Aesthetic boy names are the ones that look as good written down as they sound out loud, and social media has turned that into a real consideration. A name now has to work on a birth announcement, a class list and a profile page.
This collection gathers 100 aesthetic male names across every mood: classic, artsy, rugged, rare, and plenty in between. Nearly every entry carries the meaning, origin, pronunciation, and a current U.S. popularity ranking, so you can tell at a glance whether a name is a quiet find or already climbing fast.
Skim it, star your favorites, and see which ones still sound right a week later.
Popularity at a Glance
The most popular names on this list in the United States, 1965 to 2025: Henry, Luca, Sebastian, Hudson and Leo.
100 Cute Aesthetic Male Names
Get ready to discover the best aesthetic guy names for your little gentleman.
Albus
Albus belongs to Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster with the half-moon glasses, and Harry Potter later passed it to one of his own sons. That double appearance in the books is most of what readers know about the name, since it has almost no other public history. The Latin meaning of bright, white gives it a quiet, wintry feel that suits a soft-spoken boy, and life with a little Albus should be a good deal of fun.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Bright, white
- Pronunciation: AL-buhs
- Popularity: Albus ranked #8,943 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #5,461 in 2020. That works out to about one boy in 200,000.
Atlas
Greek myth handed Atlas the punishment of holding up the sky, which is why the name carries so much weight in four letters, and the same titan was credited with a scholar’s mind, so parents get strength and brains in one pick. Atlas has climbed faster than any other name on this list, and it now sits comfortably inside the American top 100. Map lovers get a bonus association, since the book of maps takes its name from him.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Bearer of the heavens
- Pronunciation: AT-luhs
- Namesakes: Atlas Ramachandran, an Indian film producer and actor.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Atlas at #75 for boys born in 2025, its best showing on record.
Atticus
Readers meet Atticus as Atticus Finch, the quietly stubborn lawyer of To Kill a Mockingbird, and that is the association most people bring to it. The name reaches back further to Titus Pomponius Atticus, a Roman writer and man of business, which gives it a scholarly edge. Actor Jennifer Love Hewitt chose it for one of her boys, and Hollywood has kept the name in circulation ever since, which suits parents who want a boy that speaks up when it counts.
- Origin: Greek, Roman, Latin
- Meaning: From Attica
- Pronunciation: AT-tik-us
- Namesakes: Atticus Lish, an American novelist.
- Popularity: In 2025, Atticus ranked #281 among American boys, after peaking at #264 in 2021.
August
August grew out of Augustus, the name of Rome’s first emperor, so it arrives with a little grandeur already attached, and the Latin sense of great, magnificent is flattering without being loud. The calendar link makes it a natural for a late-summer baby, and Dave Matthews and Mandy Moore both picked it for their sons. Auggie (AH-gee) is the ready-made nickname for the years before he grows into the full version.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Great, magnificent
- Pronunciation: AW-guhst
- Variations: Auguste
- Namesakes: August Strindberg, a Swedish playwright.
- Popularity: August sat at #81 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, its best showing on record.
Axel
Axel has a rock-and-roll reputation thanks to Guns N’ Roses, but the Scandinavian meaning is father of peace, which is about as far from a stadium anthem as you can get. It traces back to Absalom, one of King David’s sons in the Bible, so the roots run deep. The X in the middle does the aesthetic work here, sharp and modern without inventing a spelling, and it ranks inside the American top 100.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Father of peace
- Pronunciation: AK-suhl
- Variations: Aksel
- Namesakes: Axel Pardo, an Argentine singer and songwriter.
- Popularity: Axel ranked #79 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #71 in 2023.
Bear
Bear is about as plainspoken as a name gets, and that is the appeal. In many Native American traditions the animal stands for family, health and strength, and Disney leaned on that symbolism in Brother Bear. Adventurer Bear Grylls gave the name a survivalist streak, while Bear Rineheart of Needtobreathe gave it a musical one, and it works beautifully as a middle name if the full-time version feels like a lot.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Bear
- Pronunciation: BAIR
- Namesakes: Bear Grylls, a British adventurer and television star.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Bear at #853 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #760 in 2022.
Benicio
Benicio is the Spanish form of Benedict, and both trace back to the idea of a blessing. Actor Benicio del Toro is the namesake most people know, which keeps the name recognizable without making it common. Parents after a spiritual pick with a warm sound tend to land here, and Benny covers the everyday version.
- Origin: Spanish, Latin
- Meaning: Blessed
- Pronunciation: beh-NEE-cee-oh
- Namesakes: Benicio del Toro, a Puerto Rican actor known for his role in Sicario.
- Popularity: In 2025, Benicio ranked #672 among American boys, its best showing on record.
Bo
Bo started life as a short form of Robert or Beauford, and it long ago earned the right to stand alone. Short and sweet names travel well, so your little man will be in good company at the playground. In Chinese, Bo carries a meaning of wave, which suits a family that spends its summers near the water. Comedian Bo Burnham is the best-known bearer. If you want something short and unfussy, this is a strong pick.
- Origin: Norse, Swedish, Chinese
- Meaning: To live
- Pronunciation: BOH
- Namesakes: Bo Burnham, an American comedian.
- Popularity: Bo sat at #449 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, its best showing on record.
Booker
Booker points straight to Booker T. Washington, the educator and presidential adviser who pushed for voting rights and schooling in the face of enormous resistance. Bibliophiles hear the Booker Prize instead, which suits a name that literally means scribe. It has a warm, unhurried sound that plays well with modern surnames. A boy called Booker gets a name with something to live up to.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Scribe
- Pronunciation: BOOK-er
- Namesakes: Booker Woodfox, an American basketball player.
- Popularity: Booker ranked #1,160 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #303 in 1916. That works out to about one boy in 9,524.
Briar
Briar came to most people through Sleeping Beauty, who spends part of the story as Briar Rose, and it has drifted toward boys in the last decade. The Artemis Fowl books gave it a darker turn with a villain of the same name. A briar is the thorny growth that guards a rose, which makes this a fitting pick for a boy with a soft center and a tough shell, and Bry (BRYE) is the obvious short form.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: A thorny patch
- Pronunciation: BRYE-er
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Briar at #400 for boys born in 2025, its best showing on record.
Callum
Callum means dove, and the bird has stood for peace and new beginnings for as long as anyone has been writing things down. In the Gospels a dove settles over Jesus at his baptism, which gives the name a gentle spiritual weight. British television has kept Callum familiar through long-running shows like Hollyoaks and Eastenders, and actor Callum Blue carries it well, plus the double L looks lovely written out, which is half the reason it lands on aesthetic lists.
- Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
- Meaning: Dove
- Pronunciation: KAL-um
- Namesakes: Callum Blue, an English actor known for his role in Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
- Popularity: In 2025, Callum ranked #118 among American boys, its best showing on record.
