Favorite Boy Names

  1. Colton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the coal or dark town"
    • Description:

      Colton is a trendy two-syllable choice, with the popular 'on/en' ending.
  2. Teddy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodore or Edward
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God or wealthy guardian"
    • Description:

      Teddy is in some ways one of those midcentury boys' nicknames -- like Jimmy or Bobby or Billy -- yet because it was never that popular, it feels timeless too. The preferred short form of Theodore these days may be Theo and of Edward may be....Edward, but Teddy can work adorably for either and grows up to Ted. And of course, let's not forget the inevitable teddy bear.
  3. Cian
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "ancient"
    • Description:

      A handsome Irish name for boys, very popular in that country, but in the US this traditional spelling might cause pronunciation problems. Still, whether Cian or Kian, it's simple and straightforward enough for the initiated. Cian is rising in the British popularity charts.
  4. Taylor
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "tailor"
    • Description:

      Taylor was much more popular throughout the 1990s for both genders than it is today. Close to the Top 50 boys' names in the mid-1990s, Taylor recently fell out of the Top 500 for boys and out of the Top 100 for girls, and is predicted to continue on a downward trajectory for both genders. Similar but more stylish baby names today include Sawyer, Sayer and Thayer.
  5. Tyler
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "maker of tiles"
    • Description:

      The presidential Tyler rocketed up popularity charts in the late 1980s and early 1990s (it ranked Number 9 for that entire decade), along with cousin Taylor, becoming almost pandemic across the land-- and to make matters more confusing, both (especially Taylor) have been used for girls as well.
  6. Morgan
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "sea-born, sea-song or sea-circle"
    • Description:

      Morgan, once split evenly between the sexes, is a strong and attractive Welsh favorite, still a common boys’ name in Wales. Morgan is now more often a girls' name in the U.S. – about 2000 girls were given the name in one recent year, vs. 362 boys – though it's one of the most traditional unisex choices. Morgan was actually a Top 200 pick for boys in Victorian Britain!
  7. Ryder
    • Origin:

      British surname
    • Meaning:

      "cavalryman, messenger"
    • Description:

      Ryder, one of the current favorite er-ending boys’ names, has been in the spotlight since Kate Hudson and her rocker husband Chris Robinson chose it for their son in 2004. Very popular in several provinces of Canada, Ryder was chosen by John Leguzamo for his son and adorns Boy Meets World star Ryder Strong.
  8. Brody
    • Origin:

      Irish, English, and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "broad eye or broad island"
    • Description:

      The energetic Brody is a name that claims different meanings and origins depending on whether you're looking at its Irish, Scottish, or English history -- and Eastern Europeans claim a version too. An alternate spelling is Brodie.
  9. Garrett
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Gerard
    • Meaning:

      "spear strength"
    • Description:

      Garrett, also spelled with one 't', is an Irish-inflected name that was in the Top 100 in the nineties, but has now slipped in popularity.
  10. Julius
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded"
    • Description:

      Immortal through its association with the ancient Caesar (it was his clan name), Julius may still lag behind Julian, but is definitely starting to make a comeback, and in fact feels more cutting edge, in line with the current trend for Latin -us endings.
  11. Kellen
    • Origin:

      German; Irish
    • Meaning:

      "swamp; slender"
    • Description:

      Kellen is German in origin and Irish in spirit. Kellen has fallen a bit in popularity for boys since its peak in 2012, but it has possibilities for girls too. In fact, Kellen's similarity to such feminine names as Helen, Ellen, and Kelly makes it feel more unisex or even female, though Twilight actor Kellan Lutz has done much to popularize this name for boys.
  12. Keith
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "wood"
    • Description:

      Strong but gentle, Keith is one of the Scottish surnames that, along with Douglas, Craig and Bruce, were considered the epitome of cool in the 1960s and early 1970s, when it was a Top 40 choice.
  13. Alastair
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "defender of men"
    • Description:

      To Americans, a quintessential British name, introduced to the U.S. public by suave journalist/PBS Masterpiece Theater host Alastair Cook. Sometimes used in the U.S. by parents with Scottish heritage.
  14. Vance
    • Origin:

      English and Irish
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives near marshland"
    • Description:

      Short and sharp with a nature related meaning, Vance was trending upwards in recent years thanks to the musicians Foy Vance and Vance Joy. 2024 saw it take a downwards dip however, likely due to its association with the vice president, JD Vance, a controversial association which it might not recover from for a while. Time, however, will tell.
  15. Travis
    • Origin:

      French occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "tollgate-keeper"
    • Description:

      Has a laid-back rural feel some would associate with country singer Travis Tritt; Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon chose it for their son. Travis Scott, born Jacques Webster Jr., a popular rap artist, is another famous Travis.
  16. Indigo
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "Indian dye"
    • Description:

      Indigo is one of the most appealing and evocative of the new generation of color names. Color names have joined flower and jewel names -- in a big way -- and Indigo, a deep blue-purple dye from plants native to India, is particularly striking for both girls and boys. Although most people don't think of it like this, Indigo might also be considered among the most stylish Greek baby names in use today. Some cultural references: The Indigo Girls are a folk duo, 'Mood Indigo' is a classic Duke Ellington jazz composition, and there is a 1970's New Age theory that Indigo children possess special, sometimes supernatural abilities. Indigo is the name of a character in the Ntozake Shange novel Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, and was used for his daughter by Lou Diamond Phillips.
  17. Omar
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "flourishing, thriving; eloquent"
    • Description:

      A multicultural choice with an appealing open O sound, Omar blends stately strength with familiarity. Also transcribed as Umar, it is a popular choice among Muslim families and features in the name charts across the globe.
      Long associated with the twelfth-century Persian poet, Omar Khayyam, Omar derives from the Arabic umr meaning "life", though is typically interpreted as meaning "flourishing, thriving" and "long living", making it an aspirational choice. In Islamic tradition, Omar (or Umar) was the second caliph (a religious ruler) and companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
  18. Niall
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "cloud"
    • Description:

      Niall is pronounced nye-al--something like Neil, but this Irish spelling of the name makes it much more current and cool.
  19. Edgar
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "wealthy spearman"
    • Description:

      Edgar is an Old English name historically associated with the tenth century English king known as Edgar the Peaceful. There was also a King Edgar of Scotland.
  20. Sterling
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "of the highest quality"
    • Description:

      A name with some sterling qualities, most associated with the British currency and silver markets, though it could easily be seen as a virtue-adjacent choice, like Merit, Chosen, or Hero. It has been a rising star in the US in recent years, appearing in the Top 400 in the latest count, when it was given to 880 boys.

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