15,000+ Two-Syllable Boy Names

  1. Brayden
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Irish surname Braden
    • Meaning:

      "salmon"
    • Description:

      Brayden is the top spelling of one of the epidemically popular rhyming cousins of Aiden, hitting the Top 100 in 2005.. It has dipped a bit recently, but is still widely used. Other popular spellings include Braden, Braeden, Braydon, Braiden, Braedon and Bradyn. Take your pick.
  2. Rafi
    • Origin:

      Arabic, diminutive of Rafiq; Spanish, diminutive of Rafael
    • Description:

      Most people will assoicate it with the well-known children's singer.
  3. Mario
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Marius, form of mythological name Mars
    • Meaning:

      "warlike"
    • Description:

      Many may associate Mario with the popular platform game - unsurprising when it's the 5th best-selling video game worldwide, and was voted the 2nd best game ever by IGN in 2024. The titular plumber was apparently named after American businessman, Mario Segale, who rented a warehouse to Nintendo, and this in itself reflects that Mario is much more established than just a name for a video game character.
  4. Keaton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "shed town"
    • Description:

      Keaton is an engaging surname with warmth, energy and a sense of humor, identified with silent comedian Buster Keaton and contemporary actors Michael and Diane Keaton. Although rare as a first name, a young Keaton would fit right in with classmates Keenan and Kellen.
  5. Sherlock
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "fair-haired"
    • Description:

      If ever there was a one-person name, it's probably Sherlock. But Sherlock Holmes the character has arguably never been hotter: he's been played by Robert Downey Jr., Ian McKellen, Jonny Lee Miller and, most memorably, Benedict Cumberbatch, in various film and TV adaptations over the last few years. So you never know.
  6. Helio
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "the sun"
    • Description:

      More familiar to English speakers in the Italian Elio form.
  7. Tully
    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "flood, peaceful; hill"
    • Description:

      Tully is a relaxed, rarely used Irish surname possibility which might provide an alternative to Tommy, Eli, or Troy. It has a long history of usage and a number of meanings, depending on which root you follow.
  8. Yanis
    • Origin:

      Greek, French, from Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      One of the relatives on the widely-branching family of John names, Yanis is in the French Top 50 and was a fast rising choice in the UK in 2022, when it went from being outside the Top 1000 to within the Top 700.
  9. Mingus
    • Origin:

      Scottish, variation of Menzies
    • Meaning:

      "tenants of a manor"
    • Description:

      Supermodel Helena Christensen named her son in honor of jazz great Charles Mingus, opening up a whole category of jazzy possibilities: Kenton, Calloway, Ellington, Gillespie, Mulligan, Tatum, and Thelonius.
  10. Bradley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "wide meadow"
    • Description:

      An English surname name, Bradley has a long history, dating way back to at least 1086, but as a first name it actually succeeded in the US before it reached England--though Dickens used it in his novel Our Mutual Friend. Bradley Cooper is one namesake.
  11. Boris
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "to fight"
    • Description:

      Boris is one of the old Russian names being revived by chic Europeans; it hasn't quite made a comeback yet in the U.S., but it does have potential.
  12. Tommy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thomas
    • Meaning:

      "twin"
    • Description:

      A surprising number of parents choose to put the nickname Tommy on their son's birth certificate rather than the more traditional Thomas. Perhaps even more surprising is thE fact that Tommy has never been off the United States popularity charts. More recently, however, the name has been trending downward.
  13. Tayo
    • Origin:

      Yoruba, African
    • Meaning:

      "worth joy"
    • Description:

      Tayo, also written as Táyò in Yoruba, is a name that sounds as joyful as its meaning.
  14. Ruben
    • Origin:

      Dutch; German; French; Italian, Polish; Swedish; Norwegian; Danish; Armenian, from Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "behold, a son"
    • Description:

      The streamlined Ruben is much more popular than the original Biblical Hebrew version in the US.
  15. Radley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "red meadow"
    • Description:

      Radical Bradley.
  16. Erik
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Eric, Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler"
    • Description:

      While substituting a C for a K is a modern trend, Erik is in fact the traditional spelling of the name, derived from the Old Norse Eiríkr and introduced to the English speaking world in the Anglo-Saxon period. Now, Erik is popular in Scandinavia and throughout much of Central and Eastern Europe, where it ranks in the Top 100 in Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, and more.
  17. Allen
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "handsome, cheerful"
    • Description:

      Allen is the spelling of this name -- other common spellings are Alan and Allan -- most associated with the surname; it might also be the most appropriate if you're trying to steer clear of Al as a nickname, as this can easily offer you Len or Lenny as options.
  18. Tobin
    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Tobias
    • Meaning:

      "God is good"
    • Description:

      Tobias-related name that makes an attractive and modern-sounding form of the biblical original. It was recently chosen by Karolina Kurkova for her son.
  19. Maven
    • Origin:

      American word name or Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "one who understands"
    • Description:

      In English, a maven can be defined as an expert or connoisseur. Maven feels more nameworthy than some other word choices given its similarity to names like Raven and Haven.
  20. Errol
    • Origin:

      Scottish, spelling variation of Earl
    • Description:

      Errol was a swashbuckling name in the Errol Flynn era, which still has a trace of jazz cool.m thanks to jazz pianist Erroll Garner.