1000 top baby boy names – with their origins and meanings

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!

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.

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 2021 – the latest popular baby-name list for boys from the Office for National Statistics. (The list for 2022 will be released in the winter months of 2023.) Noah has knocked Oliver off the top spot, forcing it into second place for the first time in 8 years. 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 Roman, Kai, Brody, Otis, Blake, Oakley and Hudson.

1. Noah

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: ‘rest or comfort’
• Trend: moving up

2. Oliver

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: olive tree
• Trend: moving down

3. George

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: farmer
• Trend: moving down

4. Arthur

• Origin: Celtic
• Meaning: bear
• Trend: moving down

5. Muhammad

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: praiseworthy
• Trend: no change

6. Leo

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: lion
• Trend: no change

7. Harry

• Origin: English
• Meaning: ‘ruler’
• Trend: moving up

8. Oscar

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: spear of god
• Trend: moving down

9. Archie

• Origin: German
• Meaning: bold or brave
• Trend: no change

10. Henry

• Origin: German
• Meaning: ruler of home
• Trend: moving up

11. Theodore

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: God-given
• Trend: moving up

12. Freddie

• Origin: German
• Meaning: peaceful ruler
• Trend: moving up

13. Jack

• Origin: English
• Meaning: God is gracious
• Trend: moving down

14. Charlie

• Origin: English
• Meaning: ‘free man’
• Trend: moving down

15. Theo

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: God-given
• Trend: moving up

16. Alfie

• Origin: English
• Meaning: wise counsel
• Trend: moving up

17. Jacob

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: ‘supplanter’
• Trend: moving up

18. Thomas

• Origin: Aramaic
• Meaning: twin
• Trend: moving down

19. Finley

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: fair-haired hero
• Trend: moving down

20. Arlo

• Origin: English
• Meaning: fortified hill
• Trend: moving up

21. William

• Origin: German
• Meaning: determined protector
• Trend: moving down

22. Lucas

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: light
• Trend: moving up

23. Roman

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: citizen of Rome
• Trend: moving up

24. Tommy

• Origin: Aramaic
• Meaning: twin
• Trend: moving down

25. Isaac

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: he will laugh
• Trend: moving down

26. Teddy

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: God-given
• Trend: moving up

27. Alexander

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: defender of the people
• Trend: moving down

28. Luca

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: bringer of light
• Trend: moving up

29. Edward

• Origin: English
• Meaning: wealthy guardian
• Trend: no change

30. James

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: supplanter
• Trend: moving down

31. Joshua

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: The Lord is my salvation
• Trend: moving down

32. Albie

• Origin: English
• Meaning: bright, brilliant
• Trend: moving up

33. Elijah

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: The Lord is my God
• Trend: moving down

34. Max

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: the greatest
• Trend: moving down

35. Mohammed

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: praiseworthy
• Trend: moving down

36. Reuben

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: behold, a son
• Trend: moving up

37. Mason

• Origin: English
• Meaning: stone worker
• Trend: moving up

38. Sebastian

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning:venerable
• Trend: moving up

39. Rory

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: red king
• Trend: moving up

40. Jude

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: praised
• Trend: moving up

41. Louie

• Origin: English
• Meaning: famous warrior
• Trend: moving up

42. Benjamin

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: son of the right hand
• Trend: moving down

43. Ethan

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: strong, firm
• Trend: moving down

44. Adam

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: son of the red earth
• Trend: moving down

45. Hugo

• Origin: German
• Meaning: heart or spirit
• Trend: moving up

46. Joseph

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: to add
• Trend: moving down

47. Reggie

• Origin: English
• Meaning: king
• Trend: moving up

48. Ronnie

• Origin: English
• Meaning: ruler’s counsel
• Trend: moving up

49. Harrison

• Origin: English
• Meaning: son of Harry
• Trend: moving down

50. Louis

• Origin: French
• Meaning: famous warrior
• Trend: moving up

51. Ezra

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: help
• Trend: moving up

52. Jaxon

• Origin: English
• Meaning: God is gracious
• Trend: moving down

53. Logan

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: small hollow
• Trend: moving down

54. Daniel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God is my judge
• Trend: moving down

55. Zachary

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God remembers
• Trend: moving up

