120+ Cute Boy Names: Trending, Unique, & Meaningful Choices

Top 10 Trending Boy Names

Here are the popular baby boy names that topped the rankings in 2020, according to the SSA’s (Social Security Administration) most recent data. (Note: SSA is yet to release data for 2021.) (1)

Alexander

Meaning: People’s defender

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: AL-IG-ZAN-DUR

Variations: Alec, Alejandro, Alessandro, Alex, Alexis, Alexzander, Xander, Zander

Description: Alexander was the top 10 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 10,151 recorded male births. (2)

Benjamin

Meaning: Favored son, right hand’s son

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: BEN-JUH-MEN

Description: Benjamin was the top 7 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 12,136 recorded male births. (2)

Elijah

Meaning: Jehovah is God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: EE-LIE-JUH, EH-LEE-YAH

Variations: Eli, Elias, Elia
Description: Elijah was the top 4 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 13,034 recorded male births. (2)

Henry

Meaning: Home ruler

Origin: French, German

Pronunciation: HEN-REE

Variations: Henri

Description: Henry was the top 9 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 10,705 recorded male births. (2)

James

Meaning: One who replaces someone or something

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: JAYMS

Variations: Jameson, Jamison

Description: James was the top 6 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 12,250 recorded male births. (2)

Liam

Meaning: Protector, warrior

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: LEE-UHM

Variations: William
Description: Liam topped the trendy baby boy name list in 2020 with 19,659 recorded male births. Its variation, William, was the top 5 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 12,541 recorded male births. (2)

Lucas

Meaning: Light giver, illuminating

Origin: English, Greek, Latin

Pronunciation: LOO-KUS

Variations: Luke, Lucius, Lucca, Luca

Description: Lucas was the top 8 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 11,281 recorded male births. (2)

Mason

Meaning: Stone worker

Origin: Old French

Pronunciation: MAY-SUHN

Variations: Masson, Maison

Description: Mason was the top 11 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 10,029 recorded male births. (2)

Noah

Meaning: Comfort, rest

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: NOH-AH

Description: Noah was the top 2 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 18,252 recorded male births. (2)

Oliver

Meaning: Descendants, olive, olive tree

Origin: French, Latin, Old Norse

Pronunciation: AA-LI-VER

Variations: Olivier, Ollie

Description: Oliver was the top 3 most popular baby boy name in 2020, with 14,147 recorded male births. (2)

What’s A Cute Name For A Boy?

Aaro

Meaning: Enlightened, high mountain

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: AA-RO

Variations: Aaron

Abram

Meaning: Father of nations

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: AYB-RAHM

Variations: Abraham

Ace

Meaning: Number one, the best

Origin: English

Pronunciation: AYS

Adam

Meaning: Son of the red Earth, to be red

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: AY-DUHM

Variations: Adan

Adrian

Meaning: Adria’s son

Origin: Greek, Latin

Pronunciation: AY-DREE-UHN

Variations: Adreeyan

Aiden

Meaning: Small fire

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: AY-DEN

Variations: Aidan, Ayden, Aydan

Alfred

Meaning: Elf’s counsel

Origin: Old English

Pronunciation: AL-FRED

Variations: Alfredo

Alistair

Meaning: Protector, warrior

Origin: Scottish

Pronunciation: AL-IS-TAYR

Variations: Alexander

Archie

Meaning: Archer, bold

Origin: German

Pronunciation: AR-CHEE

Variations: Archibald, Archer

Arlo

Meaning: Rock hill, stone hill

Origin: English

Pronunciation: AHR-LOH

Variations: Harlow

Axel

Meaning: Divine reward, father of peace

Origin: Hebrew, Old German

Pronunciation: AHK-SEL

Ben

Meaning: Son, right-hand man’s son

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: BEN

Variations: Benedict, Benito, Bennett

Bevan

Meaning: Evan’s son

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: BEV-UHN

Variations: Beavan, Bevin

Bodie

Meaning: Home, shelter, news bringer

Origin: Scandinavian, Old French

Pronunciation: BOW-DEE

Variations: Boden

Brent

Meaning: One from a steep hill, one from a high place

Origin: Celtic, Old English

Pronunciation: BRENT

Caleb

Meaning: Wholehearted

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: KAY-LEB

Variations: Kaleb, Kalib

Carlos

Meaning: Freeman

Origin: Spanish

Pronunciation: KHAR-LOS

Variations: Charles

Caspian

Meaning: White, sea

Origin: English

Pronunciation: KAS-PEE-UHN

Chance

Meaning: Good fortune, one who takes risks

Origin: English

Pronunciation: CHANS

Cody

Meaning: Helpful, cushion

Origin: English, Gaelic, Irish

Pronunciation: KO-DEE

Variations:Kody, Codey

Cosmo

Meaning: Beauty, decency, order

Origin: English, German

Pronunciation: KAAS-MOW

Variations: Cosimo

Davian

Meaning: Beloved

Origin: American, Welsh

Pronunciation: DAYV-YEN

Variations: Davin, Davyn

Dean

Meaning: Religious, valley

Origin: Arabic, English

Pronunciation: DEEN

Variations: Deane, Dino

Delwin

Meaning: Bright friend, good friend, proud friend

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: DEL-WIN

Variations: Delvin

Donatello

Meaning: To give, to donate

Origin: Italian, Latin

Pronunciation: DOH-NA-TEL-LOH

Variations: Donatella

Dorian

Meaning: Ancient Greek tribe, gift

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: DOR-EE-YUN

Variations: Dorothy, Dora

Easton

Meaning: East town, East-facing place

Origin: English

Pronunciation: EES-TUHN

Ezra

Meaning: Aid, help, protect

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: EHZ-RUH

Variations: Ezri

Finley

Meaning: Blond or fair warrior

Origin: Gaelic, Scottish

Pronunciation: FIN-LEE

Variations: Finn, Finnley

Ford

Meaning: River crossing, river crossing dweller

Origin: Old English

Pronunciation: FORD

Gavin

Meaning: White hawk

Origin: Finnish, Welsh

Pronunciation: GAY-VIN

Variations: Gawain

Gray

Meaning: Gray-haired

Origin: English, Scottish

Pronunciation: GRAY

Variations: Grey, Grayson, Greyson, Greysen

Harry

Meaning: Home ruler

Origin: English, German

Pronunciation: HAE-REE

Variations: Henry

Hudson

Meaning: Hugh’s son, Hud’s son

Origin: English

Pronunciation: HUHD-SUN

Hugh

Meaning: Mind, spirit

Origin: English

Pronunciation: HYOO

Variations: Hugo, Hugues

Isaac

Meaning: God will laugh

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: IE-ZAEK

Variations: Issac, Isaak, and Isaack

Jacob

Meaning: May God protect, seizing by the heel

Origin: Greek, Hebrew, Latin

Pronunciation: JAY-KOB, YA-KUHB

Variations: Jacoby

Jasper

Meaning: Treasure bringer

Origin: Latin, Persian

Pronunciation: JAS-PUR

Variations: Gaspar

Jayden

Meaning: Thankful one

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: JAY-DEN

Variations: Jaden, Jadon, Jaydon

Jett

Meaning: Black, stone

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JET

Variations: Jet

Jonah

Meaning: Dove

Origin: Arabic, English

Pronunciation: JO-NUH

Variations: Jonas

Jude

Meaning: Generosity, praise

Origin: Arabic, English

Pronunciation: JOOD

Variations: Judah

Julian

Meaning: Youthful

Origin: Greek, Latin

Pronunciation: JUL-YEN

Variations: Julien, Julianne, Julia, Julio

Kai

Meaning: Ocean, sea, rejoice

Origin: Finnish, Hawaiian

Pronunciation: KIE

Kairo

Meaning: Victorious one

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: KIE-RO

Variations: Cairo

Keanu

Meaning: Breeze

Origin: Hawaiian

Pronunciation: KEE-AH-NU

Keith

Meaning: Forest, wood

Origin: Celtic, Scottish

Pronunciation: KEETH

Description: Originally a Scottish last name

Kendrick

Meaning: Greatest champion

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: KEN-DRIK

Variations: MacKendrick

Description: Originally a last name derived from Machendrie

Kenji

Meaning: Wise second child

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: KEN-JEE

Variations: Ken, Kenichi

Kenzo

Meaning: Wise one

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: KEN-ZOH

Variations: Ken, Kenichi

Kevin

Meaning: Handsome

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: KEH-VIN

Variations: Kevan

Kobe

Meaning: God’s door, God may protect

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: KOH-BEE

Variations: Coby, Koby

Kyle

Meaning: Narrow, strait

Origin: Irish, Scottish

Pronunciation: KYL

Variations: Kile, Kylie

Lawrence

Meaning: Bright one, shining one

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LOR-UHNS

Variations: Laurence

Leo

Meaning: Lion

Origin: Latin, Spanish

Pronunciation: LEE-OH

Variations: Leon, Leonard, Leonardo, Leonel, Lionel

Levi

Meaning: Joined, united

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: LEE-VIE

Lloyd

Meaning: Gray-haired

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: LOYD

Variations: Loyd

Logan

Meaning: Hollow

Origin: Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, Celtic

Pronunciation: LOH-GUHN

Description: Logan is a popular gender-neutral name. It was the top 16 baby boy and the top 317 baby girl names in 2020. (2)

Lorenzo

Meaning: Laurel crown

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LOH-REN-ZOH

Variations: Lorenz, Lawrence, Laurence

Makai

Meaning: Good looking, good health

Origin: Hawaiian

Pronunciation: MAH-KAH-I

Variations: Michael

Malachi

Meaning: Angel, a messenger of God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: MAH-LAH-KAI

Variations: Malakai

Marcellus

Meaning: Young warrior

Origin: French, Latin

Pronunciation: MAR-SEL-UHS

Variations: Marcelles, Marcelli

Maverick

Meaning: Independent

Origin: English

Pronunciation: MAV-UH-RIK

Variations: Maverik

Mccoy

Meaning: Fire

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: MAK-KOY

Variations: Mac, Mc

Merrell

Meaning: Shining sea

Origin: English

Pronunciation: MEH-RAHL

Variations: Merril, Meryl, Muriel, Meriel

Miles

Meaning: Merciful, soldier, God’s servant

Origin: English, German, Irish

Pronunciation: MIE-LZ

Variations: Myles, Milan, Milos, Milo

Milo

Meaning: Beloved, dear

Origin: Greek, Latin, Slavic

Pronunciation: MIE-LOH

Variations: Milos

Mirza

Meaning: Prince

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: MIR-ZAH

Musa

Meaning: Moses (Arabic, Hebrew), warrior (Korean)

Origin: Arabic, Hebrew, Korean

Pronunciation: MOO-SAH

Variations: Mosa, Moosa, Mousa, Moussa

Nash

Meaning: By the ash tree

Origin: English

Pronunciation: NASH

Description: Originally an English last name that has become a trendy first name.

Neo

Meaning: New, gift

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: NEE-OH

Nolan

Meaning: Famous, noble, a champion’s descendant

Origin: Gaelic, Irish

Pronunciation: NOH-LUHN

Description: Originally a traditional Irish last name.

Omar

Meaning: Flourishing, long-lived

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: OH-MAR

Oscar

Meaning: Deer lover

Origin: English, Irish

Pronunciation: AAS-KAHR

Otto

Meaning: Prosperous, wealthy

Origin: German

Pronunciation: AAD-OH

Variations: Audo, Odo, Udo

Patrick

Meaning: Nobleman, patrician

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: PAT-RIK

Variations: Patricia

Philip

Meaning: Horse lover

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: FEE-LIP

Variations: Phillip, Phillipe

Rafael

Meaning: God has healed

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: RAH-FA-EL

Variations: Raphael

Raiden

Meaning: Thunder and lightning

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: RIE-DEN

Description: Rai means lightning in Japanese.

Reginald

Meaning: Advice, counsel

Origin: German, Latin

Pronunciation: REJ-UH-NUHLD

Variations: Reinald, Reynaud

Ridge

Meaning: Ridge or mountain range

Origin: Old English

Pronunciation: RIJ

Rohan

Meaning: Ascending, spiritual

Origin: Arabic, Sanskrit

Pronunciation: ROH-UHN

Variations: Roan, Rowan

Description: Rohan is a unique-sounding name that can be used as a first name and a last name.

Roman

Meaning: Strong, powerful

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: ROH-MUHN

Sebastian

Meaning: Highly respected, admired

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: SEH-BAS-CHAAN

Description: Sebastianus used to refer to people hailing from Sebaste, which is now the city of Sivas in Turkey.

Silas

Meaning: Forest, wood

Origin: Greek, Latin

Pronunciation: SIE-LUHS

Description: Silas is a popular boy name derived from the Roman god Sylvanus.

Titan

Meaning: Defender, giant gods in Greek mythology

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: TIE-TUHN

Tobias

Meaning: God is good

Origin: Greek, Hebrew

Pronunciation: TOH-BY-UHS

Variations: Tobiah

Travis

Meaning: To traverse or cross over

Origin: French

Pronunciation: TRA-VUHRS

Description: Travis was originally a French last name given to bridge or crossing toll collectors.

Uriel

Meaning: Angel of light, a flame of God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: YU-REE-UHL

Valentino

Meaning: Strength, health

Origin: Spanish

Pronunciation:

Variations: Valentin, Valentina, Valentine

Description: Valentino is an Italian last name.

