30 common boy names and their meanings

Aidan

Aidan is an Irish identify which means “fiery,” derived from the identify of the Celtic god of the solar and
fireplace, Aodh.

In response to child identify development monitoring website Nameberry,

Aidan

and its associated spelling Aiden have loved a latest resurgence of recognition previously decade
that impressed many “sound-alike” names corresponding to Caden, Jayden and Braden. It’s a cool

gender-neutral identify

for women, too.

Alexander

Alexander is a reputation of Greek origin which means “defender.” Well-known Alexanders in historical past embody
Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, inventor and scientist Alexander Graham Bell and naturally the
historic conqueror Alexander the Nice.

In response to Nameberry,

Alexander

has been among the many high 25 hottest boys’ names for the reason that Nineties, with quite a few “spinoff” names
and nicknames corresponding to Xander, Sasha and Alex.

Andrew

Andrew is boy’s identify derived from the Greek

aner,

which means “man.” Andrew means “sturdy, manly,” and is the identify of one of many first apostles within the
New Testomony, in addition to two American presidents (Jackson and Johnson) and the patron saints of
Russia, Greece and Scotland.

Andrew is a kind of names that has been common for many years, though

Nameberry

notes that it slipped out of the highest 20 boys’ names in 2013. Drew and Andy are two likeable
nicknames for Andrew, and variations on Andrew from all over the world embody Anders, Andre, Andreas
and Andrei.

Anthony

Anthony is a Latin identify which means “priceless.” Initially a household identify from historic Rome, “Antonii”
developed into the given names Anthony and Antony within the seventeenth century, in response to

Nameberry

, and is the identify of the patron saint of Italy and the poor.

Whereas Anthony’s recognition

peaked within the Eighties

, it nonetheless ranks within the high 30 for boys names.

Benjamin

Benjamin is a Biblical boys’ identify derived from the Hebrew for “son of the precise hand.” Benjamin was
a founding father of one of many Twelve Tribes of Israel within the Previous Testomony, and in more moderen occasions
well-known Benjamins have been inventors (Franklin), composers (Britten) and even Jedi (Solo, Kenobi).

Light and a bit old style, Benjamin has been within the high 10 for boys’ names since 2015. The
nickname Ben is a pleasant shortened model with classic attraction, whereas Benji has a playful really feel.

Christopher

Christopher is a Biblical identify of historic Greek origin which means “bearer of Christ.” The identify
Christopher has been borne by saints, actors (Plummer and Eccleston, to call two), explorers
(Columbus), architects (Wren) and authors (Colfer and Hitchens), however the best-loved Christopher of
all of them is perhaps Christopher Robin, of

Winnie the Pooh

.

Chris is, after all, a preferred nickname, however as

Nameberry

studies, some interesting and lesser-known variations are on the rise, together with Topher, Package and Kip.

Daniel

The Biblical identify Daniel is taken from the Hebrew for “God is my choose,” and is related to the
trustworthy Daniel of the Previous Testomony ebook of the identical identify. It has been among the many hottest
boys’ names for the reason that Seventies, and in response to

Nameberry

, over 10,000 child boys are given the identify Daniel yearly.

Daniel is historically a preferred boy identify amongst Irish households, due to the traditional Irish ballad
“Danny Boy” and the similar-sounding Gaelic identify Donal or Domhnall.

David

David is a boys’ identify of Hebrew origin which means “beloved.” The Biblical David is the well-known one who
slew the large Goliath along with his slingshot, making David the namesake of triumphant underdogs
in all places. That very same David can also be the poet and champion of the humanities who impressed the well-known
Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo. Fairly a heritage to dwell as much as!

With its creative and spiritual pedigree mixed with its traditional attraction, David has ranked amongst
the preferred boys’ names for many years, coming in second solely to Daniel in boys’ names that start
with D, in response to

Nameberry

.

Dylan

A

gender-neutral identify

that has skyrocketed to recognition in latest many years,

Dylan

is a Welsh identify meaning “son of the ocean.” Most Individuals affiliate the identify Dylan with the
Nobel-prize-winning musician Bob Dylan, however maybe fewer know that Bob Dylan adopted his
performing identify from the good Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who wrote “Do Not Go Light into That Good
Evening,” amongst others.

