If you’re here, you probably have a baby on the way and you’re searching for a lovely new name. We’ve collated more than a hundred of the most popular baby boy names, the meaning of those names, as well as the origin of the name.
Why Do Baby Name Meanings Matter?
A name’s meaning shouldn’t be your most important decision criteria.
If you love the name, and you think it will fit your family and suit your child, that’s definitely the most important thing. So before you search for the meaning of a baby name you like, be sure to check out our baby names page for hundreds of baby names ideas. Then come back to this page to look up the names’ meaning.
Remember, not all baby names actually have meanings behind them. And in modern times a lot of baby names have had new meanings associated with them.
But many names do have traditional meanings behind them, and come with hundreds of years of historical significance and origin.
And that’s really cool when you think about it. It means the name comes with a bit of providence, and will have both cultural and emotional ideas behind it. Many of the names you’ll find below are from old English, Celtic and French origin, or even older with their roots in Latin or biblical times.
And we think that’s very, very cool!
So for lots of parents the meaning of a name is very important. And finding out if the name you love has a beautiful meaning to it too is definitely a great way forward.
And, of course, some parents go back the other way and start with the meaning. This can be something of significance to you, or your family, or even just an idea or concept that you want to imbue in the spirit of your child. So this way of choosing a name can make a name really special.
One thing is for sure, lots of people will ask you how you came up with your baby’s name, or what the name means to you. So for many people the meaning of a name is just as important as the name itself!
We’ve also compiled a full list of the top 100 girl’s names and meanings, and many girls names are now being used for boys, and vice-versa. So if you think there might be a gender-neutral name with a wonderful meaning that resonates with you, be sure to check out our A to Z of girl names and meanings too.
Complete A to Z List of Boy Names and Meanings
A to F of Boy Names and Meanings
Search this list for boy’s names starting with the letter A through to the letter F. From Adam to Flynn!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the boy’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
If you have a name you want added to the A to F list of boy’s names, just click on the chat bubble on the left and leave us a message. We’ll research the name for you to see if it has a wonderful meaning, and add it to our list!
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Boy Name | Name Origin | Boy Name Meaning | Variations ; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron | Hebrew | Mountain of Strength | Aharon, Aron |
| Adam | Hebrew | Of the Earth | biblical: the first created man |
| Aidan | Irish | Little Fire | Ayden, Aden, Aydin, Aedan, Aidyn, Aiden |
| Alex | English | Defender of the People | short form of Alexander |
| Alexander | Greek | Defender of the People | Alessandro, Alexzander |
| Angus | Scottish | One Strength | – |
| Andrew | Greek | Manly | – |
| Ashton | English | Ash Tree Town | – |
| Austin | English | Great | Austen, Austyn; short for Augustine |
| Ben | English | Son of My Right Hand | Benjamin |
| Benjamin | English | Son of My Right Hand | Ben; (Hebrew) Benjamen, Benjamim |
| Blake | English | Pale Blond One or Dark | – |
| Brooklyn | American | Borough of New York | – |
| Caleb | Hebrew | Rage like a Dog | Kaleb, Kalib |
| Callum | Scottish | Dove | – |
| Cameron | Scottish | Bent Nose | Camaron, Cameryn, Camron |
| Carter | English | Driver of a Cart | Karter |
| Charles | German | Free Man | – |
| Charlie | English | Free Man | Charlee, Charley, Charli, Charles |
| Chase | English | Hunter – nickname for huntsmen | Chace, Chauncey |
| Christian | English | Follower of Christ | Cristian |
| Christopher | Greek | Christ-bearer | Christoph, Cristopher |
| Cody | English | Descendant of Oda | Codey, Codie |
| Cole | English | Victory of the People | Khole |
| Connor | Irish | Wolf Lover | Conner, Conor, Konnor, Konner |
| Cooper | English | Barrel Maker | – |
| Daniel | Hebrew | God is My Judge | Dan |
| David | Hebrew | Beloved | Dave |
| Dylan | Welsh | Son of the Sea | Dillan, Dillon, Dylin |
| Edward | English | Wealthy Guardian | Ted, Eddie, Ed |
| Elijah | Hebrew | The Lord is My God | – |
| Ethan | Hebrew | Firm, Strong | Ethen |
| Felix | Latin | Happy and Prosperous | – |
| Finn | Irish | Fair | Fynn |
| Flynn | Irish | Descendant of the Red-haired Man | – |
G to K of Boy Names and Meanings
Search this list for boy’s names starting with the letter G through to the letter K. From Gabriel to Kingston!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the boy’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
If you have a name you want added to the G to K list of boy’s names, just click on the chat bubble on the left and leave us a message. We’ll research the name for you to see if it has a wonderful meaning, and add it to our list!
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Boy Name | Name Origin | Boy Name Meaning | Variations ; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel | Hebrew | God is My Strength | – |
| George | Greek | Farmer | Georgie, Gorge |
| Hamish | Scottish | Supplanter | form of James |
| Harrison | English | Son of Harry | – |
| Harry | English | Army Ruler | deriv. of Henry or Harold |
| Hayden | English | from the Hay Downs | Haden, Haiden, Haydan |
| Henry | German | Ruler of the Home | Henri, Hank |
| Hugo | German | Bright in Mind and Spirit | Hugh |
| Hunter | English | One Who Hunts | – |
| Isaac | Hebrew | He will Laugh | Isaak, Issac |
| Jack | English | diminutive form of John | John, Jackson |
| Jackson | English | Son of Jack | Jaxson |
| Jacob | Hebrew | Supplanter | Jakob |
| Jake | Hebrew | Supplanter | short form of Jacob |
| James | English | Supplanter | originally from Hebrew: Jacob |
| Jamie | English | Supplanter | Jaimie, Jamiee, Jaymee, Jaymi |
| Jayden | American | form of Jaden | Jaden |
| Jesse | Hebrew | Gift | Jessy |
| Joel | Hebrew | God will be Willing | – |
| John | Hebrew | God is Gracious | Jhon |
| Jordan | Hebrew | to Flow Down | Jordyn, Jordin, Jorden, Jordon |
| Joseph | Hebrew | God will Increase | Joe, Joesph, Joeseph |
| Joshua | Hebrew | God is Salvation | Josh |
| Kenneth | Gaelic | Handsome One | Kenny, Ken |
| Kingston | English | from the King’s Town | – |
L to R of Boy Names and Meanings
Search this list for boy’s names starting with the letter L through to the letter R. From Lachlan to Ryder!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the boy’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
If you have a name you want added to the L to R list of boy’s names, just click on the chat bubble on the left and leave us a message. We’ll research the name for you to see if it has a wonderful meaning, and add it to our list!
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Boy Name | Name Origin | Boy Name Meaning | Variations ; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lachlan | Scottish | from the Land of Lakes | Locklan |
| Leo | Italian | Lion | – |
| Levi | Hebrew | Joined in Harmony | – |
| Liam | Irish | Strong-willed Warrior | form of William |
| Lincoln | English | from the Lake Settlement | – |
| Logan | Irish | From the Hollow | – |
| Louis | German | Famed Warrior | Luis |
| Luca | Italian | person from Lucania | Lucca |
| Lucas | Greek | from Lucania | Lukas |
| Luke | Greek | from Lucania | Luc |
| Mason | French | Stone Worker | Masen |
| Matthew | English | Gift of God | Mathew, Mattew; Greek form: Matthias |
| Max | Latin | Greatest | Maxx, deriv.of Maximillian or Maxwell |
| Michael | Hebrew | Who is like God? | Mike |
| Mitchell | American | Who is like God? | form of Michael |
| Nathan | Hebrew | He Gave | Nathen |
| Nicholas | Greek | Victory of the People | Nicolas, Nickolas, Nikolas |
| Noah | Hebrew | Rest, Peace | – |
| Oliver | English | Elf Army | originally from Germanic: Alfhere |
| Oscar | Irish | Deer Lover | – |
| Phoenix | Greek | Blood Red | – |
| Quinn | Irish | Descendent of Conn | Quin |
| Reuben | Hebrew | Behold, a Son | Ruben |
| Riley | Irish | Descendant of Roghallach | Rylee, Ryleigh, Ryley, Rileigh |
| Roman | English | from Rome, Italy | – |
| Ryan | Irish | King | Rian |
| Ryder | English | Knight, Mounted Warrior | Rider |
S to Z of Boy Names and Meanings
Search this list for boy’s names starting with the letter S through to the letter Z. From Sam to Zion!
When you find a name that resonates with you, read across to find out where that name originates from, what the meaning of the boy’s name is, and any derivatives (or other spellings or variations) of that name.
If you have a name you want added to the S to Z list of boy’s names, just click on the chat bubble on the left and leave us a message. We’ll research the name for you to see if it has a wonderful meaning, and add it to our list!