Vincenzo

Meaning: To win

Origin: Italian, Latin

Pronunciation: VIN-CHEN-ZOH

Variations: Vincent, Vince, Vin

Waylon

Meaning: Sideroad land

Origin: Old English

Pronunciation: WAY-LUHN

Variations: Wayland

Wyatt

Meaning: Brave

Origin: Old English

Pronunciation: WHY-UHT

Variations: Wiot

Yosef

Meaning: Fame, praise

Origin: Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish

Pronunciation: YOH-SEF

Variations: Yossef, Yoseph, Yousef, Yusuf

Description: Yosef is the Hebrew form of Joseph.

Zackary

Meaning: God remembers

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: ZAK-UH-REE

Variations: Zachariah, Zacharias, Zakariya, Zack, Zacky

What Is A Unique / Rarest Name For A Boy?

Here are some unique baby boy names:

Akia

Meaning: First-born child

Origin: African

Pronunciation: AH-KEE-YA

Description: Akia is also a unisex name.

Myron

Meaning: Derived from myrrh, an aromatic shrub

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: MY-RON

Variations: Myrrhon, Miron

Nasir

Meaning: A victor’s supporter

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: NAA-SIHR

Variations: Nasira, Nasser, Naseer

Nalo

Meaning: Beloved, lovable

Origin: African

Pronunciation: NAH-LOH

Description: Nalo is also a gender-neutral name.

Nehemiah

Meaning: Comforted by God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: NEE-UH-MIE-UH

Description: One of the lesser-known biblical names.

Onyx

Meaning: Black gemstone

Origin: English

Pronunciation: OH-NIKS

Variations: Onix, Enix

What Name Means Miracle?

These are the perfect names for your little miraculous blessing:

Asher

Meaning: Blessed, blessing, happy

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: ASH-UHR

The following names mean “Gift of God.”

Ayaan

Origin: Arabic, Indian

Pronunciation: AH-YAAN

Variations: Ahyan

Jesse

Origin: English, Dutch

Pronunciation: JESS-SEE

Variations: Jess, Jessie

Matthew

Origin: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Pronunciation: MATH-YOO

Variations: Mateo, Matteo, Mattis

Nathanael

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: NUH-THAN-EE-UHL

Variations: Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathan

Sean

Origin: Hebrew, Irish

Pronunciation: SHON

Description: Sean is the Irish form of John.

Theodore

Origin: Greek, Latin

Pronunciation: THEE-OH-DOR

Variations: Theo, Theodora, Dorothea, Dorothy

Zael

Origin: Hebrew, Spanish

Pronunciation: ZAH-EL

Middle Name Ideas For Baby Boy

Did you know that giving your little one a middle namecan give him or her a leg up in life?

According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, middle name initials are often associated with intellectual capacities and achievements. (3)

Pax

Meaning: Peaceful

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: PAKS

Peter

Meaning: Rock, stone

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: PEE-TUR

Variations: Pater, Pete

Preston

Meaning: Priests’ town

Origin: Old English

Pronunciation: PRES-TON

Quentin

Meaning: Fifth, number five

Origin: French, Latin

Pronunciation: KWEN-TUHN

Variations: Quintin, Quinton, Quinten

Quincy

Meaning: The fifth son’s estate, quince trees orchard

Origin: French, Latin

Pronunciation: KWIN-ZEE

Remi

Meaning: Oarsman

Origin: French

Pronunciation: REM-EE

Variations: Remy

Shared Names: Patronym Vs. Matronym

Shared names are common worldwide. Children named after their father or grandfather–generally, after men in the family is called a patronym.

This family naming trend is commonly followed by US families with high regard for honor, reputation, and cultural values observed by a University of Oklahoma researcher. (4)

On the other hand, matronym or naming after the mother or grandmother is rare. (4)

Gender-Neutral Names

Unisex names are gaining popularity as more new parents choose names that are neither pink nor blue. Here are a few unique and meaningful gender-neutral names for your new baby.

Beau

Meaning: Good looking

Origin: French

Pronunciation: Bo

Caden

Meaning: Companion, friend

Origin: Arabic, French

Pronunciation: KAY-DUHN

Kylo

Meaning: Sky

Origin: American

Pronunciation: KIE-LOH

Noe

Meaning: Peace, rest

Origin: American, French

Pronunciation: NO-EH

Variations: Noah

Rayan

Meaning: Heaven’s flower, luxuriant, abundant

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: RIE-AHN

Variations: Rayyan

Other Cute Little Boy Monikers To Consider

Atticus
Cooper
Emerson
Enzo
Graham
Sawyer
Wesley
Wren
Zane (also a one-syllable nickname)

More Baby Name Ideas

REFERENCES

(1) https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/popularnames.cgi

(2) https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

(3) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ejsp.2026

(4) https://phys.org/news/2013-11-babies-fathers-mothers-cultural-ideologies.html