Boys Names

  1. Killian
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "war strife or church"
    • Description:

      Killian – aka Cillian – is a spirited yet resonant Gaelic name that was borne by several Irish saints and could make a distinctive replacement for the dated Kelly. Kylian is another spelling that's gaining traction, thanks to French soccer star Kylian Mbappé. Possible downsides: an unsavory first syllable and a connection to the trendy brew.
  2. Lennon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "lover"
    • Description:

      A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.
  3. Lennox
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "elm grove"
    • Description:

      Lennox is an aristocratic and powerful Scottish surname name made truly special by that final x. The worldwide fame of British boxer--World and Olympic champion--Lennox Claudius Lewis brought the name into the spotlight as a first name, while as a last it's tied to Eurythmics singer Annie L.
  4. Leon
    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Leo
    • Meaning:

      "lion"
    • Description:

      Currently overshadowed by the bright and lively Leo, Leon feels a slightly more serious, more quietly confident than its short and trending counterpart.
  5. Linden
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lyndon
    • Meaning:

      "linden tree hill"
    • Description:

      The graceful, natural image of the verdant shade tree transcends any connection with President Johnson.
  6. Monte
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Montgomery, Norman, Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "man power; mountain"
    • Description:

      Monte, pronounced with two syllables as brother Monty, is an old-fashioned nickname-name that's reclaiming a certain amount of dash and charm. It was recently chosen by actor Guy Pearce--which may signal a comeback.
  7. Navarro
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "from Navarre"
    • Description:

      Dashing surname for the Basque kingdom.
  8. Ogden
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the oak valley"
    • Description:

      Rarely used surname, associated with humorous poet Ogden Nash.
  9. Olin
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, English
    • Meaning:

      "ancestor, to inherit, legacy; from the low-lying land"
    • Description:

      Distinctive yet familiar, Olin is both a Scandinavian name and an English surname. Currently a rare choice, yet reminiscent of popular options, like Oliver, Orion, and Colin.
  10. Olwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white footprint"
    • Description:

      Olwyn is a popular Welsh name that might be an alternative to the more familiar Bronwen or Rhonwen -- though in Wales the female form is usually spelled -wen and the male one -wyn.
  11. Ossian
    • Origin:

      Old Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little deer"
    • Description:

      Ossian, or Osian, from the Old Irish name Oisin, was the son of Finn in Irish legend that was transformed into a Scottish hero in the Ossianic poems of James Macpherson in the eighteenth century--which also popularlized Oscar, Fingal, Selma and Malvina.
  12. Oswin
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "God's friend"
    • Description:

      Ancient name, near obsolete now, but could make a good alternative to Owen for the adventurous baby namer.
  13. Payson
    • Origin:

      English, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Surname-sounding unisex cousin of Peyton is gaining in popularity, especially for girls.
  14. Rainhardt
    • Description:

      Rainhardt is a masculine name of Germanic origin, representing a variant spelling of Reinhardt or Reinhard. The name combines the Germanic elements 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong,' creating a name that essentially means 'strong in counsel' or 'brave decision-maker.' Most common in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, this spelling variation adds a distinctive touch to the traditional name. Rainhardt carries associations of strength, wisdom, and nobility from medieval Germanic traditions. Though not widely used internationally, it offers a robust historical option for parents seeking a name with authentic Germanic roots and powerful meaning while being recognizable enough for international use.
  15. Raven
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Make that bird name, and while it does work for both genders, it's far more popular for girls, via Raven Symone.
  16. Reed
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"
    • Description:

      A slim, elegant, silvery surname, Reed could be a banker or a sculptor, and therein lies the appeal of this simple yet distinctive name. The versatile Reed can be seen as a grass-like nature name and a musical name.
  17. Roper
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "rope maker"
    • Description:

      Cowboyish occupational name that's one of the hottest choices below the Top 1000, increasing in rank more than 5000 places since the year 2000. Roper may not be a unique choice much longer.
  18. Salem
    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name or Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "safe"
    • Description:

      Salem is a Biblical place name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem, as well as the Massachusetts town famous for its late 17th century witch trials. Salem is also a popular first name in its own right throughout the Arabic world.
  19. Salix
    • Origin:

      Latin, botanical name
    • Description:

      An unusual name related to the willow family.
  20. Torin
    • Origin:

      Irish, Spanish, French
    • Meaning:

      "little chief, little hill, mound; holding fast; bull"
    • Description:

      Though it has a Scandinavian ring (a la Thorfinn), Torin is in fact a multicultural choice, an occasional feature in the UK Top 1000, and given to around 150 boys in the US each year. Connected to nature, power, and astrology, it is a distinctive yet trendy sounding choice.