Elijah

Elijah is a Biblical identify of Hebrew origin which means “the Lord is my God.” Within the Previous Testomony,
Elijah was the prophet who confronted the controversial queen Jezebel and king Ahab of Israel, and
who was later carried as much as Heaven in a chariot of fireside.

Basic and musical-sounding, Elijah can also be an particularly common identify amongst superstar children: Bono,
Cher and a

surprisingly lengthy checklist of different notables

have given their sons the identify Elijah. Elijah can also be

gaining floor

as a reputation for child women.

Ethan

Ethan is an historic Hebrew identify which means “enduring.” Its recognition in latest many years could have been
kickstarted by the Tom Cruise character within the

Mission: Unattainable

sequence, by 90s indie dreamboat Ethan Hawke—or possibly simply by the identify Ethan’s
classic-yet-cheerful really feel.

In response to the child identify recognition monitoring web site

Nameberry

, Ethan peaked at #3 for boys names in 2012, however remains to be holding sturdy within the high 30.

Gabriel

Gabriel is a reputation of Hebrew origin which means “God is my energy,” combining

gever

, which means “sturdy,” and

‘el

, God. Within the non secular traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the archangel Gabriel affords
counsel, reveals the which means of desires and visions and offers a line of communication between
humanity and the divine. Gabriel is often known as the herald of the start of Christ.

Noble and musical, Gabriel is a well-liked identify alternative for January infants and sons born on a Monday,
since as reported by

Nameberry

, Gabriel is related to each Januarys and Mondays—acceptable for a determine so strongly
linked with new beginnings.

Henry

Henry is a Germanic identify which means “ruler of the house,” derived from “heim,” which means

house

, and “wealthy” which means rule. An extended line of British monarchs named Henry dates from all the way in which again
within the tenth century to the fashionable Prince Henry, a.ok.a. Harry. However effectively past its royal pedigree,
Henry has been the earthy, accessible identify of nice artists, inventors and pioneers from Henry Ford
to Henry James to Henry “Hank” Aaron.

Henry can also be a kind of names that celebrities appear to like bestowing on their sons, together with
Julia Roberts, Viggo Mortensen, Meryl Streep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rachel Weisz, Jack White, Colin
Farrell, and

many extra

.

Jackson

Jackson is an English identify which means “son of Jack,” which has risen to such large recognition in
latest many years that it has surpassed each John and Jack on the Social Safety Administration’s
annual report of high names for boys. Jackson seems like a barely extra formal model of both
Jack or John, which can assist clarify its sturdy attraction. The identify has gained much more renown
due to modern-day Jacksons like American artist Jackson Pollack, singer Jackson Browne and
Jackson Wang of Korean boy band Got7.

Much more than Henry, it appears,

Jackson

is a favourite boy identify amongst celebrities. Notable individuals who have named their sons Jackson embody
Spike Lee, Patti Smith and Charlize Theron.

Jacob

Jacob is a Hebrew identify which means “supplanter.” Within the Biblical story of Jacob and his twin brother
Esau, Jacob repeatedly deceives his older twin in an effort to deny Esau his rights because the eldest son.
However then the Previous Testomony describes how Jacob goes on to face quite a few challenges—together with
wrestling with an angel—earlier than finally reconciling along with his brother and changing into a pacesetter
of a brand new nation. Jacob’s legacy is advanced, however he’s an extremely necessary determine in Judaism and
Christianity.

Sarcastically sufficient, Jacob’s revived recognition as a boys’ identify within the late Nineties was impressed by
one other controversial Jacob, one-third of the love triangle within the

Twilight

sequence. In response to Nameberry,

Jacob

was the number one boys’ identify in America from 1999 to 2013, when it was supplanted (see what we did
there?) by Noah.

James

Basic boys’ identify James is the Anglo-Saxon model of the Hebrew identify Jacob, which means “supplanter.”

