the ultimate boys name list

  1. Gavriel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is my strength"
    • Description:

      An Israeli place-name as well as being the Hebrew form of Gabriel.
  2. Carver
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "wood carver"
    • Description:

      Carver is an occupational name with an artistic bent, associated with wood carving predominantly, though it could also be linked to those who carve from stone, marble, ice, and pumpkins. More familiar that the equally arty Painter, but fresher than the 90s style Carter, Carver has received more interest in recent years.
  3. Benny
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Benjamin, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the right hand"
    • Description:

      Benny is 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 music producer Benny Blanco and bandleader Benny Goodman and comedian Benny Hill. The name has a friendly, approachable quality that grows up nicely into Ben.
  4. Lake
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
  5. Lazaro
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Lazarus and Eleazar
    • Meaning:

      "God is my helper"
    • Description:

      This sleek Italian name was raised from the dead by Mexican Mozart in the Jungle star Gael Garcia Bernal, who chose it for his son (he also has a daughter named Libertad). For athletic inspiration, Lazaro Alvarez, boxing for Cuba, is the three-time world champion lightweight boxer. Lazarus and root name Eleazar are both also destined for comebacks.
  6. Spiro
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "I breathe"
    • Description:

      Grandparents are sure to link this to disgraced Nixon vice president Spiro Agnew.
  7. Oakes
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "near the oaks"
    • Description:

      One part nature name, one part surname name. Oakes gives you the best of both worlds.
  8. Crane
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "crane"
    • Description:

      This elegant surname has great potential to turn into an unusual first name, especially with its literary associations to both Stephen and Hart Crane.
  9. Hughie
    • Description:

      Hughie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Hugh, which comes from the Germanic name 'Hugo,' meaning 'mind' or 'intellect.' This affectionate nickname-turned-given-name carries a friendly, approachable quality that has made it endearing across generations. While never reaching the heights of popularity that Hugh achieved, Hughie has maintained a consistent presence, especially in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of England. The name experienced modest popularity in the early 20th century but has since become less common, giving it a vintage charm. In recent years, the character Hughie Campbell from the television series 'The Boys' has brought some renewed attention to this warm, unpretentious name.

  10. Amadeo
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "lover of God"
    • Description:

      Amadeo and Amedeo are both valid Italian forms of the Roman Amadeus, most famous as the middle name of the composer Mozart as well as the title of a movie about him. Mozart's name was actually the Greek Theophilus, but he transformed it to the Latin version. Amadeo is also used in Spain, where it was the name of a 19th century king who was born in Italy.
  11. Bartleby
    • Origin:

      English surname, probably related to Bartholomew
    • Meaning:

      "son of the furrow"
    • Description:

      Bartleby (that's his last name) the Scrivener is a famous Herman Melville character whose surprisingly powerful refrain was, "I would prefer not to." Or, in the immortal words of any two-year-old: No.
  12. Justus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "just"
    • Description:

      More unusual than Justin, less word-like than Justice, this New Testament name could make an intriguing choice. After being off the popularity lists from 1904 to 1993, it is now being used in steady numbers.
  13. 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.
  14. Morton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "town near the moor"
    • Description:

      An English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses, but hardly heard since th 1950s.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.'

  17. Buckley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of the deer"
    • Description:

      Mama's boy.
  18. 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.
  19. Neely
    • Origin:

      Short form of Cornelius, Neal, or McNeilly
    • Meaning:

      "horn; cloud; son of the poet"
    • Description:

      A nickname style name, Neely could derive from the strong, elegant Cornelius, as an elaboration of Neal or Neil, or as a variation of the Scottish surname McNeilly, with the cool meaning "son of the poet".
  20. Garrison
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Garret"
    • Description:

      As Harrison is to Harry, Garrison is to Gary: both of the longer versions sound more modern and appealing. NPR's Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor was born Gary.

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