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Hipster, dignified boy names

annie56
By annie56
Updated Mon May 22 2023
  1. Bodhi

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "awakening, enlightenment"

    • Description:

      Bodhi is a Sanskrit name translated as "enlightenment" or "awakening" which relates to a Buddhist concept, wherein Bodhi is synonymous with the state of nirvana, being freed from hate, greed and ego. The Bodhi tree is a large fig tree under which the founder of Buddhism received enlightenment. Spelling variations include Bodie and Bode.
  2. Beckett

    • Origin:

      English and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "bee hive, little brook or bee cottage"

    • Description:

      Beckett is one of the big baby name hits of the decade.
  3. Jonah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "dove"

    • Description:

      Jonah, the name of the Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by the whale, only to emerge unharmed three days later, is increasingly appreciated by parents looking for a biblical name less common than Jacob or Joshua, yet not too obscure. Plus, Jonah comes with a ready-made nursery-decorating motif.
  4. Rooney

    • Origin:

      English or Gaelic surname

    • Meaning:

      "descendent of the champion"

    • Description:

      Rooney is one of many bouncy Irish surnames that could make an agreeable first, once tied to Mickey Rooney (who was actually born Joseph Yule) in his young and spunky Andy Hardy period.
  5. Amos

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "carried by God"

    • Description:

      Amos is a robust biblical name that's being discovered by a new generation of parents in a major way.
  6. Harlan

    • Origin:

      German and English

    • Meaning:

      "rocky land"

    • Description:

      Pleasant but uninspired surname name somewhat connected to writers Ellison and Coben. After three decades off the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2013, maybe because it's an unusual example of the trendy class of two-syllable n-ending boys’ names. Kevin Harlan is an NFL, NBA, and college basketball announcer for TV and radio.
  7. Oren

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "laurel or pine tree"

    • Description:

      Soft and sensitive name often heard in Israel.
  8. Eero

    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Eric

    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler"

    • Description:

      Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
  9. Eamon

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Edmund

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy protector"

    • Description:

      Eamon is one of the traditional Irish names that has not yet emigrated to the US. This Irish name pronounced ay-mon was popularized by early president of the independent republic Eamon de Valera (birth name George), who was born in the United States to an Irish mother and a Cuban father. Eamon definitely has possibilities as a successor to the epidemically popular Aidan/Aiden.
  10. Anders

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Friendly, unusual, but a decidedly Old Country version of Andrew and one of the classic Scandinavian names. It made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2006 and then reentered in 2010. Its rising popularity could be attributed to the interest in Anderson, which has been gaining steadily over the last fifteen years.

      Trivia tidbits: The patronymic Andersson is the second most popular surname in Sweden, and in Denmark, Donald Duck is called Anders.

  11. Thatcher

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "roof thatcher"

    • Description:

      Thatcher is an open and friendly freckle-faced surname, fresher sounding than Tyler or Taylor, that dates back to the days of thatched-roof cottages. It is catching on with modern parents—it reached the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
  12. Wiley

    • Origin:

      Scottish diminutive of William, German, English

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection; from Wylye"

    • Description:

      Wiley is a perfectly appropriate way to spell the Scottish name also known as Wylie. Given all the babies named William and Liam today, Wiley or Wylie can be a wonderful variation that's more distinctive but still honors Grandpa Bill. Wiley might also be considered an Attitude Name, given that its other meaning lends it a lot of sass.
  13. Ellery

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Hilary"

    • Description:

      Ellery is a rhythmic three-syllable boy's name that is familiar and yet rarely used--and just waiting to be discovered. It's long been identified with Ellery Queen--which was both the pen name of two cousins, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee, and the detective they created.
  14. Rylan

    • Origin:

      English and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "Rye land"

    • Description:

      Parents seeking alternatives to popular Ryan have flocked to this soundalike name, which peaked at #146 in 2011. Blending in elements of Nolan and Riley too, it remains in the US Top 500, and is given to around 850 babies each year.
  15. Anson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Anne"

    • Description:

      Anson has always been rare, though you might think of actor Anson Williams, best known for playing Potsie Weber on 1970s sitcom Happy Days. As a direct result of the show's popularity, Anson charted in the US Top 1000 from 1976 to 1981.
  16. Koen

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Coenraad

    • Meaning:

      "bold advisor"

    • Description:

      A short form popular in the Netherlands, though in the U.S. Koen and Coen are easily confused with Cohen, the Jewish surname meaning "priest" which has recently gained currency as a first name. The Dutch pronunciation is more like "coon."
  17. Abbott

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "father"

    • Description:

      Abbott is a neglected masculine surname with religious overtones as the head of a monastery. Though the feminine nickname Abby could be a slight drawback, Abbott is still an attractive offbeat possibility.
  18. Edson

    • Description:

      Edson is a masculine name of English origin, meaning "son of Edward" or "Edward's son." The name gained international recognition through the Brazilian soccer legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, whose first name helped popularize Edson in Brazil and beyond. In English-speaking countries, it has remained relatively uncommon but recognized. Edson carries a distinguished, somewhat vintage quality while still feeling accessible. The name has consistent but modest usage in the United States, appealing to parents who appreciate its historical roots and straightforward pronunciation. With its connection to the name Edward (meaning "wealthy guardian"), Edson inherits associations with strength and protection.

  19. Lynden

    • Description:

      Lynden is a masculine name with English and Scottish origins, derived from Old English elements meaning 'linden tree hill' or 'lime tree valley.' It began as a surname indicating someone who lived near linden trees before transitioning to use as a first name. Lynden offers a nature-based alternative to more common names like Lyndon or Brandon while maintaining a similar sound. The spelling variant with 'y' rather than 'i' gives it a slightly more distinctive appearance. Though not widely used, Lynden has maintained consistent if modest usage since the mid-20th century. The name carries associations with nature, stability, and English countryside traditions, appealing to parents seeking a name with subtle botanical connections and a gentle masculine quality.
  20. Cabot

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "to sail"

    • Description:

      Cabot is an attractive English surname associated with the daring early Italian-born British explorer known as John Cabot; his birth name was Giovanni Caboto.