Cool Boy Names

This old short form might be seen as a little dubious by some, though it could make for a fun pet name or an update on Roger.

For 007 fans, a great middle name choice -- or even a first.

A rising unisex word name, along with other money-related choices such as Million, Currency, and Cashlyn.

The word name Camp fits into the trendy Woodsy category for boys. While it was given to only 14 baby boys in 2023, that's a 1000 percent increase over 2022, which indicates a name on the way up.

Stokes is ultimately an English surname, although it's been used in Ireland and Scotland for generations as well. It's a variation of Stoke, a habitational surname, as there were many towns named Stoke in England. The origin of the word stoke, however, is contested. Some say it simply means "place," while others contest it designated a small hamlet. There's also evidence that connects it to the Old English word stocc, meaning "tree trunk."

This crisp, tailored surname has caught the eye of several parents over the years, but may appeal for different reasons. In sailing, a ketch is a boat with two masts. Daniel Ketch is the name of Ghost Rider, a character in the Marvel Universe who may have inspired some namesakes.

Epic feels like it could be the boys' version of Saga. Epic poetry tells some of our most celebrated stories - from Beowulf and the Odyssey, to the Divine Comedy and Paradise Lost. Despite being short, Epic is a lot of name, so it might be a choice for an adventurous middle name.

This snappy nickname may remind some of the 1985 Chevy Chase movie of the same name.

A fresher, less preppy alternative to Thatcher — one without Prime Minister associations.

Bowman has a lot of winning ingredients: an occupational surname, a cool "Bo" sound, and an archery-related meaning.

Vision is a member of the new class of spiritual word names, which sometimes reflect the faith or religious beliefs of parents but may only relate to an uplifting meaning. This gender neutral name was give to 13 baby boys in 2021, and 6 girls.

Updates Slade with surname style.

An interesting choice for the child of an architect.

A cool, unique surname name with debated origins. Some sources say Rigden is a lost habitational name, as evidenced by a significant number of bearers in Kent, England. In this case, Rigden would mean "valley by the stream," from ric, "stream," and denu, "valley." Another theory suggests Ridgen derives from Ricdun, via Ricardun, an Old English pet form of Richard, making this a nice option to subtly honor an ancestral Richard.

Self-assured and playful, Bash is a short form of the popular Sebastian, sharing the same energy as Dash, Colt, and Nash. It could work as a quirky, rough-and-tumble alternative to the more familiar nicknames Seb or Baz, or, for those looking for something unexpected and adventurous, it could be a stand alone choice.