Top Baby Names for Boys

Looking for the perfect name for your baby boy? Whether you’re after cute boy names, timeless classics, or something trendy and modern, this list of the top 1,000 boy names is packed with inspiration. From pretty boy names to strong, unique picks, you’ll find plenty of baby name ideas for boys to suit every style.

Each year, the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) compiles and ranks popular baby names for boys based on real birth data from the previous year. This means you're getting a reliable, up-to-date look at the most loved baby boy names across the U.S.

Browse this ultimate list of boy names and discover the perfect match for your little one.

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Top Trending Baby Boy Names

Check out our list of the 1000 most popular boy names from the most recent SSA statistics:

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Timeless Classic Boy Names

Are you looking for a classic boys’ name that has stood the test of time? Here are some great traditional options from the top 1000 list of baby boy names that have remained popular over the years.

1. Benjamin. The name Benjamin is of Hebrew origin and means “son of the right hand.” It has been in the top 100 names for boys in the United States since 1963, and we doubt it’s going away anytime soon.

2. Daniel. Consider another Hebrew boys’ name that hasn’t left the top 100 list in the United States for longer than we can remember. Daniel has a strong and classic sound and is one of the top boy names starting with D. 

3. Gabriel. Another traditional Hebrew name, Gabriel is making a modern comeback as a polished moniker with a singsong sound. It means “God is my strong man.”

4. Henry. The name Henry is of Germanic origin and means “ruler of the household.” It has been a popular name for boys for centuries and has a classic, regal air. We predict it will remain popular due to its association with popular cultural figures, such as Henry Cavill and Prince Harry, as well as its vintage charm.

5. James. This classic boys’ name has been popular for centuries (it has never left the top 20 in the United States) and has a strong, timeless feel to it. It's a versatile choice that would work well with a variety of middle names for boys.

6. John. You can’t beat this truly classic one-syllable name for boys. Meaning “God is gracious,” John has been around for a long time, and we predict it’s going to stick around for even longer.

7. Liam. The name Liam is of Irish origin and means “resolute protector.” It’s a fun and stylish short form of William, so it’s no wonder it has been a popular choice for several years. Plus, it has many famous namesakes, such as actors Liam Hemsworth and Liam Neeson.

Unique and Rare Baby Boy Names

Some of these lesser-known boy names have made some big jumps into the top 1000 list in recent years, helping them to gain popularity. The name Kayce made a giant leap into the top 1000 and made it all the way to No. 459, while Banks has been gradually climbing up to the 348^th spot. Here are some good name options for boys that have grown in popularity this year:

1. Kayce

2. Dutton

3. Khaza

4. Chosen

5. Eithan

6. Amiri

7. Banks

8. Idris

9. Jairo

10. Karim

11. Kylo

12. Rhodes

13. Saint

14. Iker

15. Khai

16. Bear

17. Everest

18. Alfred

19. Duncan

20. Murphy. 

Modern Baby Boy Names You’ll Love

Our list of the top 1000 boy names not only contains the classics, but we’ve also seen a rise in trendy and modern monikers. Here are some great options:

1. Austin. This classic name for boys combines a trendy city name with an ancient origin. Austin, Texas, is one of the hippest cities in the United States, but the name also has a deeper meaning, as it comes from the Roman name Augustinus. Because this name derives from Augustus, Austin means “exalted.”

2. Eden. Eden might strike you as being only a girls’ name, but it’s actually been a gender-neutral name option for a long time. In the United States, it’s getting a boost as a romantic and beautiful boys’ name. Eden is Hebrew and means “pleasure, delight.”

3. Elias. You’ll find this good name for boys in numerous languages and cultures. It’s a slightly cooler form of the Hebrew name Elijah, which means “my God is Yahweh,” as Yahweh is the Hebrew God. 

4. Ethan. We predict Ethan will continue to be popular this year due to its strong meaning of “solid” and “enduring” and its modern sound. And, of course, its association with famous actors and directors such as Ethan Hawke and Ethan Coen.

5. Jackson. Meaning “son of Jack”—perfect if your little one is literally the son of Jack—Jackson has been gaining a lot of traction this century, and its cool vibes are sure to continue that rise to the top.

6. Levi. In English, Levi is pronounced LEE-vie, though other languages might pronounce it more like LEV-vee. It’s another hip yet old boys’ name, a Hebrew moniker meaning “joined, attached.” 

