601 Southern Boy Names For Your Charming Little Gentleman

Overview

Southern boy names have a rugged, masculine appeal that can also be perfect for your little gentleman.

They’re often linked to country boy names because many southern states have towns and communities in the country (rural areas or open countryside).

Also, country music is often associated with Nashville (Tennessee), Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma – all southern states.

Boy names from the south are also associated with hardworking folks, large farms, scenic country roads, music, and family-oriented activities.

So, don’t be surprised to find many occupational, place, or nature-inspired names from our list of 601 southern boy names below.

The Best Southern Baby Boy Names By Category

What Are Very Southern Names?

Alan (Irish boy name) – “Handsome”
Beckett (Old English boy name) – “Beehive” or “bee cottage”; also a name that means water (little brook)
Billy (English and German boy name) – “Resolute protector”
Buck (English origin) – “Deer” or “cowboy”
Carver (Old English classic boy name) – “One who carves wood”
Corwin (Gaelic and English) – Old man name meaning “companion” or “heart’s friend”
Creighton (Scottish and Gaelic) – “Border”
Dale (English) – One-syllable boy name meaning “valley”
Emmett (English, Hebrew, and German name) – “Powerful,” “truth,” or “universal”
Evan (Welsh) – Short boy name meaning “God is good”
Finn (Irish name) – “Fair” and “white”
Forrest (English) – “Dweller near the woods”
Hayes (English) – “Hedge” or “hedged area”
Jim (English and Hebrew) – “Supplanter”; popular first name or a nickname for “James”
Nash (English) – Cute boy name meaning “dweller by the ash tree”
Ramsey (English) – “Garlic island”
Ross (Scottish) – “Headland” or “cape”
Stanton (Old English) – “Settlement” or “enclosure”
Thomas (Aramaic and Hebrew) – Biblical boy name meaning “twin”; also a twin boy name
Tucker (English) – Occupational name “fabric pleater” or “softener of cloth”
Tyson (French boy name) – Name that means “fire” or “high-spirited”
Walker (English) – Occupational name meaning “fuller of cloth”
Winston (English) – “Wine’s town”

Trendy & Modern Southern Boy Names

Brady (Irish) – “Spirited” or “broad”
Brenner (English) – “Charcoal burner” or “to burn”
Brock (English and Celtic) – “Badger-like”
Caden (Old English, Welsh, and Arabic boy name) – “Round,” “battle spirit,” or “friend”
Damon (Greek boy name) – “To tame” or “gentle”
Drew (Greek name) – “Strong and manly”; short for “Andrew”
Dusty (English) – “Thor’s stone” or “light dirt”
Flint (English gender-neutral name) – “Born near an outcrop of flint”
Giles (English) – “Young goat” or “pledge”
Jack (English) – “God is gracious”
Judd (English) – “To flow down”
Kit (Greek) – “Bearing Christ”
Knox (Scottish nonbinary name) – “Round hill”
Lester (English) – “From Leicester”
Liam (Irish) – “Guardian” or “helmet of will”
Lyle (English) – “From the island”
Martin (Latin) – Warrior name meaning “warlike” or “of Mars (Roman god of war)”
McCoy (Irish) – “Fire”
Miles (English and Latin) – “Merciful soldier”
Redd (English) – “Red-haired”
Rowan (Scottish and Irish) – “Little red-head” or “rowan tree”
Ryker (German) – “Rich”
Shane (Irish) – “God is gracious”
Topher (Greek) – “Bearing Christ”
Trey (Italian boy name) – “Three”

What Are Timeless & Old Southern Names For Boys?

Abbott (English) – “Father” or “priest”
Ackerley (English) – “Oak meadow”
Branson (English) – “Son of the raven”
Clarence (Latin) – “Clear,” “bright,” or “one who lives near the River Clare”
Clayton (English) – “From the town on clay land”
Conroy (Irish) – “Wise advisor”
Cornelius (Latin) – 3-syllable boy name meaning “horn”
Damian (ancient Greek name) – “To tame”
Dylan (Welsh) – “Son of the sea”
Ernest (English) – “Serious” or “resolute”
Luther (German) – Powerful name meaning “army people” or “soldier of the people”
MacGowan (Irish and Scottish) – “Son of the smith”
Rufus (Latin) – “Red-head”
Ryder (English) – “Mounted warrior” or “knight”
Theodore (Greek) – “Gift of God”
Wilbur (English) – “Willful and bright”

Faith-Based & Biblical Southern Names For Boys

Aaron (Hebrew) – “Exalted,” “strong,” or “high mountain”
Abel (Hebrew) – “Breath”
Axel (Hebrew) – “Father is peace”
Benjamin (Hebrew) – “Son of my right hand”
Caleb (Hebrew) – “Faithful” or “whole-hearted”
Elijah (Hebrew) – “Jehovah is my God”
Elliott (English) – “The Lord is my God”
Ezekiel (Hebrew) – “God’s strength”
Gabriel (Hebrew) – “God is my strength”; also an angel name
Jacob (Hebrew) – “Supplanter”
James (Hebrew) – “Supplanter”
Jebediah (Hebrew) – “Beloved of the Lord”
Jeremiah (Hebrew) – “God will uplift”
Jesse (Hebrew) – “The Lord exists”
Jethro (Hebrew) – “Overflow”
Johnny (Hebrew) – “God is gracious”
Jonah (Hebrew) – “Dove”
Joshua (Hebrew) – “Yahweh is salvation”
Josiah (Hebrew) – “God supports and heals”
Jude (Hebrew) – “Praised”
Levi (Hebrew) – “Joined” or “attached”
Nathaniel (Hebrew) – “Given by God”
Noah (Hebrew) – “Rest” and “repose”
Samson (Hebrew) – “Of the sun”
Samuel (Hebrew) – “God has heard”
Simon (Hebrew) – “Flat-nosed”
Zachariah (Hebrew) – “The Lord has remembered”

You can learn more about their stories from our list of biblical boy names.

Fantasy Names From Movies & Mythology

Atlas (Greek god name) – “Bearer of the heavens”; strongest Titan in Greek mythology
Carlisle (English) – “From the walled city”; character in vampire series “Twilight”
Dustin (Norse and Norwegian name) – “Brave warrior” or “Thor’s stone”
Eugene (Greek) – “Noble” or “well-born”; Rapunzel’s love interest in the Disney princess movie “Tangled”
Jason (Greek) – “Healer”; legendary Greek hero in “Jason and the Argonauts”
Logan (Scottish) – “Little hollow”; real name of Wolverine in the “X-Men” series
Phoenix (Greek) – “Dark red”; mythical bird and also a character in the “X-Men” series
Raiden (Japanese boy name) – God of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology; also called “Raijin”
Remy (French name) – “Oarsman”; protagonist (a bluish-gray rat) in Disney Pixar’s animated film “Ratatouille”

Posh & Classy Southern Boy Names

Abner (Hebrew) – Name that means “light” (father of light)
Ambrose (Greek boy name) – “Immortal”
Asher (Hebrew) – “Ash tree dweller,” “happy,” or “blessed”
Avery (English) – “Ruler of elves”
Clement (Latin) – “Merciful” and “mild”
Duke (Latin) – “Leader”
Emory (German) – “Home strength”
Francis (Latin) – “Frenchman”
Irving (Scottish) – Name that means “water” (green river) or “sea friend”

What Are Good Names For A Country Boy?

Barrett (German) – Powerful name meaning “bear strength”
Bobby (German) – “Bright fame”
Clifford (English) – “Ford by a cliff”
Darren (English) – “Great”
Franklin (English) – “Free man”
Homer (ancient Greek name) – “Security” and “pledge”
Leland (English) – “One who lives by unseeded land”
Maxwell (Scottish) – “Great stream”

Strong & Powerful Southern Boy Names

Alfred (Old English boy name) – “Elf ruler,” “wise counselor,” or “magical counsel”
Alonzo (Spanish) – Hispanic boy name meaning “noble” or “ready for battle”
Angus (Scottish Gaelic) – “One strength”
Augustus (Latin) – 3-syllable boy name meaning “great” and “magnificent”
Austin (English) – “Majestic”
Bernard (German boy name) – “Brave as a bear” or “strong”
Drake (English) – “Dragon” or “snake”
Everett (English and German name) – “Brave, strong boar”
Hendrix (Dutch and German) – “Son of Hendrik” or “estate ruler”
Henry (German) – “Ruler of the home”
Kane (Irish boy name) – “Warrior” or “battlefield”
Kenner (Gaelic) – “Brave chieftain”
Ledger (English) – “Speared tribe”
Ricky (German) – “Powerful ruler”
Roy (French boy name) – “King”
Royce (English) – “Son of the king”
Victor (Latin) – Warrior name meaning “conqueror”
Vincent (Latin) – “Victorious”
Walter (German) – “Army ruler”
Warner (English) – “Army guard”
Warrick (English) – “Leader who defends”
Wyatt (English) – “Brave in war”

Adorable & Charming Southern Boy Names

Alvin (English) – “Friend of the elves” or “noble friend”
Auburn (English) – “Moderate or reddish brown”
Brayden (Irish name) – “Brave”
Bryce (Scottish) – “Speckled” or “freckled”
Davis (Welsh) – “Son of David”
Lee (English) – “Clearing” or “meadow”
Leroy (French) – “The king”

Unique & Rare Southern Boy Names

Bates (English) – Classic boy name meaning “son of Bartholomew”
Bryson (English) – “Son of Brice” or “son of a nobleman”
Corliss (English) – Hippie name for boys meaning “carefree person”
Ewell (English) – “Winter solstice” or “law-powerful”
Leon (Greek) – “Lion”
Redmond (Irish) – “Wise protector”
Tierney (Irish) – “Lord”
Tobias (Hebrew and Greek name) – “God is good”
Truett (English) – “From the village of Trewhitt (in Cleveland)”

Cool & Hip Southern Boy Names

Aden (Irish) – Name that means “fire” (little fire)
Benji (Hebrew) – Moniker or pet name for the biblical name “Benjamin,” meaning “son of the right hand”
Boone (English) – “Good”
Dane (English) – “Brook,” “from Denmark” or a short form of “Daniel,” meaning “God is my judge”
Dash (English) – Short boy name meaning “someone who lives near an ash tree”
Dixon (Scottish) – “Son of Dick” or “son of Richard”

Other Short & One-Syllable Southern Boy Names

Ace (Latin) – “Unity” or “one”
Bo (Slavic) – “Living”
Brent (English) – Cute boy name meaning “hill” or “mount”
Brett (English) – “Breton”
Butch (American) – “Manly”
Chad (English) – “Protector” or “defender”
Champ (English) – “Warrior”
Charles (English) – “Free man”
Cole (English) – “Charcoal” or “swarthy”
Coy (English) – “Quiet” or “still”
Creed (English and Latin) – “Guiding principle” or “belief”
Crew (English) – “Fort near a slope”
Dean (English) – “From the valley”
Gray (English) – Color name for “gray (black mixed with white)”
Hank (German) – “Home ruler”
Holt (English) – “Son of the unspoiled forests”
Huck (American) – “Short form of Huckleberry”
Hyde (English) – “Hide”
Jake (Hebrew) – “Supplanter”
Jax (American) – “Son of Jack”
Jed (Hebrew) – “Beloved of God”
Ned (English) – “Wealthy guardian”
Neil (Irish) – “Champion” or “cloud”
Reed (English) – “Red-haired”
Tex (American) – “From Texas”
Troy (Irish) – “Foot soldier”

Noble & Distinguished Southern Boy Names

Alden (English) – “Old friend” or “wise old friend”
Archie (German) – “Truly brave” or “genuine”
Audie (Old English) – “Noble strength”
Baron (English) – “Noble man”
Bennett (Latin) – “Blessed”
Bowen (Welsh) – “Son of Owen”
Bryan (English) – “High” or “noble”
Curtis (English and French name) – “Courteous” or “polite”
Earl (English) – “Nobleman” or “warrior”
Elmer (English) – “Noble” or “famous”
Gentry (English) – “Nobility of birth”
Grady (Irish) – “Noble”
Greyson (English) – “Son of the gray-haired man”

Nature-Inspired Southern Boy Names

Ardy (Latin) – “Great forest,” “ardent,” or “enthusiastic”
Arthur (Celtic) – “Bear”
Ashton (English) – “Ash tree”
Bertrand (German and French old-fashioned name) – “Magnificent crow”
Booker (English) – “Small stream”
Braxton (English) – “Badger”
Clay (English) – “Earthy”
Colt (English) – “Young horse”
Corbin (English) – “Crow” or “raven”
Elwood (English) – “Elder tree forest”
Falcon (English) – “Bird of prey”
Finch (English) – “Songbird”
Forest (English) – “Woods”
Garland (English) – Flower name meaning “wreath of flowers or leaves”
Garnet (English) – “Red semi-precious gemstone”
Gavin (Scottish) – “White hawk”
Harley (English) – “Hare” or “a long field”
Hawk (English) – “Bird of prey”
Lowell (French) – “Young wolf”
Madden (Irish) – “Little dog’
Merle (French) – “Blackbird”
Oliver (Latin) – “Olive tree”
Onyx (English) – “Black gemstone”
Orson (English) – “Bear cub”
Rhodes (Greek) – “Rose garden”
Slate (American) – “Gray-green rock”
Talon (English) – “Bird claw”
Todd (English) – “Fox”
Wren (English) – “Small bird”

Place Names For Southern Boys

Arlo (Spanish) – Hispanic boy name meaning “between two hills”
Banks (English) – “Someone who lives by a riverbank or on the slope of a hillside”
Barlow (English) – “The bare hillside”
Barton (English) – “From the barley settlement” or “from the barley town”
Bentley (English) – “Meadow with coarse grass”
Benton (English) – “Town in the bent grass”
Brigham (Old English and Anglo-Saxon) – “Settlement” or “bridge homestead”
Brody (Scottish) – “Broad eye” or “broad island”
Buford (English) – “Hill by the river crossing”
Burke (Irish) – “Fortified hill”
Camden (Scottish) – “Winding valley”
Cason (English) – “Settlement” or “town”
Charleston (English) – “Free peasant’s settlement”
Chester (English) – “Camp” or “fortress”
Clyde (Scottish) – “From the riverbank”
Colton (English) – “From the coal” or “dark town”
Dayton (English) – “Bright and sunny town”
Denver (English and French) – “Green valley”
Easton (English) – “East-facing place”
Ellington (English) – “Ellis’ town”
Fenton (English) – “Marsh town”
Fulton (English) – “Settlement of the fowl”
Graham (English) – “Gravelly homestead”
Hamilton (English) – “Flat-topped hill”
Hartley (English) – “Stag meadow”
Houston (Scottish) – “Hugh’s town”
Hucksley (English) – “From Hoc’s Field”
Hudson (English) – “Son of Hudd”
Hutton (English) – “Ridge enclosure” or “settlement on the bluff”
Keaton (English) – “Place of hawks”
Kelton (English) – “Town of the keels (boat or ship)”
Kent (English) – “County in Southeast England” or “bright white”
Kingston (English) – “The king’s town”
Landon (English) – “Long hill”
Memphis (Greek) – “Established and beautiful”
Merritt (English) – “From the boundary gate”
Monroe (Scottish) – “From the mouth of the river”
Orville (French) – “Gold town”
Patton (English) – “Fighter’s town”
Paxton (Latin) – “Peace town”
Percy (French) – “Pierce valley”
Peyton (English) – “Fighting man’s estate”
Preston (English) – “Priest’s estate”
Quinton (English) – “Queen’s settlement”
Radley (English) – “Red meadow”
Raleigh (Old English) – “Roe deer’s meadow”
Rodney (English) – “Island near the clearing”
Roscoe (English) – “From the deer forest”
Ryland (English) – “Place where Rye grows”
Sanford (English) – “Sandy ford”
Sherwood (English) – “Bright forest”
Silas (English and Latin) – “Wood forest”
Stratton (English) – “From the town on the Roman road”
Tennessee (Native American) – “Gathering place”
Trenton (English) – “Trent’s town”
Waylan (Old English) – “Land beside the road”
Wesley (English) – “Western meadow”
Whittaker (English) – “White field”
Woodrow (English) – “Row of houses by a wood”

Occupation-Inspired Southern Boy Names

Archer (English) – “Bowman”
Baxter (Middle English, Anglo-Saxon, and Scottish ) – “Baker”
Cane (English) – “Craftsman,” “lance,” or “spear”
Cannon (English) – “Clergyman” or “discipline”
Carden (English) – “Wood carder” (prepares wood for textile)
Carter (English) – “Transporter of goods using a cart or wagon”
Cash (English) – “Maker of chests”
Cooper (English) – “Barrel maker” or “wood repairer”
Decker (English) – “Ditch digger”
Dex (English and Latin) – “One who dyes” or “right-handed”
George (Greek) – “Farmer”
Granger (English) – “Worker of the granary”
Harper (English) – “Harp player”; musical name
Hunter (English) – “One who hunts”
Jagger (English) – “One who cuts”
Judge (English) – “Decision maker”
Macon (French) – “Mason”
Marshall (French) – “One who looks after horses”
Mason (English) – “Stone worker”
Mercer (French) – “Merchant”
Miller (English) – “One who grinds grain”
Parker (English) – “Park keeper”
Porter (Latin) – “Gatekeeper”
Ranger (English) – “Forest protector”
Sawyer (English) – “Woodcutter”
Saylor (German) – “Boatman”
Shepard (English) – “Sheepherder”
Sherman (English) – “Cloth cutter”
Smith (English) – “Blacksmith” or “skilled worker”
Spencer (English) – “House steward”
Tanner (English) – “Leather worker”
Taylor (English) – “Tailor”
Thatcher (English) – “Roof maker”
Travis (English) – “Toll collector”
Tuck (English) – “Garment maker”
Tyler (English) – “Tile maker”
Wagner (German) – “Wagon maker”
Wayne (English) – “Wagon driver”
Webb (English) – “Weaver”

Celebrity-Inspired Southern Boy Names

Blaine (Scottish and Gaelic) – “Yellow” or “slender”; former NFL (National Football League) player Blaine Gabbert
Blake (English) – “Swarthy” or “dark-haired”; American country singer Blake Shelton
Cameron (Gaelic unisex name) – “Crooked nose”; American actors Cameron Monaghan and Cameron Diaz
Conway (English) – “Head smasher”; American singer-songwriter Conway Twitty
Dakota (Native American unisex name) – “Friendly”; American actress Dakota Fanning
Elvis (Scandinavian, Old Norse, and Norwegian name) – “All-wise”; American singer Elvis Presley
Garth (English) – “Garden keeper”; American country singer-songwriter Garth Brooks
Harrison (English) – “Son of Harry”; American actor Harrison Ford
Luke (Greek) – Name that means “light” (light-giving) or “bright one”; American country singer Luke Bryan
Pierce (English) – “Son of Piers”; Irish actor Pierce Brosnan
Reese (Welsh nonbinary name) – “Enthusiastic” or “ardent”; American actors Reese Witherspoon and Reese Mishler
Russell (English) – “Little red”; actor Russell Crowe
Ryan (Irish) – “Descendent of the king”; Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds
Trace (English) – “Brave”; American country singer Trace Adkins
Whitney (Old English unisex name) – “White island”; American singer Whitney Houston

Middle Names For Southern Boys

Archibald (German) – “Genuine” or “bold”
Benson (English) – “Son of Ben”
Collins (English) – “Family of Coilean”
Crawford (English) – “From the crow ford”
Hartford (English) – “Stag ford”
Maynard (English) – “Brave strength”
Stone (English) – “Dweller by the stone or rocks”
Westen (Old English) – “From the western town”

Romantic & Cute Pet Names For Southern Boys

Beau (French) – “Handsome”
Bubba (American) – “Brother” or “pal”
Buddy (English) – “Friend”
Darryl (French and English unisex name) – Name that means “love” (dear one) or “beloved”
Dewey (Welsh) – “Beloved”
Sonny (English) – “Son”
Teddy (English) – “Divine gift”

What Are Badass Southern Names For A Boy?

Arrow (English) – “Projectile fired from a bow”
Blade (English) – “Sword” or “knife ”
Blaze (English) – “Flame”
Brant (German) – “Beacon” or “sword”
Brantley (English) – “Fiery torch” or “sword”
Garrett (English) – “Rules by the spear”

Gender-Neutral & Nonbinary Southern Names

Arlen (Irish) – “Pledge”
Bailey (Old English) – Occupational name meaning “bailiff”
Blanche (English and French) – “White”
Bridge (English) – “Bridge”
Darcy (Irish) – “Dark”
Jessie (Scottish) – “Wealthy”
Jett (English) – “Jet black”
River (English) – “Stream of water that flows to the sea”

What Are Exotic Southern Names For A Boy?

Albion (Celtic) – “White” or “rock”
Anse (German) – “God’s helmet”
Atticus (Latin) – “From Attica”
Boden (Scandinavian) – “Sheltered”
Calhoun (Scottish) – “Nook” or “corner”
Callahan (Irish) – “Bright-headed one”
Cletus (Greek) – “Glory”
Cruz (Spanish) – “The cross of Christ”
Cyrus (Persian) – Name that means “sun”
Elroy (French) – “The king”
Gunner (Scandinavian) – “Warrior”
Hiram (Hebrew) – “Brother of the exalted one”
Julep (Persian) – “Rose water”
Lafe (English) – “Heir”
Sampson (Hebrew) – “Sun”

Southern Boy Names From A To Z

Southern Boy Names Starting With A

Albert (German) – “Noble” or “bright”
Aldon (German, French, and Italian boy name) – “Elder”
Andy (Latin) – “Man” or “warrior”
Arlow (English) – “Fortified hill”
Arty (Celtic) – “Bear man” or “noble one”
Atwood (English) – “At the wood”

Southern Boy Names Starting With B

Bishop (English) – “Guardian” or “overseer”
Bodie (German, Old French, and Scandinavian) – “Messenger”
Braden (English) – “Broad valley”
Bradford (English) – “From the broad ford”
Bradley (English) – “Broad meadow”
Bridger (English) – “Lives near the bridge”
Briggs (English) – “Dweller by the bridge”
Bronson (English) – “Son of the brown-haired one”
Brooks (English) – “Dweller by the brook or stream”
Byron (English) – “Barn for cows”

Southern Boy Names Starting With C

Cade (English) – “Round”
Calvin (Latin) – “Bald”
Campbell (Scottish) – “Crooked mouth”
Carson (Scandinavian) – “Son of marsh-dwellers”
Casey (Irish) – “Vigilant”
Cassidy (Irish) – “Clever” or “curly-haired”
Cecil (English) – “Blind to one’s own beauty”
Chambers (English) – “Of the chamber”
Charlie (English and German) – “Free man”
Chase (French) – “To hunt”
Chevy (French) – “Knight” or “horseman”
Cody (English) – “Helpful”
Colby (Old Norse) – “Swarthy person’s settlement”
Colin (Scottish and Greek) – “People of victory”
Connor (Scottish) – “Wise”
Copeland (English and Scottish) – “Bought land”
Corey (Irish) – “Hollow”
Crosby (English and Scandinavian) – “Settlement by the cross”

Southern Boy Names Starting With D

Dallas (Irish) – “Skilled”
Dalton (English) – “From the valley town”
Darius (Greek and Persian) – “Possessing goodness” or “rich and kingly”
Dawson (English) – “Son of David”
Deacon (Greek) – “Messenger” or “servant”
Declan (Irish) – “Full of goodness”
Donald (English) – “World leader”
Duncan (Scottish) – “Dark warrior”

Southern Boy Names Starting With E

Edison (English) – “Son of Edward”
Edmund (English) – “Fortunate protector”
Edward (English) – “Wealth” or “prosperity”
Eli (Hebrew) – “My God,” “high,” or “elevated”; also a black boy name
Ellis (English and Welsh) – “Benevolent”
Ellison (English) – “Son of Elias or Elijah”
Emerson (English) – “Emery’s son”
Everest (English) – “Person from Evreux (place in Normandy, France)”
Everette (Old English unisex name) – “Brave and strong as a boar”
Ewan (Scottish) – “Born of the yew tree”

Southern Boy Names Starting With F

Felix (Latin) – “Lucky,” “prosperous,” or “happy”
Fielder (English) – “Dweller in open country”
Finnegan (Irish) – “Fair-haired”
Fleming (English) – “From Flanders”
Floyd (Welsh) – “Gray-haired”
Flynn (Irish) – “Descendant of Flann (red-haired man)”
Frederick (English and German) – “Peaceful ruler”

Southern Boy Names Starting With G

Gabe (Hebrew) – “God is my strength”
Gable (French) – “Triangular” or “God is bright”
Gage (French) – “Oath,” “pledge,” or “money lender”
Garrison (English) – “Son of Garret”
Gatlin (English) – “Fellow” or “companion”
Gilbert (German) – “Shining pledge”
Gillespie (Scottish) – “Son of the bishop’s servant”
Gomer (Hebrew) – “To complete”
Grant (English) – “Great”
Grayson (British) – “Son of the gray-haired man”
Greer (Scottish) – “Watchful” or “guardian”
Grover (English) – “Lives near a grove of trees”
Guthrie (Scottish) – “Windy place”

Southern Boy Names Starting With H

Hampton (Old English) – “Home settlement”
Harlan (English) – “Dweller by the boundary wood” or “rocky land”
Harris (English) – “Son of Harry”
Hart (English and Irish) – “Bear” or “shallow place in a river where deer roam”
Hastings (English) – “Son of the austere man”
Hawthorne (English) – “Lives where hawthorn hedges grow”
Hayden (English) – “Hay field”
Holden (English) – “The hollow in the valley”
Hollis (English) – “Dweller at the holly trees”
Hutch (Anglo-Scottish) – “Bright in mind and spirit” and “understanding”

Southern Boy Names Starting With I

Innis (Irish) – “Island”
Ira (Hebrew) – “Watchful one”

Southern Boy Names Starting With J

Jameson (English) – “Son of James”
Jasper (Persian) – “Treasurer”
Jaxon (British) – “God is gracious”
Jayden (Hebrew) – “Thankful one”
Jedediah (Hebrew) – “Friend of God”
Jennings (English) – “Little John”
Jenson (Scandinavian) – “Son of Jens”
Jeremy (Hebrew) – “God will uplift”
Jimmy (English) – “Supplanter”
Jones (English) – “God is gracious”
Judson (English) – “Son of Jordan”
Julian (Latin) – “Young at heart”

Southern Boy Names Starting With K

Keith (Scottish) – “Wood”
Kellan (Irish) – “Slender”
Kenneth (Scottish) – “Handsome”
Krandall (Old English) – “Valley of cranes”

Southern Boy Names Starting With L

Lance (English) – “Land”
Lander (English) – “Territory”
Landry (English and French) – “Ruler”
Lawson (English) – “Son of Lawrence”
Leo (Latin) – “Lion”
Livingston (English) – “Dear friend’s place”
Lucas (Latin) – “Bringer of light” or “man from Lucania”

Southern Boy Names Starting With M

Mack (Irish and Scottish) – “Son of”
Maddox (English) – “Son of Madoc”
Malcolm (Scottish) – “Follower of St. Columba”
Marcus (Latin) – “Dedicated to Mars (Roman god of war)”
Marvin (Welsh) – “Sea hill”
Maverick (English) – “Independent”
Micah (Hebrew unisex name) – “Who is like God?”
Mitchell (Hebrew) – “Gift from God”
Monty (Norman-French) – “Gomeric’s mountain” or “the mountain belonging to the ruler”

Southern Boy Names Starting With N

Nathan (Hebrew) – “Gift of God”
Nelson (English) – “Son of Neil”
Noel (Old French) – “Christmas” or “born on Christmas”
Nolan (Irish) – “Champion”
Norbert (German) – “Bright or renowned north” or “northern brightness”

Southern Boy Names Starting With O

Oakley (English) – “From the oak tree field”
Oren (Hebrew) – “Pine tree” or “laurel”
Otis (English) – “Wealth”
Owen (Welsh) – “Well-born” or “young warrior”

Southern Boy Names Starting With P

Palmer (English) – “Pilgrim” or “bearing a palm branch”
Pascal (Latin and Aramaic) – “Easter child”
Pax (Latin) – “Peaceful”
Pratt (English) – “Trick”
Prescott (English) – “From the Priest’s cottage”
Price (Welsh) – “Son of Rhys”

Southern Boy Names Starting With Q

Quentin (Latin) – “The fifth”
Quinn (Irish) – “Descendant of Conn” or “wise”

Southern Boy Names Starting With R

Randall (English) – “Shield wolf”
Randy (English) – “Wolf” or “protector”
Rawlins (Old English) – “Son of Raul” or “‘son of a little wise wolf’”
Raylan (Old Norman French and German) – “Wise” or “counsel”
Reagan (Irish) – “Little ruler”
Reece (English) – “Passion” or “enthusiasm”
Reeves (English) – “Child or servant of the steward”
Reid (English gender-neutral name) – “Red-haired”
Remington (English) – “Place on a riverbank”
Rex (Latin) – “King”
Rhett (English) – “Counsel” or “advice”
Ridge (English) – “Ridge” or “continuous elevated mountain crest”
Riley (English) – “Wood clearing”
Rowe (English) – “Renowned wolf”

Southern Boy Names Starting With S

Sage (Latin) – “Wise”
Scout (Old French) – “To listen”
Sebastian (Greek) – “Venerable” or “revered”
Sellers (English) – “Marshland dweller”
Shelby (Old Norse) – “Willow town”
Sheldon (English) – “Steep valley”
Sloan (Irish) – “Expedition” or “invasion”
Snowden (English) – “Snowy peak”
Soren (Danish) – “Stern”
Steele (English) – “Like steel”
Sterling (English) – “Little star”
Sullivan (Irish) – “Dark-eyed”
Sutton (English) – “From the southern homestead”
Sylas (Latin) – “Forest”

Southern Boy Names Starting With T

Talbot (English) – “Command of the valley”
Tate (Norse) – “Cheerful”
Thaddeus (Aramaic) – “Gift of God”
Theo (Greek) – “Divine gift”
Tim (English) – “To honor God”
Toby (Greek) – “God is good”
Tommy (English, Greek, and Aramaic) – “Twin”
Townes (English) – “From the settlement”
Trent (English) – “The flooder”
Trevor (Welsh) – “From the large village”
Tripp (American) – “The third”
Tyrell (English) – “Stubborn”

Southern Boy Names Starting With U

Ulysses (Greek) – “Wrathful”
Ura (Indian) – “The heart”

Southern Boy Names Starting With V

Vardaman (English) – “Guardian”
Vernon (English) – “Alder tree”
Virgil (Latin) – “Flourishing”

Southern Boy Names Starting With W

Wade (English) – “At the river crossing”
Watson (English) – “Son of Walter”
Waylon (English) – “Land by the road”
Wells (English) – “From the well or spring”
Wes (Old English) – “Western meadow”
Westbrook (English) – “From the western brook”
Weston (English) – “From the western town”
Whitfield (English) – “From the white field”
Wilber (Old German) – “Bright will”
Wilder (English) – “Wild animal”
Wiley (English origin) – “Crafty”
Wilson (English) – “Son of Will”
Wylie (Scottish) – “From Wylye (a village in Wiltshire, England)”

Southern Boy Names Starting With X

Xavier (Arabic boy name) – “New house” or “bright”
Xylon (Greek) – “Timber”

Southern Boy Names Starting With Y

Yale (Welsh) – “Fertile upland”
Yates (English) – “Dweller by a gate”

Southern Boy Names Starting With Z

Zane (Hebrew) – “God is gracious”
Zebulon (Hebrew) – “Exaltation” or “little dwelling”
Zeke (Hebrew) – “God strengthens”

Cool & Classic Name Combinations For Southern Boys

Billy Joe
Trace Monroe
Jack Maddison
Hank Jansen
John Daniel
Duke Emmett

Southern Last Names Used As First Names For Boys

Clinton (English) – “Town on a hill”
Ford (English) – “Pass or crossing”
Hemingway (English) – “Way” or “path”
Jackson (English) – “Son of Jack”
Jefferson (English) – “Son of Jeffrey”
Kennedy (Irish and Scottish) – “Helmeted chief”
Lincoln (English) – “From the lake settlement”
Montgomery (English) – “From the hill of the powerful man”
Presley (English) – “Priest’s meadow”
Truman (English) – “Faithful man”
Vaughn (Welsh) – “Small”

Bonus: Sweet & Popular Southern Names For Girls

Charlotte
Dixie
Georgia
Jolene
Lorraine
Scarlette

Factors To Consider When Choosing Southern Boy Names

Some inspirations in choosing southern boy names:

Honoring someone (family member, favorite celebrity, etc.)
Nature-inspired names

It might be best to avoid these names:

Infamous historical figures, celebrities, politicians, and characters
Names that might invite teasing
Names with strong associations to good or bad (names that mean death, evil movie villains, etc.)

Consider the initials that your baby’s name will form to avoid:

Organization names (i.e., “WHO” or “FDA”)
Possibly negative words (i.e., “ASS” or “FAT”)