Possible Boy List
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- Abel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"breath"Description:
Abel, the name of Adam and Eve's unfortunate younger son, compensates with positive connotations: capable, competent, ready and willing.
- Adair
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"oak tree ford"Description:
Adair has flair, the grace of a Fred Astaire. It's a Scottish surname which came from the first name Edgar.
- Alaric
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"all-powerful ruler"Description:
Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
- Alasdair
Origin:
Scottish variation of AlexanderMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
In this country, more recognizable with the Alistair spelling.
- Alistair
Origin:
English spelling of Alasdair, Scottish version of AlexanderMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
With many British names invading the Yankee name pool, the sophisticated Alistair could and should be part of the next wave. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016. You have a triple choice with this name--the British spell it Alistair or Alastair, while the Scots prefer Alasdair--but they're all suave Gaelic versions of Alexander. Adopted by the lowland Scots by the seventeenth century, the name didn't become popular outside Scotland and Ireland until the twentieth century.
- Aloysius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"famous warrior"Description:
This name is a classic example of an underused golden oldie that ticks so many boxes - unusual yet traditional, heaps of cute nicknames, a statement name that exudes retro cool. Aloysius is the Latin form of many more common names like Louis, Luis, Luigi and the uncommon but symphonically familiar Ludwig.
- Alphonse
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"noble, ready for battle"Description:
Rarely used, and for good reason. Alonzo is a preferable choice.
- Archer
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"bowman"Description:
Archer is an Anglo-Saxon surname that feels more modern than most because of its on-target occupational and Hunger Games associations. And it's a nice way to bypass the clunky Archibald to get to the cool nickname Archie.
- Aristotle
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"superior"Description:
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophy inclined American ones.
- Atticus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Auberon
Origin:
English, French, GermanMeaning:
"elf ruler, bright elf; noble bear"Description:
Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.
- Balthazar
Origin:
PhoenicianMeaning:
"Baal protects the King"Description:
This evocative name of one of the Three Wise Men of the Orient, also spelled Balthasar, may finally be ready for prime time. Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar were the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, though their names were not mentioned in the Bible.
- Benjamin
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"son of the right hand"Description:
Benjamin is a biblical name that has enjoyed widespread favor for decades, ranking in the US Top 50 for almost half a century and the Top 10 from 2015 until 2023.
- Benjen
- Callum
Origin:
Scottish form of Columba, LatinMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Callum, a charming Scottish name high on the list in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is rising through the ranks in the US now too. And it comes complete with the easy nickname Cal.
- Carlisle
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the walled city"Description:
This stuffy English surname and hotel name took on Twilight cool when attached to vampire Carlisle Cullen. Inspired by the character, it's more popular in this spelling than as Carlyle and more widely used for boys than for girls.
- Carmichael
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"fort of Michael"Description:
Most parents would prefer to leave the car part parked in the garage.
- Cassius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"hollow"Description:
Cassius, a Shakespearean name rooted in antiquity, is trending in a major way. It's one of a raft of Cas-starting names for both boys and girls, including Caspian, Cassian, and Cassia, that are enjoying a new moiment in the sun.
- Castiel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my cover is God"Description:
Castiel, which vaulted into the Top 1000 on the wings of the angel hero of the television show Supernatural, is the name of the Angel of the day Thursday. It may also derive some appeal from the newly-fashionable "Cas" syllable, as in Cassian and Cassius.
- Constantine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"steadfast"Description:
This Roman Emperor's name has long been considered too grand for an American boy. But in this era of children named Augustine and Atticus, it just may be prime for an unlikely comeback.