Boys Names: A–Z List of 200+ Meanings & Ideas

Quick Answer: Boys names range from timeless classics like James and William to modern favorites like Kai and Milo. The most popular in the US right now are Liam, Noah, and Oliver (SSA, 2024). Use the A–Z list below to browse 200+ boys names by letter, each with its meaning.

Sometimes you don’t want an essay — you want a list. A big, browsable, jump-to-your-letter list of boys names with meanings, so you can scan, shortlist, and decide. That’s exactly what this page is: the complete A–Z directory, plus quick style collections for when you know the vibe but not the letter.

For deep dives on any style — including 200+ picks with full guides — see our boy names pillar article. Consider this your map; that’s the territory.

Colorful A to Z alphabet letters in rainbow colors arranged in rows

Boys Names: A to E

Name Meaning Origin
Alexander Defender of men Greek
Asher Happy, blessed Hebrew
Arthur Bear Celtic
August Great, magnificent Latin
Arlo Uncertain origin (possibly Old English) Uncertain
Benjamin Son of the right hand Hebrew
Beckett Bee cottage; little brook English
Caleb Whole-hearted, faithful Hebrew
Charles Free man German
Callum Dove Scottish Gaelic
Daniel God is my judge Hebrew
David Beloved Hebrew
Dominic Belonging to the Lord Latin
Ethan Strong, firm Hebrew
Elijah My God is Yahweh Hebrew
Ezra Help Hebrew
Everett Brave boar German
Emmett Universal; truth German / Hebrew
Aaron High mountain; exalted Hebrew
Adam Man; earth Hebrew
Adrian From Hadria Latin
Alan Handsome; cheerful Celtic
Albert Noble and bright German
Anthony Priceless one Latin
Austin Great; magnificent Latin
Axel Father of peace Scandinavian
Blake Dark; fair (both) English
Brandon Broom hill English
Brian Strong; noble Irish
Carter Cart driver English
Chase Hunter French
Cody Helpful Irish
Cole Dark; coal-black English
Connor Lover of hounds Irish
Cooper Barrel maker English
Dean Valley English
Derek Ruler of the people German
Dylan Son of the sea Welsh
Edward Wealthy guardian English
Elias Yahweh is God Hebrew
Elliot Yahweh is God Hebrew
Ellis Benevolent Welsh
Eric Eternal ruler Norse
Evan God is gracious Welsh

Boys Names: F to J

Name Meaning Origin
Felix Lucky, fortunate Latin
Finn Fair Irish
Gabriel God is my strength Hebrew
George Farmer, earth-worker Greek
Henry Home ruler German
Hugo Mind, intellect German
Isaac Laughter Hebrew
James Supplanter Hebrew
Jack God is gracious (diminutive of John) Hebrew / English
Jasper Treasurer; bringer of treasure Persian
Jude Praised Hebrew / Latin
Joseph God will increase Hebrew
Francis Frenchman Latin
Franklin Free landowner English
Frederick Peaceful ruler German
Gavin White hawk Celtic
Graham Gravel homestead English
Grant Great; tall Scottish
Grayson Son of the steward English
Hayden Hedged valley English
Harrison Son of Harry English
Hector Holding fast Greek
Holden Hollow valley English
Hudson Son of Hugh English
Hunter Hunter English
Ian God is gracious Scottish
Isaiah Salvation of God Hebrew
Ivan God is gracious Russian
Jackson Son of Jack English
Jacob Supplanter Hebrew
Jason Healer Greek
Jayden Modern invented name English (modern)
Jeremy Appointed by God Hebrew
Jesse Gift Hebrew
Jonah Dove Hebrew
Jonathan Gift of Yahweh Hebrew
Jordan Flowing down Hebrew
Joshua Yahweh is salvation Hebrew
Julian Youthful Latin

Boys Names: K to O

Name Meaning Origin
Kai Sea Hawaiian
Leo Lion Latin
Liam Strong-willed warrior Irish
Lucas Light Latin
Levi Joined, attached Hebrew
Luca Light Italian
Logan Small hollow Scottish
Milo Soldier; merciful German
Miles Soldier Latin
Max Greatest Latin
Mateo Gift of God Spanish
Nathan Gift Hebrew
Noah Rest, comfort Hebrew
Oliver Olive tree Latin
Owen Young warrior; well-born Welsh
Orion Hunter Greek (mythology)
Kayden Modern invented name English (modern)
Keith Woodland Scottish
Kenneth Handsome; born of fire Scottish
Kevin Handsome Irish
Kieran Little dark one Irish
Kyle Narrow strait Scottish
Landon Long hill English
Lawrence From Laurentum Latin
Leon Lion Greek
Leonard Brave lion German
Lincoln Lake colony English
Louis Famous warrior French
Luis Famous warrior Spanish
Luke Light Greek
Marcus Warlike (from Mars) Latin
Mark Warlike Latin
Martin Warlike Latin
Mason Stone worker English
Matthew Gift of Yahweh Hebrew
Maxwell Great stream Scottish
Micah Who is like God Hebrew
Michael Who is like God Hebrew
Morgan Sea-born Welsh
Nathaniel Gift of God Hebrew
Nicholas Victory of the people Greek
Nico Victory of the people Italian / Greek
Nolan Champion Irish
Omar Flourishing Arabic
Oscar Deer lover Irish
Otis Wealthy German

Love the mythic ones? Our unique boy names guide has more uncommon picks like Evander and Caspian.

Boys Names: P to T

Name Meaning Origin
Ronan Little seal Irish
Rowan Little redhead; rowan tree Irish
Rhys Ardor, enthusiasm Welsh
Samuel God has heard Hebrew
Silas Of the forest Latin
Soren Stern Danish
Stellan Calm Swedish
Theodore Gift of God Greek
Thomas Twin Aramaic
Parker Park keeper English
Patrick Nobleman Latin
Paul Small; humble Latin
Peter Rock Greek
Philip Lover of horses Greek
Preston Priest’s town English
Quentin Fifth Latin
Quincy Estate of the fifth son French
Rafael God has healed Hebrew / Spanish
Raymond Wise protector German
Reid Red-haired Scottish
Rex King Latin
Richard Brave ruler German
Robert Bright fame German
Roman Citizen of Rome Latin
Ryan Little king Irish
Ryder Horseman English
Scott From Scotland English
Sean God is gracious Irish
Sebastian Venerable Greek
Seth Appointed Hebrew
Simon He has heard Hebrew
Spencer Dispenser; steward English
Stephen Crown Greek
Sterling Little star; of high quality English
Tate Cheerful Norse
Taylor Tailor English
Timothy Honoring God Greek
Tobias God is good Hebrew
Tucker Cloth worker English
Tyler Tile maker English
Tyson Firebrand French

Boys Names: U to Z

Name Meaning Origin
William Resolute protector German
Wilder Untamed, wild English
Xavier New house Basque
Zane God is gracious (variant of John) Hebrew / English
Ulysses Wrathful (literary) Latin
Victor Conqueror Latin
Vincent Conquering Latin
Wade To go; ford English
Warren Park keeper French
Wesley Western meadow English
Wyatt Brave in war English
Xander Defender of men Greek
Zachary Remembered by God Hebrew

Letters Q, U, V, and Y have fewer traditional English options — which is exactly why parents hunting for rarity love them. Consider Quentin (fifth, Latin), Victor (conqueror, Latin), or Yusuf (God increases, Arabic) — all established names with great meanings. For truly uncommon finds, see unique boy names.

Boys Names by Style

Know the vibe but not the letter? Jump to the collection that fits:

Happy young boy in a bright blue t-shirt holding colorful wooden name blocks
  • Newborn sweet: our baby boy names guide — 200+ gentle picks for newborns with 2026 trends.
  • Rare & uncommon: unique boy names — standouts like Atlas, Soren, and Evander.
  • Flexible for any child: gender neutral names — 80+ unisex ideas.
  • Complete with surnames: last names — pair any first name with a meaningful family name.
  • The full deep dive: boy names — our pillar guide with 200+ names, tips, and FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between “boy names” and “boys names”?

Nothing at all — they’re two ways of searching for the same thing. Our main boy names guide is the in-depth version; this page is the quick A–Z directory. Use whichever you find first.

What are the most popular boys names right now?

Per the Social Security Administration’s 2024 data: Liam, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, and James lead the US rankings.

What boy name starts with Q?

Quentin (fifth, Latin) and Quincy (estate of the fifth son, French) are the most established Q names for boys.

What are rare boys names by letter?

Try Stellan (S), Evander (E), Caspian (C), or Ambrose (A) — all uncommon, all with strong meanings and straightforward pronunciation.

How do I choose from such a long list?

Filter by first letter (family tradition?), then by meaning (check the tables), then say your top 5 aloud with your last name. The full decision framework is in our boy names guide’s tips section.

Conclusion

From Alexander to Zane, the perfect boys name is somewhere in this list — you just have to spot it. Shortlist by letter, check the meaning, and trust your gut.

Ready for the deep dive? Head to our boy names pillar guide, or keep browsing the Name category for thousands more ideas.

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