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Favourite Boys names

  1. Everest

    • Origin:

      Place-name, world's tallest mountain

    • Meaning:

      "from Évreux"

    • Description:

      This twist on the popular Everett takes it to lofty heights and gives it a geographical and nature-inspired link. The snow-capped Everest could make a name that stands out without feeling too out there, and it may be seen more often in the classroom (that is, outside of the textbooks) in coming years.
  2. Fox

    • Origin:

      Animal name

    • Description:

      Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.
  3. Dexter

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dyer, right-handed"

    • Description:

      The jazzy, ultra-cool Dexter, like most names with an "x," has a lot of energy and dynamism.
  4. Xerxes

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "hero among heroes"

    • Description:

      The two X's may be a challenge for even the most intrepid baby namer. Xerxes was the name of two early kings of Persia and the Handel opera Serse or Xerxes is loosely based on Xerxes I.
  5. Pierce

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Piers"

    • Description:

      Actor Pierce Brosnan brings a strong helping of charm to this name. Pierce was actually a popular name long before Mr. Brosnan came along, from 1880 to the end of the 1930s.
  6. Dallas

    • Origin:

      Place name, surname and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "meadow dwelling, valley house, skilled"

    • Description:

      A laid-back cowboy name which feels both cool and gentle, Dallas has ranked in the US Top 500 since records began in 1880. Never super popular but surprisingly never out of style, Dallas is given to nearly 1400 boys in the US every year.
  7. Ocean

    • Origin:

      English, nature name

    • Meaning:

      "ocean"

    • Description:

      Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents. In 2024, it was given to 483 boys and 325 girls, making this a unisex favorite in the US, while in the UK, it is considerably more popular for girls.
  8. Cairo

    • Origin:

      Egyptian place-name, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "the conqueror, the victorious"

    • Description:

      Cairo is an exciting place name possibility with upbeat o ending and an on-trend first syllable. Debuting in the US Top 1000 in 2015, it has been climbing ever since, and, as of 2023, it is given to more than 1000 babies each year.
  9. Blaze

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "fire"

    • Description:

      Originally a form of the saint's name Blaise, though now more likely to be a hot word name used for both sexes, though heavily weighted toward the boys. It has been in the boys' Top 1000 since the year 2000. On the pop culture side of things, Blaze Bayley is a singer and musician who has been connected to the bands Wolfsbane and Iron Maiden.
  10. Slade

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the valley"

    • Description:

      Evoking the image of a shady glen, Slade could make a distinctive middle name. It entered the Top 1000 in 2007, and has been seen as a character name on the TV show "Smallville." It's also a name that pops up in comic books and video games.
  11. Tucker

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "fabric pleater"

    • Description:

      Tucker has more spunk than most last-name-first-names, and also a positive, comforting ("Tuck me in, Mommy") feel.
  12. Aspen

    • Origin:

      Nature and place-name

    • Meaning:

      "a poplar tree that quakes in the breeze"

    • Description:

      As trendy as the chic Colorado ski resort, with a hint of whimsy from the shimmering trees, Aspen has been climbing the charts for boys since the early 90s. While it has always been more popular for girls, it could work for a boy too.
  13. Forest

    • Origin:

      French occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "woodsman or woods"

    • Description:

      The Forest variation of Forrest, used by actor Whitaker, nudges the meaning more toward the woods and away from the woodsman.
  14. Todd

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fox"

    • Description:

      A 1970s beach boy surfing buddy of Scott, Brad, and Chad, Todd is given to relatively few babies these days.
  15. Cedar

    • Origin:

      English and French from Latin tree name

    • Meaning:

      "cedar tree"

    • Description:

      Cedar is, like Ash, Oak, Pine and Ebony, one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider; this one is particularly aromatic.
  16. Howie

    • Description:

      Howie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Howard, though it's now often used as an independent given name. Howard derives from the Old Norse name Hávarðr, meaning "high or chief guardian." Howie carries a friendly, approachable quality typical of nicknames ending with the -ie suffix. The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, aligning with the success of figures like musician Howie Day and television host Howie Mandel. While retaining a certain boyish charm, Howie has declined in usage in recent decades, giving it a distinctive retro quality that might appeal to parents looking for a friendly, unpretentious name with historical roots.

  17. Pharaoh

    • Origin:

      Egyptian, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "ruler"

    • Description:

      Kaiser, Rex, Kingsley, and Prince have become increasingly popular in recent years and Pharaoh is one of the more unexpected members of this regal family of names. Used as the title of ancient Egyptian rulers, it was also given to more than 200 babies in 2019.
  18. King

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "monarch"

    • Description:

      King is a name that sends a mixed message. While some might think of it as more fitting for a canine, others see it as a strong name with offbeat style and a full court of rich associations, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis.

      King Vidor was an important early Hollywood director; King Camp Gillette invented the safety razor.

      If it's king names you're after that aren't King itself, see our list of Names with Royal Meanings or other lists and blogs on royal names.
  19. West

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      West is the most fashionable of what you might call the direction names, with North and East (or Easton and Easter) coming up behind, and South not yet on the map.
  20. Kato

    • Origin:

      African, Uganda

    • Meaning:

      "second of twins"

    • Description:

      Kato gained a lot of attention during the O. J. Simpson trial via witness Kato Kaelin (born Brian). It is also the name of a fictional character in "The Green Hornet." Spelled Cato, it has a lot more credibility as an ancient name.