Caspian
Caspian sounds like somewhere you would rather be, and there is a real sea by that name between Europe and Asia. C.S. Lewis borrowed it for a young king in The Chronicles of Narnia, which is where most parents first met it. Screenwriter Caspian Tredwell-Owen is a rare real-world bearer. Cas works as a soft, gender-neutral nickname when the full name feels formal.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: White
- Pronunciation: KASS-pee-uhn
- Variations: Kaspian
- Namesakes: Caspian, a Canadian rapper.
- Popularity: Caspian sat at #491 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, its best showing on record.
Clyde
Clyde is Scottish, warm in meaning and a little roguish in reputation. Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh spotted Pluto with it, and Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde fame gave it a getaway-car edge. The River Clyde runs through Glasgow, so there is a genuine place attached to the name, and it suits a charmer, having aged into the kind of vintage pick that sounds fresh again.
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Warm, friendly
- Pronunciation: KLYED
- Namesakes: Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer who discovered Pluto.
- Popularity: Clyde ranked #743 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #62 in 1916.
Cove
A cove is the pocket of calm water where boats wait out rough weather, which is a lovely thing to name a child after. Soft nature names are everywhere on Pinterest and Tumblr, though Cove usually gets passed over for Oak or River. It reads as unisex and stays uncommon for boys and girls alike.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Small bay
- Pronunciation: COHV
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Cove at #1,192 for boys born in 2025, its best showing on record. That works out to about one boy in 10,000.
Cree
Cree is a Native American tribe name belonging to an Indigenous people of Canada, and families with that heritage sometimes choose it as a way of honoring it. Actress Tia Mowry picked it for her son in 2011, which brought it a wave of attention. The single syllable is easy to say and hard to forget, but treat the cultural weight seriously before you commit to it.
- Origin: Native American
- Meaning: Tribe name
- Pronunciation: KREE
- Popularity: In 2025, Cree ranked #3,096 among American boys, after peaking at #1,503 in 2021. That works out to about one boy in 43,478.
Dalton
Dalton began as a British surname for someone living near a valley settlement, and it still sounds like old money and open fields. The Dalton Brothers, a gang of Wild West outlaws, roughed it up nicely, and Suzanne Collins used it for a minor character in The Hunger Games, so young readers recognize it too. Preppy on paper and a bit gritty underneath, it is a good fit for a boy who will not sit still.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Settlement in the valley
- Pronunciation: DAL-tuhn
- Namesakes: Dalton James, an American actor known for his role in Beverly Hills, 90210.
- Popularity: Dalton sat at #448 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #85 in 1994.
Dash
Dash sprinted into the culture as the speedy middle child in Disney and Pixar’s The Incredibles. Beyond the movie it carries meanings of charming and handsome, plus the obvious sense of moving fast. Some parents use it as the short form of Dashiell, and others put it on the birth certificate as is; either way it is quick to say, quick to spell and hard to outgrow.
- Origin: American, French, Scottish
- Meaning: To run quickly, lad
- Pronunciation: DASH
- Popularity: Dash ranked #1,056 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #741 in 2017. That works out to about one boy in 8,264.
Dax
Names with an X in them get noticed, and Dax gets it done in three letters. The French meaning of leader is refreshingly plain. Fictional bearers turn up in Power Rangers and Star Trek, and actor Dax Shepard keeps the real-world version familiar, and it suits an oldest child who was born organizing everyone else.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Leader
- Pronunciation: DAKS
- Namesakes: Dax Shepard, an American actor known for his role in Employee of the Month.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Dax at #692 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #413 in 2019.
Declan
Declan is Irish through and through, and Saint Declan, remembered for his generosity, is the reason it has such a devotional feel. The usual translation is man of prayer, with full of goodness offered as an alternate. Musician Declan McManus took the stage name Elvis Costello, so the birth-certificate version stayed quietly cool, and the name has stayed a familiar choice for American families without ever feeling overused.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Man of prayer
- Pronunciation: DEK-lahn, DEK-lihn
- Namesakes: Declan Quinn, an American cinematographer.
- Popularity: In 2025, Declan ranked #139 among American boys, after peaking at #95 in 2019.
Dexter
Dexter started out as an occupational name for a cloth dyer, then picked up the sense of right-handed, from which we get the word dexterous. Martin Luther King Jr. gave it to one of his sons, which is a substantial legacy for a name this playful. Football’s Dexter Jackson kept it in the sports pages. Dex is the everyday short form, and it fits a boy who is good with his hands.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Fortunate
- Pronunciation: DEHKST-er
- Namesakes: Dexter Jackson, an American football player who played for the Buccaneers.
- Popularity: Dexter sat at #693 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #262 in 1968.
Edison
Edison arrives with a light bulb over its head thanks to Thomas Edison, and the inventor association has never really faded. As a surname it once marked the son of Edward, Edith or Adam, so it doubles as a way to fold a family name into a first name. Writer Edison Marshall is another bearer worth knowing, and Eddie keeps it grounded on the playground.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Edith or Adam
- Pronunciation: EH-dih-suhn
- Variations: Edisson
- Namesakes: Edison Marshall, an American writer.
- Popularity: Edison ranked #870 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #538 in 1917.
Ellis
Ellis carries real American weight, since Ellis Island was the first ground millions of immigrants stood on. The name itself means kind, benevolent, which is a rare case of a meaning matching the feeling. It is unisex but leans male in the United States, and it pairs neatly with long surnames, and singer-songwriter Ellis Paul is the bearer most likely to turn up on your playlist.
- Origin: English, Welsh
- Meaning: Kind, benevolent
- Pronunciation: EL-iss
- Namesakes: Ellis Paul, an American singer and songwriter.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Ellis at #243 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #174 in 1913.
Elvis
One person owns this name, and everyone knows who. Elvis Presley made it a household word in the 1950s, and the 2022 biopic introduced him to a generation that had only heard the songs. The meaning is usually given as all wise, with English and Irish roots behind it. Boxer Elvis Álvarez is a reminder that other men have worn it well. Pick it only if your son will enjoy the constant commentary.
- Origin: English, Irish
- Meaning: All wise
- Pronunciation: EL-viss
- Namesakes: Elvis Álvarez, a Colombian boxer.
- Popularity: In 2025, Elvis ranked #1,328 among American boys, after peaking at #311 in 1957. That works out to about one boy in 11,765.
Everett
Everett translates as strong boar, which sounds odd until you remember that boars turn up on Celtic crests as symbols of courage and military strength. The name has a soft sound and a hard meaning, and that contrast is exactly why it works. It is a favorite in the middle-name slot too, and Rhett is the vintage nickname hiding inside it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Strong boar
- Pronunciation: EH-ver-eht
- Namesakes: Everett Sloane, an American radio actor.
- Popularity: Everett has never ranked higher among U.S. boys than it did in 2025, at #77.
Ezra
Ezra was a priest and scribe in the Hebrew Bible, credited with bringing his people back to their worship after exile, and Jewish tradition sometimes identifies him with the prophet Malachi. The name means help, with God helps given as an alternate. Pretty Little Liars put it in front of a much younger audience, and Ezra sits inside the American top 25 and still sounds like a discovery.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Help
- Pronunciation: EZ-rah
- Namesakes: Ezra Keats, an American children’s author.
