30 widespread boy names and their meanings

Aidan

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

In response to child title pattern monitoring website Nameberry,

Aidan

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

gender-neutral title

for women, too.

Alexander

Alexander is a reputation of Greek origin which means “defender.” Well-known Alexanders in historical past embrace
Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, inventor and scientist Alexander Graham Bell and naturally the
historical 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 reminiscent of Xander, Sasha and Alex.

Andrew

Andrew is boy’s title derived from the Greek

aner,

which means “man.” Andrew means “sturdy, manly,” and is the title 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 widespread 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 around the globe embrace Anders, Andre, Andreas
and Andrei.

Anthony

Anthony is a Latin title which means “priceless.” Initially a household title from historical Rome, “Antonii”
advanced into the given names Anthony and Antony within the seventeenth century, in keeping with

Nameberry

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

Whereas Anthony’s reputation

peaked within the Eighties

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

Benjamin

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a founding father of one of many Twelve Tribes of Israel within the Outdated Testomony, and in more moderen instances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

Mild and a bit old school, 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 title of historical Greek origin which means “bearer of Christ.” The title
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

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

Daniel

The Biblical title Daniel is taken from the Hebrew for “God is my decide,” and is related to the
devoted Daniel of the Outdated Testomony e-book of the identical title. It has been among the many hottest
boys’ names for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, and in keeping with

Nameberry

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

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

David

David is a boys’ title of Hebrew origin which means “beloved.” The Biblical David is the well-known one who
slew the large Goliath together with his slingshot, making David the namesake of triumphant underdogs
all over the place. 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 reside as much as!

With its inventive and non secular pedigree mixed with its traditional attraction, David has ranked amongst
the most well-liked boys’ names for many years, coming in second solely to Daniel in boys’ names that start
with D, in keeping with

Nameberry

.

Dylan

A

gender-neutral title

that has skyrocketed to reputation in latest a long time,

Dylan

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

Elijah

Elijah is a Biblical title of Hebrew origin which means “the Lord is my God.” Within the Outdated 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 fireplace.

Basic and musical-sounding, Elijah can also be an particularly widespread title amongst superstar youngsters: Bono,
Cher and a

surprisingly lengthy listing of different notables

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

gaining floor

as a reputation for child ladies.

Ethan

Ethan is an historical Hebrew title which means “enduring.” Its reputation in latest a long time might have been
kickstarted by the Tom Cruise character within the

Mission: Unimaginable

collection, by 90s indie dreamboat Ethan Hawke—or perhaps simply by the title Ethan’s
classic-yet-cheerful really feel.

In response to the newborn title reputation 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 power,” combining

gever

, which means “sturdy,” and

‘el

, God. Within the non secular traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the archangel Gabriel gives
counsel, reveals the which means of goals and visions and supplies a line of communication between
humanity and the divine. Gabriel is also referred to as the herald of the beginning of Christ.

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

Nameberry

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

Henry

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

residence

, and “wealthy” which means rule. A protracted 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 nicely past its royal pedigree,
Henry has been the earthy, accessible title 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 title which means “son of Jack,” which has risen to such large reputation in
latest a long time 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 title 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 title amongst celebrities. Notable individuals who have named their sons Jackson embrace
Spike Lee, Patti Smith and Charlize Theron.

Jacob

Jacob is a Hebrew title 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 Outdated Testomony describes how Jacob goes on to face quite a few challenges—together with
wrestling with an angel—earlier than ultimately reconciling together with his brother and turning into a frontrunner
of a brand new nation. Jacob’s legacy is complicated, however he’s an extremely vital determine in Judaism and
Christianity.

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

Twilight

collection. In response to Nameberry,

Jacob

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

James

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

James

was the most well-liked boys’ title in America from the late Nineteen Thirties into the Nineteen Forties, and it has by no means
actually gone out of favor (in reality,

James

has advanced into an excellent gender-neutral title for women lately). As Nameberry notes, extra
U.S. Presidents have been named

James

than every other title. Kings, apostles and fictional worldwide super-spies have all carried the
title of James, too.

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

Jayden

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

Jayden

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

peaking

at #4 within the early 2010s.

Imitation is the sincerest type of flattery, and the recognition of Jayden has propelled a number of
wildly widespread sound-alike names up the Social Safety Administration’s high title
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 title for women.

John

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

John

is the most well-liked boys’ title of the final 400 years, and just like the title James, it has by no means actually
gone out of favor—though it’s much less used in the present day than ever, John nonetheless

ranks

persistently within the high 30 boys’ names.

Timeless, traditional and sturdy, the title John has a band of worldwide “brothers” which can be 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 title Yosef, which means “might 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 title 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.” Mild-sounding with only a
trace of the Wild West, the Biblical title

Joshua

has been widespread for the reason that Eighties, reaching its highest rating within the Social Safety
Administration information 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 crucial well-loved names of the final 50 years.

Well-known namesakes embrace 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’ title meaning “protector.” An Irish variation of the English-German title William,
Liam is at the moment the most well-liked boys’ title within the U.S., and one of many fastest-rising names on
report (it wasn’t even within the high 10 till 2012, in keeping with

Nameberry

).

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

Logan

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

Logan

has been rising in reputation as a primary title for boys for the reason that Nineteen Seventies due to the sci-f-
traditional

Logan’s Run

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

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

Gilmore Women

and various different exhibits. Zora Neale Hurston’s novel

Their Eyes Had been Watching God

additionally includes a character named Logan.

Lucas

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

Lucas is a giant title amongst big-screen cowboys from

Cool Hand Luke

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

The Rifleman

, and various fictional characters from

Ivanhoe

to

Stranger Issues

have been named Lucas as nicely.

Mason

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

derived

from an Outdated English phrase

macian

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

Mason

peaked at #2 in 2011, however its enduring reputation has boosted various sound-alike names reminiscent of
Cason and Grayson.

Matthew

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

Matthew

is a soft-yet-strong Biblical boys’ title that has been widespread for many years, particularly within the Eighties
and Nineties. Title “spin-offs” from Matthew which can be additionally widespread now embrace 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 title isn’t supposed to be answered after all—but it surely suggests the significance of
humility, grace and sincerity in life. The archangel Michael, vital 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 title in army households.

Michael

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

Notable Michaels in historical past and literature are nearly too many to listing, 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’ title Noah is of Hebrew origin and means “peace.” The Biblical story of Noah and the ark
is thought by kids around the globe, and word-lovers are grateful to American lexicographer Noah
Webster for his pioneering dictionary.

Noah

is without doubt one of the hottest boys’ names of the final 20 years and at the moment ranks #2, though it
hasn’t all the time been as widely-used as it’s

in the present day

. Together with old school Biblical names reminiscent of Elijah, Micah and Jonah, Noah has resurfaced as a
gentle-sounding boys’ title with a critical really feel.

Oliver

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

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

Oliver

is the #1 boy title 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 title for a
much-wished-for little boy. Samuel has a critical, old school attraction whereas its softer, friendlier
nickname Sam is each gender-neutral and easy-going. A Biblical title with a protracted historical past of
reputation,

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 title which means “resolute protector,” derived from the German “wil” which means

will

and “heim” which means

helmet.

In response to Nameberry,

William

is without doubt 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 without doubt one of the high 10 boys’ names of the previous decade.