One of the first decisions you make as a parent is what to name your child. The name will carry him through life, so you’ll want to choose one that will grow with your child.
People often say that baby boy names are trickier than names for girls, but there are plenty of gorgeous boy names out there to choose from. When looking for a baby boy’s name, it’s important to do your research. There are so many names to choose from, you don’t want to overlook the perfect baby boys name for your baby.
Whether you want to look through cute boy names, unusual options or popular boy names, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to see some of our unique boys names for your baby.
How to choose unique boys names for your baby
Firstly, you’ll need to figure out exactly how you and your partner are going to choose a name. If you have very different tastes, this can be trickier than it sounds. Perhaps one of you likes traditional baby names but the other would prefer an unusual name. If this is the case, you’ll need to work out how to compromise.
Some parents want to choose a baby boy name from the lists of ‘most chosen’ names so they know the name is well-liked; other parents avoid popular names because they want an unusual boy name for their child.
When choosing a boy name for your baby, it’s important to consider his initials. You might also want to consider any potential nicknames and ways of shortening your chosen name. If you don’t like the name Ollie, for example, it might be best to avoid Oliver.
Should a baby name have a meaning?
It’s up to you whether you choose a baby name because of its meaning or because you like how it sounds. There’s no right way to choose a name; you just choose the one you like the best. This might be because it sounds nice or already has happy connotations in your mind; it could be because you feel an attachment to the name’s meaning.
Some people choose a name because of its meaning. For example, you might choose a name because its meaning is related to a quality you hope your child has – for example, strength or integrity. Or you might choose it because you already associate the meaning with your baby –for example, you might choose a seasonal name because of the time of year your baby is due.
Is it outdated to use a family name?
Historically, sons were often named after their fathers; Although this is less common these days, some couples still choose to use family names when naming their baby boy – perhaps as a middle name. If a family name is important to you, you can look through the family tree to find a name you love.
Family names hold a lot of meaning because of their associations with past generations. Giving a child a family name is a great way to build a strong family identity and encourage closeness within your family unit.
What names will be popular in 2023?
It’s not always easy to predict name choices in advance, but there are some clear patterns emerging in the world of baby names. Gender-neutral names continue to climb up the charts, with many modern parents opting for names that can work for anybody. Traditional names will continue to populate the top spots, with biblical names featuring high on the list.
Traditional baby boy names
There’s nothing wrong with going traditional. These names often feature high on the baby name lists because they don’t go out of style. Traditional names have a timeless charm, so it’s no wonder the following remain popular today:
Alexander
Benjamin
Daniel
Henry
Jack
Jacob
James
Joseph
Michael
William.
Vintage and classic baby boy names
Vintage baby names are often called ‘grandpa’ names. These names are often associated with past generations but they’re back in style and as popular as ever. These traditional names might have fallen out of favour for a short while, but they’re now climbing the popular baby name charts again. These names have a vintage appeal that reminds parents of the good old days:
Arthur
Austin
Charles
Emmett
Harrison
Jasper
Leonardo
Miles
Robert
Wesley.
Strong and unusual baby boy names
A recent trend in the baby boy names business has seen names becoming less masculine and less traditional. However, there is plenty of strength in these unique baby boy names. If you want a strong name for your little boy, one that is adorable for a new baby, and is also a cool name for an older boy, keep reading:
Ajax
Axel
Beckham
Hudson
Idris
Levi
Marcellus
Maynard
Orson
Silas.
One-syllable baby boy names
Short names are in. Gone are the days of long-winded birth names shortened to nicknames. Nowadays, many parents simply choose the nickname from the get-go. If two syllables are one too many, you might like some of these short and snappy names. Here are some one-syllable cute baby boy names:
Ace
Beau
Chase
Dean
Finn
Jett
Jude
Kai
Kit
Max.
Long baby boy names
As always, there is pushback. Although some parents are embracing short names, others favor lengthier, more complicated names. These names are expected to enjoy a revival as parents look to counter the short-name craze. Here are some divine examples of maximalist names for your baby boy:
Atticus
Balthazar
Baptise
Benedict
Constantine
Ellington
Maverick
Sebastian
Valentino
Zacchaeus.
Nature names for boys
Many parents look to nature for ideas when choosing a name for their baby. If you’re a family that enjoys spending time outdoors, a nature-inspired name might be the perfect name for your baby boy.
If you look through the top baby boy names, there are lots of nature names creeping up the charts. If you fancy taking some baby name inspiration from Mother Nature, how about the following boy names?
Alder
Bay
Hedley
Lennox
Moss
Oak
Rowan
Sage
Tamir
Willoughby.
Earthy names for boys
As people yearn for a simpler existence, earthy names are becoming more popular. These names are taken from the earth, inspired by nature and a nod to the beauty all around us. They are strong names associated with the wildness of the earth. It’s easy to see why earthy names are enjoying a boost in popularity.
There are plenty to choose from, but here are some of our favorites:
Ainsley
Bryn
Clay
Demeter
Elwood
Everly
Ferris
Glen
Heath
Ripley.
Gender neutral names
As society continues to challenge gender stereotypes, name trends are changing. Girl names are becoming less feminine and modern boy names can be more feminine than in previous years.
One of the baby name trends we’re seeing is that many parents are choosing unisex names for their children. If you’d like a gender-neutral name for your child, have a look at these baby names:
Blake
Darcy
Hayden
Mackenzie
Madison
Marley
Presley
River
Robin
Taylor.
Unique boy names
If you want something a little different for your son, you might be interested in a unique boy name. These names won’t appear on any popular baby boy names lists because they’re unusual. Unusual doesn’t mean unpopular, though.
Your son is going to be one-of-a-kind, and he deserves a name to match. These unique names are as beautiful and strong as they are unique:
Armondo
Buck
Camden
Dale
Eason
Griffin
Lindon
Lynx
Thor
Waylen.
80s names
Thanks to Stranger Things, the 80s have seen quite a revival. Kate Bush is topping the charts, rainbow brights are back in style and 80s names are expected to rise up the name charts once again.
Luckily, many of the popular cute boy names of the 80s work just as well today. Here are some totally rad 80s names to inspire you:
Billy
Bradley
Brett
Chad
Cody
Corey
Dustin
Gregory
Wesley
Zachary.
There’s lots of inspiration for you here, so we hope you find a name you love. Whether you’ve chosen a name because of its meaning or simply because you think it’s a cute name, we’re sure your baby will grow up to love it.
Baby naming isn’t easy, but after a little searching, you and your partner will settle on a name you both love.
For more baby name inspiration, check out BellyBelly’s article;
Baby boy names page
Baby boys names for 2024
To understand the meaning of any name you choose, you may want to try this : What’s behind the name.