500+ Modern Baby Boy Names Parents Love: Fresh & New List

I still remember the absolute, chest-tightening panic I felt standing in the hospital parking lot. My wife was eight months pregnant, waddling toward the car with a fierce craving for spicy pickles, and I was staring blankly at a “Baby on Board” sticker on a passing minivan. It hit me like a freight train: we still didn’t have a name.

We had a nursery painted a calming shade of sage. We had a stroller that cost more than my first Honda Civic. We had a pile of onesies that looked terrifyingly small. But a name? We had nothing. Zero.

Every time one of us brought up a suggestion, the other shot it down. I wanted something strong, maybe a little gritty. She wanted something “flowy” and artistic. I wanted unique; she worried he’d have to spell it for the rest of his life. Naming a human is terrifying. You aren’t just naming a baby who smells like milk; you’re naming a future CEO, a future artist, a future grandfather.

If you are reading this, you’re likely in the same boat. You’ve doom-scrolled through thousands of “traditional” options and felt absolutely nothing. You don’t want a name that sounds like it belongs on a tax return from 1950. You want something that feels right for now. You want modern baby boy names that stand out without trying too hard.

I’ve been there. I’ve done the research. I’ve argued over the merits of “Jax” versus “Jaxon” until 2 AM with bloodshot eyes. Let’s get your son a name that actually fits.

Also Read: Best Holiday Themed Borg Names and Best Pirate Ship Names with Meanings

Key Takeaways

• Vibe Check: The trend is shifting away from hard consonants (think “Rick” or “Greg”) toward softer sounds and vowels (think “Arlo” or “Elio”).
• Genre Blending: The lines between surnames, nature words, and actual first names are completely blurred in 2025. If it sounds cool, it’s a name.
• The “Grandpa” Effect: Paradoxically, the most modern-sounding names right now are often vintage revivals from the 1920s that skipped a generation.
• Length Matters: Short, one-syllable “punch” names are dominating. Parents want speed and impact.
• Individuality: Unique spelling is everywhere, but phonetic clarity is the one thing that ensures a kid doesn’t hate you later.

Why are we totally ditching the classics for modern vibes?

Look, I love a good “William” or “James.” They are solid. They are timeless. They look great on a resume. But does every single kid on the playground need to turn around when you shout “Will”?

Parents today crave individuality. We live in a world of curated Instagram feeds, personalized Spotify playlists, and custom everything. Why would we settle for a default setting on our children? I remember telling my dad we were considering the name “River.” He looked at me like I had three heads. “Like the water?” he asked, genuinely confused.

Yes, Dad. Like the water.

Modern naming isn’t about being weird just for the sake of it; it’s about capturing a specific feeling. We want names that feel open, approachable, and distinct. We are moving away from names that feel heavy with familial obligation—the “James the Thirds”—and toward names that feel like a fresh start. We want our kids to define themselves, not be defined by a name that’s been in the family for eighty years.

Can nature-inspired names actually work in the city?

This was my biggest worry. Can a kid named “Bear” survive in a boardroom? Can a “Forest” live in an apartment in Chicago?

The answer is absolutely. In fact, nature names are becoming the most sophisticated options on the table. They ground a child. They feel organic in a digital world. When we finally settled on a middle name for our son, we went with “Fox.” It felt clever, agile, and just cool enough to balance out his more traditional first name. It gave him an edge.

Here is a massive list of nature-inspired names that feel right at home in a high-rise or a cabin.

• River: The absolute king of modern nature names. It flows easily, fits everyone, and feels peaceful yet strong.
• Brooks: Sophisticated, preppy, but still deeply earthy. It sounds like a guy who owns a tech startup and hikes on weekends.
• Rowan: A tree name that bridges the gender gap beautifully. It feels ancient and modern all at once.
• Sage: Wisdom and an herb. Short, sweet, and green.
• Orion: Technically celestial, but it carries that outdoor hunter vibe without the gun.
• Bear: It takes a brave parent to pull the trigger on this one, but it is undeniably adorable and strong.
• Forest: Vintage but feels incredibly fresh right now. Just don’t pair it with the last name “Gump.”
• Ash: Simple. Cool. The modern, sharper alternative to Ashley.
• Ridge: Rugged and cowboy-cool.
• Flint: Sharp and fiery. It sounds capable.
• Slate: Strong, grey, and unbreakable.
• Canyon: Evocative and grand.
• Reef: Beachy without being cheesy.
• Wolf: A middle name power move.
• Hawk: Sharp and visionary.
• Cedar: A softer, more aromatic alternative to Ash.
• Jasper: A stone and a national park.
• Onyx: Dark, mysterious, and incredibly modern.
• Briar: Thorny but beautiful.
• Clay: Earthy and solid.

The “Wild” List:

• Alder: Refers to the alder tree; represents strength and protection.
• Basil: Greek for “royal” or “kingly,” also a fragrant herb.
• Bay: A body of water or a laurel tree; simple and serene.
• Birch: White-barked tree; symbolizes new beginnings.
• Cove: A small, sheltered bay; implies safety and calm.
• Crane: The elegant bird; represents grace and longevity.
• Cypress: A strong, adaptable tree; distinct and southern.
• Dune: A hill of sand; evokes beachy, shifting landscapes.
• Elm: A sturdy, shady tree; rooted and reliable.
• Falcon: A bird of prey; speed, focus, and vision.
• Field: Open land; suggests freedom and potential.
• Fjord: A deep, narrow sea inlet; dramatic and Nordic.
• Grove: A small wood or group of trees; sheltered and peaceful.
• Harbor: A place of safety for ships; shelter and security.
• Heath: An area of open uncultivated land; earthy and English.
• Huckleberry: Sweet wild berry; literary and adventurous (Huck Finn).
• Indigo: A deep blue-purple dye; artistic and colorful.
• Ivy: A climbing vine; symbolizes faithfulness (gaining traction for boys).
• Juniper: An evergreen shrub; sharp, gin-inspired, and energetic.
• Lake: A body of water; tranquil and deep.
• Lark: A songbird; playful and happy.
• Leaf: Part of a tree; nature-focused and hippie-chic.
• Linden: A deciduous tree; sacred in many cultures.
• Lynx: A wild cat; sharp-sighted and stealthy.
• Marsh: A wetland; soft and grounded.
• Moss: A small, green plant; earthy, soft, and quiet.
• North: Directional; points the way, feels cold and crisp.
• Oak: The mighty tree; symbolizes endurance and strength.
• Ocean: The vast sea; boundless and powerful.
• Peregrine: A type of falcon; also means “traveler.”
• Pine: Evergreen tree; fresh, sharp, and resilient.
• Pike: A fish or a peak; sharp and decisive.
• Quest: A search or pursuit; adventurous and bold.
• Rain: Water from the sky; cleansing and life-giving.
• Reed: A tall, slender plant; musical and gentle.
• Rio: Spanish for “river”; lively and flowing.
• Rock: Stone; solid, dependable foundation.
• Rook: A bird or chess piece; strategic and cool.
• Sequoia: Giant redwood tree; massive and majestic.
• Shadow: Shade or darkness; mysterious and cool.
• Sky: The atmosphere; limitless and open.
• Sorrel: An herb; reddish-brown color.
• Spruce: Evergreen tree; neat and dapper.
• Steel: An alloy of iron; hard and industrial.
• Stone: Rock; unbreakable and tough.
• Storm: Turbulent weather; fierce and powerful.
• Talon: The claw of a bird of prey; sharp and gripping.
• Thorn: A sharp point; protective and edgy.
• Timber: Wood prepared for building; strong and constructive.
• Vale: A valley; poetic and peaceful.
• West: Directional; implies exploration and sunsets.
• Woods: The forest; outdoorsy and classic.
• Wren: A small bird; quick and energetic.
• Yarrow: A healing herb; distinctive and botanical.
• Zephyr: A gentle west wind; soft and breezy.

Do surnames actually make better first names?

There is something undeniable about using a last name as a first name. It sounds established. It sounds wealthy, frankly. It gives a kid a “law firm” vibe before he’s even out of diapers.