56. Samuel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God has heard
• Trend: moving down

57. Dylan

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: son of the sea
• Trend: moving down

58. Albert

• Origin: German
• Meaning: noble, bright
• Trend: moving down

59. Hudson

• Origin: English
• Meaning: son of Hud
• Trend: moving up

60. Hunter

• Origin: English
• Meaning: one who hunts
• Trend: moving down

61. Frederick

• Origin: German
• Meaning: peaceful ruler
• Trend: moving up

62. David

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: beloved
• Trend: moving down

63. Rowan

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: little redhead
• Trend: moving up

64. Jesse

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God’s gift or God exists
• Trend: moving up

65. Frankie

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: free one
• Trend: moving down

66. Toby

• Origin: English
• Meaning: God is good
• Trend: moving down

67. Oakley

• Origin: English
• Meaning: meadow of oak trees
• Trend: moving up

68. Grayson

• Origin: English
• Meaning: son of a steward
• Trend: moving down

69. Carter

• Origin: English
• Meaning: transporter of goods by cart
• Trend: moving down

70. Riley

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: brave
• Trend: moving down

71. Felix

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: happy, fortunate
• Trend: moving up

72. Finn

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: fair
• Trend: moving up

73. Bobby

• Origin: English
• Meaning: bright fame
• Trend: moving down

74. Blake

• Origin: English
• Meaning: dark-complexioned
• Trend: moving up

75. Sonny

• Origin: American
• Meaning: our son
• Trend: moving up

76. Caleb

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: faithful, devotion to God
• Trend: moving up

77. Gabriel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God is my strength
• Trend: moving down

78. Michael

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Who is like God?
• Trend: moving down

79. Jaspar

• Origin: English
• Meaning: treasurer
• Trend: moving down

80. Alfred

• Origin: English
• Meaning: wise counsel
• Trend: moving up

81. Otis

• Origin: German
• Meaning: wealthy
• Trend: moving up

82. Stanley

• Origin: English
• Meaning: stony clearing
• Trend: moving down

83 (equal). Milo

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: soldier
• Trend: moving down

83 (equal). Mohammad

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: praiseworthy
• Trend: moving down

85. Ralph

• Origin: English/Old Norse
• Meaning: ‘wolf counsel’
• Trend: moving up

86. Liam

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: with gilded helmet
• Trend: moving down

87. Chester

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: fortress
• Trend: moving down

88. Ellis

• Origin: English/Welsh
• Meaning: benevolent
• Trend: moving up

89. Elliot

• Origin: English
• Meaning: The Lord is my God
• Trend: moving down

90. Brody

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: ditch or muddy place
• Trend: moving up

91 (equal). Charles

• Origin: English
• Meaning: free man
• Trend: moving down

91 (equal). Kai

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: keeper of the keys
• Trend: moving up

93. Rupert

• Origin: German
• Meaning: bright fame
• Trend: moving up

94. Yusuf

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: God increases
• Trend: moving down

95. Harvey

• Origin: French
• Meaning: battle warrior
• Trend: moving down

96. Ollie

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: olive tree
• Trend: moving down

97. Jackson

• Origin: English
• Meaning: son of Jack
• Trend: moving down

98. Tobias

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God is good
• Trend: moving up

99. Nathan

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: giver
• Trend: moving up

100. Myles

• Origin: Latin/English
• Meaning: soldier or merciful
• Trend: moving down

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. Bobby

• 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 recent runaway success of Irish drama Normal People 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. Baron

• Origin: English
• Meaning: noble man

219. Ayele

• Origin: Ethiopian
• Meaning: powerful

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.