- Popularity: Ezra sits at #20 among U.S. boys for 2025, well off the #13 peak it reached in 2024.
Fenton
Fenton has the look of a name from a much older photograph, which is exactly why it belongs on a vintage-leaning list. Shakespeare gave it to a suitor in The Merry Wives of Windsor, and blues guitarist Fenton Robinson gave it a second life on stage. The English meaning is marsh town, plain and rooted, and novelist Fenton Johnson rounds out a short but respectable list of bearers.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Marsh town
- Pronunciation: FEN-tuhn
- Namesakes: Fenton Johnson, an American novelist.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Fenton at #6,923 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #1,025 in 1915. That works out to about one boy in 142,857.
Finn
Irish legend built Finn McCool into a warrior wise enough to lead a country, and the stories about him are still told. Long before that, the name simply described a fair-haired child, so it suits a little blond head. One syllable, no spelling debates, and a mythology attached, so if you want a name with a story your son can actually read, this is a strong pick.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Fair
- Pronunciation: FIHN
- Variations: Fin
- Namesakes: Finn Ronne, a Norwegian explorer.
- Popularity: In 2025, Finn ranked #206 among American boys, after peaking at #166 in 2018.
Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald is usually a surname, which is what makes it interesting on the front of a birth certificate. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby and put the name in every high school in the country. The literal sense is son of Gerald, with son of the spear-ruler offered as an alternate, which makes it a graceful nod to a dad or grandfather. Fitz is the nickname, and it is a good one.
- Origin: Irish, Scottish
- Meaning: Son of Gerald
- Pronunciation: FITZ-jher-uhld
- Namesakes: Fitzgerald Toussaint, an American football player.
- Popularity: Fitzgerald sat at #2,427 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #690 in 1964. That works out to about one boy in 30,303.
Flynn
Flynn stayed a mostly European name until Disney’s Tangled gave it a charming thief and a nationwide audience, and Orlando Bloom chose it for his son in 2011. The Irish meaning is ruddy, often extended to son of the red-haired one, which is a gift if red hair runs in your family. It sounds modern and old at the same time, and the Disney association is not going anywhere.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Ruddy
- Pronunciation: FLIHN
- Variations: Flinn
- Namesakes: Flynn Morrison, an American actor known for his role in Pretty Little Liars.
- Popularity: By 2025, Flynn had settled at #828 on the American boys’ list, down from #654 in 2021.
Forrest
Forrest once described someone who lived near the woods, which makes it an easy yes for outdoorsy families. Tom Hanks made it unforgettable in Forrest Gump, and the movie still shows up on television every few months. Hellogoodbye frontman Forrest Kline gave it an indie streak, and the double R is the traditional spelling, though the single R version is perfectly aesthetic too.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Dweller near the woods
- Pronunciation: FOR-ihst
- Variations: Forest
- Namesakes: Forrest Griffin, an American mixed martial artist.
- Popularity: Forrest’s 2025 standing among U.S. boys was #374, a drop from the #173 it hit in 1913.
Foster
Foster means forester, someone who looks after the woods rather than just wandering through them. That makes it a natural fit for a boy born near Arbor Day or Earth Day, or for parents who want an environmental note in the name. Actor Foster Brooks is the best-known bearer, and the name stays rare enough to feel like a find.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Forester
- Pronunciation: FAH-ster
- Namesakes: Foster Brooks, an American actor known for his role in Bewitched.
- Popularity: 1913 gave Foster its high point at #383 among U.S. boys; 2025 put it at #901.
Fox
Fox is a softer alternative to Bear or Wolf. It reads as clever rather than fierce. In English the word describes someone cunning, and occasionally someone very good-looking. That gives the name real range. It is technically unisex but lands on boys far more often. Journalist Fox Butterfield of The New York Times proves it works on a byline.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: A wild animal in the dog family
- Pronunciation: FAHKS
- Variations: Foxe
- Namesakes: Fox Butterfield, an American journalist who worked for The New York Times.
- Popularity: Fox sat at #1,411 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #744 in 2016. That works out to about one boy in 13,158.
Greer
Greer comes from Gregor. It has a crisp, tailored sound that fits its Scottish origins. The meaning of alert, watchful is often read as occupational, describing a shepherd keeping an eye on the flock. Alternate readings include quick and swift, which suits a boy who runs everywhere. It leans female in the United States. That means a boy named Greer gets the name largely to himself.
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Alert, watchful
- Pronunciation: GREER
- Popularity: Greer ranked #1,851 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #1,347 in 1943. That works out to about one boy in 14,925.
Grey
Color names have been on a long run. Grey is the one that sounds like a cashmere sweater. Actor Grey Damon of Station 19 is the bearer most people can place. Astrology fans point out that grey is one of Virgo’s luckier shades, which is a nice bonus for an autumn baby. Gray with an A is equally correct. Pick the spelling you like looking at.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Grey haired
- Pronunciation: GRAY
- Variations: Gray
- Namesakes: Grey Damon, an American actor known for his role in Station 19.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Grey at #1,014 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #717 in 2021. That works out to about one boy in 7,692.
Harbor
A harbor is where boats go to be safe. The alternate reading of place of refuge makes that explicit. It is a gentle, watery pick for families who plan their year around the coast. The word is doing all the work here. It does it well. Not many boys will share it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Sheltered port
- Pronunciation: HAR-bur
- Popularity: In 2025, Harbor ranked #2,971 among American boys, after peaking at #2,258 in 2018. That works out to about one boy in 28,571.
Harry
Harry is the Old English form of Henry. That makes it mean home ruler, and it comes with centuries of kings behind it. Magician Harry Houdini gave it showmanship. The late Princess Diana gave it to a prince. Then a bespectacled wizard arrived and made it a global first name all over again. Warm, friendly and impossible to mispronounce, Harry is a safe bet in almost any pairing.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Home ruler
- Pronunciation: HAIR-ee
- Namesakes: Harry Houdini, a Hungarian-American magician and escape artist.
- Popularity: Harry sat at #775 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #15 in 1913.
Hawk
Hawk shows up far more often as a nickname than a given name. That leaves the front of the birth certificate wide open. The bird itself stands for sharp sight and protection. Plenty of people read a hawk overhead as a sign that something new is coming. It is short, hard-edged and entirely unmistakable. Hawke with an E softens it a little if the bare version feels too blunt.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Bird of prey
- Pronunciation: HAWK
- Variations: Hawke
- Popularity: Hawk ranked #5,099 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #1,772 in 2017. That works out to about one boy in 90,909.