James

was the preferred boys’ identify in America from the late Thirties into the Nineteen Forties, and it has by no means
actually gone out of fashion (actually,

James

has developed into an ideal gender-neutral identify for women lately). As Nameberry notes, extra
U.S. Presidents have been named

James

than another identify. Kings, apostles and fictional worldwide super-spies have all carried the
identify of James, too.

Whereas James is a reputation with a severe pedigree, it has some fairly pleasant nicknames, together with
Jamie, Jim, and Jake.

Jayden

Jayden is the Americanized model of the Hebrew identify Jadon, which means “grateful.”

Jayden

is most frequently thought-about a form of hybrid of the names “Aiden” and “Jason,” and the identify began
its rise to recognition within the Nineties (due to Britney Spears selecting “Jayden” and Will and Jada
Smith utilizing “Jaden” for his or her sons), finally

peaking

at #4 within the early 2010s.

Imitation is the sincerest type of flattery, and the recognition of Jayden has propelled a bunch of
wildly common sound-alike names up the Social Safety Administration’s high identify
lists—Caden, Braydon, Peyton, even Mason. However Jayden is the grandaddy of all of them…or, to
put it in gender-neutral phrases, the grand

mum or dad

, since

Jayden

can also be a preferred identify for women.

John

John is an English model of the Latin identify Iohannes, which means “God is gracious.”

John

is the preferred boys’ identify of the final 400 years, and just like the identify James, it has by no means actually
gone out of fashion—though it’s much less used immediately than ever, John nonetheless

ranks

constantly within the high 30 boys’ names.

Timeless, traditional and sturdy, the identify John has a band of worldwide “brothers” which are simply
as beloved: Sean (Irish), Juan (Spanish), Ian (Scottish), Evan or Ewan (Welsh), Giovanni (Italian)
and Jean (French).

Joseph

Joseph is the Latin type of the traditional Hebrew identify Yosef, which means “could God develop.” Probably the most well-known
Joseph might be the New Testomony father determine and husband of the Virgin Mary, however

Joseph

can also be the immediately recognizable, distinguished identify of authors (Heller), athletes (DiMaggio),
actors (Fiennes, Gordon-Levitt) and political leaders (Biden, Lieberman).

Joshua

Joshua is a reputation of Hebrew origin which means “the Lord is my salvation.” Light-sounding with only a
trace of the Wild West, the Biblical identify

Joshua

has been common for the reason that Eighties, reaching its highest rating within the Social Safety
Administration knowledge for child names within the early 2000s. By 2015 Joshua had fallen out of the highest 20
boys’ names within the U.S., however Joshua stays one of the vital well-loved names of the final 50 years.

Well-known namesakes embody Joshua Tree Nationwide Park and a baseball groups’ value of well-known actors
(Brolin, Hutcherson, Gad, Hartnett, Radnor, Duhamel, Jackson, Charles…).

Liam

Liam is a boys’ identify meaning “protector.” An Irish variation of the English-German identify William,
Liam is at present the preferred boys’ identify within the U.S., and one of many fastest-rising names on
report (it wasn’t even within the high 10 till 2012, in response to

Nameberry

).

Nicely-known Liams embody actor Liam Neeson, musicians Liam Payne (of One Course) and Liam
Gallagher (of Oasis) and plenty of Irish cultural and political figures together with novelist Liam
O’Flaherty.

Logan

Logan is a Scottish boys’ identify which means “small hole.” Initially a Scottish household identify,

Logan

has been rising in recognition as a primary identify for boys for the reason that Seventies due to the sci-f-
traditional

Logan’s Run

. Logan can also be a cool gender-neutral identify for women.

The Marvel X-Males character Logan, a.ok.a. Wolverine, is a giant a part of the identify’s attraction within the U.S.,
together with Logans on

Gilmore Ladies

and plenty of different exhibits. Zora Neale Hurston’s novel

Their Eyes Had been Watching God

additionally incorporates a character named Logan.

Lucas

Lucas is a Latin identify which means both “from Lucania” (a area in southern Italy) or “gentle,” if
Lucas is taken into account a variation on the identify Luke. The variation Lukas is the preferred boys’
identify within the Netherlands, Spain and Norway.