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:

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

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:

More like this

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, Charles, George, 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 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. Clarence

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: bright; associated with the Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III

420. Damba

• Origin: Angolan
• Meaning: king of the world

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

438. Jaroslav

• Origin: Czech
• Meaning: glory of spring

436. Jora

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: autumn rain

437. Noel

• Origin: French
• Meaning: Christmas

438. Nicholas

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: victory of the people; St Nicholas is associated with Christmas

439. Octavian

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: eighth, as October, the eighth month
• Also: Octavius, Octavio

440. Pascal

• Origin: French
• Meaning: Easter

441. Sharad

• Origin: Hindi
• Meaning: autumn

442. Sharadchandra

• Origin: Hindi
• Meaning: harvest moon

443. 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:

444. Aito

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: love

445. Akio

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: bright, clear

446. Akito

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: bright

447. Benjiro

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: enjoys peace

448. Chibi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: short person or small child

449. Chiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: arrow or pledge

450. Daichi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: great earth

451. Daiki

• Origin. Japanese
• Meaning: bright, shining

452. Daisuke

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: great

453. Hakaku

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: white crane

454. Haruki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: shine bright

455. Haruma

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: groundbreaking

456. Haruto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sun, soar

457. Hayato

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: falcon

458. Hiro

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: generous, broad

459. Hiroshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: generous

460. Hiroto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: fly far, big flight

461. Kaito

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: between pear trees

462. Reo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: at the summit of the mountain

463. 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:

464. Abelard

• Origin: German
• Meaning: resolute or steadfast

465. Aera

• Origin: Hindu
• Meaning: lion

466. Aldous

• Origin: German
• Meaning: old

467. Aldwyn

• Origin: Anglo-Saxon
• Meaning: old friend
• Also: Aldwin

468. Algernon

• Origin: French
• Meaning: whiskered; having a moustache

469. Baliant

• Origin: Hungarian
• Meaning: strong and healthy

470. Braylon

• Origin: American
• Meaning: thought to be formed by combining Braydon and Waylon

472. Chaim

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: life

473. Cree

• Origin: American
• Meaning: the name of a Native American tribe

474. Granville

• Origin: French
• Meaning: a large town

475. Hallam

• Origin: English
• Meaning: the hollow

476. Havelock

• Origin: Scandinavian
• Meaning: sea competition

477. Jolyon

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: youthful; medieval form of Julian

478. Kapono

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Meaning: righteous one

479. Leopold

• Origin: German
• Meaning: brave people

480. Lian

• Origin: Chinese
• Meaning: graceful willow

481. Peregrine

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: a pilgrim or traveller

482. Riggs

• Origin: English
• Meaning: old ridge

483. Sabin

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: a Sabine man

484. Salathiel

• Origin: Babylonian
• Meaning: requested of God

485. Speed

• Origin: German
• Meaning: prosperity, wealth, success

486. Tabbai

• Origin: Aramaic
• Meaning: good

487. Torquil

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: Thor’s cauldron

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:

488. Ajani

• Origin: Nigerian
• Meaning: the victor

489. Amadi

• Origin: Igbo
• Meaning: free man

490. Ayan

• Origin: Somali
• Meaning: fortune

491. Azizi

• Origin: Swahili
• Meaning: precious treasure

492. Barack

• Origin: Swahili.
• Meaning: thunderbolt or blessing

493. Chidi

• Origin: Igbo
• Meaning: God exists

494. Dakari

• Origin: Shona
• Meaning: rejoice

495. Khari

• Origin: West African
• Meaning: kingly

496. Kofi

• Origin: Ghanaian (Twi)
• Meaning: born on Friday

497. Kato

• Origin: Ugandan
• Meaning: the second of twins

498. Kwaku

• Origin: Ghanaian (Twi)
• Meaning: born on Wednesday

499. Kwame

• Origin: Ghanaian (Akan)
• Meaning: born on Saturday

500. Obi

• Origin: Nigerian
• Meaning: heart

501. Omari

• Origin: Swahili
• Meaning: god the highest

502. Odion

• Origin: Nigerian
• Meaning: first born of twins

503. Sekani

• Origin: Egyptian
• Meaning: joy, laughter

504. Shango

• Origin: Nigerian
• Meaning: god of thunder

505. Tafari

• Origin: Amharic
• Meaning: he who inspires awe

506. Taye

• Origin: Ethiopian
• Meaning: he has been seen

507. Yared

• Origin: Egyptian
• Meaning: descendant

508. 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:

509. Adler

• Origin: German
• Meaning: eagle

510. Aksel

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: father is peace
• Also: Axel and Axl

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

536. 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

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

656. Glen

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: a valley
• Also: Glenn

657. Glyn

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: a valley
• Also: Glynn

658. Holden

• Origin: English
• Meaning: hollow valley

659. Itsuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: timber; tree

660. Ivor

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: yew tree

661. Kelvin

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: narrow water

662. Ocean

• Origin: English
• Meaning: the sea

663. Roscoe

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: deer forest

664. Sheldon

• Origin: English
• Meaning: steep valley

665. Sorrel

• Origin: French
• Meaning: reddish-brown; the name of a herb

666. Thorne

• Origin: English
• Meaning: thorn bush

667. Wesley

• Origin: English
• Meaning: western meadow

668. 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:

669. Antoine

• Origin: French
• Meaning: praiseworthy

670. Beau

• Origin: French
• Meaning: beautiful or handsome

671. Bertrand

• Origin: French
• Meaning: bright raven

672. Blaise

• Origin: French
• Meaning: to lisp, stammer

673. Bonamy

• Origin: French
• Meaning: good friend

674. Carvel

• Origin: French
• Meaning: swampy dwelling

675. Chandler

• Origin: French
• Meaning: maker of candles

676. Chevy

• Origin: French
• Meaning: horseman, knight

677. Curtis

• Origin: French
• Meaning: courteous

678. Darrel

• Origin: French
• Meaning: from Airelle (a town in France)
• Also: Darrell, Darell, Darryl and Daryl

679. Etienne

• Origin: French
• Meaning: garland, crown

680. François

• Origin: French
• Meaning: Frenchman; free man

681. Gaston

• Origin: French
• Meaning: from Gascony (a region of France)

682. Henri

• Origin: French
• Meaning: home ruler

683. Jacques

• Origin: French
• Meaning: one who follows

684. Jules

• Origin: French
• Meaning: youthful

685. Lancelot

• Origin: French
• Meaning: a servant
• Also: Launcelot

686. Laurent

• Origin: French
• Meaning: bright one

687. Matthieu

• Origin: French
• Meaning: gift of the Lord

688. Olivier

• Origin: French
• Meaning: olive tree

689. Pierre

• Origin: French
• Meaning: stone, rock; French version of Peter

690. Raoul

• Origin: French
• Meaning: wolf-counsel

691. Remi

• Origin: French
• Meaning: oarsman

692. René

• Origin: French
• Meaning: re-born

693. Sébastien

• Origin: French
• Meaning: from Sebaste (a town in Turkey); after Saint Sebastian

694. Seeley

• Origin: French
• Meaning: blessed
• Also: Sealey

695. 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):

696. Amias

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: loved
• Also: Amyas

697. Adonis

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: lord; the name of the human lover of Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love

698. Byron

• Origin: English
• Meaning: a barn; after Lord Byron, romantic poet

699. Carwyn

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: blessed love

700. Cupid

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: passionate desire; after the Roman god of love, son of Venus

701. Didier

• Origin: French
• Meaning: desired; beloved

702. Eros

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: love/desire; after the Greek god of love, son of Aphrodite

703. Fidel

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: faithful

704. Hashu

• Origin: Hindi
• Meaning: love; caring

705. Heathcliff

• Origin: English
• Meaning: living by the cliff of heather; the hero of Wuthering Heights
• Also: Heathcliffe

706. Lennon

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: lover

707. Romeo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: citizen of Rome; pilgrim to Rome

708. Sevilen

• Origin: Turkish
• Meaning: beloved

709. Valentine

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: strong and healthy
• Also: Valentin, Valentino

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:

710. Adrian

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: of the Adriatic

711. Alpheius

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: changing or resourceful
• Also: Alpheus

712. Ambrose

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: immortal

713. Augustus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: venerable, consecrated

714. Cadmus

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: man from the east

715. Cassius

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: empty, hollow

716. Cato

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: ‘wise one’

717. Cecil

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: blind

718. Claud

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: lame
• Also: Claude, Claudio

719. Clement

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: mild, merciful

720. Constantine

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: constant, firm; the name of the 1st Christian Emperor of Rome

721. Cosmo

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: order

722. Crispin

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: curly-haired

723. Daedalus

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: artful craftsman

724. Damian

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: a tamer
• Also: Damien

725. Damon

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: a guide

726. Decimus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: tenth

727. Demetrios

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: devoted to Demeter, goddess of grain and ‘mother earth’
• Also: Demetrius, Demitrus, Dimitri, and Dmitri

728. Denis

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: devoted to Dionysos, god of wine
• Also: Dennis, Den and Denny

729. Deus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: god

730. Dion

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: from Dionysos, the Greek god of wine

731. Erasmus

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: beloved

732. Eugene

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: well-born

733. Eustace

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: fruitful

734. Fabian

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: a bean

735. Hadrian

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: dark-haired

736. Hector

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: hold fast, restrain

737. Homer

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: security, pledge; Homer is said to be the author of the Greek epic tales, The Odyssey and The Iliad

738. Horace

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: man of time; Horace was a Latin poet

739. Ignatius

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: fiery one

740. Jason

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: healer; in Greek mythology, Jason was the hero who stole the Golden Fleece

741. Jerome

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: holy name

742. Julian

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: youthful

743. Justin

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: upright, righteous

744. Lysander

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: a liberator

745. Leander

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: man of lion’s strength

746. Magnus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: great

747. Marcus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: dedicated to Mars, the god of war
• Also: Marcos, Markas, Markus

748. Marius

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: of the sea; possibly connected with the god Mars, too

749. Maximilian

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: the greatest

750. Myron

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: fragrant

751. Nero

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: strong, energetic

752. Nestor

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: one who returns home from travels

753. Nicodemus

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: people’s victory

754. Octavius

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: eighth (often used for a boy born in October, the 8th month of the year)
• Also: Octavio, Octavian

755. Orban

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: from the city
• Also: Urban

756. Orestes

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: he who can conquer mountains

757. Orion

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: son of light

758. 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.

759. Paris

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: wallet; name of Greek prince whose love affair with Helen of Troy started the Trojan war

760. Pius

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: holy

761. Quentin

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: fifth or fifth-born

762. Remus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: an oar; the name of one of the twin brothers who founded ancient Rome

763. Silas

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: wood, forest

764. Silvester

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: ‘from a wood’
• Also: Sylvester

765. Titus

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: title of honour

766. Ulysses

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: wounded in the thigh; the Latin form of the name of the Greek hero Odysseus

767. Vidal

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: of life

768. Virgil

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: staff bearer; the name of the Roman poet, author of The Aeneid

769. Xanthus

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: golden-haired

770. Xenophon

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: stranger’s voice

771. 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:

772. Aadil

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: just, honest

773. Aalam

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: the world

774. Abdullah

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: servant of Allah
• Also: Abdul

775. Adil

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: honest
• Also: Adeel

776. Ahmed

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: praiseworthy
• Also: Ahmad.

777. Ali

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: excellent, noble

778. Amin

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: trustworthy

779. Arsalan

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: lion

780. Ashraf

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: more noble

781. Ayaan

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: God’s gift

782. Azaan

• Origin: Urdu
• Meaning: virtuous

783. Azim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: determined, great

784. Badiah

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: astonishing, amazing, original creation

785. Bilal

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: water

786. Burhan

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: proof, evidence

787. Faisal

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: a judge
• Also: Feisal and Faysal

788. Haseeb

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: noble, respected

789. Hakeem

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: wise

790. Hamal

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: lamb

791. Hamzah

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: a lion
• Also: Hamza

792. Hani

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: happiness

793. Harun

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: exalted, strong

794. Hasan

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: good
• Also: Hassan, Hussain, Hussein

795. Ismail

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: God will hear

796. Jalal

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: greatness
• Also: Jalil, Galal, Galil

797. Jamal

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: beautiful
• Also: Jaimal, Jamil, Jamel

798. Junayd

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: soldier, warrior
• Also: Junaid

799. Kabir

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: great, powerful

800. Kamil

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: perfect

801. Kashif

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: explorer

802. Kedar

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: strong

803. Musa

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: saved from the water

804. Muhsin

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: charitable

805. Munir

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: brilliant
• Also: Muneer

806. Murad

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: desired

807. Mustafa

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning chosen

808. Nabil

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: prince, noble

809. Nadim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: a friend
• Also: Nadeem

810. Naim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: contented

811. Nasser

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: victorious

812. Omar

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: flourishing

813. Osman

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: wise, powerful, protected by God

814. Qasim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: one who shares

815. Rahim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: merciful
• Also: Raheem

816. Raja

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: hope

817. Raqib

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: watchman, guard, overseer

818. Rashad

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: good sense, good judgement

819. Sajjad

• Origin: Arbaic
• Meaning: kneeling in prayer
• Also: Sajad

820. Salah

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: goodness, peace

821. Salim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: flawless, perfect

822. Salman

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: untouched

823. Samir

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: jovial, loyal, charming
• Also: Sameer

824. Shahid

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: a witness

825. Shahin

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: a falcon
• Also: Shaheen

826. Sharif

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: honourable, noble, highborn

827. Suhayl

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: bright star, easy, uncomplicated
• Also: Suhail

828. Syed

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: noble one

829. Tahir

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: virtuous

830. Umar

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: flourishing

831. Usman

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: wise, powerful, the chosen one

832. Waqar

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: dignity

833. Wasim

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: attractive

834. Zahid

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: self-disciplined

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:

835. Aldo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: old and wise

836. Alessandro

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: defending of the people

837. Alfredo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: wise counsellor

838. Alonzo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: noble

839. Angelo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: angel

840. Antonio

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: priceless one

841. Armando

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: soldier

842. Arturo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: bear

843. Carlo

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: manly

844. Dante

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: enduring

845. Dino

• Origin: Italian
• Meaning: expert with a spear; short form of other Italian names, such as Bernardino

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

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

948. Lowell

• Origin: French
• Meaning: young wolf

946. Marlon

• Origin: English
• Meaning: little hawk

947. Marshall

• Origin: French
• Meaning: caretaker of horses

951. Namir

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: leopard

948. Oberon

• Origin: English
• Meaning: bear-like

949. Ofer

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: fawn

950. Orson

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: bear

951. Phoenix

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: dark red; name of mythological bird which dies in fire and is reborn from its ashes

952. Robin

• Origin: English
• Meaning: bright fame

953. Rolf

• Origin: German
• Meaning: famous wolf

954. Rudolf

• Origin: German
• Meaning: glorious wolf
• Also: Rudolph

955. Tiger

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: tiger

956. Tipu

• Origin: Hindi
• Meaning: tiger

957. Todd

• Origin: English
• Meaning: fox

958. Ulmar

• Origin: English
• Meaning: a wolf

959. Wilbur

• Origin: German
• Meaning: wild boar

960. Wolf

• Origin: English
• Meaning: wolf
• Also: Wolfe

961. Wren

• Origin: English
• Meaning: small bird

Short baby boy names

Sometimes you just want to keep it short and sweet. Neat, friendly, straightforward, 1-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:

962. Ash

• Origin: English
• Meaning: ash tree

963. Baird

• Origin: Celtic
• Meaning: minstrel or poet

964. Ben

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: shortened form of Benjamin, son of the right hand

965. Boyd

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: yellow-haired

966. Brett

• Origin: English
• Meaning: a Breton
• Also: Bret

967. Carr

• Origin: Old Norse/Irish
• Meaning: marsh; short in height

968. Clark

• Origin: French
• Meaning: clerk, scribe
• Also: Clarke

969. Clint

• Origin: English
• Meaning: rocky cliff

970. Clive

• Origin: English
• Meaning: cliff, slope

971. Dev

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Meaning: god

972. Drew

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: wise

973. Eli

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: raised on high

974. Frank

• Origin: German
• Meaning: free man or Frenchman

975. Gray

• Origin: English
• Meaning: grey-haired

976. Grant

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: large

977. Gus

• Origin: Scottish
• Meaning: great, majestic

978. Guy

• Origin: French
• Meaning: guide, leader

979. Hal

• Origin: English
• Meaning: ruler

980. Hale

• Origin: English
• Meaning: from the hall; hero

981. Jay

• Origin: Sanskrit
• Meaning: victory

982. Jed

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: friend of god

983. Kai

• Origin: Hawaiian
• Meaning: ocean

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 in October, 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 2021. 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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