Heath
Heath describes someone who lived on the heathland, all low shrubs and open sky. It is a quietly beautiful image for a name. The late Heath Ledger is the bearer everyone thinks of first. His range as an actor gave the name real depth. English cartoonist Heath Robinson is the other. American readers may also think of the candy bar, which is not the worst association a name has ever had.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Heathland dweller
- Pronunciation: HEETH
- Namesakes: Heath Robinson, an English cartoonist and illustrator.
- Popularity: American parents ranked Heath #932 for boys in 2025, down from a #181 high back in 1974.
Henry
Henry means power, ruler, and at least ten kings have worn it. The resume is long. It was everywhere in the early 1900s, disappeared for a while, and came roaring back. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gave it a literary side to balance all those crowns. It is the highest-ranked name on this entire list. It still sounds like a name a grandfather would approve of.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Power, ruler
- Pronunciation: HEN-ree, AHN-ree
- Variations: Henri
- Namesakes: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet.
- Popularity: In 2025, Henry ranked #5 among American boys, its best showing on record.
Holden
J.D. Salinger made Holden a household name with The Catcher in the Rye, and Holden Caulfield still turns up on reading lists every fall. Pretty Little Liars borrowed it for a modern audience, and Brendan Fraser chose it for his son. The English meaning is deep valley, which grounds a name that could otherwise feel purely literary. If you are shopping for stylish boy names with H, put this near the top.
- Origin: English, Australian
- Meaning: Deep valley
- Pronunciation: HOL-dihn
- Namesakes: Holden C. Richardson, an American aviator who pioneered naval aviation.
- Popularity: Holden has cooled to #297 among U.S. boys as of 2025, after topping out at #217 in 2018.
Huck
Huck is short for Huckleberry, one of Mark Twain’s best-known characters. Twain sent him down the Mississippi with Tom Sawyer. That heritage gives it a rowdy, Southern, screen-door-slamming quality that few other names here share. Brad Paisley named his son Huckleberry and called him Huck. That is about as on-brand as it gets. It remains one of the more unique boy names here.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Huckleberry
- Pronunciation: HUHK
- Namesakes: Huck Wallace, an American baseball player.
- Popularity: The 2025 count places Huck at #1,909 among American boys, a retreat from #1,310 in 2018. Put another way, about one boy in 20,833 carries the name.
Hudson
Hudson traces back to Hudd, an occupational surname for a maker of hoods. It has made the jump from last name to first name without breaking stride. Tony Hawk and Marcia Gay Harden both chose it for their sons, and the rest of the country followed. The river and the New York association give it a polished, uptown feel. It now sits inside the American top 20. Expect company.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Hud
- Pronunciation: HUD-suhn
- Namesakes: Hudson Yang, an American actor known for his role on The Lion Guard.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Hudson at #17 for boys born in 2025, its best showing on record.
Idris
Welsh legend casts Idris as a giant, a king and an astronomer. That is a lot of job titles for one man. The name reads as studious or lord. It carries Arabic roots as well as Welsh ones. Actor Idris Elba is the reason most Americans can say it without hesitating. Welsh poet Idris Davies is the deeper cut.
- Origin: Welsh, Arabic
- Meaning: Studious, lord
- Pronunciation: IHD-riss
- Namesakes: Idris Davies, a Welsh poet.
- Popularity: 2025 was Idris’s strongest year yet among American boys, landing at #694.
Jace
Jace began as a short form of Jason. It has stood on its own since the middle of the last century. Reality television personality Jenelle Evans gave the name to her son. That brought it a great deal of publicity. Comics readers know it from The Flash. With an alternate meaning of healer, it is a sweet choice for a family of doctors and nurses.
- Origin: Hebrew, Greek
- Meaning: The Lord is salvation
- Pronunciation: JAYSS
- Namesakes: Jace Norman, an American actor known for his role in Bigfoot Family.
- Popularity: Jace now ranks #114 among U.S. boys (2025), having peaked at #66 back in 2013.
Jacoby
Jacoby is the artistic cousin of Jacob. It runs longer on the page and softer in the mouth. Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was the first Navajo player in the major leagues. Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix brought the name to a very different crowd. The Hebrew root gives it the meaning supplanter. Jake and Jakey are waiting whenever the full version feels formal. Either nickname works just as well.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Supplanter
- Pronunciation: JAYK-uh-bee, juh-KOH-bee
- Namesakes: Jacoby Ford, an American football player who played for the Raiders.
- Popularity: Jacoby ranked #1,430 among U.S. boys in 2025, after peaking at #422 in 2008. That works out to about one boy in 13,514.
Jenner
Jenner is one of the most recognizable surnames in American celebrity culture. That is either the reason to use it or the reason not to. Long before any of that, it described an engineer. It was a common pet name for military engineers in particular. That is a good story for a boy who takes things apart. It gives the name real character. It is the steepest drop on this list.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Engineer
- Pronunciation: JEHN-er
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Jenner at #7,389 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #2,487 in 2011. That works out to about one boy in 166,667.
Judah
In the Hebrew Bible, Judah is a son of Jacob and Leah. He heads the tribe that carried his name. King David came from that line, and Christians trace Jesus to it as well. That lineage is where the phrase Lion of Judah comes from. The meaning is simply praised. It is a warm, roaring name for a small boy. It carries real affection too.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Praised
- Pronunciation: JOO-duh
- Namesakes: Judah Folkman, an American medical scientist known for his tumor research.
- Popularity: Once as high as #176 in 2023, Judah has drifted to #178 among U.S. boys by 2025.
Jude
Jude is a brother of Jesus in the Gospels and a disciple. He also wrote a short letter urging the early church to hold on. Catholics know Saint Jude as the patron of hope and lost causes. That gives the name a comforting weight. The Beatles handed it to everyone else in 1968. The song made it instantly singable. Actor Jude Law keeps the modern version stylish.
- Origin: Greek, Latin
- Meaning: Praised
- Pronunciation: JOOD
- Namesakes: Jude Law, an English actor known for his role in The Holiday.
- Popularity: Jude lands at #155 on the 2025 U.S. boys’ list, a fair way from its #152 best in 2019.
Juno
Juno was the Roman queen of the gods and Jupiter’s wife. The name arrives with a crown on. Despite that female history, it has crossed over. It now works as a genuinely nonbinary option. Millennials will think of the 2007 film first. The Latin sense is youth. That makes it a fitting name for someone brand new.
- Origin: Roman, Latin
- Meaning: Youth
- Pronunciation: JOO-noh
- Popularity: Juno ranked #1,252 among U.S. boys in 2025, its best showing on record. That works out to about one boy in 9,009.
Kai
Kai belongs to several cultures at once, which is part of its appeal. Hawaiian speakers read it as sea or ocean. European traditions instead tie it to a meaning of warrior. Three letters, one syllable. It works in almost any language your family speaks. Cobra Kai has kept the sound in everyone’s ears. Kai now ranks inside the American top 100.
- Origin: Hawaiian, African, Turkish
- Meaning: Sea
- Pronunciation: KYE
- Variations: Cai
- Namesakes: Kai Lennox, an American actor known for his role in Apartment 143.