Lucas is a giant identify amongst big-screen cowboys from

Cool Hand Luke

(a.ok.a. Lucas Jackson) to Lucas McCain of

The Rifleman

, and plenty of fictional characters from

Ivanhoe

to

Stranger Issues

have been named Lucas as effectively.

Mason

Mason is a well-liked gender-neutral identify of English origin which means “stone employee,”

derived

from an Previous English phrase

macian

which means “to make.” It’s a reputation for creators, exhausting employees and—in response to pop
tradition—werewolves. (And Kardashians.)

Mason

peaked at #2 in 2011, however its enduring recognition has boosted plenty of sound-alike names corresponding to
Cason and Grayson.

Matthew

Matthew is the English type of the Hebrew identify Mattiyahu, which means “present of God.” Like Joshua and
John,

Matthew

is a soft-yet-strong Biblical boys’ identify that has been common for many years, particularly within the Eighties
and Nineties. Title “spin-offs” from Matthew which are additionally common now embody Matteo, Teo and Mattias.

Matthew and Matt, very similar to Lucas and Luke, are old-school names that bear a touch of the Wild West
due to gunslingers like Matt Dillon. However Matthew has a mild really feel too, due to its sound and
namesakes like Matthew Cuthbert of the

Anne of Inexperienced Gables

books.

Michael

Michael is a reputation of Hebrew origin which means, “Who’s like God?” The rhetorical query posed by
this Biblical identify isn’t meant to be answered after all—but it surely suggests the significance of
humility, grace and sincerity in life. The archangel Michael, necessary to Jewish, Islamic and
Christian traditions, leads a military of angels to victory towards Devil and is the

patron saint of troopers

, making Michael a preferred identify in navy households.

Michael

was the #1 boys’ identify in America for over 50 years.

Notable Michaels in historical past and literature are virtually too many to checklist, however fashionable Michaels have
included sports activities legends (Jordan), designers (Kors), actors (Douglas, Fassbender) and political
leaders (Pence, Bloomberg). And naturally, Michael Scott of

The Workplace

, finest boss ever.

Noah

The boys’ identify Noah is of Hebrew origin and means “peace.” The Biblical story of Noah and the ark
is thought by youngsters all over the world, and word-lovers are grateful to American lexicographer Noah
Webster for his pioneering dictionary.

Noah

is likely one of the hottest boys’ names of the final 20 years and at present ranks #2, though it
hasn’t all the time been as widely-used as it’s

immediately

. Together with old style Biblical names corresponding to Elijah, Micah and Jonah, Noah has resurfaced as a
gentle-sounding boys’ identify with a severe really feel.

Oliver

Oliver is a Latin identify which means “olive tree,” an historic image of friendship and peace. Whereas the
identify Oliver fell severely out of trend within the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it has
resurfaced in a giant approach within the final 20 years as a likeable vintage-sounding identify for boys with a
pleasant which means (and a wildly common twin sister, the identify Olivia).

Oliver isn’t simply common within the U.S.—it’s additionally having fun with a giant surge in recognition overseas.

Oliver

is the #1 boy identify in England, Australia and New Zealand and #2 in Scotland.

Samuel

Samuel is a reputation of Hebrew origin which means “heard of God,” and makes a candy identify for a
much-wished-for little boy. Samuel has a severe, old style attraction whereas its softer, friendlier
nickname Sam is each gender-neutral and easy-going. A Biblical identify with a protracted historical past of
recognition,

Samuel

has many notable namesakes, from Samuel Clemens (a.ok.a. Mark Twain) to revolutionary Sam Adams to
movie legend Samuel L. Jackson.

William

William is an English identify which means “resolute protector,” derived from the German “wil” which means

will

and “heim” which means

helmet.

In response to Nameberry,

William

is likely one of the hottest boys’ names of the final 4 centuries, second solely to John.

William has quite a few royal and presidential namesakes from Prince William to William Clinton, in
addition to world-shapers like William Shakespeare and William the Conqueror.

William

is likely one of the high 10 boys’ names of the previous decade.