​
​
Advanced Search

the ultimate boys name list

  1. Benny

    • Description:

      Benny is traditionally a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Benjamin, which comes from Hebrew and means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." Benny can also serve as a nickname for other names like Benedict, Bennett, or Bentley. Throughout the 20th century, Benny gained recognition through notable figures like bandleader Benny Goodman and comedian Benny Hill. The name has a friendly, approachable quality that has maintained modest popularity over the decades. While some parents choose Benny as a given name, it more commonly serves as an affectionate nickname that conveys warmth and familiarity.

  2. Val

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Valentine, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      Val as a boys' name is closely associated with the late actor Val Kilmer.
  3. Fennel

    • Origin:

      Vegetable and herb name

    • Description:

      In the garden of herb names, Rosemary and Basil are perennials and Sage is a new upshoot, but Fennel is a real rarity. The aniseed-tasting plant, used to add flavor to dishes around the world, gets its name from the Latin word feniculum, meaning "little hay".
  4. Jody

    • Origin:

      Variation or diminutive of Joseph

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Quintessentially sweet and innocent unisex name of the 1960s and 70s, now gone the way of hot pants and disco balls.
  5. Waverly

    • Origin:

      Locational English surname

    • Meaning:

      "from the quivering meadow"

    • Description:

      Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Although, like Kimberly, it's overwhelmingly catching on for girls. Its cool, bohemian surname feel places it among the new stylish English names for girls, successors to Ashley and Whitney.
  6. Dune

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "sand hill"

    • Description:

      Dune is a name of several layers. It's a modern nature name, like Ocean, Bay and Reef, although rarer, conjuring up images of breezy sand dunes on summer beach days.
  7. Brecken

    • Origin:

      Variation of Breccan; Irish

    • Meaning:

      "freckled, speckled"

    • Description:

      Brecken is a fresh, distinctively Irish alternative to similar-sounding (and much more popular) Beckett or Beckham. While Brecken is a spelling variation of the original Breccan, it's the most popular form of the name. By whatever spelling, it's a name we'll likely see rise in popularity.
  8. Benno

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "bear"

    • Description:

      Benno is a cool name in its own right -- there was a tenth century Saint Benno -- though it is also used as a lively nickname for Benjamin. Saint Benno of Meissen is the patron saint of anglers and weavers and, strangely enough, alliteration.
  9. Santos

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "saint, holy"

    • Description:

      The Spanish and Portuguese variation of the all-saints name. Santos is a name that has appeared in the US Top 1000 every year except for two: 1913 and 1915.
  10. Turner

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "works with a lathe"

    • Description:

      Turner is a name that's both preppy and painterly, recalling the exquisite watercolor seascapes of British painter J.M.W. Turner. An occupational name in the Taylor-Carter mold, Turner is a more distinctive choice than many of the usual suspects.
  11. Forester

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dweller near the woods"

    • Description:

      Woodsy names are fashionable for boys, as are surnames and occupational names, so Forester scores on all three. It can also be spelled Forrester.
  12. Dezi

    • Origin:

      Short form of Desiderio, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "desired one"

    • Description:

      A Desi variation that moves the name away from Lucy -- though it's just as dizzy. TV star Jaime Pressly used it for her son.
  13. Bard

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Baird, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "minstrel, poet"

    • Description:

      Great Irish middle name choice for Shakespeare lovers.
  14. Niels

    • Origin:

      Danish variation of Nicholas; Dutch diminutive of Cornelius

    • Description:

      Gives middle-aged Neil a new lease on life.
  15. Klay

    • Description:

      Klay is a masculine name that represents a modern variant spelling of Clay. The traditional Clay derives from the English surname referring to someone who worked with clay or lived on clay-rich soil. The 'K' spelling gives the name a contemporary edge while maintaining the same pronunciation. Klay gained increased recognition through basketball player Klay Thompson, contributing to its sporty, dynamic image. As a given name, Klay remains relatively uncommon compared to Clay, appealing to parents seeking distinctive spellings of familiar names. The name's brevity and strong sound align with current preferences for short, powerful boys' names. Klay projects an image of strength and earthiness with a modern twist.
  16. Geordie

    • Origin:

      English demonym

    • Description:

      Though it looks, to the untrained American eye, like a yoonek spelling of Jordy, Geordie actually refers to people from Tyneside in Northeast England and the local dialect there. To give you a sense of what it implies to Brits, Geordie Shore is British MTV's long-running answer to Jersey Shore.
  17. Calisto

    • Description:

      Calisto is a masculine name derived from Greek mythology, where Callisto was a nymph who was transformed into the constellation Ursa Major. The masculine form shifts the mythological association while maintaining the celestial connection. The name comes from Greek 'kallistos' meaning 'most beautiful.' While the feminine form Callista is more common in English-speaking countries, Calisto offers a distinctive alternative for boys. The name carries an artistic, sophisticated quality with its classical roots and melodic sound. Popular in some Latin cultures, Calisto provides a unique option that balances exotic appeal with historical depth. Its connection to the stars gives it an aspirational, expansive quality that many parents find appealing.
  18. Verne

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "springlike"

    • Description:

      Verne is a masculine name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word 'vernus,' meaning 'spring-like' or 'flourishing.' This name gained recognition largely through the famous French author Jules Verne, known for pioneering science fiction works like 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and 'Journey to the Center of the Earth.'

  19. Rodolfo

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "bold wolf"

    • Description:

      Romanticizes Rudolph and distances the name from the red-nosed reindeer. After remaining steadily in the US Top 500 for much of the twentieth century, Rodolfo has been slipping of late.
  20. Reynard

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "powerful advice"

    • Description:

      Associated with Reynard the cunning fox in medieval European animal tales. Reynard can make an unusual yet historic choice for a modern boy, a modern day Richard or Robert.