My buddy Mike named his kid “Harrison.” Even when that kid is eating Cheerios off the floor and screaming about Paw Patrol, he sounds like he should be signing a peace treaty. This trend of modern baby boy names stems from a desire for strength without stiffness. It’s preppy, sure, but it works.

The Preppy Handbook:

• Parker: “Park keeper”; unisex, but leans heavily cool-boy right now.
• Hudson: “Son of Hud”; a New York vibe that parents everywhere love.
• Mason: “Worker in stone”; solid as a brick (pun intended).
• Carter: “Transporter of goods”; presidential but approachable.
• Lincoln: “Town by the pool”; honest and historic.
• Cooper: “Barrel maker”; playful and energetic.
• Easton: “East town”; directional and surname-y.
• Sawyer: “Woodcutter”; literary and adventurous.
• Grayson: “Son of the bailiff”; the modern answer to Jason.
• Sullivan: “Dark eyes”; friendly and Irish.

The Last-Name-First List:

• Abbott: “Father/Priest”; studious and serious.
• Adler: German for “eagle”; sharp and soaring.
• Anderson: “Son of Andrew”; classic and reliable.
• Archer: “Bowman”; skilled and focused.
• Baker: “Occupational name”; warm and approachable.
• Banks: “Dweller by the riverbanks”; financial and cool.
• Barrett: “Bear strength”; tough but sophisticated.
• Beckett: “Bee cottage”; literary (Samuel Beckett) and trendy.
• Bennett: “Blessed”; a softer alternative to Benjamin.
• Benson: “Son of Ben”; friendly and easygoing.
• Bishop: “Overseer”; prestigious and religious.
• Bowen: “Son of Owen”; Welsh and rhythmic.
• Brady: “Broad meadow”; spirited and Irish.
• Briggs: “Bridges”; short, punchy, and preppy.
• Callahan: “Bright-headed”; lively and Irish.
• Campbell: “Crooked mouth”; Scottish and distinguished.
• Carson: “Son of the marsh-dwellers”; cowboy cool.
• Chandler: “Candle maker”; Friends vibes, but classic.
• Channing: “Young wolf”; sophisticated and charming.
• Cohen: “Priest”; strong and controversial in some circles, but popular.
• Coleman: “Dove”; peaceful and vintage.
• Colton: “Coal town”; rugged and country.
• Copeland: “Bought land”; distinctive and surname-y.
• Crawford: “Ford of the crows”; old Hollywood vibes.
• Crosby: “Village with crosses”; musical and friendly.
• Dalton: “Valley town”; western and cool.
• Davis: “Son of David”; familiar but fresh as a first name.
• Dawson: “Son of David”; TV nostalgia and creek vibes.
• Decker: “Roofer”; edgy and active.
• Dixon: “Son of Dick”; sharp X sound.
• Donovan: “Dark warrior”; strong and Irish.
• Duke: “Leader”; noble and John Wayne-esque.
• Edison: “Son of Edward”; inventive and smart.
• Ellis: “Benevolent”; soft and Welsh.
• Emerson: “Son of Emery”; literary and unisex.
• Finnegan: “Fair”; lively and Irish.
• Fisher: “Fisherman”; nature-adjacent and surname-y.
• Fletcher: “Arrow maker”; quirky and cool.
• Ford: “River crossing”; automotive and strong.
• Foster: “Forester”; supportive and kind.
• Franklin: “Free landholder”; vintage and presidential.
• Garrison: “Stronghold”; military and protective.
• Gibson: “Son of Gilbert”; musical (guitars) and cool.
• Grady: “Noble”; friendly and Irish.
• Griffith: “Strong lord”; Welsh and powerful.
• Harding: “Hard/Strong”; presidential and sturdy.
• Harris: “Son of Harry”; classic and dependable.
• Hayes: “Hedged area”; presidential and trendy.
• Hendrix: “Estate ruler”; rockstar cool (Jimi).
• Holden: “Hollow valley”; literary (Catcher in the Rye).
• Hutton: “Ridge enclosure”; preppy and rare.
• Jackson: “Son of Jack”; incredibly popular and versatile.
• Jameson: “Son of James”; whiskey vibes and cool.
• Jefferson: “Son of Jeffrey”; presidential and stately.
• Jenkins: “Son of John”; quirky and vintage.
• Jennings: “Little John”; surname chic.
• Jones: “Son of John”; cool middle name, bold first name.
• Keller: “Cellar master”; strong and German.
• Kennedy: “Misshapen head” (ironic meanings don’t stop popularity); presidential.
• Kingsley: “King’s meadow”; royal and posh.
• Knight: “Warrior”; noble and chivalrous.
• Langston: “Tall man’s town”; literary (Langston Hughes).
• Lawson: “Son of Lawrence”; preppy and southern.
• Lennox: “Elm grove”; Scottish and X-ending cool.
• Madden: “Little dog”; sporty (video game association).
• Marshall: “Horse keeper”; orderly and western.
• Maxwell: “Mack’s stream”; smart and complete.
• Mercer: “Merchant”; textile vibes and cool.
• Miller: “Grinder of grain”; common surname, cool first name.
• Mitchell: “Who is like God”; classic 90s vibe returning.
• Montgomery: “Man power”; distinguished and long.
• Morgan: “Sea circle”; classic and unisex.
• Nash: “By the ash tree”; short, country, and cool.
• Nelson: “Son of Neil”; heroic and leadership vibes.
• Nixon: “Son of Nicholas”; edgy and political.
• Palmer: “Pilgrim”; golf vibes and preppy.
• Patton: “Fighter’s town”; military and strong.
• Penn: “Enclosure”; literary and simple.
• Porter: “Gatekeeper”; friendly and occupational.
• Powell: “Son of Howell”; distinguished and serious.
• Prescott: “Priest’s cottage”; very preppy.
• Ramsey: “Wild garlic island”; sharp and culinary.
• Reid: “Red-haired”; short, smart, and Scottish.
• Rhodes: “Where roses grow”; scholar and island vibe.
• Riggs: “Ridge”; tough and action-hero sounding.
• Sanders: “Defender of men”; soft surname.
• Shepherd: “Sheep herder”; gentle and protective.
• Smith: “Blacksmith”; the ultimate surname name.
• Spencer: “Steward”; aristocratic and soft.
• Sterling: “Of high quality/silver”; rich and refined.
• Sutton: “Southern homestead”; unisex and trendy.
• Tanner: “Leather worker”; classic occupational.
• Tate: “Cheerful”; short and happy.
• Thatcher: “Roof thatcher”; political and artisan.
• Thompson: “Son of Tom”; classic and long.
• Turner: “Lathe worker”; artistic and strong.
• Vaughn: “Small”; smooth and Hollywood.
• Walker: “Cloth walker”; dynamic and active.
• Warner: “Army guard”; old Hollywood vibes.
• Watson: “Son of Walter”; detective vibes (Sherlock).
• Wells: “Spring”; water-related and posh.
• Weston: “Western town”; cowboy cool.
• Wilder: “Untamed”; adventurous and literary.
• Wilson: “Son of Will”; friendly and approachable.
• Wright: “Carpenter”; maker vibes.
• Yates: “Gatekeeper”; preppy and rare.

Are short names the ultimate power move?

Sometimes, less is more. We are seeing a massive surge in four-letter names (or less). They fit on a jersey. They are easy to spell. They pack a punch.

I tried the “Coffee Shop Test” with these. I walked into my local spot and gave the barista the name “Zane” just to see how it felt when they called it out. It felt sharp. It felt immediate. Nobody asked me to repeat it. It’s efficient.

• Ace: “One/Unity”; sleek and winning.
• Jax: Modern invented short form of Jackson; edgy.
• Kai: Hawaiian for “sea”; oceanic and incredibly popular.
• Leo: Latin for “lion”; classic, strong, and short.
• Max: “Greatest”; the ultimate punchy name.
• Zane: “God is gracious”; cowboy cool version of John.
• Finn: Irish for “fair”; energetic and friendly.
• Beau: French for “handsome”; Southern charm.
• Cole: “Swarthy/Charcoal”; dark and handsome vibes.
• Jett: “Black gemstone” or aircraft; fast and luxurious.