- Popularity: 2022 was the high point for Kai, at #59; the name has since eased back to #93 in 2025.
Keanu
Keanu is not a common name, but almost everyone can say it. That combination is hard to find. Keanu Reeves is the reason. The Matrix is the reason for that. The Hawaiian meaning is cool breeze. That is as relaxed as the man himself. British soap fans will also recognize it from Eastenders.
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: Cool breeze
- Pronunciation: kee-AH-noo
- Popularity: Among U.S. boys, Keanu placed #649 in 2025 after a #515 peak in 2020.
Kyler
Kyler is the fresh alternative to Tyler. A lot of parents have been looking for exactly that. It grew out of Cuyler, a Dutch last name for a skilled archer. There is a real story under the modern sound. Alternate readings include slender and narrow. Actor Kyler Pettis of Days of Our Lives keeps it on screen. That keeps the name current.
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: Bowman, archer
- Pronunciation: KYE-ler
- Namesakes: Kyler Pettis, an American actor known for his role on Days of Our Lives.
- Popularity: The name Kyler has fallen to #404 among American boys in 2025, compared with #236 at its 2019 peak.
Kyrie
Kyrie comes from the prayer Kyrie eleison, meaning Lord, have mercy. That liturgical root gives it unusual depth for a name this modern-sounding. Basketball’s Kyrie Irving is the reason most Americans first heard it. It is gender-neutral. It is used more often for boys, though. Ky (KYE) is the short form. Both KYE-ree and KEER-ee are accepted pronunciations, so decide early which one your family uses.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Lord
- Pronunciation: KYE-ree, KEER-ee
- Namesakes: Kyrie Irving, an American basketball player.
- Popularity: Federal data shows Kyrie at #244 for U.S. boys in 2025, versus a #215 high in 2017.
Langston
Langston Hughes wrote some of the most quoted lines in American poetry. The name has carried his cadence ever since. Television has used it too, in Chuck and American Gothic. The English meaning translates to something close to long stone, or more loosely a tall man’s town. That is a nice joke to have in your back pocket. It is a name with real cultural weight. It also has very little competition on the playground.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Long stone
- Pronunciation: LANG-stuhn
- Namesakes: Langston Hughes, an American poet.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Langston at #1,000 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #652 in 2016.
Leo
Leo means lion, which is a great deal of personality for three letters. It once served as the short form of Leonardo. Leonardo DiCaprio is the reason plenty of people still hear it that way. It is also a zodiac sign. That makes it a fitting choice for a July or August baby if that matters to you. It is also a cool name by any measure. On top of that, it is currently one of the most popular boy names in the country.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Lion
- Pronunciation: LEE-oh
- Namesakes: Leo DiCaprio, an American actor known for his role in Titanic.
- Popularity: Leo peaked at #18 among U.S. boys in 2023 and now stands at #19 as of 2025.
Luca
Luca is the Italian form of Lucas, with a meaning of bringer of light. Some sources tie it instead to Lucus, a sacred grove. Disney and Pixar introduced it to a new generation of American families with their 2021 film. It has a soft ending. That pairs beautifully with a hard consonant surname. Luc (LOOK) works as a nickname. Luca now sits inside the American top 15.
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: Bringer of light
- Pronunciation: LOO-kuh
- Variations: Luka
- Namesakes: Luca Toni, an Italian soccer player.
- Popularity: No year has topped 2025 for Luca, which reached #14 on the U.S. boys’ chart.
Lucien
Lucien is the French and Roman cousin of Lucas, and it sounds like a name from an old novel in the best way. The meaning is simply light. English journalist Lucien Wolf spent his career advocating for Jewish communities across Europe, and Lucien Dubenko turned up decades later on ER. It is rare in the United States now, which only makes it more of a find.
- Origin: Roman, French
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: loo-SEE-uhn, LOOSH-uhn
- Namesakes: Lucien Wolf, an English journalist and advocate for Jewish rights.
- Popularity: In the U.S. boys’ rankings, Lucien sat at #899 in 2025, having been as high as #472 in 1916.
Lux
Lux is Latin for light, and the sound does most of the work: short, sleek and a little glamorous. Most people hear luxury before they hear Latin, which is exactly the aesthetic some parents are after. It leans female on screen and stays rare for boys here. If you want a name that looks good in lowercase on a nursery wall, this is the one.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: LUHKS
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Lux at #2,918 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #1,689 in 2014. That works out to about one boy in 27,778.
Lyon
Lyon is a graceful way to join the animal name trend without spelling it out. Some trace it to the French city, which gives it a well-traveled air, and alternate readings include brave warrior. Lions have stood for loyalty and majesty in heraldry for centuries. British scientist Lyon Playfair is the rare real-world bearer.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Lion, grey
- Pronunciation: LYE-uhn
- Namesakes: Lyon Playfair, a British scientist.
- Popularity: In 2025, Lyon ranked #2,502 among American boys, after peaking at #1,898 in 2024. That works out to about one boy in 31,250.
Madden
Madden belongs to John Madden for most American families, and the video game named after him arrives every single fall. The Irish meaning is little dog, which is a lot sweeter than the football association suggests. Mads makes a great nickname and softens the whole thing considerably. It is preppy, sporty and still uncommon.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Little dog
- Pronunciation: MA-dehn
- Popularity: Madden sits at #676 among U.S. boys for 2025, well off the #544 peak it reached in 2011.
Marshall
Marshall once described the person who looked after the horses, a job with far more status than it sounds. Rapper Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, is the modern bearer, and actor Marshall Allman is another. Like most occupational surnames it peaked in the early 1900s and has been quietly available ever since. It suits a boy you expect to be put in charge of something.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: One who looks after horses
- Pronunciation: MARSH-uhl
- Namesakes: Marshall Allman, an American actor known for his role in Blue Like Jazz.
- Popularity: By 2025, Marshall had settled at #340 on the American boys’ list, down from #156 in 1918.
Micah
Micah was a prophet who warned Jerusalem about what was coming and then told his people what mercy actually looks like. The name asks a question, who is like the Lord, which gives it a thoughtful edge. Actress Sarah Drew chose it for her son in 2012. It works as a fresher alternative to Michael and currently ranks inside the American top 100.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Who is like the Lord
- Pronunciation: MYE-kuh
- Variations: Mykah
- Namesakes: Micah Pellerin, an American football player who played for the Dallas Cowboys.
- Popularity: Micah’s 2025 standing among U.S. boys was #90, a drop from the #86 it hit in 2024.
Nico
Nico trims Nicholas down to something warmer and more casual. It caught on in America in the 1980s and has kept a faint rock-and-roll haze ever since. There is a military thread in its history too, where it described soldiers, which balances the softness. Racing driver Nico Rosberg is the best-known bearer, and Nic works if your son wants something shorter still.
- Origin: Italian, Greek
- Meaning: Victory of the people
- Pronunciation: NEE-koh, NIH-koh
- Namesakes: Nico Rosberg, a German-Finnish race car driver.
