SSA Top 1000: Boy Names Ranked #1000

  1. Hershell
    • Hugh
      • Origin:

        English from German
      • Meaning:

        "mind, intellect"
      • Description:

        Patrician to the core, Hugh was firmly in the Top 100 until 1903. It's never achieved those heights again, though it has always managed to remain in the Top 1000, scraping bottom at literally Number 1000 in 2006 before reversing course and heading back upwards.
    • Hughie
      • Isaak
        • Origin:

          Variation of Isaac
        • Description:

          Cool spelling of the venerable Isaac used in several different cultures.
      • Issac
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "laughter"
        • Description:

          A play on the spelling of Isaac that's somehow been in the Top 1000 every year since 1880. (If only by a hair: In both 1926 and 1962, it came in at number 999.) It hit an all-time peak at Number 377 in 2007, and has slumped a fair bit in the ensuing decade.
      • Jabari
        • Origin:

          Swahili
        • Meaning:

          "comforter, bringer of consolation"
        • Description:

          Coolly attractive African name, with distinguished representatives in sports and literature. Jabari has been on the rise recently, returning to the US Top 1000 in 2023.
      • Jagger
        • Origin:

          English occupational name
        • Meaning:

          "carter"
        • Description:

          Jagger is a swaggering Rolling Stone of a name that's been picked up by a number of fellow celebs, including Lindsay Davenport and Brett Scallions--while Soleil Moon Frye pulled a gender switch when she bestowed it on her daughter. It's edgy with a touch of danger.
      • Jaheim
        • Origin:

          musical name
        • Description:

          Single-named R&B singer Jaheim could inspire others to pick up on this unusual name.
      • Jerrad
        • Johney
          • Jude
            • Origin:

              Latin diminutive of Judah
            • Meaning:

              "praised"
            • Description:

              Jude is a modern star, maintaining a steady level of popularity -- but not TOO much popularity -- for more than a decade now. Thank Jude Law and the great Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude", double-handedly responsible for propelling Jude up the charts.
          • Junius
            • Origin:

              Latin
            • Meaning:

              "born in June"
            • Description:

              Junius is one of those names that's growing on us, along with many of its Roman countrymen such as Julius and Atticus. We once thought it was a combination of the least attractive elements of Junior and Julius but now we think...well, we think it's okay. Not great, but okay.
          • Keandre
            • Kegan
              • Kevin
                • Origin:

                  Irish
                • Meaning:

                  "handsome"
                • Description:

                  Kevin came to the US with the large wave of Irish Immigrants after World War I, hitting the US Top 1000 list for the first time in 1921 and never leaving.
              • 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.
              • Konnor
                • Origin:

                  Spelling variation of Connor
                • Description:

                  Some creative spellings work, and then some just don't. We think this one falls into the latter category.
              • Laddie
                • Laurel
                  • Origin:

                    Latin
                  • Meaning:

                    "laurel tree"
                  • Description:

                    Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Greece and Rome.
                • Lavon