Boy Names

  1. Aalto
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "wave"
    • Description:

      The last name of Finnish moderne designer/architect makes an original, creative choice with an unexpected water-related meaning.
  2. Ajax
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Description:

      Ajax was the strong and courageous Greek hero featured in Homer's "Iliad," known as Ajax the Great. But it's also the name of a foaming cleanser, and if you find that reference too strong, you might try the shortened Jax instead.
  3. Angus
    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Aonghus, Aonghas, Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "one strength"
    • Description:

      Angus is a traditional yet stylish choice in the UK, especially in Scotland. And it's a cool choice for US parents too, particularly those whose roots go back to Glasgow. The ancient Celtic form Oenghus has important historical overtones in Scotland, and the Gaelic form Aonghas is associated with two distinguished modern poets. In Irish folklore, Angus Og is a chieftain-lord who used his magical powers for the pleasure and prosperity of mankind--and in Irish myth, Aonghus was the god of love and youth.
  4. Arlo
    • Origin:

      Irish or English
    • Meaning:

      "between two hills"
    • Description:

      Quirky cool Arlo is now well and truly back. Last year it broke into the US Top 200 boy names and consistently ranks among the most popular boy names on Nameberry.
  5. Arto
    • Atlas
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "bearer of the heavens"
      • Description:

        Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
    • Atticus
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "from Attica"
      • Description:

        Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
    • Julian
      • Origin:

        English from Latin, variation of Julius
      • Meaning:

        "youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"
      • Description:

        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 Julian is a rising star.
    • Maddox
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "son of Madoc"
      • Description:

        Maddox, a previously obscure Welsh family name with a powerfully masculine image, suddenly came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie chose it for her son in 2003. By the following year it was in the middle of the Top 1000, and it has risen since.
    • Magnus
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian from Latin
      • Meaning:

        "greatest"
      • Description:

        Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning "greatest," that has a Scandinavian feel. It dates back to Charlemagne being called Carolus Magnus, or Charles the Great. Norwegian king Magnus I, named after Charlemagne, introduced it to his culture, and thus Magnus was the name of six early kings of Norway and four of Sweden. It is still a highly popular name in Denmark and Norway.
    • Odin
      • Origin:

        Variation of Óðinn, Old Norse
      • Meaning:

        "god of frenzy; poetic fury"
      • Description:

        Odin is the name of the supreme Norse god of art, culture, wisdom, and law — who was handsome, charming, and eloquent into the bargain. The name projects a good measure of strength and power and has excellent assimilation potential.
    • Onni
      • Origin:

        Finnish
      • Meaning:

        "happiness, luck"
      • Description:

        Onni is the Number 1 boy's name in Finland yet largely unknown in the English-speaking world. Its uplifting meaning makes it a plausible possibility if you want to honor your Nordic heritage.
    • Osias
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "salvation"
      • Description:

        Osias has a Latinate and biblical feel without making an appearance in the Bible. The related Ozias, on the other hand, is a form of Uzziah, found in the Greek and Latin Old Testament, and could make a distinctive path to the nickname Oz or Ozzie--both far cooler, in our opinion, than Oswald.
    • Otto
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "wealthy"
      • Description:

        Otto is cool again. Long a quintessential Old Man Name, Otto has been promoted to trending darling of adventurous baby namers.
    • Paavo
      • Origin:

        Finnish variation of Paul
      • Description:

        This international variation deserves its own listing for a winning combination of distinctiveness and simplicity.
    • Ragnar
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "warrior or judgment"
      • Description:

        An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar. Ragnar Lodbrok (meaning "shaggy pants") was a legendary warrior whose story was told in the Viking sagas. Ragnar also recalls name of the Norse Judgment Day, Ragnarök.
    • Rasmus
      • Origin:

        Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus
      • Meaning:

        "beloved, desired"
      • Description:

        A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and uplifting meaning, Rasmus seems prime for use. The Rasmus is a Finnish rock band.
    • 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.
    • Soren
      • Origin:

        Danish, Norwegian
      • Meaning:

        "stern"
      • Description:

        This gentle Scandinavian name, soft and sensitive, is being discovered in a major way by parents in the US. It's most closely identified with the nineteenth century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, but there have been modern fictional Sorens as well, in The Matrix Reloaded and the book series Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Charlie and Lola, and Underworld.
    • Stellen
      • Origin:

        Swedish, variation of Stellan, meaning unknown
      • Description:

        More usually spelled Stellan, this is a possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany.