1000 top baby boy names - with their origins and meanings
Looking for a great name ideas for your baby boy? We’ve selected 1,000 top boy names and listed them, with their origins and meanings, so you can choose the best name for your newborn
Choosing a good name for your baby boy can be trickier than you think. There are so many nice first names for boys but, of course, you want to pick the right one for your baby boy – and, whether it's a traditional name, an unusual name or a name inspired by a particular theme or culture, a name that your boy will bear proudly as he grows from newborn to child to teenager to grown-up.
We've created here a list of 1,000 top baby boy names, including the most popular boy names in the UK right now and also more unusual, classic or different options, sourced from a wide range of themes and countries all around the world. For every boy name, we've listed its origin and meaning, so you can find out more about it and what it signifies. Happy name-hunting!
Also, discover our list of cultural heritage baby girl names which offer rich inspiration. Our Korean girl names list contains a mix of two-syllable style names, Italian girls names evoke charm and romance, and Japanese girl names incorporate culture and history.
Here's our list of 1000 baby boy names to inspire you...
Popular baby boy names | Traditional baby boy names | Irish baby boy names | Strong baby boy names | Scottish baby boy names | Cool baby boy names | Welsh baby boy names | Cute baby boy names | English baby boy names | Royal baby boy names | Seasonal baby boy names | Japanese baby boy names | Unusual and unique baby boy names | African baby boy names | Celebrity baby boy names | American baby boy names | Gender-neutral baby names | Indian baby boy names | Nature-inspired baby boy names | French baby boy names | Baby boy names that mean love | Ancient Greek and Roman baby boy names | Muslim baby boy names | Italian baby boy names | Biblical baby boy names | Animal-inspired baby boy names | Short baby boy names
Popular baby boy names
These baby boy names all appear in the list of the top 100 boy names registered in England and Wales in 2022 – the latest popular baby-name list for boys from the Office for National Statistics (the list for 2023 is due to be released in late 2024 or early 2025). Noah has held on to the top spot for a second year running, with the ever popular Oliver moving down to 4th place. There are still plenty of names that are regular fixtures in the top 100 list, such as George, Muhammad, Leo, Harry, Jack, William and Isaac. But there are some more unusual or less traditional options which have shot up the the top 100 chart – or even made their debut – including Leon, Elias, Musa, Axel and Ibrahim.
1. Noah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ‘rest or comfort’
- Trend: no change
2. Muhammad
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: praiseworthy
- Trend: moving up
3. George
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: farmer
- Trend: no change
4. Oliver
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: olive tree
- Trend: moving down
5. Leo
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: lion
- Trend: moving up
6. Arthur
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: bear
- Trend: moving down
7. Oscar
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: spear of god
- Trend: moving up
8. Theodore
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: God-given
- Trend: moving up
9. Theo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: God-given
- Trend: moving up
10. Freddie
- Origin: German
- Meaning: peaceful ruler
- Trend: moving up
11. Archie
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bold or brave
- Trend: moving down
12. Luca
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: bringer of light
- Trend: moving up
13. Henry
- Origin: German
- Meaning: ruler of home
- Trend: moving down
14. Jack
- Origin: English
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Trend: moving down
15. Harry
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ‘ruler’
- Trend: moving down
16. Charlie
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ‘free man’
- Trend: moving down
17. Alfie
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wise counsel
- Trend: moving down
18. Arlo
- Origin: English
- Meaning: fortified hill
- Trend: moving up
19. Thomas
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: twin
- Trend: moving down
20. Teddy
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: God-given
- Trend: moving up
21. Finley
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: fair-haired hero
- Trend: moving down
22. Jacob
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ‘supplanter’
- Trend: moving down
23. Tommy
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: twin
- Trend: moving up
24. William
- Origin: German
- Meaning: determined protector
- Trend: moving down
25. Lucas
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: light
- Trend: moving down
26. Isaac
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: he will laugh
- Trend: moving down
27. Mohammed
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: praiseworthy
- Trend: moving up
28. Alexander
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: defender of the people
- Trend: moving down
29. Albie
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bright, brilliant
- Trend: moving up
30. Roman
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: citizen of Rome
- Trend: moving down
31. Edward
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wealthy guardian
- Trend: moving down
32. Jude
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: praised
- Trend: moving up
33. Elijah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
- Trend: no change
34. James
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter
- Trend: moving down
35. Joshua
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my salvation
- Trend: moving down
36. Reuben
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: behold, a son
- Trend: no change
37. Max
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: the greatest
- Trend: moving down
38. Rory
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: red king
- Trend: moving up
39. Sebastian
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning:venerable
- Trend: moving down
40. Louie
- Origin: English
- Meaning: famous warrior
- Trend: moving up
41. Adam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: son of the red earth
- Trend: moving up
42. Mason
- Origin: English
- Meaning: stone worker
- Trend: moving down
43. Ethan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: strong, firm
- Trend: no change
44. Hudson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Hud
- Trend: moving up
45. Harrison
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Harry
- Trend: moving up
46. Ezra
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: help
- Trend: moving up
47. Hugo
- Origin: German
- Meaning: heart or spirit
- Trend: moving down
48. Louis
- Origin: French
- Meaning: famous warrior
- Trend: moving up
49. Reggie
- Origin: English
- Meaning: king
- Trend: moving down
50. Joseph
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: to add
- Trend: moving down
51. Benjamin
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: son of the right hand
- Trend: moving down
52. Ronnie
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ruler’s counsel
- Trend: moving down
53. Daniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my judge
- Trend: moving up
54. Logan
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: small hollow
- Trend: moving down
55. Jaxon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Trend: moving down
56. Oakley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: meadow of oak trees
- Trend: moving up
57. Albert
- Origin: German
- Meaning: noble, bright
- Trend: moving up
58. Hunter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: one who hunts
- Trend: moving up
59. Zachary
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God remembers
- Trend: moving down
60. Samuel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has heard
- Trend: moving down
61. Rowan
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: little redhead
- Trend: moving up
62. David
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: beloved
- Trend:no change
63. Toby
- Origin: English
- Meaning: God is good
- Trend: moving up
64. Dylan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: son of the sea
- Trend: moving down
65. Frederick
- Origin: German
- Meaning: peaceful ruler
- Trend: moving down
66. Jesse
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s gift or God exists
- Trend: moving down
67. Mohammad
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: praiseworthy
- Trend: moving up
68. Otis
- Origin: German
- Meaning: wealthy
- Trend: moving up
69. Sonny
- Origin: American
- Meaning: our son
- Trend: moving up
70. Gabriel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my strength
- Trend: moving up
71. Grayson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of a steward
- Trend: moving down
72. Kai
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: keeper of the keys
- Trend: moving up
73. Frankie
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: free one
- Trend: moving down
74. Caleb
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: faithful, devotion to God
- Trend: moving up
75. Carter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: transporter of goods by cart
- Trend: moving down
76. Liam
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: with gilded helmet
- Trend: moving up
77. Felix
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: happy, fortunate
- Trend: moving down
78. Jaspar
- Origin: English
- Meaning: treasurer
- Trend: moving up
79. Riley
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: brave
- Trend: moving down
80. Bobby
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bright fame
- Trend: moving down
81. Alfred
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wise counsel
- Trend: moving down
82. Finn
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: fair
- Trend: moving down
83. Elliot
- Origin: English
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
- Trend: moving up
84 (equal). Brody
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: ditch or muddy place
- Trend: moving up
84 (equal). Rupert
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bright fame
- Trend: moving up
86. Ralph
- Origin: English/Old Norse
- Meaning: ‘wolf counsel’
- Trend: moving down
87. Milo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: soldier
- Trend: moving down
88. Michael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Who is like God?
- Trend: moving down
89. Blake
- Origin: English
- Meaning: dark-complexioned
- Trend: moving down
90. Ellis
- Origin: English/Welsh
- Meaning: benevolent
- Trend: moving down
91. Chester
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: fortress
- Trend: moving down
92. Stanley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: stony clearing
- Trend: moving down
93. Yusuf
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: God increases
- Trend: moving up
94. Jackson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Jack
- Trend: moving up
95. Leon
- Origin: Ancient Greek
- Meaning: lion
- Trend: moving up
96. Elias
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
- Trend: moving up
97. Myles
- Origin: Latin/English
- Meaning: soldier or merciful
- Trend: moving up
98. Tobias
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is good
- Trend: no change
99. Musa
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: saved from the water
100 (equal). Axel
- Origin: Icelandic
- Meaning: father of peace
100 (equal). Ibrahim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: father of many
Traditional baby boy names
These names are wonderful if you’re a fan of tradition and our list includes classic options which could be passed down from generation to generation. As the list of most popular boys' names (above) confirms, old-fashioned names continue to be favourites among new parents of baby boys, and it's a fair bet that some of the vintage names on this list will have been popular choices for newborn boys when your parents were born. Here are some timeless, traditional names to consider:
101. Alan
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: handsome or little rock
- Also: Allan, Allen, Alun, Alain
102. Anthony
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: ‘priceless one’
- Also: Antony
103. Archibald
- Origin: German
- Meaning: genuinely bold
104. Arnold
- Origin: German
- Meaning: power of an eagle
105. Barry
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: spear
- Also: Barrie
106. Bernard
- Origin: German
- Meaning brave bear
107. Bob
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bright fame
108. Brian
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: strong
- Also: Bryan, Brien and Brion
109. Christopher
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: bearing Christ; St Christopher is the patron saint of travellers
- Also: Chris, Kris
110. Derek
- Origin: German
- Meaning: ruler of the people
111. Donald
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: mighty leader
- Also: Don, Donnie, Donny
112. Douglas
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: black stream
- Also: Doug
113. Peter
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: stone, rock
- Also: Pete
114. Mark
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: warlike, of Mars
115. Duncan
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: brown
116. Ernest
- Origin: German
- Meaning: ‘earnestness’
- Also: Ernie
117. Edgar
- Origin: English
- Meaning: spear of fortune
118. Edmund
- Origin: English
- Meaning: protection of happiness
- Also: Edmond
119. Ferdinand
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bold journey
120. Francis
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Frenchman
121. Garnet
- Origin: English
- Meaning: pomegranate; the name of a red gemstone
- Also: Garnett
122. Geoffrey
- Origin: German
- Meaning: peace
- Also: Jeffrey, Geoff, Jeff
123. Gerald
- Origin: German
- Meaning: chief with a spear
124. Gerard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: courageous with a spear
125. Graham
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ‘gravelly homestead’
- Also: Graeme and Grahame
126. Giles
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: goatskin
127. Godfrey
- Origin: German
- Meaning: the peace of God
128. Gregory
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: a watchman
- Also: Gregor, Greg
129. Herbert
- Origin: German
- Meaning: gleaming army
- Also: Herb, Herbie
130. Howard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: brave heart
131. Hugh
- Origin: German
- Meaning: heart or mind
132. Jeremy
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: may Jehovah raise up
- Also: Jez, Jes, Jed
133. Jonathan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah has given
- Also: Jonathon, Johnathan, Johnathon, John, Jon, Johnny, Johnnie, Jonny, Jonnie
134. Keith
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: wood
135. Laurence
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a man from Laurentium (a city of ancient Rome)
- Also: Lawrence
136. Leonard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bold as a lion
- Also: Lennard, Lennie, Lenny, Len
137. Lewis
- Origin: German
- Meaning: brave warrior
- Also: Lew
138. Martin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: warlike
- Also: Martyn
139. Maurice
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a Moor
- Also: Morris
140. Montague
- Origin: French
- Meaning: pointed hill
141. Mortimer
- Origin: French
- Meaning: dead sea
- Also: Mort
142. Neil
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a champion
- Also: Neal, Neale
143. Norman
- Origin: English
- Meaning: northman
- Also: Norm, Normie
144. Paul
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: small
145. Raymond
- Origin: German
- Meaning: strong protection
- Also: Ray
146. Reginald
- Origin: English
- Meaning: power
- Also: Reg, Reggie
147. Robert
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bright fame
- Also: Bob, Rob, Robbie, Bobbie, Robby, Bobby
148. Rodney
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Hroda's island (an Old English place name)
- Also: Rod
149. Roger
- Origin: English
- Meaning: famous spearman
- Also: Rodger
150. Roland
- Origin: German
- Meaning: the famous land
- Also: Rowland, Rolland
151. Russell
- Origin: French
- Meaning: red coloured
- Also: Russ
152. Scott
- Origin: English
- Meaning: from Scotland
153. Seymour
- Origin: English
- Meaning: marshy land by the sea
154. Spencer
- Origin: English
- Meaning: steward
- Also: Spenser
155. Terence
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: smooth
- Also: Terance, Terrance, Terrence, Terry
156. Vincent
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: conquering
- Also: Vince
157. Wilfred
- Origin: English
- Meaning: aspiring to peace
- Also: Wilfrid, Wilf
Irish baby boy names
Baby boy names with an Irish origin are growing in popularity throughout the UK with Finley, Riley, Liam and Finn all making the ONS list of most-chosen baby boy names. And the success of Irish shows like Normal People and Kin is expected to inspire even more parents to turn to the Emerald Isle for inspiration in the future. Here are some Celtic boy names that should get you sucking baby-name-inspiration diesel, to paraphrase the wonderfully Irish Hastings in Line of Duty:
158. Aidan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: small fire
- Also: Aiden, Edan
159. Brendan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: prince
160. Broderick
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: brother
161. Caley
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: slender
162. Calhoun
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: from the forest
163. Cary
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: dark brown
- Also: Carey
164. Casey
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: vigilant in war
165. Cashel
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: a stone fort
166. Cathal
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: war leader
167. Cavan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: grassy hill
168. Cian
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: ancient
169. Ciaran
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: little and black
- Also: Kieran, Kieron and Cieran
170. Colm
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: a dove
172. Colman
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: keeper of doves
173. Conan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: hound or wolf
174. Conn
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: wisdom
- Also: Con
175. Connall
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: a brave man
176. Conor
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: lover of dogs
- Also: Connor
177. Colin
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: young one
178. Corcoran
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: red-faced
179. Corey
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: ‘ravine’
- Also: Cory
180. Cormac
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning charioteer
- Also: Cormack and Cormick
181. Conroy
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: wise
182. Dacey
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: southerner
183. Daley
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: a meeting
- Also: Daly
184. Darren
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: small and great
185. Declan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: man of prayer; the name of an early Irish saint
186. Dermot
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: free man
- Also: Diarmaid and Diarmait
187. Derry
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: oak wood
188. Desmond
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: one from South Munster
189. Devlin
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: brave
190. Donal
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: mighty
191. Eamonn
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: wealthy protector
- Also: Eamon
192. Ennis
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: from the island
193. Eoghan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: born of the Yew tree
194. Eoin
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: God is gracious
195. Farrell
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: warrior
196. Fergal
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: brave
197. Fergus
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: strong man
198. Gallagher
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: foreign helper
199. Galvin
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: bright
200. Garret
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: spear strength
- Also: Garrett
201. Gillespie
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning:‘son of the bishop’s servant
202. Keegan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: son of Egan
203. Keenan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: ancient
204. Kevin
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: handsome
205. Kian
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: ancient
206. Malone
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: devotee of St John
207. Niall
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: champion
208. Patrick
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a nobleman
- Also: Padraig
209. Ronan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: little seal
210. Seamus
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: supplanter; Irish form of James
- Also: Seamas
211. Sean
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: god is gracious; Irish form of John
- Also: Shaun, Shawn and Shane
212. Strachan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: minstrel
213. Tyrone
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: land of the yew tree
Strong baby boy names
These baby boy names ooze strength and intensity. They're not everyone's cup of tea – there's no subtlety in meaning here – but many parents do really like the idea of choosing a boy name that signals a powerful presence and someone who's likely to make an impact on the world. Brace yourselves for the fierce impact of this strong boy name selection:
214. Absko
- Origin: Kenyan
- Meaning: power and strength
215. Archer
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bowman
216. Armstrong
- Origin: English
- Meaning: strong fighter
217. Arsenio
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: masculine
218. Ayele
- Origin: Ethiopian
- Meaning: powerful
219. Baron
- Origin: English
- Meaning: noble man
Top tips for choosing your baby boy name
Your baby boys's name is with him for life so that can mean narrowing your choice down to just one can feel like a daunting process. To make it feel a little easier, follow these top name-picking tips:- Think about names that mean a lot to your family. You may want to consider naming your child after a much-loved relative or there might be a significant name which has been passed down your or your partner's family for generations.
- Consider options from other countries. If you or your partner have a strong link with another country, choosing a baby boy name from that part of the world is a great way of honouring that connection. You may also want to look at names from places you've loved to visit on holiday.
- Look at name meanings. Thinking about the meaning of the names you like can help you work out whether it is the one for you. Take a moment to consider the type of meaning you want your child's name to have. Do you want a strong, powerful, masculine name or something with a positive or heartwarming message? Perhaps you have an affinity for nature or you want a name which reflects your religious beliefs?
- Troubleshoot your choices. Once you've drawn up a shortlist of names you like, take them for a test-drive to see whether they will work in reality. How does the name sound with your surname? What will the initials be? Do other people find it easy to pronounce or will your child have a lifetime of correcting others? Do other people find it simple to spell and, if not, does it matter to you that you and your child will probably have to keep correcting other's mistakes? What nicknames might people call your child? How can it be shortened?
- Check how popular the names you like are. It’s a good idea to check out where your favourite baby boy names come in the top 100 list before you commit to one. And if it's high up on the list, ask yourself if you mind the prospect of your child sharing a name with a couple of future classmates or whether you'd prefer your boy's name to be as different as possible.
220. Bruce
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: from the brushwood
221. Burl
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bearer of the cup
222. Caesar
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: emperor, ruler
223. Canute
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: a knot; the name of an early English King
224. Eric
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: eternal ruler
225. Griffin
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: strong lord
226. Hercules
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: ‘Hera’s glory; the name of a superstrong ancient Greek hero
227. Hyam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: a man full of life
228. Idris
- Origin: Welsh/Arabic
- Meaning: ardent lord or prophet
229. Imre
- Origin: Hungarian
- Meaning: strength
230. Kawan
- Origin: Korean
- Meaning: strong
231. Kenzo
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: strong and healthy
232. Lincoln
- Origin: English
- Meaning: lake colony; last name of Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States
233. Luther
- Origin: German
- Meaning: army of the people
234. Maxim
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: greatest
235. Olaf
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: his ancestors or heir
236. Prabhu
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: powerful, mighty master
237. Qadir
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: capable, powerful
- Also: Kader, Kadir, Kadeer
238. Rayner
- Origin: German
- Meaning: mighty people
239. Reynard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: strong and brave
240. Rex
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: king
241. Roald
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: famous leader
242. Siegfried
- Origin: German
- Meaning: peace from victory
243. Sterling
- Origin: English
- Meaning: high quality
- Also: Stirling
244. Swithin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: strong
245. Takeshi
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: strong, fierce, warrior
246. Thane
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: clan chieftain
- Also: Thaine
247. Thor
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: thunder
248. Thurstan
- Origin: Danish
- Meaning: the stone of Thor
249. Tyson
- Origin: French
- Meaning: fire bird
Scottish baby boy names
While the National Records of Scotland's list of most popular baby boy names is similar in many respects to the ONS list of most popular baby boy names in England and Wales, it does contain, as you would expect, some great, traditionally Scottish Gaelic boy names that have been inspired by the nation’s landscape and history, and passed down from generation to generation. Here are some of our favourites:
250. Alastair
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: defender of men
- Also: Alasdair, Alistair
251. Angus
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: one choice
252. Annan
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: water
253. Athol
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: New Ireland (the Scots tribe is thought, originally, to have emigrated from Ireland)
254. Bryce
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: speckled or freckled
256. Callum
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: a dove
- Also: Calum
257. Cameron
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: crooked nose
258. Campbell
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: crooked mouth
259. Carmichael
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: Michael’s fort
260. Carrick
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a rock
261. Clyde
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: after the Scottish River Clyde
262. Craig
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a crag
263. Dempsey
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: proud descendant
264. Errol
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: earl
265. Ewan
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Also: Euan
266. Fingal
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: blond stranger
267. Fraser
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: strawberry
- Also: Frazer
268. Gordon
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: great hill
269. Hamish
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: supplanter; the Gaelic form of James
270. Ian
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Also: Iain
271. Irvine
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: green water
272. Kenneth
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: handsome
273. Kyle
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning:‘a narrow piece of land
274. Lachlan
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: from the land of lakes
275. Murdoch
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: protector of the sea
- Also: Murdock, Murdo
276. Murray
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: sea settlement
- Also: Moray
277. Ramsey
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: island of garlic
- Also: Ramsay
278. Ronald
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: ruler’s counsellor
279. Ruairidh
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: red king
- Also: Ruaridh, Ruairi, Ruaraidh, Rhuairidh, Ruairi
280. Sinclair
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: pure, bright
281. Taggart
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: son of the priest
282. Wallace
- Origin: Scottish.
- Meaning: foreigner
- Also: Wallis
For more baby-boy name inspiration from north of the Border, check out our 230 Scottish boy name ideas
Cool baby boy names
Some baby boy names are steeped in tradition and culture; other just channel cool. Of course, what's cool and what's not on the boy-name front does vary as the years turn but, right now, the coolest boy names are often those that started out as last names and have now become properly hipster first names. Don your shades and check out our pick of the cool baby boy names:
283. Bailey
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bailiff
284. Baldwin
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bold friend
285. Brigham
- Origin: English
- Meaning: homestead by a bridge
286. Burton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a fortified farmstead
287. Calvin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: bald
288. Conrad
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bold counsellor
289. Dalton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a farm in the valley
290. Deacon
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: servant, messenger
291. Emmett
- Origin: German
- Meaning: universal
292. Fletcher
- Origin: English
- Meaning: arrow maker
293. Hamilton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: flat-topped hill
294. Jefferson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Jeffrey
295. Jenson
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: son of Jesus
296. Jett
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: black stone
297. Lawson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Lawrence
298. Lennox
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: elm grove
299. Maxwell
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: great stream
300. Mayer
- Origin: German
- Meaning: steward
- Also: Meyer and Myer
301. Miller
- Origin: English
- Meaning: one who grinds grain
302. Radcliffe
- Origin: English
- Meaning: red cliff
303. Rafferty
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: prosperity
304. Ransom
- Origin: English
- Meaning: shield’s son
305. Rider
- Origin: English
- Meaning: horseman
306. Ridley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: reed meadow
307. Rigby
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ridge farm
308. Ryan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: descendant of the king
309. Sacha
- Origin: Russian
- Meaning: protector
310. Snowdon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: snowy peak
- Also: Snowden
311. Stig
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: wanderer
312. Teo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: gift of God
- Also: T'eo
313. Tristan
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: bold or noise
314. Urban
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: from a town
315. Warner
- Origin: German
- Meaning: army guard
316. Wilson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Will
317. Woodrow
- Origin: English
- Meaning: row of houses by a wood
318. Xavier
- Origin: Arabic/Basque
- Meaning: new house
319. Xeven
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: lively
Welsh baby boy names
The poetic cadences of the Welsh language has produced some amazing boy names, often with a proud Celtic backstory featuring battles, castles, nobility and bravery. Cymerwch gip (take a look) at our boy baby-name list from the valleys and mountains of Wales:
320. Aneurin
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: noble, honourable
321. Bryn
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: a hill
322. Cadell
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: battle spirit
323. Cadfael
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: battle metal
324. Cadoc
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: battle
325. Caradoc
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: beloved
326. Carey
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: dweller in a castle
327. Ceinwen
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: blessed or beautiful
328. Cynan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: outstanding
- Also: Cynin and Cynon
329. Dafydd
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: beloved
330. Dai
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: shining
331. Deinol
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: charming
332. Emlyn
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: rival; possibly derived from a Welsh place name
333. Evan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: God is gracious
334. Floyd
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: grey
335. Gareth
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: gentle
336. Geraint
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: old
337. Griffith
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: strong warrior
338. Gwyn
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: blessed or fair
- Also: Gwynn
339. Gwynfor
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: fair and great
340. Howell
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: eminent
- Also: Howel and Hywel
341. Kendrick
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: champion
342. Llewellyn
- Origin: Welsh.
- Meaning:‘like a lion
- Also: Llywelyn
343. Lloyd
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: grey
344. Madoc
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: fortunate
345. Owen
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: young warrior
346. Rhys
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: temper
- Also: Reece
347. Rhodri
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: crowned leader
348. Vaughan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: little one
- Also: Vaughn
Cute baby boy names
Cute baby boy names weren't really a thing in the past; it was all about serious, formal boy names with solid overtones of masculine heft and gravitas. But recently, boy names have been getting cuter and cuter – or at the very least being given cuter shortenings/endings, with Charlie and Albie, for example, all making it into the 100 most popular baby boy names list ahead of the more straight-faced forebears Charles and Albert. Here are some of more adorably cute baby boy names we could find:
349. Ace
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: one, only
350. Billy
- Origin: German
- Meaning: determined protector; shortening of William
351. Bruno
- Origin: German
- Meaning: brown
352. Caspar
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: the keeper of treasure
- Also: Gasper and Gaspard
353. Cooper
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a barrel maker
354. Digby
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning the village by the dyke
355. Diggory
- Origin: French
- Meaning: strayed or lost
356. Dougal
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: dark stranger
- Also: Dugal and Dougall
357. Garfield
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a field shaped as a spear
358. Jace
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: healer; shortening of Jason
359. Jake
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter
360. Jax
- Origin: English
- Meaning: God is gracious; shortening of Jaxon
361. Grover
- Origin: English
- Meaning: grove of trees
362. Herman
- Origin: German
- Meaning: a soldier
363. Huxley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Hugh’s meadow
364. Manny
- Origin: German
- Meaning: man of peace; shortening of Manfred
365. Marmaduke
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: servant of Madoc
366. Marvin
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: sea friend
367. Miles
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: soldier
368. Monty
- Origin: French
- Meaning: man power; shortening of Montgomery or Montague
369. Mungo
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: beloved
370. Quincy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: estate of the 5th son
- Also: Quincey
371. Remy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: oarsman
372. Waldo
- Origin: German
- Meaning: a king
373. Walter
- Origin: German
- Meaning: army leader
374. Zebedee
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift from god
375. Zeke
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God strengthens; shortening of Ezekiel
English baby boy names
While traditionally English names feature heavily in the top baby boy name list for England and Wales, there are many other boy names with English or Anglo-Saxon origins or derivations to discover and consider. Many English baby names for boys have meanings that reference traditional English occupations, English landscape or English places. Here are some of our favourites:
376. Ashton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: place with ash trees
377. Aubrey
- Origin: English
- Meaning: noble ruler
378. Burn
- Origin: English
- Meaning: stream or brook
379. Carlton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the peasant's farm
- Also: Charlton
380. Carver
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wood carver
381. Cerdic
- Origin: Anglo-Saxon
- Meaning: king, after a famous king of Wessex
- Also: Cedric
382. Chapman
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a merchant
383. Chauncey
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a chancellor
384. Clayton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a dwelling in clay
385. Clifford
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ford by the cliff
386. Clifton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: on a cliff
387. Crawford
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ford of the crows
388. Dale
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a valley
389. Darwin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: dear friend
390. Darnell
- Origin: English
- Meaning: hidden corner
391. Dennison
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the son of Dennis
- Also: Denison
392. Denton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ‘a valley’
393. Edwin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: friend
394. Ellison
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Elias
395. Elgar
- Origin: English
- Meaning: noble spear
396. Elmer
- Origin: English
- Meaning: noble defender
397. Elmore
- Origin: English
- Meaning: river bank
398. Elvin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: noble friend
390. Hayden
- Origin: English
- Meaning: hay valley
- Also: Haydon, Haydn, Haiden
400. Keane
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wise
401. Leighton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: meadow town
- Also: Layton
402. Nelson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Neil
403. Piers
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rock, stone
404. Randolph
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ‘shield of the wolf
- Also: Randulf, Randolf, Randulph
405. Royston
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Royce’s town
406. Ryland
- Origin: English
- Meaning: place where rye is grown
- Also: Rylan
407. Sawyer
- Origin: English
- Meaning: woodcutter
408. Selwyn
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the home of a friend
409. Sherlock
- Origin: English
- Meaning: fair-haired
410. Talbot
- Origin: English
- Meaning: command of the valley
411. Turner
- Origin: English
- Meaning: works with a lathe
412. Tyler
- Origin: English
- Meaning: maker of tiles
413. Warren
- Origin: English
- Meaning: park keeper
414. Willis
- Origin: English
- Meaning: servant of Will
415. Winston
- Origin: English
- Meaning: joyful stone
Royal baby boy names
Most of the baby boy names you’d associate with the British royal family – William, Harry, George and Louis – are already in the top 100 most popular boy names list, proving that regal boy names have a real attraction for today's parents. And there are plenty of other royal boy names to choose from, whether they're inspired by previous British kings and princes, such as Philip or Harold, by modern-day members of the wider British royal family, such as Charles or August (Princess Eugenie's son, born in February 2021), or by royal dynasties from other lands and cultures. Please be upstanding for the baby boy names that are fit for a king:
416. Andrew
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: ‘manly’
417. August
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: consecrated
418. Carl
- Origin: German
- Meaning: strong or noble
- Also: Karl
419. Charles
- Origin: English
- Meaning: free man
420. Clarence
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: bright; associated with the Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III
421. Harold
- Origin: English
- Meaning: power of an army
422. John
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is gracious
423. Malcolm
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: disciple of Columba
424. Philip
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: fond of horses
- Also: Phillip
425. Regan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: royal
- Also: Reagan
426. Richard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: brave ruler
427. Stephen
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: crown
- Also: Steven
428. Stuart
- Origin: English.
- Meaning: a steward
- Also: Stewart
429. Tor
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: ‘people king’
430. Tudor
- Origin: Nigerian
- Meaning: king
431. Umberto
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: bright warrior
432. Victor
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: conqueror
433. Xerxes
- Origin: Greek/Persian
- Meaning: royal
Seasonal baby boy names
Lots of parents-to-be like the idea of choosing a boy baby name that reflects the time of year their baby's due to be born. And there are many really great – and often unusual – boy names connected to spring, summer, autumn and winter, as well as boy names that reference months of the year and seasonal festivities (such as harvest-time and Christmas). Here are some of our boy baby names picks inspired by highlights in the yearly calendar:
434. Aviv
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: springtime
435. Aquilo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: north/winter wind
435. Cyrus
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: the sun
436. Elfed
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: autumn
437. Haru
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: spring
438. Izumi
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: spring
439. Jaroslav
- Origin: Czech
- Meaning: glory of spring
440. Jora
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: autumn rain
441. Noel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Christmas
442. Nicholas
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: victory of the people; St Nicholas is associated with Christmas
443. Octavian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: eighth, as October, the eighth month
- Also: Octavius, Octavio
444. Pascal
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Easter
445. Sharad
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: autumn
446. Sharadchandra
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: harvest moon
447. Winter
- Origin: German
- Meaning: winter
Japanese baby boy names
Japanese baby boy names are slowly becoming more popular in the UK, as parents-to-be learn about their sonorous rhythms and lovely, auspicious and usually nature-based meanings. We write and say the names in a Romanised version of kanji, the characters in Japanese script – and, in actual fact, the same Japanese name can often be written in multiple variations of kanji, giving it a different meaning each time. Here, we've chosen Japanese boy names that translate most easily to Western culture and language, and given them their most common meanings:
448. Aito
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: love
449. Akio
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: bright, clear
450. Akito
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: bright
451. Benjiro
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: enjoys peace
452. Chibi
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: short person or small child
453. Chiko
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: arrow or pledge
454. Daichi
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: great earth
455. Daiki
- Origin. Japanese
- Meaning: bright, shining
456. Daisuke
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: great
457. Hakaku
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: white crane
458. Haruki
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: shine bright
459. Haruma
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: groundbreaking
460. Haruto
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: sun, soar
461. Hayato
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: falcon
462. Hiro
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: generous, broad
463. Hiroshi
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: generous
464. Hiroto
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: fly far, big flight
465. Kaito
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: between pear trees
466. Reo
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: at the summit of the mountain
467. Yuma
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: calm truth
Unusual and unique baby boy names
Some of us find boy names we love and either accept or simply aren't bothered that other parents-to-be will love and choose them, too; for others, it matters that the baby boy name they pick is so unusual – or even unique – that no other baby boy for miles will be called the same thing. Unusual names for boys tend either to be traditional names that have fallen out of fashion many years ago and are getting a deserved new outing, or more modern names, often invented by combining two boy names together into a new hybrid. Here are some brilliantly unusual names to inspire you:
468. Abelard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: resolute or steadfast
469. Aera
- Origin: Hindu
- Meaning: lion
470. Aldous
- Origin: German
- Meaning: old
471. Aldwyn
- Origin: Anglo-Saxon
- Meaning: old friend
- Also: Aldwin
472. Algernon
- Origin: French
- Meaning: whiskered; having a moustache
473. Braylon
- Origin: American
- Meaning: thought to be formed by combining Braydon and Waylon
474. Chaim
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: life
475. Cree
- Origin: American
- Meaning: the name of a Native American tribe
476. Granville
- Origin: French
- Meaning: a large town
477. Hallam
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the hollow
478. Havelock
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: sea competition
479. Jolyon
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: youthful; medieval form of Julian
480. Kapono
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: righteous one
481. Leopold
- Origin: German
- Meaning: brave people
482. Lian
- Origin: Chinese
- Meaning: graceful willow
483. Peregrine
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a pilgrim or traveller
484. Riggs
- Origin: English
- Meaning: old ridge
485. Sabin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a Sabine man
486. Salathiel
- Origin: Babylonian
- Meaning: requested of God
487. Tabbai
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: good
488. Torquil
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: Thor's cauldron
For more unusual boy names ideas, check out this list of 100 top unique boy names
African baby boy names
It's impossible to capture here the sheer range and diversity of African baby boy names – after all, there are 54 different African countries, each with their own long lists of classic boy names, influenced by a mix of Christian, Muslim and Arabic traditions. In many African countries, baby names are chosen at special ceremonies following the birth – and the name will often indicate the baby's position in the family or, in some parts of Ghana in particular, the day of the week they were born. Here are just some of our favourites:
489. Ajani
- Origin: Nigerian
- Meaning: the victor
490. Amadi
- Origin: Igbo
- Meaning: free man
491. Ayan
- Origin: Somali
- Meaning: fortune
492. Azizi
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: precious treasure
493. Barack
- Origin: Swahili.
- Meaning: thunderbolt or blessing
494. Chidi
- Origin: Igbo
- Meaning: God exists
495. Dakari
- Origin: Shona
- Meaning: rejoice
496. Khari
- Origin: West African
- Meaning: kingly
497. Kofi
- Origin: Ghanaian (Twi)
- Meaning: born on Friday
498. Kato
- Origin: Ugandan
- Meaning: the second of twins
499. Kwaku
- Origin: Ghanaian (Twi)
- Meaning: born on Wednesday
500. Kwame
- Origin: Ghanaian (Akan)
- Meaning: born on Saturday
501. Obi
- Origin: Nigerian
- Meaning: heart
502. Omari
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: god the highest
503. Odion
- Origin: Nigerian
- Meaning: first born of twins
504. Sekani
- Origin: Egyptian
- Meaning: joy, laughter
505. Shango
- Origin: Nigerian
- Meaning: god of thunder
506. Tafari
- Origin: Amharic
- Meaning: he who inspires awe
507. Taye
- Origin: Ethiopian
- Meaning: he has been seen
508. Yared
- Origin: Egyptian
- Meaning: descendant
509. Zuri
- Origin: Kiswahili
- Meaning: good, beautiful
Celebrity baby boy names
When it comes to baby boy names, celebs tend to lead the field in selecting – or inventing – something truly quirky, attention-grabbing and unusual. If you'd like your baby boy's name to stand out from the crowd, then the names of the little (and not-s0-little) sons of the rich and famous – or indeed the rich and famous fathers themselves – can provide some brilliant, surprising, properly distinctive inspiration. Here's our pick of the celebrity baby names that we'd actually quite like to steal for our own baby boys:
510. Adler
- Origin: German
- Meaning: eagle
511. Apollo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: destroyer or sun, after the Greek god of light
512. Blaze
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: fire
513. Blu
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: blue
514. Bronx
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Bronck's land
515. Bode
- Origin: German
- Meaning: messenger
516. Bowie
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: blond
517. Denzel
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: stronghold
- Also: Denzil and Denzell
518. Drake
- Origin: English
- Meaning: dragon
519. Elton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: from the old town
When do you have to choose your baby boy's name by?
New parents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have 42 days to register their baby’s name once he is born. If you live in Scotland, you will be expected to register your baby’s birth (and name) within 3 weeks of his birth.
Once you have picked a name, contact your local register office for an appointment to go in and register your baby’s birth.
You will need to take some identification with you to prove who you are and some registrars may ask to see your baby’s red book, which is their personal health record. When you register the birth, you will be asked your baby’s full name as well as details about when and where he was born.
The birth must be registered by the baby’s mother or father and if you are unmarried and go to the register office alone, you will have to take a declaration of parentage form signed by the other parent with you.
520. Elvis
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: wise
521. Gene
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: well-born, noble
522. Jaden
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: god has heard
523. Jarvis
- Origin: French/Norman
- Meaning: spear man
524. Maverick
- Origin: American
- Meaning: wildly independent
525. Orlando
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: famous throughout the land
526. Pilot
- Origin: American
- Meaning: plane or ship operator
527. Psalm
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: song
528. Racer
- Origin: English
- Meaning: someone who races
529 Rhodes
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: where roses grow
530. Rocket
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rocket
531. Saint
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: holy
532. Storm
- Origin: English
- Meaning: tempest
533. Ziggy
- Origin: German
- Meaning: victorious protector
American baby boy names
Baby boy names that are popular in the US tend to be short, bold and confident and – though many of them are in use in the UK – they do have an informal ring to them that could appeal if you find traditional British boy names a little stuffy or old-fashioned-sounding. The American baby names listed here don’t necessarily have a modern-US or Native American origin but they're all ones that appear regularly on US popular baby name lists for boys:
534. Booker
- Origin: English
- Meaning: scribe
535. Bo
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: to live
536. Bradley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: broad meadow
- Also: Brad
537. Brandon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a broom-covered hill
538. Buck
- Origin: English
- Meaning: stag or dashing young man
539. Buddy
- Origin: English
- Meaning: friend or brother
540. Chad
- Origin: English
- Meaning: battle warrior
541. Chase
- Origin: French
- Meaning: a hunter
542. Cade
- Origin: English
- Meaning: round, barrel
543. Cody
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: a helpful person
544. Colby
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: coal settlement
545. Colton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: from the coal town
546. Dwayne
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: black or dark
547. Earl
- Origin: English
- Meaning: nobleman
548. Franklyn
- Origin: English
- Meaning: free landholder
- Also: Franklin
549. Helaku
- Origin: North American Indian
- Meaning: sunny day
550. Huck
- Origin: American
- Meaning: humble; after Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn
- Also: Huckleberry
551. Hudson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of Hugh
552. Houston
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Hugh’s town
553. Leroy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: the king
554. Mitchell
- Origin: English/Scottish/Irish
- Meaning: big; descendant of St Michael
555. Namid
- Origin: North American Indian
- Meaning: star dancer
556. Paco
- Origin: North American Indian
- Meaning: eagle
557. Seth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: compensation
558. Troy
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: foot soldier
559. Wade
- Origin: English
- Meaning: at the river crossing
560. Wyatt
- Origin: English
- Meaning: war strength
For more baby-boy name inspiration from across the pond, check out our 200 American baby name ideas
Gender-neutral baby boy names
Yes, it sounds like a contradiction in terms – how can a name for a boy be gender-neutral? – but, within the increasingly popular trend for names that let children escape from outdated gender stereotypes, there are some unisex names that parents of baby boys tend to particularly favour. The gender-neutral baby names that really caught our eye include:
561. Alex
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: defender of the people
562. Alexis
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: helper or defender
563. Artemis
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: moon god
564. Ashley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ash field
565. Avery
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ruler of the elves
566. Blair
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a plain
567. Brooklyn
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: broken land; an area of New York City
568. Carol
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: strong, noble
- Also: Karol or Karel
569. Cassidy
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: clever
570. Dallas
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a resting place
571. Darcy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: from Arcy
572. Denver
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the crossing of the Danes
573. Devon
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: poet, fawn
574. Harlow
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a fortified hill
575. Hollis
- Origin: English
- Meaning: holly tree
576. Jamie
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: supplanter
577. Jordan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: flowing down
578. Kay
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a giant
579. Kelly
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: descendant of Ceallach
580. Kennedy
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: misshapen head
581. Marlow
- Origin: English
- Meaning: driftwood
- Also: Marlowe
582. Monroe
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: from the hill
- Also: Monro, Munro and Munroe
583. Morgan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: born of the sea
584. Parker
- Origin: English
- Meaning: park keeper
585. Quinn
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: counsel
586. Rida
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: favoured
587. Ripley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: clearing in the woods
588. Shea
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: stately one
589. Sheridan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: descendant of Siridean
590. Sidney
- Origin: English
- Meaning: broad island
- Also: Sydney
591. Skye
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: from the Isle of Skye
592. Taylor
- Origin: English
- Meaning: tailor, cutter of cloth
593. Tierney
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: descendant of a lord
Indian baby boy names
Naming a baby in India is usually accompanied by a big family ceremony and a lot of care is taken with the name selection, with parents sometimes calling on a 'pandit' (a wise man) to cast the baby boy's astrology chart and select a letter of the alphabet that the name should begin with. Great weight is also placed on the meaning of the name and, for that reason, Indian baby boy names, whether modern or traditional, Hindi or Urdu, tend to have powerful, auspicious, light-strewn meanings and origins based in Sanskrit, or sometimes Persian or Arabic. Here are some of the most popular and interesting Indian boy baby names to choose from:
594. Aarav
- Origin: Hindu
- Meaning: peaceful
- Also: Arav
595. Ajay
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: invincible
596. Amit
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: without limit
597. Anand
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: happiness; joy
598. Arjun
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: bright
599. Arun
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: reddish brown
600. Bhaskar
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: sun
601. Chandan
- Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
- Meaning: sandlewood; a divine name in Hindu texts
602. Chander
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: the moon
603. Chandrakant
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: loved by the moon
604. Chetan
- Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
- Meaning: life; vigour; intelligence
- Also: Chethan, Chetana, Chaitanya
605. Darshan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: to see
606. Deepak
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: little lamp
- Also: Dipak
607. Devdan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: gift from the gods
608. Dhani
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: person of wealth and riches
609. Dilip
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: king
610. Gautam
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: the bright one in darkness
611. Gopal
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: ‘a worshipper of Krishna’
612. Gulab
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: ‘a rose’
613. Gyan
- Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
- Meaning: knowledge
614. Hari
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: light brown
615. Hitesh
- Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
- Meaning: one who thinks well of everyone
616. Inderjit
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: conqueror of the god Indra
617. Kamal
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: light red
618. Ketan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: home
619. Kiran
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: ray of light
620. Kumar
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: prince
621. Kunal
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: one who sees beauty in everything
622. Kushal
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: intelligent
623. Milan
- Origin: Sanskrit/Hindi
- Meaning: union; grace; favour
624. Mohan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: attractive
625. Nayan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: an eye
626. Nikhil
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: complete
627. Poojan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: worshipped
- Also: Pujan
628. Pratik
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: symbol
629. Rajan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: the king
630. Rajesh
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: the king
631. Rajnish
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: the moon
- Also: Rajneesh
632. Rama
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: pleasing
633. Rishi
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: wise man
634. Rohan
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: ascending; rising up
635. Ronak
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: enrichment
636. Rupak
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: beautiful
637. Sagar
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: great sea
- Also: Saagar
638. Sahil
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: guide
639. Shayan
- Origin: Hindi/Persian
- Meaning: courteous; intelligent
640. Sunil
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: dark blue
641. Suraj
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: the sun
642. Sujan
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: trustworthy
643. Vijay
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: victory
644. Vikesh
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: moon
645. Vishal
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: vast
Nature-inspired baby boy names
Nature-inspired baby boy names are becoming more widespread, with parents opting for names that reflect the beauty of the landscape around them and a desire to feel more connected to the natural world. Nature names for baby boys tend to focus on streams, trees, herbs and rivers – feel the freshness of the breeze in your hair as you consider these name picks for baby boys inspired by the great outdoors:
646. Basil
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: kingly; the name of a herb
647. Beck
- Origin: old Norse
- Meaning: small brook; stream
648. Bergren
- Origin: Swedish
- Meaning: mountain stream
649. Brook
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a small stream
650. Cedar
- Origin: English
- Meaning: cedar tree
651. Daven
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning two rivers
652. Dean
- Origin: English
- Meaning valley
653. Derwent
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a river flowing through oak woods
654. Flint
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a stream
655. Forrest
- Origin: English
- Meaning: of the woods
656. Garth
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: a paddock
657. Glen
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: a valley
- Also: Glenn
658. Glyn
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: a valley
- Also: Glynn
659. Holden
- Origin: English
- Meaning: hollow valley
660. Itsuki
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: timber; tree
661. Ivor
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: yew tree
662. Kelvin
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: narrow water
663. Ocean
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the sea
664. Ollie
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: olive tree
665. Roscoe
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: deer forest
666. Sheldon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: steep valley
667. Sorrel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: reddish-brown; the name of a herb
668. Thorne
- Origin: English
- Meaning: thorn bush
669. Wesley
- Origin: English
- Meaning: western meadow
670. Yves
- Origin: French
- Meaning:‘a yew tree
French baby boy names
Many people think French baby boy names have a certain 'je ne sais quoi' – bestowing a distinct aura of charm, sophistication and romance. French baby boys (and girls) traditionally had to be named after the saint on whose 'day' in the Roman Catholic calendar they are born but, since 1993, French parents have been able to choose any name they like – meaning chic, modern-sounding French boy names are now just as widespread. Here are our current French baby boy names de choix:
671. Antoine
- Origin: French
- Meaning: praiseworthy
672. Beau
- Origin: French
- Meaning: beautiful or handsome
673. Bertrand
- Origin: French
- Meaning: bright raven
674. Blaise
- Origin: French
- Meaning: to lisp, stammer
675. Bonamy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: good friend
676. Carvel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: swampy dwelling
677. Chandler
- Origin: French
- Meaning: maker of candles
678. Chevy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: horseman, knight
679. Curtis
- Origin: French
- Meaning: courteous
680. Darrel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: from Airelle (a town in France)
- Also: Darrell, Darell, Darryl and Daryl
681. Etienne
- Origin: French
- Meaning: garland, crown
682. François
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Frenchman; free man
683. Gaston
- Origin: French
- Meaning: from Gascony (a region of France)
684. Harvey
- Origin: Old Breton
- Meaning: anglicised version of Herve meaning battle warrior
685. Henri
- Origin: French
- Meaning: home ruler
686. Jacques
- Origin: French
- Meaning: one who follows
687. Jules
- Origin: French
- Meaning: youthful
688. Lancelot
- Origin: French
- Meaning: a servant
- Also: Launcelot
689. Laurent
- Origin: French
- Meaning: bright one
690. Matthieu
- Origin: French
- Meaning: gift of the Lord
691. Olivier
- Origin: French
- Meaning: olive tree
692. Pierre
- Origin: French
- Meaning: stone, rock; French version of Peter
693. Raoul
- Origin: French
- Meaning: wolf-counsel
694. Remi
- Origin: French
- Meaning: oarsman
695. René
- Origin: French
- Meaning: re-born
696. Sébastien
- Origin: French
- Meaning: from Sebaste (a town in Turkey); after Saint Sebastian
697. Seeley
- Origin: French
- Meaning: blessed
- Also: Sealey
698. Vernon
- Origin: French
- Meaning: alder grove
Baby boy names that mean love
We've all heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve but what about bearing your heart in your name? Baby boy names with meanings that signify love, desire and romance have origins in many languages and cultures and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK – where once you'd rarely see more than the odd Valentine, named for a 14 February birth day. Prepare to be smitten by these love-themed baby boy names (we've got a big crush on several of them):
699. Amias
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: loved
- Also: Amyas
700. Adonis
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: lord; the name of the human lover of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love
701. Byron
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a barn; after Lord Byron, romantic poet
702. Carwyn
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: blessed love
703. Cupid
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: passionate desire; after the Roman god of love, son of Venus
704. Didier
- Origin: French
- Meaning: desired; beloved
705. Eros
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: love/desire; after the Greek god of love, son of Aphrodite
706. Fidel
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: faithful
707. Hashu
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: love; caring
708. Heathcliff
- Origin: English
- Meaning: living by the cliff of heather; the hero of Wuthering Heights
- Also: Heathcliffe
709. Lennon
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: lover
710. Romeo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: citizen of Rome; pilgrim to Rome
711. Sevilen
- Origin: Turkish
- Meaning: beloved
712. Valentine
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: strong and healthy
- Also: Valentin, Valentino
For more love-themed name inspiration, check out our megalist of 200 baby names that mean love
Ancient Greek and Roman baby boy names
The gods and goddesses of classical Greece and Rome were powerful, passionate and impressive – as were the mortal Greek and Roman heroes and rulers who built temples in their honour. So, if you're looking for baby boy name with authority, majesty and a wonderful, legendary aura, you'd do well to turn to Ancient Greece or the Roman Empire for inspiration. These baby boy names have a timeless, heroic quality that have stood the test of centuries:
713. Adrian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: of the Adriatic
714. Alpheius
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: changing or resourceful
- Also: Alpheus
715. Ambrose
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: immortal
716. Augustus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: venerable, consecrated
717. Cadmus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: man from the east
718. Cassius
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: empty, hollow
719. Cato
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: ‘wise one’
720. Cecil
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: blind
721. Claud
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: lame
- Also: Claude, Claudio
722. Clement
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: mild, merciful
723. Constantine
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: constant, firm; the name of the 1st Christian Emperor of Rome
724. Cosmo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: order
725. Crispin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: curly-haired
726. Daedalus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: artful craftsman
727. Damian
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: a tamer
- Also: Damien
728. Damon
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: a guide
729. Decimus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: tenth
730. Demetrios
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: devoted to Demeter, goddess of grain and 'mother earth'
- Also: Demetrius, Demitrus, Dimitri, and Dmitri
731. Denis
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: devoted to Dionysos, god of wine
- Also: Dennis, Den and Denny
732. Deus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: god
733. Dion
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: from Dionysos, the Greek god of wine
734. Erasmus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: beloved
735. Eugene
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: well-born
736. Eustace
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: fruitful
737. Fabian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a bean
738. Hadrian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: dark-haired
739. Hector
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: hold fast, restrain
740. Homer
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: security, pledge; Homer is said to be the author of the Greek epic tales, The Odyssey and The Iliad
741. Horace
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: man of time; Horace was a Latin poet
742. Ignatius
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: fiery one
743. Jason
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: healer; in Greek mythology, Jason was the hero who stole the Golden Fleece
744. Jerome
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: holy name
745. Julian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: youthful
746. Justin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: upright, righteous
747. Lysander
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: a liberator
748. Leander
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: man of lion’s strength
749. Magnus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: great
750. Marcus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: dedicated to Mars, the god of war
- Also: Marcos, Markas, Markus
751. Marius
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: of the sea; possibly connected with the god Mars, too
752. Maximilian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: the greatest
753. Myron
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: fragrant
754. Nero
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: strong, energetic
755. Nestor
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: one who returns home from travels
756. Nicodemus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: people's victory
757. Octavius
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: eighth (often used for a boy born in October, the 8th month of the year)
- Also: Octavio, Octavian
758. Orban
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: from the city
- Also: Urban
759. Orestes
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: he who can conquer mountains
760. Orion
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: son of light
761. Orsan
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: bear
Best boy baby name books
- Best for themed lists: The Best Baby Names for Boys by Emily Larson, £9.99. Contains over 100 handy lists of boys' names on different themes (there's even one on food-based names!), as well as good naming tips.
- Best for modern trends: Best Baby Names 2022 by Siobhan Thomas, £7.99. Has more than 9,000 different names (including girls' names) to choose from – and some inspiration lists based on the latest baby name trends.
- Best for biblical meanings: The Name Book by Dorothy Astoria, £7.85. Lists the origins and meanings of more than 12,000 names, and talks about the spiritual significance of each one, with an accompanying passage of Judeo-Christian scripture.
- Best for advice on avoiding pitfalls: The Ultimate Book of Baby Names by Clint Hammerstrike, £5.99. Includes 100s names for boys (and girls), and good advice on how to make sure you don’t pick a name you might regret later. The names are arranged in a 'game-play' format that might help you discover names you might not have otherwise considered.
762. Paris
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: wallet; name of Greek prince whose love affair with Helen of Troy started the Trojan war
763. Pius
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: holy
764. Quentin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: fifth or fifth-born
765. Remus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: an oar; the name of one of the twin brothers who founded ancient Rome
766. Silas
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: wood, forest
767. Silvester
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: ‘from a wood’
- Also: Sylvester
768. Titus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: title of honour
769. Ulysses
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: wounded in the thigh; the Latin form of the name of the Greek hero Odysseus
770. Vidal
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: of life
771. Virgil
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: staff bearer; the name of the Roman poet, author of The Aeneid
772. Xanthus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: golden-haired
773. Xenophon
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: stranger’s voice
774. Xylon
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: from the forest
Muslim baby boy names
Muslim baby boys are traditionally named in a ceremony that takes place on the 7th day after their birth and the name is always chosen carefully as it's thought to influence a boy's personality as he grows up. Muslim baby boy names tend to have wonderful, strong, steady, spirtual meanings and, while fewer than 15% of Muslims worldwide are ethnically Arab, most Muslim boy names have a firmly Arabic origin. Here are some of our favourites:
775. Aadil
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: just, honest
776. Aalam
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: the world
777. Abdullah
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: servant of Allah
- Also: Abdul
778. Adil
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: honest
- Also: Adeel
779. Ahmed
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: praiseworthy
- Also: Ahmad.
780. Ali
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: excellent, noble
781. Amin
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: trustworthy
782. Arsalan
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: lion
783. Ashraf
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: more noble
784. Ayaan
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: God's gift
785. Azaan
- Origin: Urdu
- Meaning: virtuous
786. Azim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: determined, great
787. Badiah
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: astonishing, amazing, original creation
788. Bilal
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: water
789. Burhan
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: proof, evidence
790. Faisal
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: a judge
- Also: Feisal and Faysal
791. Haseeb
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: noble, respected
792. Hakeem
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: wise
793. Hamal
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: lamb
794. Hamzah
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: a lion
- Also: Hamza
795. Hani
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: happiness
796. Harun
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: exalted, strong
797. Hasan
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: good
- Also: Hassan, Hussain, Hussein
798. Ismail
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: God will hear
799. Jalal
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: greatness
- Also: Jalil, Galal, Galil
800. Jamal
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: beautiful
- Also: Jaimal, Jamil, Jamel
801. Junayd
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: soldier, warrior
- Also: Junaid
802. Kabir
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: great, powerful
803. Kamil
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: perfect
804. Kashif
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: explorer
805. Kedar
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: strong
806. Musa
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: saved from the water
807. Muhsin
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: charitable
808. Munir
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: brilliant
- Also: Muneer
809. Murad
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: desired
810. Mustafa
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning chosen
811. Nabil
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: prince, noble
812. Nadim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: a friend
- Also: Nadeem
813. Naim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: contented
814. Nasser
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: victorious
815. Omar
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: flourishing
816. Osman
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: wise, powerful, protected by God
817. Qasim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: one who shares
818. Rahim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: merciful
- Also: Raheem
819. Raja
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: hope
820. Raqib
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: watchman, guard, overseer
821. Rashad
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: good sense, good judgement
822. Sajjad
- Origin: Arbaic
- Meaning: kneeling in prayer
- Also: Sajad
823. Salah
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: goodness, peace
824. Salim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: flawless, perfect
825. Salman
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: untouched
826. Samir
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: jovial, loyal, charming
- Also: Sameer
827. Shahid
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: a witness
828. Shahin
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: a falcon
- Also: Shaheen
829. Sharif
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: honourable, noble, highborn
830. Suhayl
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: bright star, easy, uncomplicated
- Also: Suhail
831. Syed
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: noble one
832. Tahir
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: virtuous
833. Umar
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: flourishing
834. Usman
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: wise, powerful, the chosen one
835. Waqar
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: dignity
836. Wasim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: attractive
837. Zahid
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: self-disciplined
For more Muslim baby-boy name inspiration, check out our 300 Muslim and Arabic names for boy and girls
Italian baby boy names
Italian baby boy names have lately been making more of a constant appearance in the UK's list of most popular names for boys – with Luca currently ranking highest in the list. Italian boy names with their bouncy, singsong 'o' or 'a' endings often convey a touch of confidence and charm that's hard to resist. We've picked out a lovely little list of Italian baby boy names that are all definitely cute enough to consider for your bambino-to-be:
836. Aldo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: old and wise
837. Alessandro
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: defending of the people
838. Alfredo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: wise counsellor
839. Alonzo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: noble
840. Angelo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: angel
841. Antonio
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: priceless one
842. Armando
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: soldier
843. Arturo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: bear
844. Carlo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: manly
845. Dante
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: enduring
846. Emiliano
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: eager
847. Emilio
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: to strive or excel
848. Enzo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: home ruler
849. Francesco
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: free man
850. Gerardo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: spear strength
851. Giacomo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: supplanter; Italian form of James or Jacob
852. Gianni
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: God is gracious; short form of Giovanni, below
853. Giovanni
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: God is gracious
854. Giuseppe
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: God will add; Italian form of Joseph
855. Giraldo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: spear ruler
856. Guido
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: guide, leader
857. Leandro
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: lion man
858. Leonardo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: brave lion
859. Lorenzo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: from Laurentium
860. Luciano
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: light
861. Mateo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: gift of god
- Also: Matteo
862. Marco
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: warlike; Italian form of Mark
863. Mario
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: dedicated to Mars, the god of war
864. Mauro
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: dark-skinned
865. Maximo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: greatest
866. Renato
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: reborn
867. Roberto
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: bright fame
868. Rocco
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: rest
869. Salvatore
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: saviour
870. Santino
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: little saint
871. Sergio
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: to serve
872. Tiziano
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: honoured
Biblical baby boy names
Baby boy names taken from the Bible have long been popular in Britain, and many of them still dominate the most popular names list. Most biblical boy names are of Hebrew origin and while some, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are now commonly associated with the Christian tradition (they're the names of the writers of the 1st books of the New Testament, which tell the story of Jesus), the majority are linked to the Jewish faith. Here are our top biblical baby boy names from both the Old and New Testaments:
873. Aaron
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: mountain of strength; the name of Moses’ brother.
- Also: Aron, Arron
874. Abba
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father
875. Abel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: a breath; son of Adam and Eve
876. Abner
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father of light
877. Abraham
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father of many nations
878. Absalom
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: father of peace
879. Amos
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: to carry; carried by God
880. Asa
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: physician
881. Barnabas
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: son of consolation
882. Bartholomew
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: son of Talmay; son of the ploughman
883. Benedict
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: blessed
884. Cephas
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: rock
885. Christian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: a follower of Christ
886. Cyrus
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: Sun
887. Dominic
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: belonging to the Lord
888. Ebenezer
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: stone of help
889. Elias
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
890. Enoch
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: skilled, dedicated
891. Ephraim
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fertile
What if I choose the wrong baby boy name?
If you get cold feet and decide you’ve made a mistake with the name you've picked and registered, don't worry: in the UK, you can get the name changed relatively easily at your local register office – as long as you do so within a year of your baby's birth. You can read more about how to do this – and what to do if you want to change it after a year – in our guide to changing your baby's first name.
892. Esau
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: hairy
893. Ezekiel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s strength
894. Gideon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: great warrior
895. Hiram
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my brother on high
896. Ira
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: watchful
897. Isaiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God saves
898. Ishmael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God listens
899. Jared
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: he descends
900. Jedidiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: friend of the Lord
901. Jeremiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God will uplift
902. Jethro
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: eminent
903. Joab
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah is a father
904. Joachim
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: may Jehovah exalt
905. Job
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: persecuted
906. Joel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah is God
907. Jonah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: dove
908. Josiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God supports
909. Judah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: praised
910. Laban
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: white, shining
911. Levi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: joined in harmony
912. Luke
- Origin: Roman
- Meaning: light
913. Malachi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: messenger of God
914. Matthew
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift of God
915. Micah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: who is like God
916. Moses
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: delivered from the water
917. Naboth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: words, prophecies
918. Nahum
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: consoler
919. Nathaniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: given by God
- Also: Nathan
920. Nehemiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: conforter
921. Obadiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: servant of God
922. Rachamin
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: compassion and understanding
923. Raphael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has healed
924. Samson
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: sun
925. Saul
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: prayed for
926. Simeon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: hearkening
927. Simon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: listen, hearing
928. Solomon
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: peace
929. Timothy
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: honouring God
930. Uriah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: light of God
931. Zabdi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift
932. Zacchaeus
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: pure
933. Zedekiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: the goodness of God
934. Zephaniah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has hidden
Animal-inspired baby boy names
Baby boy names with an animal theme are strong and beautiful – with a touch of both the cuddly and a healthy respect for the natural world. Animal-themed baby boy names can either be the actual name of an animal, such as Bear, Tiger and Wolf, or can have meanings that link them to a particular animal – or bird. Here is our pick of the best baby boy names with a real animal side:
935. Ari
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: lion or eagle
936. Averett
- Origin: English
- Meaning: strong boar
937. Bear
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bear
938. Bertram
- Origin: German
- Meaning: bright raven
939. Björn
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: bear
940. Bram
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: raven
941. Delvin
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: dolphin
942. Everett
- Origin: German
- Meaning: wild boar
943. Gavin
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: white hawk
944. Irwin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a friend of the boars
945. Lionel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: young lion
946. Lowell
- Origin: French
- Meaning: young wolf
947. Marlon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: little hawk
948. Marshall
- Origin: French
- Meaning: caretaker of horses
949. Namir
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: leopard
950. Oberon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bear-like
951. Ofer
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fawn
952. Orson
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: bear
953. Phoenix
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: dark red; name of mythological bird which dies in fire and is reborn from its ashes
954. Robin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: bright fame
955. Rolf
- Origin: German
- Meaning: famous wolf
956. Rudolf
- Origin: German
- Meaning: glorious wolf
- Also: Rudolph
957. Tiger
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: tiger
958. Tipu
- Origin: Hindi
- Meaning: tiger
959. Todd
- Origin: English
- Meaning: fox
960. Ulmar
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a wolf
961. Wilbur
- Origin: German
- Meaning: wild boar
962. Wolf
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wolf
- Also: Wolfe
963. Wren
- Origin: English
- Meaning: small bird
Short baby boy names
Sometimes you just want to keep it short and sweet. Neat, friendly, straightforward, one-syllable baby boy names are increasing in popularity – not only are they quick to say and (usually) easy to spell, they're super-simple for your little boy to recognise, as he gets old enough to spot the patterns in letters and words, and, eventually, to write as he enters the school-age years. When it comes to naming babies, less is often more. Here's our pick of baby boy names that are small in size but big in impact:
964. Ash
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ash tree
965. Baird
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: minstrel or poet
966. Ben
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: shortened form of Benjamin, son of the right hand
967. Boyd
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: yellow-haired
968. Brett
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a Breton
- Also: Bret
969. Carr
- Origin: Old Norse/Irish
- Meaning: marsh; short in height
970. Clark
- Origin: French
- Meaning: clerk, scribe
- Also: Clarke
971. Clint
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rocky cliff
972. Clive
- Origin: English
- Meaning: cliff, slope
973. Dev
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: god
974. Drew
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: wise
975. Eli
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: raised on high
976. Frank
- Origin: German
- Meaning: free man or Frenchman
977. Gray
- Origin: English
- Meaning: grey-haired
978. Grant
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: large
979. Gus
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: great, majestic
980. Guy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: guide, leader
981. Hal
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ruler
982. Jay
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: victory
983. Jed
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: friend of god
984. Kane
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: warrior
985. Keir
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: dark
986. Kent
- Origin: English
- Meaning: coastal land
987. Kit
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: bearing Christ
988. Lee
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a meadow
- Also: Leigh
989. Lyle
- Origin: French
- Meaning: from the island
990. Nir
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: ploughed field
991. Nye
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: honourable
992. Odo
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rich
993. Ross
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: peninsula
994. Sam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: shortened form of Samual, told by God
995. Tate
- Origin: English
- Meaning: cheerful
- Also: Tait
996. Tam
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: innocent, honest
997. Ted
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wealthy guardian
998. Tom
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: shortened form of Thomas, twin
999. Uzi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: my strength
1000. Zeb
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: gift from god; dwelling of honour
About the author Helen Brown
Helen is Deputy Editor of MadeForMums, the author of Parenting for Dummies (Wiley, £17.99). She has been a judge for the Bookstart Awards and written about parenting for Mumsnet, Pregnancy & Birth, Prima Baby, Boots Parenting Club and She Magazine and she's also been Consumer Editor of Mother & Baby. She has 3 boys – all with names that she and her husband eventually agreed on! – and a heavy-duty washing machine.
About the '100 most popular names' list
Every year, the Office of National Statistics publishes a list of the most popular names in England and Wales for both girls and boys. Because of the time needed to collect and process all the data, each new list is always based on names registered up to 2 years ago. So, the the most recent list is based on names registered in 2022. Scotland's National Records of Scotland and Northern Ireland's Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency also each release their own list every year, gathered in the same way.
Pics: Getty Images
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Authors
Helen is author of the classic advice book Parenting for Dummies and a mum of 3. Before joining MadeForMums, she was Head of Community at Mumsnet and also the Consumer Editor of Mother & Baby.
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