7. Maverick. Give your little boy a strong and cool name with Maverick, a word that means “independent.” The name actually comes from a 19th-century Texas rancher who decided to do things a little differently and not brand his calves. You might also recognize it from a character in the movie Top Gun. 

8. Remi. This sweet French name had its popularity moment in 2007 thanks to the movie Ratatouille, and soon became almost as trendy for girls. Remi, pronounced REH-MEE, means “rower.”

9. Wren. Sharing their name with a songbird, your little Wren will surely be music to your ears! This cute boys’ name has always been unisex in the United Kingdom, and this is the year for it to follow suit in the United States. 

Celebrity Baby Boy Names

Do you enjoy keeping up with the latest celebrity trends? Why not pick a name inspired by your favorite singer or actress? Here are some baby boy names recently chosen by celebrities for their new arrival.

1. Jack. Jack is a classic English boys’ name derived from John, meaning “God is gracious.” It’s the first name chosen by Justin and Hailey Bieber for their son, pairing tradition with a cool modern middle name, Blues. Jack remains a strong favorite in the U.S., ranking No. 16 in the SSA top 1000 boy names list.

2. Graham. This is a Scottish surname-turned-first name, traditionally meaning “gravelly homestead.” Actress Jenna Ushkowitz and David Stanley picked this warm, gentlemanly name for their son. Graham is quietly rising in popularity and currently ranks 140^th in the SSA baby boy names list.

3. Noah. Noah is a Hebrew boys’ name meaning “rest” or “comfort.” It’s the name Desiree Hartsock and Chris Siegfried chose for their son, combining biblical roots with the stylish middle name Parker. Noah has been a chart-topper for years, sitting at No. 2 in the top 1000 boy names.

4. Ford. Of English origin, meaning “river crossing,” Ford is another popular boys’ name. Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt gave their son this strong, masculine name, paired with literary flair in the middle name Fitzgerald. Ford is less common, offering bold charm, and is ranked at No. 521.

5. Jett. Jett, an English name meaning “jet black,” has a sleek, modern vibe. Candiace Dillard and Chris Bassett chose this striking name for their son (Jett Maxwell Lee), giving him a cool, energetic start. Jett is ranked at No. 245 on the list of top boy names.

6. Ronin. This is a Japanese boys’ name meaning “drifter” or “masterless samurai.” Frances Bean Cobain and Riley Hawk chose this bold, independent name for their son, paired with the sturdy middle name Walker. Ronin is placed at No. 474 in the top 1000 boy names, making it a unique yet familiar pick.

7. Kareem. Kareem is an Arabic name meaning “generous” or “noble.” Rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti gave their son this regal name with a unique middle, Kenkaide. Kareem is currently a less common choice, ranking No. 626, adding global richness and depth to their baby boy’s name.

13 Ideas for Choosing a Name for Your Baby Boy

No matter what type of name you're interested in—whether that's a popular boys’ name, something basic and traditional, or a unique moniker—there are many ways to go about selecting and finding the perfect name for your little one. Here are some ideas to help you make this important decision:

1. Look for a Boys' Name That's Unusual Yet Appealing

Look for a cool and unique name for boys, one that isn’t so common and has an edgy and attractive vibe. By choosing something a little different, your boy can stand out from the crowd. There are even common names that offer unique alternative spellings, pronunciations, or international equivalents, so you don’t have to stray too far from tradition. Take the name, Daniel, for example. It’s quite traditional, but you can find various spellings from other languages, such as Danijel in Slovene, Daniyal in Persian, or Danilo in Spanish.  

2. Honor a Male Family Member With a Great Boys' Name

Select a name from within your family tree, such as your father's, grandfather's, or uncle's name. It’s a great way to honor a beloved family member. These types of generational names tend to stand the test of time, too, so they don’t typically go out of style. Alexander, Benjamin, James, and William will always be good go-to names for boys. Plus, you can adapt them to sound a bit younger or fresher. William can be Liam, and Benjamin could be Benny, for example. 

3. Be Inspired by Your Beautiful Environment

Consider choosing a boys’ name inspired by nature or the name of one of your favorite places, from city names to regional country boy names from the United States. Think options like River or Finch for nature-like names, Austin or Lincoln for city-inspired names, and Brooklyn or Camden for favorite places or neighborhoods. It’s also not unheard of to name your boy after a country, such as Ireland or Peru. 

