the ultimate list of boy names

  1. Wesley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "western meadow"
    • Description:

      Reminiscent of the Old West, with rugged charm and a gentle, easy-going feel, Wesley has long been a staple on the US charts.
  2. Weston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from the western town"
    • Description:

      Weston has gone from being a Jane Austenish British surname to a first name with a relaxed American western cowboy feel. Along with other trendy 'n'-ending boys’ names, Weston is rising in popularity, and is now more popular than ever, ranking in the Top 100 since 2021.
  3. Wilbur
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "resolute, brilliant"
    • Description:

      Wilbur is a stylish name in the UK whose merits are just starting to be discovered in the US. Wilbur, the loveable pig who Charlotte of the Web called Some Pig, is an inspirational hero. And Wilbur and Orville Wright were early aviationists.
  4. William
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      William is one of the most enduring of classic names for boys. It's also among the most popular boys' names, as American parents see it as being ideally conservative yet contemporary, and hands-down the most popular baby name beginning with W of all time.
  5. Wyatt
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "brave in war"
    • Description:

      Wyatt has been hot, which is to say cool, for several years now. With its easy Wyatt Earpish cowboy charm, it's relaxed but still highly respectable.
  6. Xavier
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "new house"
    • Description:

      Xavier originated is use as a given name after Saint Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Jesuit order, who got his name from the Spanish-Basque village where he was born. His birthplace was Javier, the name of which was derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "castle" or "new house."
  7. Yehoshua
    • Yehuda
      • Origin:

        Variation of Yehudah
      • Description:

        This modernized version of Yehudah could be assimilated further by making it Judah. The name is traditionally given to boys born at Chanukah. It first appeared on the US Top 1000 in 2001.
    • Yeshua
      • Origin:

        Variation of Joshua, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "the Lord is my salvation"
      • Description:

        Yeshua is often considered the "real" name of Jesus, via the Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English evolution of Yeshua to Iesous to Iesus to Jesus. It is also used as a common alternative of Yehoshua in the later parts of the Hebrew Bible, making it a variation of Joshuah.
    • York
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "from the yew estate"
      • Description:

        Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and State were named after the Duke of York.
    • Yosef
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God shall add"
      • Description:

        A widely used Hebrew form of Joseph, with a sophisticated and continental air.
    • Yossil
      • Yul
        • Origin:

          Mongolian or Latin
        • Meaning:

          "beyond the horizon; youthful, downy-bearded"
        • Description:

          Russian-born actor Yul (christened Yuliy) Brynner gives this short name a strong, steely image.
      • Yusuf
        • Origin:

          Arabic variation of Joseph, Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "Jehovah increases"
        • Description:

          Yusuf is the Arabic form of Joseph, used in the Middle East, as well as internationally from France and the US, to the UK, Turkey and Azerbaijan - where, as of 2023, it ranked in the Top 100.
      • Zalmai
        • Origin:

          Afghan
        • Meaning:

          "young"
        • Description:

          Not many Afghan names make it into the American culture, but this one stands a slim chance.
      • Zalán
        • Origin:

          Hungarian, meaning unknown
      • Zebedee
        • Origin:

          English variation of Hebrew Zebediah
        • Meaning:

          "gift of God"
        • Description:

          Zebedee is an adorable and unusual New Testament name--which may sound like but is not a contradiction in terms. Unlike some of the longer biblical Z-names, Zebedee has a more lighthearted usability, with its gleeful ee-ending. And Zeb makes a fabulous nickname.
      • Ádám
        • Origin:

          Hungarian variation of Adam, Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "son of the red earth"
      • Óliver
        • Origin:

          Icelandic variation of Oliver, Latin
        • Meaning:

          "olive tree"
        • Description:

          The Icelandic form of Oliver, currently ranking in their Top 10.
      • Ömer
        • Origin:

          Turkish variation of Umar, Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "flourishing, thriving"