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It’s an exciting time. Your baby is on his way. Now you’re wondering what the best name for him is. There are so many options, though, and this is a big decision, of course. You want to get it right. Fortunately, there are some wonderful baby boy names around to choose from.
This list contains thirty-five different names, some of which are the most popular, some you’ll recognize from celebrities, and then there are some classic names to consider, too. Choosing a baby name is a lot of fun. As you read this list, one name might jump out at you, and feel completely right. Let’s hope so. Now let’s get onto the names!
The Fifteen Most Popular Baby Boy Names
Over the last hundred years, just like clothes, music, and hairstyles, baby names have come in and out of fashion. Some baby boy names were extremely popular only for a short time, whereas others have stood the test of time. We’re going to have a look now at the fifteen boy names that are the most popular at this very moment. This list is based on data provided by Social Security Administration records.
Liam – This strong boy’s name originated in Ireland. It has gained popularity over the last few years, thanks to the success of boy band One Direction, and its member, Liam Payne. But he isn’t the only famous Liam, of course, with Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher, having made this name very popular in the 1990s too.
Noah – Biblical names have always been popular. And there isn’t a person alive who doesn’t know the famous story of Noah and his Ark. This is a classic, strong name, which also has a youthful air to it.
William – Once again, William is a name that has stood the test of time. The Duke of Cambridge and future king of the United Kingdom, Prince William, is perhaps the most famous William currently around.
James – This is a great name for a boy. It’s one of those names that suit the baby boy, as well as the full-grown man, and countless nicknames can be made from it, including Jamie, Jim, and Jimmy.
Oliver – This name has origins that go way back to medieval France. But there is nothing old-fashioned about it, which is why it has become the 5th top baby boy name in America today.
Benjamin – Benjamin is a top choice for anyone who wants a classic name that’s versatile with lots of options to shorten it, depending on the personality and temperament of your baby. Ben, Benji, and Benny are just a few examples of nicknames for it.
Elijah – This name is most closely associated with the prophet Elijah who around in the 9th Century BCE. It has multiple variants, with Elias being the most famous, and it’s one of those names that is a pleasure to say aloud.
Lucas – This is another name with strong religious connections as it originates from Luke, one of the 12 disciples.
Mason – This boy name has become increasingly popular over the last two decades, reaching its peak in 2011, when it was the second most popular baby boy name in America.
Logan – Of course, Logan Paul is perhaps the most famous Logan in modern America, but this name actually comes from Scotland, where its meaning is ‘Little Hollow’ in Scottish Gaelic.
Alexander – This proud, strong name is closely associated with Alexander the Great, and it has been a top choice for parents around the world for centuries. The ability to shorten it to Alex is great, too.
Ethan – This name is defined by strength, firmness, and impetuousness, which is why it has been one of the most popular baby boy names in America for decades.
Jacob – Jacob is a biblical name that was first mentioned in Genesis. It has variations in each language around the world and has had a resurgence in popularity over the last twenty years.
Michael – Mike, Mikey, Mick, and Mickey are just some of the shortened variations of this classic name that has been popular in the United States for the last hundred years.
Daniel – If you look at the Social Security Administration records over the last fifty years, you’ll see how Daniel has changed in popularity. It’s now back in fashion, which is why it’s on this list of the most popular baby boy names in America today.
When it comes to choosing a baby boy name, parents will often look around the world that they live in for inspiration. That’s why you often find that certain names become very popular at the same time a new sports star or singer bursts onto the scene. We’re going to look at fifteen baby boy names that are shared with some of the most famous men in America today.
Bruce – Everyone knows and loves Bruce Willis. His name is associated with a sense of fun, strength, as well as having a classic feel to it.
Clint – This name is most closely linked with Clint Eastwood, but do you know where it originates from? Clint comes from the Old English word for a cliff.
Hugh – There are lots of famous Hughs around today, including Hugh Jackman and Hugh Grant. This is a soft-sounding name that gives it a genteel feel, making it a lovely choice for a baby boy.
Leonardo – If Leonardo sounds a little too Italian for you, then Leo is another option. This name rolls off the tongue and has an artistic, creative connection to it, not only because of Leonardo Di Caprio but also because of the great Renaissance polymath, Leonardo Da Vinci.