The Short & Punchy List:

• Abe: “Father of many”; honest and vintage (Abraham).
• Ari: “Lion” (Hebrew); short and spirited.
• Art: “Bear man”; artistic and vintage (Arthur).
• Axel: “Father of peace”; rock and roll edge.
• Baz: “Royal”; cool nickname for Basil or Sebastian.
• Ben: “Son of”; the friendliest name ever.
• Bip: Modern invented/nickname; playful and rare.
• Blake: “Fair/Dark”; unisex and sleek.
• Blue: Color name; cool and celebrity-inspired.
• Bode: “Messenger”; spiritual and surname-y.
• Boone: “Good/Blessing”; rugged and frontiersman.
• Bram: “Father of multitudes”; literary (Stoker) and strong.
• Cade: “Round/Barrel”; cowboy cool.
• Cain: “Spear”; biblical and edgy.
• Case: “Case maker”; short and professional.
• Cash: “Hollow”; money vibes and Johnny Cash cool.
• Chad: “Protector”; retro cool trying to come back.
• Chase: “Huntsman”; active and preppy.
• Chet: “Fortress”; retro cool.
• Clay: “Clay worker”; earthy and Southern.
• Clive: “Cliff”; British and distinct.
• Crew: “Group/Chariot”; nautical and preppy.
• Dane: “From Denmark”; strong and simple.
• Dash: “Ash tree” or speed; energetic.
• Dean: “Valley”; James Dean cool.
• Dion: “Child of heaven and earth”; retro party vibes.
• Drax: “Dragon” or place name; Marvel cool.
• Drew: “Strong”; unisex and friendly.
• Eli: “Ascended”; biblical and soft.
• Elk: Animal name; nature and strong.
• Enzo: Italian for “home ruler”; Ferrari fast.
• Ezra: “Help”; biblical and hipster.
• Fae: “Fairy”; magical and soft.
• Fox: Animal name; clever and sleek.
• Gage: “Oath”; strong and one-syllable.
• Grey: Color name; soft and sophisticated.
• Gus: “Great”; friendly and grandpa-chic.
• Guy: “Guide”; retro and French.
• Hale: “Hero”; healthy and strong.
• Hank: “Home ruler”; country and sturdy.
• Hans: “God is gracious”; German and classic.
• Hart: “Stag”; romantic and nature.
• Huck: “Huckleberry”; adventurous and cute.
• Hugh: “Mind/Intellect”; classic and British.
• Ian: “God is gracious”; Scottish classic.
• Ike: “Laughter”; vintage and punchy (Isaac).
• Ira: “Watchful”; vintage and soft.
• Jay: “Jaybird”; simple and nature-inspired.
• Jaz: Modern short form; musical.
• Jeb: “Beloved friend”; Southern and retro.
• Jed: “Beloved of the Lord”; cowboy cool.
• Jo: “God is gracious”; unisex and simple.
• Joe: “God will add”; the ultimate regular guy name.
• Jude: “Praised”; Beatles vibe and cool.
• Kane: “Warrior”; strong and Irish.
• Kit: “Christ-bearer”; British and playful.
• Knox: “Round hill”; fortified and cool.
• Koa: “Warrior” (Hawaiian); strong and nature.
• Kye: Modern spelling of Kai/Kyle; short.
• Lane: “Path”; sleek and directional.
• Lee: “Meadow”; Southern and classic.
• Lev: “Heart” (Hebrew) or “Lion” (Russian); cool.
• Link: “Lincoln”; video game hero (Zelda).
• Luke: “Light giving”; biblical and Star Wars.
• Lyle: “The island”; vintage and Scottish.
• Mack: “Son of”; tough guy cool.
• Mio: “Mine” or “Cherry blossom”; soft and Spanish/Japanese.
• Neil: “Cloud/Champion”; retro astronaut vibes.
• Nico: “Victory of the people”; cool and international.
• Nile: River name; exotic and strong.
• Noah: “Rest”; number one for a reason.
• Noe: Variation of Noah; Spanish/French flair.
• Odin: Norse god; mythological power.
• Omar: “Flourishing”; Arabic and strong.
• Otis: “Wealthy”; soulful and vintage.
• Otto: “Wealthy”; palindrome and German cool.
• Owen: “Noble born”; Welsh and popular.
• Oz: “Strength”; Wizard of Oz vibes.
• Paz: “Gold” or “Peace”; rare and cool.
• Penn: “Enclosure”; writerly and simple.
• Poe: Literary (Edgar Allan); dark and cool.
• Quinn: “Descendant of Conn”; unisex and Irish.
• Ray: “Beam of light”; retro and sunny.
• Rex: “King”; dinosaur cool.
• Rio: “River”; Spanish and fun.
• Roy: “King”; vintage and red.
• Ruhl: “Famous wolf”; rare and surname-y.
• Ry: Short for Ryan/Ryder; casual.
• Sam: “Told by God”; friendly and classic.
• Saul: “Prayed for”; biblical and serious.
• Seth: “Appointed”; biblical and soft.
• Sid: “St. Denis”; punk rock (Sid Vicious).
• Sky: Nature name; open and blue.
• Sol: “Sun”; bright and Jewish/Spanish.
• Tad: “Heart”; cute and vintage.
• Taj: “Crown”; exotic and regal.
• Teo: “God”; short for Mateo/Theodore.
• Tex: “From Texas”; cowboy cool.
• Thor: Norse god; thunder and strength.
• Tio: “Uncle” (Spanish) or short form; lively.
• Tom: “Twin”; classic and dependable.
• Troy: “Foot soldier”; Greek city and strong.
• Ty: Short for Tyler/Tyson; short and sporty.
• Van: “Of”; Dutch prefix, sounds cool alone.
• Vig: Short for Viggo; energetic.
• Von: “From”; aristocratic prefix.
• Wes: “Western meadow”; short for Wesley.
• Will: “Resolute protector”; classic nickname.
• Wyn: “Fair/Blessed”; Welsh and soft.
• Zac: “Remembered by God”; punchy version of Zachary.
• Zed: “God is righteousness”; the British “Z”.
• Zeke: “God strengthens”; cool nickname for Ezekiel.

How do “Soft Boy” names change the game?

For decades, boy names had to be hard. Rick. Brad. Greg. They sounded like rocks hitting pavement. They were names for guys who fixed carburetors and didn’t talk about their feelings.

Now? We want vowels. We want flow. We want names that end in vowels. This is one of the biggest shifts in modern baby boy names. It reflects a shift in parenting, too—we are raising boys to be emotionally intelligent, not just tough.

My neighbor named his son “Arlo.” At first, I thought it sounded old-fashioned, but the more I hear it, the more I realize how gentle and approachable it is. It invites conversation rather than demanding attention.

• Arlo: “Barberry tree”; artistic and folksy.
• Elio: “Sun”; sun-drenched and Italian.
• Luca: “Bringer of light”; the ultimate soft boy name.
• Milo: “Soldier” or “Merciful”; playful and sweet.
• Ezra: “Help”; biblical but incredibly hip.
• Julian: “Youthful”; soft, strong, and intellectual.
• Elias: “The Lord is my God”; flowing alternative to Elijah.
• Silas: “Forest”; woodsy and whispered.
• Asher: “Happy/Blessed”; happy and soft.
• Theo: “Gift of God”; short, vowel-heavy, and beloved.