Reading from left to right, you’ll find the Name, Name Origin, Name Meaning and any Variations.
| Boy Name | Name Origin | Boy Name Meaning | Variations ; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam | Hebrew | His Name is God | deriv. of Samuel |
| Samuel | Hebrew | His Name is God | Sam, Samual, Sameul |
| Sebastian | Greek | Venerable | Sabastian, Sebastien |
| Seth | Hebrew | Appointed | – |
| Thomas | Greek | A Twin | Tom |
| Toby | English | God is Good | Tobiah, Tobias |
| Tristan | Welsh | Tumult | Tristen, Tristin, Trystan, Triston |
| Troy | Greek | Water ; Foot Soldier | – |
| Tyler | English | Tile Maker | Tylor |
| Tyson | English | Firebrand; Son of Denis | Tycen |
| William | English | Strong-willed Warrior | Will, Bill, Willie, Liam |
| Xavier | Latin | The New House | Xzavier |
| Zachary | Hebrew | God has Remembered | Zachery, Zackary, Zackery |
| Zion | Hebrew | Israel | Zyien, Zyon |
Now that you’ve learnt more about what different girls names mean, you probably want to think about even more names.
Check out our Baby names page for hundreds more great baby name ideas for your wee bundle of joy!
Good job
Thanks! — Kiwi Families
im devaughn my name means small nd i am small
My grandson. The name is from Persian/Iranian.
Great job compiling these list.
What’s the meaning of this name, Kenny ?
Nice one. Kenny is short for Kenneth, and possibly of Gaelic origin, where it means the handsome one. We’ve added you to the list! — Kiwi Families
The meaning of my sons name please, it is short and I have included his surname too, thankyou. Debbie Whiles.
WARREN,William
I’m not sure what this comment means?
I need more
Try here: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/baby-names/ — Kiwi Families
Could you please give us Indo-European boy names?
Thanks for the suggestion. We could definitely look at creating a new list! — Kiwi Families
Good morning. Please I have a baby boy and I want to called him Billionaire and I will like you to add this name online…. thanks and hope to here from you soon.
Hi there. That would be a very unique name indeed! There’s a lot of money stylised and derivative names that have appeared over the last 20 years or so. Cash, Prosperity, Goldie, etc. Hope you’re enjoying the parenting journey! — Kiwi Families
i got a good name what about cody
Thanks! Apparently it’s of Irish origin and means decent and helpful. We’ll add it to the list. Very cool! — Kiwi Families
Please give us 21 century baby names not old names
Hi Mistead, thanks for your feedback. These are some of the world’s most popular baby names right now! But we agree, a list of cool, fresh modern names parents are calling their kids would make a great list. We’ll look into it, thanks — Jarrod
Jayden
Jayden is a lovely name and is of ancient Hebrew origin. Very cool, we’ll add it to the list. — Kiwi Families
I want this thing to stop asking me to comment
Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean by this? — Jarrod
I loved the names although I had a hard time knowing the meanings. Anyone else?
Thanks for your feedback! Some of the names and meanings go back a very long way, so are steeped in history! We’d definitely recommend researching a name further, once you’ve landed on it though, and make really sure it’s got the feeling and flavour that you’re after. You only get to make the choice once! — Jarrod
I don’t like having names with meanings as it forces my children to live up to their name which is sometimes impossible.
That’s a good point. — Kiwi Families
Where are the unisex names?
Lot’s more names on our boy’s list, and many are gender-neutral, or parent’s are just making them gender non-specific too, which is cool: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/girl-names-and-meanings/ Cheers. — Kiwi Families
I couldn’t found a particular name with meaning?? (Desmond)..
We’ll try and find out, and add it, thanks! — Kiwi Families
Was I the only one who missed the girl names?
Hi there, you can find our A – Z of girls names on this article here: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/girl-names-and-meanings/
yes
Ha! No maori names?! What a crock kiwi families !
Hi Anna, you can find a list of top trending Maori baby names in our full names article here: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/baby-names/
Why are you being so aggressive?
Hi again Anna, sorry it’s far too late for your baby name choosing now! But we’ve just compiled a full list of Māori boy and girl names here: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/maori-baby-names/ Thanks for your suggestion!
harry
We’ll try and find out, and add it, thanks! — Kiwi Families
Very useful post, i also chose names for my kids my their meaning, it is important psychologically for both parents and their children when they grow up
I’m glad you liked it! It’s so hard choosing the right name, eh??
Hellow
Hi!
you got the best names
Thanks! — Kiwi Families