description:

      Long heard as a last name, as in venerable poet Robert, U.K. talk show host David, British actress Sadie and old Jack Frost, Frost has suddenly entered the scene as a possible first, along with other seasonal weather names like Winter and Snow.
  11. Hale
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives in a hollow"
    • Description:

      This name projects a sense of well-being - hale and hearty - is unusual but accessible, with a clear simple sound, and a worthy namesake, Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, as an added bonus.
  12. Kai
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Frisian, Chinese
    • Meaning:

      "sea; warrior; triumph"
    • Description:

      Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.
  13. Keely
    • Description:

      Keely as a masculine name represents a less common gender assignment for what is primarily used as a feminine name in modern times. The name has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic 'Caolaidhe' meaning 'slender' or 'narrow,' originally used for both genders. In Irish tradition, it may have connections to the legendary poet and musician Caoilte of the Fianna. While Keely gained modest popularity as a girl's name in the late 20th century, its masculine usage has remained quite rare. The name carries a melodic quality with its long 'e' sound and has cross-cultural appeal. For boys, Keely offers a distinctive option with authentic Celtic roots that balances traditional heritage with a gentle, modern sound.

  14. Lex
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Cool short form of Alexander, fresher than Alex and less trendy than Xander... for now.
  15. Peregrin
    • Description:

      Peregrin is a distinguished masculine name with Latin origins, derived from 'peregrinus' meaning 'traveler' or 'pilgrim.' The name gained literary recognition through J.R.R. Tolkien's works, where Peregrin 'Pippin' Took appears as a beloved character in 'The Lord of the Rings.' This association has given the name a whimsical, adventurous quality that appeals to literary-minded parents. Despite its rich history and meaningful etymology, Peregrin remains uncommon, making it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or understand. The name carries connotations of journey, exploration, and spiritual seeking, reflecting its pilgrim roots. For parents drawn to names with depth, historical significance, and a touch of literary magic, Peregrin offers a compelling choice.
  16. Rhys
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "ardor"
    • Description:

      Rugged but gentle, Rhys is the traditional Welsh spelling of this name, which can also be anglicized as Reese or Reece. Up until 2010, Reese was the preferred spelling in the US, perhaps because parents were concerned about mispronunciation. However, Rhys has since taken over for boys and is now used twice as often as Reese.
  17. Rohan
    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit ,"rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"
    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"
    • Description:

      Simultaneously a name of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, a spelling variation of the popular Rowan and an anglicized form of Irish Ruadhán, Rohan is a cross-cultural choice.
  18. Rory
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red king"
    • Description:

      This spirited Gaelic classic, which became popular in Ireland via the illustrious twelfth century king Rory O'Connor, makes a highly energetic choice, now used for either sex. Rory's gender split is still trending boyward; it's one of the coolest boys' names starting with R.
  19. Rowan
    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish
    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; little redhead"
    • Description:

      With its gentle sounds and earthy vibes, the name Rowan feels like a fusion of different styles. A word name, a surname, and a gender-neutral name, Rowan is rustic but trendy, blending the vibes of both Owen and Oakley.
  20. Rune
    • Origin:

      German and Swedish
    • Meaning:

      "secret"
    • Description:

      Name with connotations both mystical and tragic, newly popular in Europe. For English speakers, though, this name might be ruined by its homonym ruin.