- Popularity: Nico is riding a high point, ranking #174 among U.S. boys in 2025 for its best showing to date.
Niven
Niven is a Gaelic surname found on both sides of the Atlantic, and as a first name it means something close to little saint. Alternate readings include sacred and servant of the saint. It has all but vanished from American records, so a boy named Niven will not meet another. Families with Scottish roots or church ties tend to be the ones who find it.
- Origin: Scottish, Latin, Gaelic
- Meaning: Little saint
- Pronunciation: NIH-vehn
- Popularity: Niven last appeared in U.S. Social Security records at #11,732 in 2014.
Nova
Astronomers use nova for a star that suddenly flares up, which is a lovely thing to name a child. It started out firmly on the girls’ side and crossed over in the last decade, so male namesakes are still thin on the ground. That leaves a lot of room for your son to define it. The Latin meaning is simply new.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: New
- Pronunciation: NOH-vah
- Popularity: 2021 gave Nova its high point at #32 among U.S. boys; 2025 put it at #46.
Orion
Orion was a giant and a hunter in Greek myth, handsome enough to cause trouble and skilled enough to be set among the stars. Anyone who has looked up on a winter night knows his belt. Men in Black and Harry Potter both borrowed the name, so it turns up in unexpected places. It is mythic without being heavy, which is a hard balance to strike.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Dawning
- Pronunciation: oh-RYE-uhn
- Namesakes: Orion Acaba, an American voice actor known for his role in Call of Duty.
- Popularity: American parents ranked Orion #334 for boys in 2025, down from a #300 high back in 2018.
Otto
Otto is a palindrome, which is the kind of detail that sells a name on an aesthetic list. Otto the Great ruled as a Holy Roman emperor, and Game of Thrones borrowed the sound for its own nobility. The German meaning is wealth. It is about 29 times its 1984 low after bottoming out in the 1980s.
- Origin: German, Roman
- Meaning: Wealth
- Pronunciation: AH-toh
- Namesakes: Otto Scheff, a German Olympic swimmer.
- Popularity: Otto has cooled to #277 among U.S. boys as of 2025, after topping out at #146 in 1913.
Ozzy
Ozzy usually starts as a nickname for Oswald, though plenty of parents now skip that step. Ozzy Osbourne gave it a permanent streak of eyeliner and feedback, and it has never quite shaken that. The Z keeps it playful long after other vintage nicknames have gone stiff. The meaning, divine protection, is far gentler than the reputation.
- Origin: Irish, English
- Meaning: Divine protection
- Pronunciation: AH-zee
- Variations: Ozzie
- Popularity: Ozzy peaked in 2025, its most recent year, at #549 among U.S. boys.
Parker
Parker described the keeper of a nobleman’s park. It is one of the few genuinely balanced unisex names, used almost as often for girls as for boys. Actor Parker Stevenson made it familiar on Baywatch, and Desperate Housewives kept it there. It sits right around the American top 100.
- Origin: French, Gaelic, English
- Meaning: Park keeper
- Pronunciation: PAR-ker
- Namesakes: Parker Stevenson, an American actor known for his role on Baywatch.
- Popularity: The 2025 count places Parker at #102 among American boys, a retreat from #72 in 2015.
Percy
Percy sounds like an American relic and a British schoolboy at the same time, and both readings are correct. Harry Potter fans know the third Weasley son, while a younger crowd knows Rick Riordan’s demigod from the Percy Jackson books. Inventor Percy Spencer, the man behind the microwave, is the real-life bearer worth mentioning. The French meaning refers to one who pierces the valley, which is a great deal of drama for such a friendly name.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: One who pierces the valley
- Pronunciation: PER-see
- Variations: Percie
- Namesakes: Percy Spencer, an American inventor who created the microwave.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Percy at #1,279 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #189 in 1913. That works out to about one boy in 11,111.
Quincy
Quincy traditionally went to a fifth child, though it works just as well for a boy born on the fifth or in May. President John Quincy Adams wore it as a middle name and made it presidential. Alternate readings include from Quincy, a nod to French roots. Basketball’s Quincy Acy keeps it current.
- Origin: French, English, Roman
- Meaning: The fifth
- Pronunciation: KWIN-see
- Namesakes: Quincy Acy, an American basketball player.
- Popularity: Quincy now ranks #654 among U.S. boys (2025), having peaked at #273 back in 1977.
Quinn
Quinn comes from the Irish surname O’Cuinn, a common Irish surname. The meaning of wise or chief has led some to link it to the word queen. It is truly gender-neutral and currently leans female, so it reads modern on a boy. The soft ending photographs well, which is half of what an aesthetic name has to do.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Wise, reason
- Pronunciation: KWIN
- Popularity: Once as high as #73 in 2022, Quinn has drifted to #97 among U.S. boys by 2025.
Ravi
Ravi is another name for Surya, the Hindu sun god, and it means sun god outright. There is also a Ravi river running through India and Pakistan, so the name carries both sky and water. Your son would join a long list of Indian namesakes in music, film and sport, including music director Ravi Sharma. Two syllables, warm vowels, and it travels well.
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: Sun god
- Pronunciation: RAH-vee
- Namesakes: Ravi Sharma, an Indian music director.
- Popularity: Ravi lands at #1,249 on the 2025 U.S. boys’ list, a fair way from its #1,047 best in 1985. That works out to roughly one boy in every 10,638.
Reign
Reign is a bold pick, and it knows it. Kourtney Kardashian chose it for her son in 2015 and put it on every entertainment site in the country. It is used more often for girls, which leaves it feeling fresh on a boy. The meaning of rule, sovereign is unmissable, so pair it with a grounded middle name.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Rule, sovereign
- Pronunciation: RAYN
- Popularity: 2021 was the high point for Reign, at #349; the name has since eased back to #452 in 2025.
Remy
Remy will always belong a little to Ratatouille’s sharp-tongued chef rat, and that is a charming association to grow up with. Saint Remy, one of the youngest men ever ordained, is the older bearer. The French meaning is oarsman. Remi is the alternate spelling if you prefer the softer look on paper.
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: Oarsman
- Pronunciation: REH-mee
- Variations: Remi
- Namesakes: Remy Thorne, an American actor known for his role in First Strike.
- Popularity: Among U.S. boys, Remy placed #408 in 2025 after a #356 peak in 2020.
Rhett
Rhett belongs to Rhett Butler, the sardonic leading man of Gone With the Wind, and the name has kept his Southern polish. It was a South Carolina surname first, which explains the regional feel. The meaning is usually given as advice, with to speak offered as an alternate, so it suits a boy who has plenty to say. Christian singer Rhett Walker is a more recent bearer.
- Origin: Latin, English, Dutch
- Meaning: Advice
- Pronunciation: REHT
- Namesakes: Rhett Walker, an American Christian singer.
- Popularity: The name Rhett has fallen to #188 among American boys in 2025, compared with #149 at its 2021 peak.
Ridge
Ridge is one syllable of pure landscape, the line where a mountain meets the sky. Soap opera fans know it from The Bold and the Beautiful, and Colleen Hoover built a main character around it in Maybe Someday. The single syllable lands hard, which is a good part of the draw.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Elevated mountain crest
- Pronunciation: RIHDJ
- Popularity: Federal data shows Ridge at #530 for U.S. boys in 2025, versus a #505 high in 2023.
River
River is one of the nature names that helped establish the trend, and it works equally well on boys and girls. A river reads as a path, a journey, something always moving forward, which is a generous idea to hand a child. Scripture uses the river of life as an image of God’s love, so there is a spiritual layer if you want one. It ranks just outside the American top 100.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Large body of water
- Pronunciation: RIH-vur
- Namesakes: River Alexander, an American actor known for his role in Please Stand By.
- Popularity: River peaked at #105 among U.S. boys in 2022 and now stands at #111 as of 2025.
Rocky
Rocky is Sylvester Stallone in a grey sweatsuit running up the museum steps, and no amount of etymology will change that. The Italian and English roots give it the meaning rock, with rest offered as a gentler alternate. Rugby’s Rocky Elsom is the other bearer worth knowing. Rocco makes an excellent formal version if you want the option.
- Origin: English, Italian
- Meaning: Rock
- Pronunciation: RAH-kee
- Variations: Rockie
- Namesakes: Rocky Elsom, an Australian rugby player.
- Popularity: In the U.S. boys’ rankings, Rocky sat at #568 in 2025, having been as high as #240 in 1955.
Roman
Roman began as a name for someone from Rome and picked up a devotional layer along the way, since the letter to the Romans is one of the most quoted books in the New Testament. Molly Ringwald chose it for her son, and the Fast and the Furious franchise gave it a getaway driver. It has a hard R and a soft ending, which is a combination parents keep coming back to. It now ranks inside the American top 50.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Citizen of Rome
- Pronunciation: ROH-mehn
- Namesakes: Roman Harper, an American football player.
- Popularity: The name Roman has yet to rank better than its 2025 showing of #42 among American boys.
Ronan
Ronan means little seal, and Irish folklore has a story to go with it. A seal ignored the warning to stay away from land, became a fisherman’s wife, and gave birth to children she called her little seals. She eventually returned to the water but swam close to shore for years hoping to catch sight of them. At least twelve saints have carried the name, which gives it a gentle, well-worn holiness.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Little seal
- Pronunciation: ROW-nuhn
- Popularity: Ronan ranked #247 among U.S. boys in 2025, its best showing on record.
Ryder
Ryder once meant a messenger on horseback, which is a great image for a boy who will not stop moving. Kate Hudson chose it for her son and gave it a considerable boost. The Y spelling is the popular one, though Rider is just as valid. It stays inside the American top 150, so it is familiar without being everywhere.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Horseman, rider
- Pronunciation: RYE-der
- Variations: Rider
- Popularity: Ryder sits at #133 among U.S. boys for 2025, well off the #95 peak it reached in 2014.
Salinger
Salinger is for the family with a full bookshelf. J.D. Salinger is the obvious namesake, and Pierre Salinger, press secretary to John F. Kennedy, is the other. Party of Five used it as a family name and gave it a warm 1990s glow. Sal is the everyday nickname, and it is one of the rarest names on this list.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Saint leger
- Pronunciation: SAL-ihn-jer
- Popularity: Salinger last appeared in U.S. Social Security records at #13,842 in 2016.
Scout
Scout comes from To Kill a Mockingbird, where it belongs to the child at the center of the story. The French root means to listen, with sent to discover as an alternate, both of which suit a curious kid. It leans female but works on anyone. The Boy Scouts association gives it a wholesome, outdoorsy edge.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: To listen
- Pronunciation: SKOWT
- Popularity: By 2025, Scout had settled at #997 on the American boys’ list, down from #691 in 2022.
Sebastian
Sebastian means revered, and it has the long, formal sound of a name that expects to be taken seriously. Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes, which is a nice detail for a sporty family, and British explorer Sebastian Cabot is the historical bearer. It is one of the highest-ranked names on this list, now inside the American top 20. Seb keeps it casual on the soccer field.
- Origin: Latin, Greek
- Meaning: Revered
- Pronunciation: sihb-AS-chen, sib-AST-ee-uhn
- Namesakes: Sebastian Cabot, a British explorer.
- Popularity: Sebastian’s 2025 standing among U.S. boys was #16, a drop from the #13 it hit in 2022.
Stellan
Stellan is Swedish, means calm, and sounds it. Actor Stellan Skarsgård is the bearer who brought it to American audiences. The double L gives it the symmetry that aesthetic lists reward. Alternate readings include peaceful one, which is the trait every exhausted parent hopes for.
- Origin: Swedish
- Meaning: Calm
- Pronunciation: STELL-uhn
- Namesakes: Stellan Skarsgård, a Swedish actor known for his role in Mamma Mia.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Stellan at #1,140 for boys born in 2025, its best showing on record. That works out to about one boy in 9,174.
Sullivan
Sullivan comes from O’Sullivan, among the most common surnames in Ireland, and it means dark eyes. That makes it a lovely, specific choice for a brown-eyed baby. Patrick Dempsey and Rachel Leigh Cook both chose it for their sons, and actor Sullivan Stapleton keeps it on screen. Sully is right there when three syllables is too many.
- Origin: Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning: Dark eyes
- Pronunciation: SUL-uh-vuhn
- Namesakes: Sullivan Stapleton, an Australian actor known for his role in Blindspot.
- Popularity: 2025 set the high-water mark for Sullivan at #314 on the U.S. boys’ chart, and it still stands.
Sully
Sully is more often a nickname than a name in its own right, which is exactly why it stands out on a birth certificate. Most children will meet it first as the big blue monster in Monsters, Inc. Actor Sully Boyar is the real-world bearer. The British meaning refers to the south meadow, gentler than the sound suggests.
- Origin: British
- Meaning: From the south meadow
- Pronunciation: SUH-lee
- Variations: Sullie
- Popularity: Sully sat at #3,371 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #2,843 in 2011. That works out to about one boy in 50,000.
Theo
Theo is Theodore with its sleeves rolled up, and it fits neatly into the current preference for short, soft boy names. The Greek meaning is God’s gift, with bold people and brave people offered as alternates. Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh carried it, and it was used for girls well into the last century before settling on boys. It sits inside the American top 100 and pairs with almost any surname.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: God’s gift
- Pronunciation: THEE-oh
- Namesakes: Theo Van Gogh, a Dutch film director known for his work in Submission.
- Popularity: 2023 gave Theo its high point at #78 among U.S. boys; 2025 put it at #82.
Ulysses
Ulysses is the Latin name for Odysseus, which makes it one of the oldest adventure stories you can put on a birth certificate. James Joyce borrowed it for his famously difficult novel, and Ulysses S. Grant carried it to the White House. The meaning is usually given as wrathful, which is bracing. Between the general, the novelist and the Greek, it is a name with a very long reading list.
