60 Baby Boy Names With Meanings and Origins

Whether you love a timeless classic or something more unusual, here are 60 boy names with their origins and meanings. Meanings can vary between sources and languages, so it's worth looking deeper if a meaning is important to you.

Timeless classics

Name	Origin	Meaning
Alexander	Greek	Defender of the people
Benjamin	Hebrew	Son of the right hand
Daniel	Hebrew	God is my judge
Henry	Germanic	Ruler of the home
James	Hebrew (via Latin)	Supplanter (form of Jacob)
Matthew	Hebrew	Gift of God
Samuel	Hebrew	God has heard
Thomas	Aramaic	Twin
William	Germanic	Resolute protector
Edward	Old English	Wealthy guardian

Modern favorites

Name	Origin	Meaning
Asher	Hebrew	Happy, blessed
Ezra	Hebrew	Help
Leo	Latin	Lion
Liam	Irish	Short form of William: resolute protector
Luca	Italian / Latin	From Lucania; often linked to "light"
Mason	English	Stoneworker
Miles	Latin / Germanic	Soldier; possibly "gracious"
Noah	Hebrew	Rest, comfort
Oliver	Latin	Olive tree
Theo	Greek	God, or gift of God (short for Theodore)

Short and strong

Name	Origin	Meaning
Max	Latin	Greatest (short for Maximilian)
Kai	Hawaiian / Japanese	Sea (Hawaiian)
Jack	English	God is gracious (form of John)
Finn	Irish	Fair, white
Eli	Hebrew	Ascended, high
Jude	Hebrew	Praised
Rhys	Welsh	Ardor, enthusiasm
Sam	Hebrew	God has heard (short for Samuel)
Zane	Uncertain	Possibly a form of John: God is gracious
Cole	English	Swarthy, coal-black

Names from around the world

Name	Origin	Meaning
Adam	Hebrew	Earth, man
Arjun	Sanskrit	Bright, shining
Hiro	Japanese	Generous, broad
Idris	Welsh / Arabic	Ardent lord (Welsh); interpreter (Arabic)
Kofi	Akan	Born on a Friday
Mateo	Spanish	Gift of God
Omar	Arabic	Flourishing, long-lived
Rafael	Hebrew	God has healed
Ravi	Sanskrit	Sun
Soren	Danish	Stern, severe (form of Severinus)
Tariq	Arabic	Morning star
Yusuf	Arabic / Hebrew	God will increase (form of Joseph)

Vintage names making a comeback

Name	Origin	Meaning
Arthur	Celtic	Possibly "bear"
Albert	Germanic	Noble and bright
Frederick	Germanic	Peaceful ruler
Hugo	Germanic	Mind, intellect
Louis	Germanic	Famous warrior
Otto	Germanic	Wealth, fortune
Walter	Germanic	Ruler of the army
Felix	Latin	Lucky, happy

Nature-inspired

Name	Origin	Meaning
Ash	English	The ash tree
Bear	English	The animal, a symbol of strength
Forest	English	Woodland
Jasper	Persian	Treasurer; also a gemstone
Leif	Norse	Heir, descendant
Oakley	English	Oak meadow
River	English	River
Rowan	Irish / Scottish	Little redhead; also the rowan tree
Sky	English	Sky
Wolf	Germanic	Wolf

Tips for choosing a baby name

Say the full name out loud, first name, middle name and surname together.
Check initials and nicknames, and how it might be shortened at school.
Think about how it travels: is it easy to spell and pronounce where you live?
Honor family if you'd like to, perhaps as a middle name.
Give yourself time. Many parents decide once they meet their baby.

Once you've chosen, add the name in the Prego app, and Prego will use it in your personal tips.

See also our baby girl names and gender-neutral baby names.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose between two names?

Try each one for a few days: use it when you talk to your bump. One often starts to feel more right. Some parents use the other as a middle name.

Is it okay to use a family name?

Of course. Family names are a lovely way to honor someone, and a middle name lets you do it without making it your child's everyday name.

Should a middle name have a meaning?

Not necessarily. Many parents choose a middle name for sound, family connection or meaning; there are no rules.

Sources

General information only, not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your doctor or midwife.

History of updates

October 21, 2026: Published.