Brad – Just like the owner of our previous name, Brad Pitt is one of America’s most loved actors, and this is a strong male name that was originally a diminutive of the name Bradley.
LeBron – He is the most successful and famous basketballer in NBA history. And his name is very unique and should be considered as a baby name by any fan of this basketball superstar.
Kurt – This is name has Germanic origins, and it has been popularized over the last few decades, thanks to the success of Kurt Cobain and Kurt Russell.
Jake – One of the top YouTubers in the world today is Jake Paul. His name originated as another name on our list – Jacob – but has since become a very popular name in its own right, and you might also associate with another famous man, Jake Gyllenhaal.
Conor – The success of UFC superstar Conor McGregor over the last few years has made this Irish name a top boy name in America.
Denzel – Denzel Washington might be the most famous Denzel in the world, but his name doesn’t originate from New York as he does. It’s actually of Cornish Celtic origin.
Justin – Justin is one of those names for boys that will mean something different to everyone, but if you were to ask anyone under the age of 30 who the most famous Justin in the world is, then they’d most likely name Justin Bieber.
Sean – Even though Sean Connery has been on our cinema screens for longer than half-a-century, his first name has a very youthful quality to it, making it a lovely name for a baby boy.
Keanu – There is only one Keanu Reeves, but his name doesn’t belong to him alone. Actually, Keanu is a Hawaiin baby boy name that means ‘cool breeze over the mountains.’
Dwayne – If you’re looking for boy names that reflect strength, then Dwayne has to be a top choice. After all, is there a celebrity who epitomizes strength more than Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson?
Ryan – This is one of those baby names that can be given to both boys and girls, but it has certainly become a very popular option for parents over the last decade, thanks to the enormous success of actor Ryan Gosling.
Five Classic Names For Boys
Now we’ve looked at the most popular baby names in America today, thanks to the Social Security Administration, as well as some celebrity names, we’re next going to look at some classic boy names that never go out of fashion.
Thomas – Like a lot of common baby boy names, Thomas has Biblical origins, as Thomas was one of the twelve apostles. There are many derivatives of this name, including Tom, Tommy, and Thommo.
John – There was a time when John was the most common name in the English-speaking world, but over the last few decades, its popularity has waned, but it remains a strong, simple name.
Robert – This name has Germanic origins. It means ‘fame-bright’ and ‘glory-bright.’ It has many nicknames, including Rob, Robbie, Bob, Bobby, and Robbo.
Paul – Paul was 200th in the list of the most common names of boys in America in 2015, which is remarkable considering that it was as high as number 15 only twenty-five years earlier.
Chris – This is a Unisex name that has Greek origins. It’s also a diminutive of Christopher.
Questions:
What should I consider before I choose a name for a baby boy?
Before you make your choice, you should research baby boy names widely. It’s important to understand the origin of the name. This is as well as if there is anyone from history or today who shares it. It may have some negative connections. If there are two boy names that you like, then you could even consider combining them.
For example, Liam Noah would make an excellent choice, and it utilizes two of the top names for boys around right now. Of course, Noah Liam would be as good of an option as Liam Noah, if you’re a fan of both these names. Make sure that you sound out the name, then think of how it will sound when applied to a man, as well as to your baby boy.
Your baby will have this name for the rest of his life. Don’t rush, either. A good idea is to make a list of your top choices, then leave them aside, and make the final choice when your baby is before you so that you know that it feels right and suits your beautiful new son.
Should I choose an unusual or a common name?
This is entirely your choice, of course. Unusual boy names give their owners a sense of uniqueness and originality, but it can also lead to your child being singled out as he is the only one with that moniker in his class. Keeping it simple is often a good choice for a lot of parents, which is why they prefer to go for a tried and tested option, such as Liam, Noah, or Chris.
But common names are shared by lots of boys, so your son might lack a feeling of uniqueness. Perhaps the best option is something in-between, something that people have heard before, but is not in the top baby names of that year.
What baby boy names are not allowed in the USA?
The laws are different in each of the United States. Some names are outlawed. This is due to reasons such as length or because it’s disrespectful, rather than its association with certain people. Check the law in your own state if you’re worried that one of the names you’re considering might not be permitted.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve scoured this list of the best baby boy names around, you should be in a good position to choose something for your future son. Make sure to have a few options! You might want to try out a few different ones when you hold your boy in your arms. Then you can then see which one feels right.
