Favorites

  1. Jaime
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of James
    • Description:

      A Hispanic classic that has lost some momentum in recent years. It could be misunderstood by some as Jamie -- which is how it's pronounced on Game of Thrones.
  2. James
    • Origin:

      English variation of Jacob, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      James is one of the classic Anglo-Saxon names, a stalwart through the ages that is more popular—and yes, stylish—than ever today. It recently came out Number 1 in a poll of America's favorite boys' baby names, and is the most common male name, counting people of all ages, in the US.
  3. John
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      John reigned as the most popular of all boys' Christian names for 400 years, from the time the first Crusaders carried it back to Britain until the 1950s. Then American baby namers finally seemed to tire of this straight-arrow, almost anonymous John Doe of names, replacing it with fancier forms like Jonathan and the imported Sean and Ian.
  4. Kellin
    • Kendall
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "valley of the river Kent"
      • Description:

        While Kendall originally started as a boys’ name, and remained more or equally popular for boys until the early 1990s in the US, it now feels almost synonymous with Kendall Jenner, of Kardashian fame.
    • Kenny
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Kenneth
      • Description:

        Kenny might be all South Park to some, but it has been in steady use in the US since the 1930s.
    • King
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "monarch"
      • Description:

        King is a name that sends a mixed message. While some might think of it as more fitting for a canine, others see it as a strong name with offbeat style and a full court of rich associations, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Elvis.

        King Vidor was an important early Hollywood director; King Camp Gillette invented the safety razor.

        If it's king names you're after that aren't King itself, see our list of Names with Royal Meanings or other lists and blogs on royal names.
    • Knox
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "round hill"
      • Description:

        Knox is an old Scottish surname that Brad Pitt (whose great-great-grandfather was named Hal Knox Hillhouse) and Angelina Jolie took out of the back cupboard, dusted off, and elevated to coolness--to the point where it entered the popular baby names list in 2009. Knox now ranks among the most influential celebrity baby names.
    • 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.
    • Liam
      • Origin:

        Irish short form of William
      • Meaning:

        "resolute protection"
      • Description:

        Liam is the top boys' name in the US, holding the Number 1 spot for the past seven years and also ranking as one of the most popular boys' names around the western world.
    • Logan
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "small hollow"
      • Description:

        According to exclusive Nameberry data, Logan is officially the Number 1 gender-neutral name in the US, but that statistic is somewhat misleading given that nearly 90 percent of the baby Logans born in 2023 were boys.
    • Luke
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "man from Lucania"
      • Description:

        Luke is a cool-yet-strong Biblical name with a relaxed cowboy feel, which has been on the rise since the advent of Luke Skywalker.
    • Matthew
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "gift of God"
      • Description:

        Matthew was the third most popular boys' name in America throughout the 1980s and '90s, and is still one of the top boy names starting with M. The New Testament Matthew is the epitome of the fashionable classic—safe and sturdy, yet with a more engaging personality than John or William.
    • Michael
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "who is like God?"
      • Description:

        Michael was the Number 1 American boys' name for almost half a century. While Michael has moved out of the Top 10 baby boy names, it's still widely used.
    • Mike
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Michael
      • Description:

        Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
    • Mikey
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Michael, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "who is like God"
      • Description:

        Hey, Mikey! Old school short form with a certain vintage charm, but it's one nickname you don't want to stick past, say, fifth grade.
    • Nirvana
      • Origin:

        Sanskrit
      • Meaning:

        "place of great bliss"
      • Description:

        Well, parents are naming their children Eden and Heaven...so why not?
    • Opera
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        A very distinctive musical choice, but be aware that many people will think you've named your child Oprah.
    • Patrick
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "noble, patrician"
      • Description:

        Patrick, long tied to a hyper-Irish image, is enjoying something of a renaissance as a stylish classic, as it has long been considered in England. Along with such choices as Charles and George, Patrick has escaped overuse in recent decades.
    • Pierce
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "son of Piers"
      • Description:

        Actor Pierce Brosnan brings a strong helping of charm to this name. Pierce was actually a popular name long before Mr. Brosnan came along, from 1880 to the end of the 1930s.