- Origin: Latin, Greek
- Meaning: Wrathful
- Pronunciation: yoo-LISS-ihs
- Namesakes: Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.
- Popularity: U.S. Social Security data puts Ulysses at #1,201 for boys born in 2025, after peaking at #426 in 1923. That works out to about one boy in 10,101.
Van
Van can be short for Vance or Ivan, and plenty of families skip the long version entirely. Music fans hear Van Morrison, and art lovers hear Vincent van Gogh, so it arrives with good taste already established. Alternate readings include marsh, which gives it an earthy edge. Three letters and no spelling debate.
- Origin: English, Dutch
- Meaning: Of
- Pronunciation: VAN
- Namesakes: Van Morrison, an Irish singer and songwriter.
- Popularity: American parents ranked Van #972 for boys in 2025, down from a #265 high back in 1946.
Vaughn
Vaughn sounds far grander than its meaning, which is simply little in Welsh. That gap between sound and sense is part of the charm. It served as an alternative to Junior for generations of families who wanted to honor a father without repeating him exactly. Cartoonist Vaughn Bode and the television series Alias both kept it in circulation.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Little
- Pronunciation: VAHN
- Variations: Von
- Namesakes: Vaughn Bode, an American cartoonist and illustrator.
- Popularity: Vaughn sat at #1,153 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #348 in 1949. That works out to about one boy in 9,346.
Watson
Watson is a popular surname across Britain that makes an unexpectedly warm first name. Sherlock Holmes fans will hear his loyal companion immediately, which gives the name a loyal, steady quality. The English meaning is son of Walter, and the name has been in use since medieval times. Historian Watson Parker shows it works on a book jacket.
- Origin: English, Scottish
- Meaning: Son of Walter
- Pronunciation: WAHT-suhn
- Namesakes: Watson Parker, an American historian and author.
- Popularity: Watson has cooled to #1,011 among U.S. boys as of 2025, after topping out at #597 in 2021. Only about one boy in 7,634 shares it.
Wilder
Wilder is a surname with two literary owners, Gene Wilder and Laura Ingalls Wilder, and both of them are good company. Actress Alison Pill chose it for her son, which helped move it from last name to first. Dungeons and Dragons players will recognize it as a character class. The meaning, untamed, is honest advertising for most toddlers.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Untamed
- Pronunciation: WYLE-der
- Popularity: The 2025 count places Wilder at #431 among American boys, a retreat from #367 in 2021.
Wolf
Wolf started as the short form of grander names like Wolfgang and now stands perfectly well on its own. Kylie Jenner chose it for her son and set off a wave of interest. In folklore, wolves stand for loyalty and intelligence as often as they stand for danger. Wolfie softens it for the early years, and Wolfe is the alternate spelling.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: A cunning man
- Pronunciation: WULF
- Variations: Wolfe
- Popularity: Wolf now ranks #1,902 among U.S. boys (2025), having peaked at #1,605 back in 2021. In real terms, that is close to one boy out of every 20,408.
Zane
Zane is an unexpected form of John, so it means God is gracious despite sounding thoroughly modern. Names with a Z have been having a long moment, and this is the least fussy way to join in. Novelists and football players are among the bearers. It ranks inside the American top 350, which is the sweet spot between familiar and overused.
- Origin: English, Hebrew
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Pronunciation: ZAYN
- Variations: Zayn
- Popularity: Once as high as #199 in 2018, Zane has drifted to #324 among U.S. boys by 2025.
Zed
Zed is short for Zedekiah, a king of Judah whose story does not end well but whose name has aged nicely. The Hebrew sense is the Lord is just, so there is real substance behind three letters. It is the rarest name still charting in 2025 on this list, which is either the appeal or the warning. Expect to spell it out at the doctor’s office.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is just
- Pronunciation: ZEHD
- Popularity: Zed lands at #9,700 on the 2025 U.S. boys’ list, a fair way from its #3,174 best in 1937. Put another way, about one boy in 200,000 carries the name.
Zephyr
In Greek mythology, Zephyr is the god of the west wind and of spring, which makes it a natural pick for a baby born as everything starts blooming. Children may know it from the Babar books or the My Little Pony movies. Actor and director Zephyr Benson is a real-world bearer. Among aesthetic boy names starting with Z, this is one of the gentler options.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: West wind
- Pronunciation: ZEH-fer
- Namesakes: Zephyr Benson, an American actor and director known for his role in Apple Seed.
- Popularity: 2021 was the high point for Zephyr, at #1,097; the name has since eased back to #1,203 in 2025. That works out to roughly one boy in every 10,101.
Zeppelin
Zeppelin is loud, and it is not pretending otherwise. Led Zeppelin is the obvious association, and Korn’s lead singer chose it for his son. The German meaning traces to flail, which suits the airship and the guitar solo equally. For all its rock heritage, it stays genuinely rare.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Flail
- Pronunciation: ZEHP-lihn
- Popularity: Among U.S. boys, Zeppelin placed #1,508 in 2025 after a #1,227 peak in 2022. Only about one boy in 14,706 shares it.
Zeus
Zeus runs the weather in Greek myth, and the lightning bolt in his hand tells you how he prefers to settle arguments. Comics readers know him as Wonder Woman’s father. The meaning is sky, shine, which is a lot brighter than his temper. Music producer Zeus B. Held proves a person can actually wear it.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Sky, shine
- Pronunciation: ZOOS
- Namesakes: Zeus B. Held, a German music producer.
- Popularity: Zeus sat at #1,351 on the U.S. boys’ chart in 2025, after peaking at #1,067 in 2024. That works out to about one boy in 12,195.
Which Aesthetic Boy Names Are Most Popular Right Now?
Henry is the most popular name on this list, ranking 5th among boys born in the United States in 2025 (1). Sixteen of these 100 names finished inside the U.S. top 100 that year, per the same federal birth records, including Luca at 14th, Sebastian at 16th, Hudson at 17th and Leo at 19th.
Atlas is the list’s fastest riser, up about 1,322 percent over the last ten years of births compared with the ten years before them, and it reached its best rank yet at 75th in 2025 (2). Jenner moved hardest in the other direction, down about 69 percent across that same window in the federal data. Otto is the comeback story of the group: it peaked in 1913, bottomed out in 1984, and had climbed back to roughly 29 times that low point by 2025 in those records.
Softer sounds explain a good deal of that movement. “The most fashionable boy names of 2026 embrace softness alongside masculinity,” says Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of the baby-naming site Nameberry, whose team groups gentle, meaning-heavy picks such as Cedar and Shepherd under the label Soulful Names.
At the quiet end of the scale, Zed is the rarest name here, ranking 9,700th in 2025 according to Social Security Administration data, or about one boy in 200,000. Every ranking on this page comes from U.S. birth records, so it describes American use and nothing beyond it.