The Vowel-Heavy & Soft List:

• Alden: “Old friend”; gentle and wise.
• Alfie: “Elf counsel”; British and cute.
• Ambrose: “Immortal”; vintage and sophisticated.
• Amos: “Carried by God”; biblical and humble.
• Ansel: “With divine protection”; artistic (Ansel Adams).
• Apollo: “Destroyer” (Greek God); artsy and celestial.
• Aries: “The Ram”; astrological and fiery.
• Asa: “Healer”; biblical and simple.
• August: “Great/Magnificent”; summery and warm.
• Avery: “Elf ruler”; soft and unisex.
• Bailey: “Bailiff”; friendly and soft.
• Bastian: Short for Sebastian; soft and European.
• Bellamy: “Fine friend”; French and romantic.
• Bodhi: “Awakening/Enlightenment”; spiritual and trendy.
• Bowie: “Yellow-haired”; musical and soft.
• Caleb: “Whole heart”; biblical and gentle.
• Callum: “Dove”; Scottish and peaceful.
• Caspian: Sea name; romantic and literary (Narnia).
• Cassius: “Hollow”; poetic and historic.
• Cecil: “Blind”; vintage and soft.
• Cedric: “Bounty”; literary (Harry Potter) and gentle.
• Cylas: Variation of Silas; woodsy.
• Cyrus: “Sun”; royal and Persian.
• Dante: “Enduring”; poetic and Italian.
• Darian: “Gift”; smooth and modern.
• Dashiell: Unknown meaning; literary and dashing.
• Dorian: “Of Doris”; literary (Dorian Gray) and elegant.
• Eden: “Place of pleasure”; paradise and soft.
• Elian: “The Lord is my God”; lyrical and Hispanic.
• Elisha: “God is my salvation”; soft biblical name.
• Elliot: “The Lord is my God”; classic and intelligent.
• Emery: “Industrious”; soft and unisex.
• Emil: “Rival”; European and gentle.
• Emmett: “Universal”; honest and simple.
• Eamon: “Guardian of riches”; Irish and vowel-rich.
• Ewan: “Born of the yew tree”; Scottish and actor-cool.
• Ezrah: Variation of Ezra; helpful.
• Fabian: “Bean grower”; Roman and soft.
• Finley: “Fair warrior”; playful and Scottish.
• Florian: “Flower”; incredibly soft and romantic.
• Flynn: “Son of the red-haired one”; dashing and Irish.
• Francis: “Frenchman”; religious and gentle (Pope Francis).
• Gabriel: “God is my strength”; angelic and soft.
• Gideon: “Feller”; biblical and underused.
• Giovanni: “God is gracious”; Italian and rhythmic.
• Hollis: “Holly tree”; nature and soft.
• Hugo: “Mind/Intellect”; European and cute.
• Isaiah: “Salvation of the Lord”; biblical and popular.
• Isidore: “Gift of Isis”; vintage and rare.
• Ivan: “God is gracious”; Russian but soft sounding.
• Jasper: “Treasurer”; gemstone and soft.
• Jeremiah: “Appointed by God”; biblical and long.
• Jesse: “Gift”; classic and gentle.
• Jonah: “Dove”; biblical and ocean-connected.
• Josiah: “God supports”; biblical and vintage.
• Jovian: “Of Jupiter”; celestial and rare.
• Julius: “Youthful”; Roman and strong yet soft.
• Koda: “Friend” (Native American); nature and bear-like.
• Kyrie: “Lord”; religious and lyrical.
• Laszlo: “Glorious ruler”; Hungarian and hipster.
• Leander: “Lion man”; Greek and romantic.
• Leon: “Lion”; French and soft.
• Levi: “Joined”; biblical and denim-cool.
• Liam: “Protector”; Irish and incredibly popular.
• Louis: “Renowned warrior”; French and royal.
• Lucian: “Light”; soft and Roman.
• Lucius: “Light”; sophisticated and vintage.
• Malachi: “My messenger”; biblical and rhythmic.
• Marlowe: “Driftwood”; surname and literary.
• Mateo: “Gift of God”; Spanish and flowing.
• Mathias: “Gift of God”; German and strong.
• Micah: “Who is like God”; biblical and sweet.
• Miles: “Soldier” or “Merciful”; jazz cool and soft.
• Moses: “Delivered from water”; biblical and wise.
• Noa: “Motion”; female spelling often used for boys now.
• Oliver: “Olive tree”; peace and top charts.
• Omari: “God the highest”; Swahili and flowing.
• Ory: “Light”; rare and short.
• Oscar: “Deer friend”; vintage and cute.
• Owen: “Noble born”; Welsh and classic.
• Percy: “Pierce the valley”; British and soft.
• Phineas: “Oracle”; vintage and quirky.
• Quincy: “Estate of the fifth son”; presidential and musical.
• Rafael: “God has healed”; artistic and angelic.
• Remy: “Oarsman”; French and chic.
• Reuben: “Behold, a son”; sandwich and biblical.
• Rohan: “Ascending”; Sanskrit and Tolkien.
• Romeo: “Pilgrim to Rome”; romantic.
• Rory: “Red king”; Irish and spirited.
• Roscoe: “Deer forest”; vintage and quirky.
• Rowan: “Little redhead”; nature and soft.
• Samuel: “Told by God”; classic and gentle.
• Sasha: “Defender of men”; Russian and unisex.
• Sebastian: “Venerable”; Latin and flowing.
• Shiloh: “Peace”; biblical and unisex.
• Simon: “The listener”; intelligent and soft.
• Solomon: “Peace”; biblical and wise.
• Soren: “Stern”; Danish and intellectual.
• Stellan: “Calm”; Swedish and starry.
• Sylas: “Forest”; nature and soft.
• Tobias: “God is good”; gentle and vintage.
• Uriah: “God is my light”; biblical and literary.
• Valentin: “Strong/Healthy”; romantic and Latin.
• Wesley: “Western meadow”; cowboy and soft.
• Willow: “Willow tree”; nature and usually female, but trending male.
• Xavier: “New house”; Basque and cool.

Why is “Grandpa Chic” suddenly the coolest thing in the room?

Walk into any kindergarten in Brooklyn or Austin, and you might think you’ve walked into a retirement home bingo night. Names like Arthur, Walter, and Theodore are back with a vengeance.

Why? Because they have gravity. They have history. But when you put them on a toddler in Converse sneakers, they lose the dust and gain a hipster edge. I pushed hard for “Walter” with my wife. I loved the idea of calling a baby “Walt.” She vetoed it because she couldn’t get the image of an angry old man out of her head, but I still think it’s a winner.

The Vintage Revival List:

• Theodore: “Gift of God”; the new classic. “Theo” or “Teddy” makes it versatile.
• Arthur: “Bear man”; Kingly and gentle.
• Henry: “Home ruler”; Royal and timeless.
• Walter: “Army ruler”; Clunky cool.
• Felix: “Lucky/Successful”; Happy and energetic.
• Otis: “Wealthy”; Soulful and vintage.
• Harvey: “Battle worthy”; A little retro, a little cool.
• Louis: “Renowned warrior”; French flair or jazz vibes.
• Archie: “Truly brave”; Playful and British.
• George: “Farmer”; Solid. Just solid.

The Old School Cool List:

