Boy Names

  1. Angel
    • Origin:

      Spanish and English
    • Meaning:

      "angel, messenger"
    • Description:

      As a boys' name, Angel has two distinct name personalities. One is as a perennial favorite Hispanic boys’ name, popular in the US along with Spain, Mexico, and South America.
  2. Axel
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Absalom
    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"
    • Description:

      A classic in its native Scandinavia, Axel has a cool rock 'n' roll flavor in the US, thanks to Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose (born William). With its distinctive letter 'x', it has an effortlessly cool vibe about it, and is currently growing in popularity.
  3. Beowulf
    • Casper
      • Origin:

        Dutch form of Jasper, Persian
      • Meaning:

        "bringer of treasure"
      • Description:

        This ancient name, also spelled Caspar, is finally shedding its ghostly image and moving into the 21st century. Popular in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where it's sometimes shortened to Cas, Casper could ride the style coattails of cousin Jasper. Casper was one of the Three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus along with Melchior and Balthasar.
    • Devlin
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "unlucky"
      • Description:

        Devlin is an Irish name that's fresher and even more devilish than Devin.

        The earliest written record of this surname occurs in the thirteenth century, when an O'Devlin was appointed Bishop of Kells in 1211.

    • Drake
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "dragon; or, male duck"
      • Description:

        A simple one-syllable name that has been on the popularity list since the mid-1980s, Drake is most associated today with the single-named rapper (born Aubrey). The name peaked at Number 197 in 2010 and has since been on a slow decline, but it still can be counted among the stylish contemporary boy names starting with D.
    • Frost
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "freezing"
      • Description:

        Long heard as a last name, as in venerable poet Robert, U.K. talk show host David, British actress Sadie and old Jack Frost, Frost has suddenly entered the scene as a possible first, along with other seasonal weather names like Winter and Snow.
    • Hendrix
      • Origin:

        Dutch and German, from first name Hendrik
      • Meaning:

        "estate ruler"
      • Description:

        Hendrix is one of those hip rock and roll names, like Lennon, Jagger and Presley, that have been used by fellow celebs and others, to honor the seminal guitarist/singer/songwriter Jimi. And this one has the trendy 'x' ending, as well, helping to propel it up the charts and into the spotlight.
    • Iago
      • Origin:

        Welsh and Galician variation of James and Jacob
      • Description:

        Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello, was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.
    • Kaiser
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "Emperor"
      • Description:

        Kaiser, as in roll and Wilhelm, appeared for the first time on the US Top 1000 in 2017. It fits the two-syllable -er ending style that's all the rage, and it lends itself to the short form Kai. But we hope this Germanic version of what is essentially a title rather than a name doesn't keep rising on the charts.
    • Lazarus
      • Origin:

        Latinized Greek variation of Hebrew Eleazar
      • Meaning:

        "God is my helper"
      • Description:

        Lazarus is a name that looks as if it could possibly be raised from the dead, just like its biblical bearer. Look for it in the next wave of Old Testament revivals that transcend their long-bearded images, the way Noah, Moses, and Abraham have for this generation.
    • Lucian
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "light"
      • Description:

        Lucian is a sleeker, more sophisticated version of Lucius that is climbing in tandem with other Lu-starting names.
    • Massimo
      • Origin:

        Italian variation of Maximus
      • Meaning:

        "the greatest"
      • Description:

        Massimo is a Latin charmer, much more appealing than the old-fashioned Mario, and is a charismatic member of the Maximus/Magnus family.
    • 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.
    • Rex
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "king"
      • Description:

        Now that many dogs are named Max, it's safe to use this sleek, solid, regal name again for your child. And with the charm of its final x, its regal meaning, and its offbeat simplicity, Rex is definitely one to consider.
    • 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.
    • Stone
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        Though some may find such names rather harsh and severe, increasing numbers of parents are gravitating toward this kind of flinty, steely, stony single-syllable name.
    • Vladimir
      • Origin:

        Slavic
      • Meaning:

        "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
      • Description:

        Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov.
    • Wolfgang
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "traveling wolf"
      • Description:

        Chef Wolfgang Puck has helped soften this thunderous Germanic name; music-lovers will appreciate its association with Mozart, though the composer's middle name Amadeus is more appealing.