Favorite Boy Names

Just trying to find boy names I like!
  1. Ansel
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "with divine protection"
    • Description:

      Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a family name – he was named after his uncle, Ansel Easton. And, in turn, Adams was the namesake of young heartthrob Ansel Elgort, son of a photographer.
  2. Arlen
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "hare land"
    • Description:

      Arlen is a surname long used as a first name: It ranked on the US Top 1000 from the late 1920s until the late 1960s. Originally, Arlen was a variation of Harlan which came from Harland, a place-name which means "hare land" – a place with lots of rabbits. The name today is occasionally used for both genders, boys twice as often as girls. That may increase with the fashion for two-syllable n-ending boys' names.
  3. Atticus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Attica"
    • Description:

      Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
  4. Ascanio
    • Decimus
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "tenth"
      • Description:

        Decimus is one of the Roman numeral names used in large Victorian families--in this case for the tenth child. It is now seeing some new life thanks to the cutting-edge fashion for ancient Roman names.
    • Declan
      • Origin:

        Irish, meaning unknown, possible "man of prayer"
      • Meaning:

        "man of prayer"
      • Description:

        Declan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Deaglán. St. Declan was one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Ireland, preceding St. Patrick. Originally from Wales, he founded the monastery of Ardmore in Ireland.
    • Garcia
      • Origin:

        Spanish and Portuguese surname
      • Meaning:

        "bear"
      • Description:

        A possible hero name inspired by notables from Spanish poet/playwright Federico Garcia Lorca to writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez to the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.
    • Gentry
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "aristocracy"
      • Description:

        A distinctive surname that, despite its meaning, has a cowboy swagger, a la Autry.
    • Hugo
      • Origin:

        Latinized form of Hugh
      • Meaning:

        "mind, intellect"
      • Description:

        Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's backed up by lots of solid history and European style.
    • Huxley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "inhospitable place"
      • Description:

        Huxley is definitely rising as a surname name, with its X that makes almost any name cooler. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015. The modern nicknames Hux and Huck certainly don't hurt.
    • 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.
    • Mikhail
      • Origin:

        Russian variation of Michael
      • Meaning:

        "who is like God"
      • Description:

        One of the most familiar Russian names in the West, thanks to ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov and state head Mikhail Gorbachev.
    • Monty
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Montague, Montgomery
      • Description:

        Monty, a name with a World War II feel, is rarely used on its own. But we're hearing rumblings of a comeback and think that Monty, whatever it's short for, is an adorable vintage nickname name of the future.
    • Mordecai
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "follower of Marduk"
      • Description:

        Mordecai, although it has a noble heritage, has never caught on in this country, because of its rather weighty image.
    • Nolan
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "champion"
      • Description:

        The friendly and sporty feeling Nolan blends some of the best qualities of other popular boy names. With the gentle but energetic sounds of Noah, a hint of the classic Nicholas, and the cool, surname-style vibe of Greyson or Colton, it makes for a familiar and grounded choice.
    • Orlon
      • Prescott
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "priest's cottage"
        • Description:

          Prescott is one of several distinguished, upper-crusty surnames beginning with P.
      • Radley
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "red meadow"
        • Description:

          Radical Bradley.
      • Rafael
        • Origin:

          Spanish variation of Raphael
        • Meaning:

          "God has healed"
        • Description:

          Energetic, sunny, and slightly romantic, Rafael is a popular choice in Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. Used internationally, Rafael is a Spanish variation of Raphael, that lends itself easily to the nicknames Rafi, Rafa and Rafe.
      • Selwyn
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "manor friend"
        • Description:

          An old aristocratic English name which also belongs to Cambridge college, named for George Augustus Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand, subsequently Bishop of Lichfield.