• Albert: “Noble and bright”; royal and scientific (Einstein).
• Alfred: “Elf counsel”; British and Batman (Alfred Pennyworth).
• Alistair: “Defender of men”; Scottish and sophisticated.
• Alton: “Old town”; surname and vintage.
• Archibald: “Truly brave”; formal version of Archie.
• Barnaby: “Son of consolation”; bouncy and British.
• Barney: “Son of consolation”; friendly retro.
• Benedict: “Blessed”; posh and actor-cool (Cumberbatch).
• Bernard: “Brave as a bear”; clunky and cute.
• Bertie: “Bright/Famous”; British nickname style.
• Bruce: “The willowlands”; Batman and strong.
• Byron: “Barn for cows”; poetic (Lord Byron) and romantic.
• Calvin: “Bald”; chic despite the meaning (Calvin Klein).
• Chester: “Fortress”; jazzy and retro.
• Clarence: “Bright”; vintage and gentle.
• Clark: “Scribe/Cleric”; Superman cool.
• Claude: “Lame” (Latin origin); artistic (Monet) and French.
• Clement: “Merciful”; soft and papal.
• Clifford: “Ford by a cliff”; the big red dog warmth.
• Clyde: “River name”; outlaw cool (Bonnie & Clyde).
• Conrad: “Brave counsel”; German and strong.
• Cornelius: “Horn”; ancient and quirky.
• Desmond: “South Munster”; sophisticated and Irish.
• Dexter: “Dyer” or “Right-handed”; cool X sound.
• Donald: “World ruler”; Scottish and strong.
• Douglas: “Black stream”; vintage Scottish.
• Dwight: “Devotee of Dionysus”; The Office cool.
• Earl: “Nobleman”; title name with grit.
• Edgar: “Wealthy spear”; literary (Poe) and vintage.
• Edmund: “Fortunate protector”; Narnia and royal.
• Edward: “Wealthy guardian”; Twilight and classic.
• Edwin: “Rich friend”; vintage alternative to Edward.
• Ernest: “Serious”; literary (Hemingway) and honest.
• Eugene: “Well-born”; quirky and hipster.
• Floyd: “Gray-haired”; Pink Floyd cool.
• Frank: “Free man”; honest and crooner (Sinatra).
• Franklin: “Free landholder”; presidential.
• Frederick: “Peaceful ruler”; nickname Fred/Freddie is cute.
• Gilbert: “Bright pledge”; Anne of Green Gables vintage.
• Gordon: “Great hill”; Scottish and sturdy.
• Grover: “Grove of trees”; Sesame Street and presidential.
• Harold: “Army ruler”; nickname Harry keeps it fresh.
• Harry: “Home ruler”; wizard and royal cool.
• Herbert: “Bright army”; very vintage.
• Herman: “Soldier”; clunky cool.
• Homer: “Pledge”; literary (Iliad) and Simpson.
• Horace: “Timekeeper”; ancient Roman poet.
• Howard: “High guardian”; distinguished.
• Hugh: “Mind/Spirit”; charming and British.
• Humphrey: “Peaceful warrior”; Bogart cool.
• Ignatius: “Fiery”; saintly and rare.
• Irving: “Green water”; surname vintage.
• Ivor: “Archer”; Welsh and sharp.
• Jack: “God is gracious”; the ultimate everyman.
• Kenneth: “Born of fire”; mid-century classic.
• Lawrence: “From Laurentium”; dignified.
• Leonard: “Lion strength”; nickname Leo/Lenny.
• Leopold: “Bold people”; royal and vintage.
• Lester: “Fortified place”; quirky jazz vibe.
• Lionel: “Young lion”; musical (Richie) and soccer (Messi).
• Lloyd: “Gray”; Welsh and distinguished.
• Luther: “Army people”; religious and strong.
• Martin: “Of Mars/Warlike”; civil rights icon.
• Maurice: “Dark-skinned”; French and vintage.
• Maxwell: “Mack’s stream”; smart and physics-related.
• Milton: “Mill town”; literary (Paradise Lost).
• Morris: “Dark-skinned”; vintage charm.
• Murray: “Settlement by the sea”; Scottish and comedic.
• Ned: “Wealthy guardian”; friendly nickname.
• Nelson: “Son of Neil”; heroic.
• Norman: “Northman”; Viking roots.
• Orson: “Bear cub”; literary and cute.
• Oswald: “Divine power”; quirky and retro.
• Percival: “Pierce the valley”; Knight of the Round Table.
• Percy: “Pierce”; nickname for Percival.
• Philip: “Lover of horses”; royal and classic.
• Preston: “Priest’s town”; surname cool.
• Ralph: “Wolf counsel”; vintage and strong.
• Raymond: “Wise protector”; reliable.
• Reginald: “Council power”; nickname Reggie is cool.
• Rex: “King”; short and regal.
• Richard: “Brave power”; classic.
• Robert: “Bright fame”; timeless.
• Roger: “Famous spear”; mid-century.
• Roland: “Famous land”; knightly and brave.
• Roy: “King”; cowboy cool.
• Rufus: “Red-haired”; quirky and cool.
• Rupert: “Bright fame”; British and posh.
• Russell: “Redhead”; nature and surname.
• Seymour: “Saint Maur”; vintage and geek chic.
• Sherman: “Shearer of wool”; sturdy.
• Sidney: “St. Denis”; sophisticated.
• Stanley: “Stone clearing”; adventurous (Stanley Tucci).
• Stuart: “Steward”; royal Scottish.
• Sylvester: “Wooded/Wild”; rocky and cat-like.
• Terrence: “Smooth”; gentle.
• Thaddeus: “Heart”; biblical and cool nickname (Thad).
• Timothy: “Honoring God”; biblical and sweet.
• Truman: “Loyal man”; presidential and honest.
• Victor: “Conqueror”; strong and winning.
• Vincent: “Conquering”; artistic (Van Gogh).
• Wallace: “Welshman”; braveheart vibes.
• Warren: “Park keeper”; billionaire vibes (Buffett).
• Wayne: “Wagon builder”; cowboy (John Wayne).
• Wilfred: “Desiring peace”; British and vintage.
• Winston: “Wine’s town”; Churchill tough.
• Woodrow: “Row of houses by a wood”; presidential.

Is the future actually gender-neutral?

The binary is breaking down in the naming world, and honestly, it’s about time. Names that used to be strictly for girls are crossing over, and names that were “boy names” are being used for daughters. It creates a modern, confident vibe. It says, “This kid defines the name, the name doesn’t define the kid.”

• Cameron: “Crooked nose” (Gaelic); The OG unisex name.
• Jordan: “Flowing down”; Sporty and universal.
• Riley: “Courageous”; Fun and Irish.
• Casey: “Brave in battle”; A 90s classic making a return.
• Morgan: “Sea circle”; Sophisticated and Welsh.
• Reese: “Ardor/Enthusiasm”; Crisp and polished.
• Taylor: “Cutter of cloth”; Swift impact aside, it’s a solid boy name.
• Jamie: “Supplanter”; Gentle and classic.
• Avery: “Elf counsel”; Currently trending high for both.
• Skyler: “Scholar”; Open and airy.

The Unisex Vibe List:

• Addison: “Son of Adam”; surname turned popular girls name, returning to boys.
• Alexis: “Defender”; soft and Greek.
• Andy: “Manly”; friendly nickname.
• Angel: “Messenger”; spiritual and very popular in Hispanic cultures.
• Arden: “Valley of the eagle”; literary (Shakespeare) and magical.
• Ariel: “Lion of God”; biblical and Disney.
• Aspen: Tree name; ski-resort chic.
• Aubrey: “Elf ruler”; formerly male (Drake’s name), now unisex.
• Bailey: “Law enforcer”; friendly.
• Bellamy: “Fine friend”; French surname.
• Blair: “Dweller on the plain”; preppy and Scottish.
• Blake: “Fair/Dark”; sleek and one-syllable.
• Brett: “From Brittany”; sporty 80s/90s vibe.
• Brooklyn: Place name; edgy and urban.
• Campbell: “Crooked mouth”; Scottish surname.
• Charlie: “Free man”; friendly nickname.
• Cheyenne: “People of a different language”; Native American tribe.
• Dakota: “Friend/Ally” (Sioux); western and place name.
• Dallas: “Meadow dwelling”; Texas cool.
• Dana: “From Denmark” or “Wise”; soft and vintage.
• Darcy: “Dark one”; Pride and Prejudice cool.
• Devon: “From Devon”; English county.
• Drew: “Wise”; short form of Andrew.
• Dylan: “Son of the sea”; poetic and rock (Bob Dylan).
• Eden: “Delight”; biblical paradise.
• Ellery: “Alder tree island”; cheerful and rare.
• Emery: “Industrious”; soft and industrious.
• Finley: “Fair warrior”; playful.
• Frankie: “Free one”; spunky nickname.
• Greer: “Watchful”; Hollywood chic.
• Hadley: “Heather field”; preppy.
• Harley: “Hare’s meadow”; motorcycle cool.
• Harper: “Harp player”; literary (Harper Lee).
• Haven: “Safe place”; spiritual and soft.
• Hayden: “Fire/Hedged valley”; soft rhyming name.
• Holland: “Wooded land”; place name.
• Honor: “Dignity”; virtue name.
• Hunter: “One who hunts”; active and popular.
• Indiana: “Land of Indians”; Jones adventure vibe.
• Jackie: “God is gracious”; Kennedy chic.
• Jade: Stone name; precious and cool.
• Jayden: “Thankful”; modern invented classic.
• Jesse: “Gift”; biblical and soft.
• Jody: “Praised”; vintage 70s vibe.
• Justice: “Fairness”; virtue and legal.
• Kasey: “Vigilant”; variation of Casey.
• Kelly: “War”; classic Irish name (originally male).
• Kendall: “Valley of the River Kent”; surname chic.
• Kennedy: “Helmeted head”; presidential.
• Kerry: “Dark hair”; Irish county.
• Kieran: “Little dark one”; Irish and spirited.
• Kit: “Christ bearer”; British cool.
• Kyle: “Narrows”; 90s classic.
• Landry: “Ruler”; French surname.
• Lane: “Pathway”; simple and sleek.
• Lee: “Meadow”; classic middle name.
• Lennon: “Lover”; Beatles cool.
• Leslie: “Holly garden”; vintage Scottish.
• Lindsay: “Lincoln’s wetland”; vintage aristocratic.
• Logan: “Little hollow”; Wolverine cool.
• London: Place name; capital city chic.
• Loren: “Laurel”; Italian/Latin vibe.
• Lou: “Famous warrior”; vintage cool.
• Lux: “Light”; short and Latin.
• Mackenzie: “Son of the wise ruler”; Scottish.
• Madison: “Son of Matthew”; surname chic.
• Marley: “Pleasant seaside meadow”; Reggae cool.
• Merritt: “Boundary gate”; virtue-sounding.
• Micah: “Who is like God”; biblical.
• Milan: “Gracious/Dear”; Italian city.
• Montana: “Mountain”; state name.
• Murphy: “Sea warrior”; Irish surname.
• Nevada: “Snow-covered”; state name.
• Nicky: “Victory of the people”; friendly.
• Noel: “Christmas”; French and festive.
• Oakley: “Oak wood”; western and Annie Oakley cool.
• Paris: “From Paris”; Trojan prince.
• Parker: “Park keeper”; preppy.
• Payton: “Fighting man’s estate”; sporty (Manning).
• Perry: “Dweller by the pear tree”; vintage.
• Phoenix: “Dark red”; mythical bird rising.
• Piper: “Pipe player”; musical and spunky.
• Presley: “Priest’s meadow”; Elvis cool.
• Quinn: “Wise”; Irish and smart.
• Rain: “Abundance from above”; nature.
• Raven: “Dark haired/Crow”; gothic and cool.
• Reagan: “Little king”; presidential.
• Rene: “Reborn”; French classic.
• River: “Flowing body of water”; nature favorite.
• Robin: “Bright fame”; bird name and Batman.
• Rory: “Red king”; Irish.
• Roux: “Reddish”; Cajun/French color.
• Royal: “Kingly”; title name.
• Ryan: “Little king”; classic Irish.
• Sage: “Wise”; herb name.
• Sam: “God has heard”; friendly.
• Sandy: “Defender of men”; beachy nickname.
• Sasha: “Defender of men”; Russian diminutive.
• Scout: “To listen”; To Kill a Mockingbird brave.
• Shannon: “Old river”; Irish river.
• Shawn: “God is gracious”; Irish John.
• Shay: “Hawk-like”; Irish and cool.
• Shelby: “Willow grove”; car (Mustang) vibes.
• Shiloh: “Peace”; biblical place.
• Sidney: “Wide island”; sophisticated.
• Skye: “Isle of Skye”; nature and airy.
• Sloan: “Raider”; sleek and Irish.
• Spencer: “Steward”; preppy.
• Stevie: “Crown”; rock (Stevie Wonder/Nicks).
• Storm: “Tempest”; nature power.
• Sunny: “Sunshine”; happy.
• Sutton: “Southern settlement”; surname.
• Sydney: “Wide island”; Australian city.
• Tatum: “Tate’s homestead”; surname cool.
• Teagan: “Little poet”; Irish.
• Terry: “Ruler of the people”; vintage.
• Tony: “Priceless one”; classic Italian.
• Tory: “Victory”; preppy nickname.
• Tracy: “War-like”; vintage.
• Val: “Strength”; short and punchy.
• Wallace: “Foreigner/Welsh”; brave.
• Whitney: “White island”; surname.
• Winter: “Season name”; cool and crisp.
• Wynn: “Fair/Blessed”; Welsh.
• Zion: “Highest point”; biblical paradise.

What about the “Cool” factor?

Sometimes you just want a name that sounds like it belongs on a leather jacket. These are high-risk, high-reward. If your kid ends up being an accountant, “Blade” might be a tough sell. But if he’s the drummer in a band? Perfect.

• Jagger: “Carter”; Pure rock and roll (Mick Jagger).
• Axel: “Father of peace”; Metal and mechanics (Axl Rose).
• Zev: “Wolf”; Hebrew. Short and sharp.
• Blaise: “Lisping”; Fiery and saintly (St. Blaise).
• Ryder: “Mounted warrior”; Adventure awaits.
• Maverick: “Independent”; For the kid who won’t follow rules.
• Titan: “Defender”; Big energy/mythology.
• Legend: “History/Story”; It’s a lot to live up to, but why not?
• Rocco: “Rest”; Tough Italian vibes.
• Knox: “Round hill”; Fortified and cool.

The Edgy & Unusual List:

• Ace: “One”; gambling and winning.
• Ajax: “Eagle”; Greek hero and cleaner (maybe avoid).
• Ares: “Ruin”; Greek God of War.
• Arrow: “Projectile”; directional and sharp.
• Atlas: “To carry”; Greek Titan holding the world.
• Atomic: “Indivisible”; science and explosive.
• Bane: “Cause of distress”; Batman villain (risky).
• Blade: “Cutting edge”; sharp and comic book.
• Blaze: “Flame”; fire and speed.
• Bolt: “Bar/Lock” or lightning; fast (Usain Bolt).
• Bones: “Skeleton”; nickname/McCoy (Star Trek).
• Breaker: “Wave/Break”; surf vibe.
• Brick: “Building block”; sturdy (Anchorman).
• Bronson: “Son of the brown man”; tough guy action.
• Bronx: NYC Borough; urban and tough.
• Buster: “Tough guy”; vintage nickname.
• Butch: “Manly”; vintage tough.
• Caesar: “Hairy”; Roman emperor.
• Cannon: “Official” or “Weapon”; explosive.
• Chief: “Leader”; title nickname.
• Chopper: “Helicopter” or “Axe”; motorcycle.
• Clash: “Conflict”; punk rock band.
• Cobain: “From Cob’s”; Nirvana grunge cool.
• Colt: “Young horse”; gun and animal.
• Crash: “Collision”; high energy.
• Creed: “Belief”; rock band/Apollo Creed.
• Cross: “Crucifix/Crossing”; religious/surname.
• Crow: “Bird”; gothic and nature.
• Crusoe: “Cross”; adventurous (Robinson Crusoe).
• Cutter: “Gem cutter”; sharp and occupational.
• Dagger: “Knife”; sharp and dangerous.
• Danger: “Peril”; literally “Danger is my middle name”.
• Dash: “Speed”; energetic.
• Denim: “Fabric”; textile and cool.
• Diesel: “Fuel”; tough and industrial.
• Draco: “Dragon”; Harry Potter villain.
• Dragon: “Mythical beast”; bold.
• Drake: “Dragon”; rapper/duck.
• Draven: “Of the Raven”; The Crow (movie).
• Duke: “Noble”; John Wayne.
• Echo: “Sound”; Greek nymph.
• Edge: “Border/Blade”; U2 guitarist.
• Epic: “Grand story”; huge.
• Falcon: “Bird of prey”; fast.
• Fender: “Defender”; guitar brand.
• Flash: “Bright light/Fast”; superhero.
• Flint: “Hard rock”; fire starter.
• Fox: “Animal”; clever.
• Fury: “Anger”; Marvel/Tyson Fury.
• Gannon: “Fair skinned”; villain (Zelda).
• Gator: “Alligator”; swamp cool.
• Ghost: “Spirit”; Game of Thrones wolf.
• Gunner: “Battle warrior”; military.
• Hades: “Unseen”; God of Underworld.
• Hawk: “Bird of prey”; sharp.
• Hazard: “Risk”; soccer (Eden Hazard).
• Hendrix: “Ruler of home”; guitar god.
• Holt: “Wood”; tough surname.
• Hulk: “Large/Heavy”; superhero.
• Hunter: “Chaser”; nature.
• Hutch: “Storage chest”; Starsky & Hutch.
• Hyde: “Hide of land”; Jekyll & Hyde.
• Ice: “Frozen water”; cool.
• Iron: “Metal”; strong.
• Jett: “Black/Plane”; fast.
• Jinx: “Spell”; playful/bad luck.
• Joker: “Jester”; Batman villain.
• Judge: “Decision maker”; authority.
• Kaiser: “Emperor”; German title.
• Kane: “Warrior”; biblical/action.
• King: “Ruler”; royal title.
• Kodiak: “Island”; bear species.
• Krueger: “Potter”; horror (Freddy).
• Laser: “Light beam”; futuristic.
• Law: “Justice”; surname.
• Lazer: Variation of Laser.
• Ledger: “Bookkeeper”; Heath Ledger tribute.
• Link: “Connection”; Zelda hero.
• Loki: “Trickster”; Norse god.
• Loyal: “Faithful”; virtue.
• Lucky: “Fortunate”; happy.
• Mace: “Heavy club/Spice”; weapon/Jedi (Mace Windu).
• Major: “Military rank”; authority.
• Mars: “God of War”; planet.
• Marvel: “Wonder”; comic brand.
• Maximus: “Greatest”; Gladiator.
• Messiah: “Savior”; religious title.
• Midnight: “12 AM”; dark and cool.
• Moody: “Temperamental”; surname.
• Neo: “New”; Matrix hero.
• Nero: “Strong”; Roman emperor.
• Noble: “Aristocratic”; virtue.
• Odin: “Frenzy”; Norse father god.
• Onyx: “Gemstone”; black.
• Ozzy: “Divine power”; rocker (Osbourne).
• Pharaoh: “Ruler”; Egyptian king.
• Pilot: “Flyer”; occupational.
• Pistol: “Gun”; weapon.
• Power: “Strength”; bold.
• Prince: “Royal son”; musician tribute.
• Racer: “Runner”; speed.
• Radley: “Red meadow”; To Kill a Mockingbird.
• Rager: “Partier”; intense.
• Ranger: “Forest guardian”; outdoor.
• Razor: “Sharp blade”; edgy.
• Rebel: “Defiant”; nonconformist.
• Red: “Color”; nickname.
• Rex: “King”; dinosaur.
• Riot: “Uprising”; punk.
• Rip: “Strength”; Yellowstone character.
• Rocket: “Spacecraft”; energetic.
• Rocker: “Musician”; music vibe.
• Rocky: “Rock”; boxer (Balboa).
• Rogue: “Dishonest/Loner”; X-Men.
• Rowdy: “Boisterous”; cowboy.
• Rrumble: “Low sound”; Transformers (Rumble).
• Rryker: “Rich”; prison name (Riker’s).
• Rryder: Variation of Ryder.
• Saint: “Holy”; Kanye’s son.
• Savage: “Wild”; fierce.
• Seven: “Number”; lucky/Seinfeld.
• Shadow: “Darkness”; mysterious.
• Shark: “Fish”; predator.
• Sheriff: “Lawman”; western.
• Shooter: “Marksman”; western.
• Sir: “Title”; polite/noble.
• Slash: “Cut”; Guns N’ Roses.
• Slayer: “Killer”; metal band.
• Sonic: “Sound/Fast”; hedgehog.
• Spark: “Fire”; energy.
• Spike: “Point”; Buffy/rugged.
• Stark: “Strong/Rigid”; Iron Man/GoT.
• Steel: “Metal”; strong.
• Stone: “Rock”; solid.
• Storm: “Weather”; X-Men.
• Striker: “Hitter”; soccer.
• Stryker: Variation of Striker.
• Talon: “Claw”; bird of prey.
• Tank: “Armored vehicle”; big and tough.
• Tex: “Texan”; cowboy.
• Thor: “Thunder”; Marvel/Norse.
• Thunder: “Sound of storm”; loud.
• Tiger: “Cat”; fierce/Woods.
• Titan: “Giant”; mythology.
• Tough: “Strong”; literal.
• Tracker: “Hunter”; outdoor.
• Triton: “God of sea”; Little Mermaid.
• Trooper: “Soldier”; resilient.
• Turbo: “Fast”; engine.
• Tyson: “Firebrand”; boxer (Mike/Fury).
• Vader: “Father”; Star Wars villain.
• Valor: “Bravery”; virtue.
• Vandal: “Destroyer”; edgy.
• Vice: “Sin/Deputy”; Miami Vice.
• Viking: “Raider”; Scandinavian warrior.
• Volt: “Electric unit”; energy.
• Warrior: “Fighter”; bold.
• Wilder: “Untamed”; adventurous.
• Wolf: “Animal”; classic cool.
• Wolverine: “Animal”; X-Men.
• Xander: “Defender”; short for Alexander.
• Zaccai: “Pure”; biblical.
• Zale: “Sea strength”; Greek.
• Zander: “Defender”; spelling var.
• Zane: “God is gracious”; cowboy.
• Zeus: “God of sky”; Greek king god.
• Ziggy: “Victorious protector”; Bowie.
• Zorro: “Fox”; masked hero.

Are global names becoming the new standard?

The world is smaller than ever. Names that were once specific to a region are now global citizens. We are seeing Italian, Scandinavian, and Japanese names topping charts in the US, and it’s beautiful. It shows that we are looking beyond our own borders for inspiration.

• Mateo: “Gift of God”; The Spanish version of Matthew is arguably more popular than the original.
• Kai: “Sea”; From Hawaii to Scandinavia to Japan, this name is everywhere.
• Soren: “Stern”; A Danish import that feels intellectual and soft.
• Bodhi: “Enlightenment”; Sanskrit for enlightenment.
• Kenji: “Second son”; Strong Japanese choice.
• Idris: “Interpreter”; Welsh and Arabic roots.
• Ravi: “Sun”; A sun god name that radiates warmth.
• Luca: “Light”; Italian charm that has conquered America.
• Elio: “Sun”; Spanish/Italian sun god.
• Koa: “Warrior”; Hawaiian warrior.

The Global Influence List:

• Aarav: “Peaceful” (Hindi); top Indian name.
• Adriel: “Flock of God” (Hebrew); biblical.
• Ahmed: “Highly praised” (Arabic); classic.
• Alessandro: “Defender of men” (Italian); romantic.
• Amir: “Prince” (Arabic); royal.
• Anders: “Manly” (Scandinavian); sturdy.
• Andre: “Manly” (French/Portuguese); classic.
• Antonio: “Priceless” (Italian/Spanish); strong.
• Arjun: “Bright/Shining” (Hindi); heroic.
• Armani: “Warrior” (Italian); fashion brand.
• Bjorn: “Bear” (Scandinavian); tough.
• Bruno: “Brown” (German/Italian); Encanto fame.
• Carlos: “Free man” (Spanish); classic.
• Carmelo: “Orchard” (Italian/Spanish); basketball cool.
• Cesar: “Head of hair” (Latin/Spanish); emperor.
• Cristiano: “Follower of Christ” (Italian/Portuguese); soccer star.
• Cruz: “Cross” (Spanish); Beckham cool.
• Dante: “Enduring” (Italian); literary.
• Dario: “Possessing goodness” (Italian); kingly.
• Diego: “Supplanter” (Spanish); energetic.
• Dimitri: “Follower of Demeter” (Russian/Greek); exotic.
• Eduardo: “Wealthy guardian” (Spanish); classic.
• Emilio: “Rival” (Italian/Spanish); smooth.
• Emmanuel: “God is with us” (Hebrew); biblical.
• Enrique: “Home ruler” (Spanish); singer cool.
• Esteban: “Crown” (Spanish); elegant.
• Felipe: “Lover of horses” (Spanish); royal.
• Fernando: “Adventurous” (Spanish); ABBA/F1 cool.
• Francisco: “Frenchman” (Spanish/Portuguese); San Francisco.
• Franco: “Frenchman” (Italian); short and strong.
• Gael: “Gaelic person” (Spanish/Welsh); increasingly popular.
• Gianni: “God is gracious” (Italian); Versace cool.
• Gustavo: “Staff of the Goths” (Spanish/Portuguese); Gus nickname.
• Hamza: “Lion/Strong” (Arabic); classic.
• Hans: “God is gracious” (German); Frozen/Die Hard.
• Hassan: “Handsome” (Arabic); popular.
• Hector: “Holding fast” (Greek/Spanish); Troy hero.
• Hiro: “Generous” (Japanese); hero sound.
• Ibrahim: “Father of many” (Arabic); Abraham variation.
• Ignacio: “Fiery” (Spanish); Nacho nickname.
• Ivan: “God is gracious” (Russian); strong.
• Javier: “New house” (Spanish); X sound.
• Joaquin: “God will judge” (Spanish); Phoenix cool.
• Jorge: “Farmer” (Spanish); George variation.
• Jose: “God will add” (Spanish); classic.
• Juan: “God is gracious” (Spanish); John variation.
• Julio: “Youthful” (Spanish); smooth.
• Karim: “Noble/Generous” (Arabic); virtue.
• Khalil: “Friend” (Arabic); poetic.
• Kian: “Ancient” (Persian/Irish); soft.
• Kiro: “Lord” (Greek/Macedonian); short.
• Lars: “Crowned with laurel” (Scandinavian); cool.
• Leif: “Heir” (Scandinavian); explorer.
• Leonidas: “Lion strength” (Greek); Spartan (300).
• Lorenzo: “Laurel” (Italian); Enzo nickname.
• Luciano: “Light” (Italian); opera cool.
• Luis: “Renowned warrior” (Spanish); classic.
• Magnus: “Great” (Latin/Scandi); royal.
• Malik: “King” (Arabic); strong.
• Manuel: “God is with us” (Spanish); Manny nickname.
• Marcel: “Little warrior” (French); chic.
• Marco: “Warlike” (Italian); Polo explorer.
• Mario: “Mars” (Italian); Nintendo fame.
• Mikhail: “Who is like God” (Russian); Gorbachev.
• Mohammed: “Praised” (Arabic); most popular worldwide.
• Mustafa: “The chosen one” (Arabic); Lion King.
• Nasir: “Helper” (Arabic); rapper (Nas).
• Nikhil: “Complete” (Hindi); global citizen.
• Nikolai: “Victory of the people” (Russian); princely.
• Omar: “Flourishing” (Arabic); strong.
• Otto: “Wealthy” (German); palindrome.
• Pablo: “Small” (Spanish); Picasso/Escobar.
• Pedro: “Rock” (Spanish); Pascal cool.
• Raul: “Wolf counsel” (Spanish); strong.
• Ren: “Lotus” (Japanese); Star Wars villain.
• Ricardo: “Brave power” (Spanish); Ricky nickname.
• Roberto: “Bright fame” (Italian/Spanish); classic.
• Rodrigo: “Famous ruler” (Spanish); guitars.
• Romeo: “Pilgrim to Rome” (Italian); romantic.
• Samir: “Companion in evening talk” (Arabic); social.
• Santiago: “St. James” (Spanish); place name.
• Santino: “Little saint” (Italian); Godfather character.
• Sergio: “Servant” (Italian/Spanish); smooth.
• Stellan: “Calm” (Swedish); actor cool.
• Sven: “Youth” (Scandinavian); Frozen reindeer.
• Tariq: “Morning star” (Arabic); strong.
• Thiago: “St. James” (Portuguese); soccer favorite.
• Tomas: “Twin” (Spanish); classic.
• Ulrich: “Prosperity and power” (German); intense.
• Valentino: “Strong” (Italian); fashion brand.
• Viktor: “Conqueror” (Russian/European); Krum (Harry Potter).
• Vladimir: “Ruler of the world” (Russian); strong.
• Xavier: “New house” (Spanish/French); saintly.
• Yosef: “God will add” (Hebrew); Joseph variation.
• Yusuf: “God will add” (Arabic); Cat Stevens.
• Zain: “Beauty/Grace” (Arabic); short.
• Zayn: “Beauty/Grace” (Arabic); One Direction star.

Does spelling really matter? (The Jaxon vs. Jackson Debate)

This is the final frontier of modern naming. The Wild West. You love the name “Jackson,” but you hate that there are five of them in the pre-k class. So, you swap the “cks” for an “x.”

Is it cool? Yes. Does it confuse grandmothers? Also yes.

I personally stuck to traditional spellings because I didn’t want my son to have to spell his name over the phone for the rest of his life. But my cousin went with “Kayson” instead of “Cason,” and he swears it fits the kid better. You do you.

The Creative Spelling List (Modern Variations):

• Aydin: Variation of Aiden (“Little fire”); Turkish/American.
• Austyn: Variation of Austin (“Great/Magnificent”).
• Braydon: Variation of Braden (“Broad hillside”).
• Brycen: Variation of Bryson (“Son of Brice”).
• Camdyn: Variation of Camden (“Winding valley”).
• Caysen: Variation of Cason (“Son of the case maker”).
• Cristian: Variation of Christian (“Follower of Christ”).
• Dax: Short form of Daxton; Sci-fi vibe (Star Trek).
• Ean: Variation of Ian (“God is gracious”).
• Elijah: (Standard spelling, but listed for sound); “Yahweh is God”.
• Emeryk: Variation of Emeric (“Power”).
• Eryck: Variation of Eric (“Eternal ruler”).
• Fynn: Variation of Finn (“Fair”).
• Gavyn: Variation of Gavin (“White hawk”).
• Greyson: Variation of Grayson (“Son of the steward”).
• Izayah: Variation of Isaiah (“Salvation of the Lord”).
• Jakob: Variation of Jacob (“Supplanter”); German style.
• Jax: Short form of Jackson/Jaxon.
• Jaxon: Variation of Jackson (“Son of Jack”).
• Jayceon: Variation of Jason (“Healer”).
• Jordyn: Variation of Jordan (“Flowing down”).
• Justyn: Variation of Justin (“Fair/Righteous”).
• Kamden: Variation of Camden (“Winding valley”).
• Kamron: Variation of Cameron (“Crooked nose”).
• Karter: Variation of Carter (“Transporter”).
• Kayden: Variation of Caden (“Round”).
• Kolton: Variation of Colton (“Coal town”).
• Konnor: Variation of Connor (“Lover of hounds”).
• Korbin: Variation of Corbin (“Raven”).
• Landyn: Variation of Landon (“Long hill”).
• Lukas: Variation of Lucas (“Light”); German/Greek style.
• Maddux: Variation of Maddox (“Fortunate”).
• Maison: Variation of Mason (“Stone worker”); French word for house.
• Marcus: (Standard spelling) “Warlike”.
• Mathew: Variation of Matthew (“Gift of God”).
• Mikal: Variation of Michael (“Who is like God”).
• Myles: Variation of Miles (“Soldier”).
• Nikalas: Variation of Nicholas (“Victory of the people”).
• Olyver: Variation of Oliver (“Olive tree”).
• Paxton: “Peace town”; X makes it modern.
• Payten: Variation of Peyton (“Fighting man’s estate”).
• Quinten: Variation of Quinton (“Queen’s manor”).
• Rayden: Variation of Raiden (“Thunder and lightning”).
• Ryker: “Rich”; tough guy vibe.
• Rylan: “Island meadow”; trendy.
• Sebastien: French spelling of Sebastian (“Venerable”).
• Thommas: Variation of Thomas (“Twin”).
• Tristen: Variation of Tristan (“Sad/Tumult”).
• Xzavier: Variation of Xavier (“New house”).
• Zackary: Variation of Zachary (“Remembered by God”).
• Zander: Variation of Xander (“Defender of men”).

Final Thoughts from a Dad Who Survived

Choosing a name feels high stakes because it is. You are giving a gift that your child opens every single day of their life. It’s the first word they will learn to write. It’s the word you will whisper when they are sleeping and the word you will scream when they are running toward a busy street.

But here is the secret I learned after the panic subsided, after the forms were signed, and after we brought our little guy home: The kid makes the name. My son could have been a “Fox” or a “William” or a “Zev,” and he still would have been the same chaotic, wonderful little human who smears avocado on the dog.

Trust your gut. Say the name out loud. Imagine yelling it across a soccer field. If it makes you smile, write it down. And if your mother-in-law hates it? Well, that probably means you picked a good one.

For more official data on what names are actually being used right now, check out the Social Security Administration’s Baby Names website.

Good luck. You’ve got this.

FAQs