4. Choose a Tried-and-True Common Boys' Name

If you're looking for an old-fashioned name or a biblical boys’ name, there are plenty of classic options to choose from. As a bonus, these types of common or traditional boys’ names have many diminutives and potential nicknames that can keep them modern-sounding. Robert is fairly old-fashioned, but Robbie sure is cute! Likewise, the biblical name Abraham sounds trendier when you use Abe or Bram, and Jacob is extra adorable when nicknamed Coby. 

5. Opt for a Boys' Name That's Modern and Trendy

If you're a trendy parent, consider choosing a gender-neutral name, especially if you're keeping your baby's sex a surprise. There are many cool and cute boy name options that are perfect for modern times. Jayden is one of the cool names that offers various spellings, including Jaden, Jaiden, Jaidyn, Jadon, and more. And you can consider some of the names growing in popularity that we’ve listed above, such as Idris, Kylo, or Rhodes.

6. Embody Strength With an Awesome Boys’ Name

If you're looking for boy names with strength and power, search for a name with a mighty meaning or inspiring namesake that gives it an empowering vibe for your little one. One of our favorite strong boy names is Archibald, a Germanic name that means “holy” and “bold, brave.” It certainly evokes a sense of strength, but you can always soften it with the nickname Archie.

7. Get Input From Family and Friends

If you're struggling to come up with a baby boys’ name, consider hosting a baby-naming party and ask your loved ones for suggestions—plus, it’s always nice to get the whole family involved. Host a game where guests must think of as many names with certain letters as possible or ask them to use only the letters of their name to come up with new monikers. It adds a bit of fun to the process and can easily spark your creativity or offer a source of inspiration. 

8. Keep It Short and Sweet

Short boy names are always winners, so why not limit your search to one-syllable monikers for something cute yet determined? Plus, many of these names for boys are timeless classics and come from longer names. Ben, Ty, Ely, Zeb, Cal, Lou, Max, and Van are all fun options. Short monikers also make good options for middle names for boys and girls. If you want to expand your choices to four letters, consider Zeke, Jaye, Kean, Desi, or Alec.

9. Make Your Way Through the Alphabet

Perhaps you love names starting with a specific letter, or you want to search through lists of less common letters, such as boy names that start with Q. Enjoy our array of baby boy names starting with A all the way through to the letter Z. You’ll find great options like Quinton and Quincey for Q; Asher and Amir for A; Zack and Zane for Z; and plenty of other choices for each letter. Some favorites include Landon for L, Tai for T, Nico for N, and Ravi for R.  

10. Explore Other Cultures

Travel the globe by diving into international names we've collected, such as classic Irish boy names like Cillian or these beautiful Vietnamese boy names. Do you have Chinese heritage? Choose a name like Bai or Ru. Is your family from the Arab-speaking world? We also have a list for that with choices like Fadi, Kahlil, and Samir, all with interesting meanings attached to them. Check out all our baby-name articles for even more inspiration. 

11. Stick to Your State

In addition to popular names in the United States, the SSA also provides data for each state. That means you can choose a name that’s trending where you live. Oliver, Liam, Henry, Noah, William, and Theodore tend to dominate the ranks, but some states prefer one or another. In Colorado, for example, the top boys’ name is Oliver, whereas in New York, it’s Liam. If you like in Washington D.C., you could pick Henry, Noah for those in Georgia, or William for Montana. Breaking the mold, Mississippians have James as the top boys’ name, and Asher is the most popular option in West Virginia.  

12. Pick a Theme

Some families like to have names that relate to one another, which makes it a little easier to choose a baby boys’ name. Perhaps you or you and your partner both have names starting with R. In that case, you could always choose a name that also starts with R, such as Reed, Rory, or Ryley. Or maybe your theme is names that mean star, like Albus, or moon-inspired names like Rakesh. 

13. Pay Attention to Dreams and Visions

In some cultures, including Hawaiian boys’ names, the right moniker for your son can come during your sleep, in a family member’s dream, as a sound, or even as a vision. If you’re feeling tapped out of ideas and inspiration, leave it to the universe to give you a sign. Perhaps you’ll find some inspiration in the way the wind sounds through the trees or a moniker that pops into your mind while you slumber. 

The Bottom Line

We hope our top 1,000 boy names and our helpful list of ideas have inspired and helped you on your baby name journey. If you’re still seeking the best boy names for your little guy, you might like to try our Baby Name Generator for more inspiration.

As you prepare for little Ben’s or sweet Jackson’s arrival, don’t forget to stock up on the essentials, like diapers and wipes. And with the Pampers Rewards App, you’ll get rewarded for all those future diaper changes!