New Boy Names: Agastya to Yadiel and 47 More

Time for the new boy names 2026!

Every May, on the Friday before Mother’s Day, the Social Security Administration releases a list of the 1,000 most popular boy names and 1,000 most popular girl names in the United States for the prior calendar year.

As you might expect, that list is constantly changing. Some names fall off, tumbling into obscurity. Other names rise into the rankings for the very first time ever, or return following a long absence. Some names hover on the very edge of the Top 1,000 for ages – in one year, then out the next.

The fun part? It’s those returns and debuts.

This year 49 boys’ names appear in the US Top 1000 that did not rank the prior calendar year.

Here’s how that compares to previous years:

• Last year, 45 boys’ names made this list of returns and debuts.
• In calendar year 2023, 38 boys’ names ranked in the US Top 1000 that were not on the list the year before.
• For calendar year 2022, 45 names charted that were not on the list the prior year.
• 41 names returned or debuted in calendar year 2021.
• 38 new boy names made the list in calendar year 2020.
• The 2019 list gave us 50 new boy names.
• For calendar year 2018, we reviewed 45 newcomers.
• During 2017, 37 boys’ names appeared in the rankings that were not there a year earlier.
• Calendar year 2016 featured 42 new names appearing on the list.
• The list published for 2015 worked out to 39 new names.
• For the 2014 year, that number was 38.
• And in 2013, the data gave us 45.

That means the new boy names 2026? On the high side.

Let’s take a look at those names!

AGASTYA (#929)

The name of a Hindu saint, and also a star name.

AKARI (#542)

A favorite in Japan right now, Akari’s meaning depends on the kanji chosen to write the name. Some possibilities include bright or red. Except Akari is almost always feminine in Japanese, so there must be some specific reason this name has entered the boys’ Top 1000. It resembles Dakari and Dakarai, which has roots in the Shona languages of southern Africa.

ASLAN (#860)

Author CS Lewis took the name of his fictional lion in the Narnia series from the Turkish title arslan, which translates to lion. It’s since become a mainstream given name, quite popular in modern Turkey and surrounding countries.

AURELIUS (#991)

Ancient, golden Aurelius joins Aurelio and Aurelia in the rankings.

AZLAN (#978)

A cousin to Aslan, also new to the US rankings this year.

BLAINE (#992)

Scottish surname name Blaine has appeared in the US Top 1000 most years since the data was first released for 1880. It’s returned after a three-year absence.

BARRON (#790)

The title of baron exists in many European systems; it probably comes from an Old English word meaning nobleman. Barron – two Ns – brings to mind a long-running business publication and a handful of other public figures, like the late businessman Barron Hilton. The reason for the name’s recent rise? Almost certainly the son of a political figure.

BEAUX (#970)

Adding an X to Beaux doesn’t change the pronunciation. Not in English, anyway. In French, Beau is singular while Beaux is plural. Like Margeaux, it’s more visual impact than anything.

BECK (#913)

There’s more than one origin for Beck – an Middle English name for a stream; or possibly the word beak, given to someone with a prominent nose. But Beck makes this list of new boy names 2026 thanks to the popularity of Beckett and Jack. Beck is the best of both, and a little bit different, too.

BOAZ (#891)

Old Testament name Boaz offers an intriguing sound and a great meaning: swift. The name debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2023, disappeared for a year, and is now back – and maybe ready to follow favorites like Ezra into wider use.

BREWER (#804)

Influencers Hunter and Devin Cordle welcomed a son named Brewer in 2024, and the name has risen steadily since. In their name announcement, they explained that Brewer was a name from their family tree. The couple also has a daughter named Ivy. While the name was already rising when they chose it, this seems to have helped tip Brewer into the Top 1000.

CAIUS (#927)

A name from Ancient Rome with an upbeat meaning: rejoice. Caius also combines the appealing sound of Kai with so many -s ending favorites for boys.

COAST (#875)

A beachy nature name with a strong, distinctive sound. TikTok’s CalynBreann named her son Coast Jackson a few years ago; viral reaction to the name seems to have boosted it.

DENIM (#880)

Singer Toni Braxton has two sons, Denim and Diesel. They’re both in their early 20s now, and have been in the spotlight occasionally, alongside their Grammy-winning mom and other famous family members. But it’s a younger generation embracing this name. Influencer Nara Smith mentioned it on a shortlist of names she’d considered.

DOMINIK (#986)

Dominic is just outside of the US Top 100. The -k spelling is preferred in several European languages. Just like Luca/Luka and Caleb/Kaleb, it’s not surprising that a K spelling of this name is popular, too.

EITAN (#921)

The Hebrew spelling of Ethan popular in Israel today.

ELIEZER (#893)

A name that appears in the Old and New Testaments. Eliezer has teetered on the edge of the US Top 1000 since the 1980s.

EZIAH (#610)

Possibly a form of the Italian Ezio, meaning eagle. It’s often connection to Isaiah, meaning God is salvation. It does look a little bit like an Ezra-Isaiah combination. It’s rising strongly in use.

FOSTER (#901)

Surname name with a subtle virtue vibe: to foster is to encourage. Foster has quietly risen in use over the last fifteen years.

FRANKIE (#922)

In our age of Charlie, not Charles; Jack, not John; and Theo, not Theodore, Frankie fits right in.

HARLEM (#971)

This New York City neighborhood name has ranked in the US Top 1000 most years since 2018. It just dipped out briefly before returning on the new list.

HAZIEL (#795)

Probably from a minor Old Testament figure, Hazael. His name means “God sees.”

HOLLIS (#894)

An on-trend surname name for a son, mixing nature and that appealing -s ending. Hollis previously charted in 2023 – and from 1880 through 1974 – and is back again.

ISA (#933)

Mini name Isa has many origins, but on the boys’ list? It’s an Arabic name, the equivalent of Jesus. It feels like an obvious choice in our Noah/Ezra moment.

JASAI (#439)

An -AI ending name that fits in perfectly with Josiah and Jasiah; Zakai, Jakai, and Asaiah, too.

JETHRO (#953)

Old Testament name meaning abundance, Jethro has a long history as a fictional character name – first on The Beverly Hillbillies; more recently as NCIS’ Leroy Jethro Gibbs. One reason the name might be ranking in the US Top 1000 now? Besides the appeal of the O ending, prequel series NCIS: Origins introduced Austin Stowell as a younger bearer of the name.

JOAN (#987)

A form of John long heard as feminine in English, but used as masculine throughout much of the world.

JOSIAS (#950)

Top 100 Josiah is sometimes translated as Josias. Just like Elijah and Elias both rank near the top of the popularity charts, there’s plenty of room for both of these Jos- names.

KAEL (#903)

Boys’ names ending with -ael are having a moment, and that includes this name.

KALEO (#898)

It looks like Kai meets Leo, but Kaleo is a Hawaiian name meaning “the voice.”

KASAI (#639)

A Japanese name meaning “the flame,” Kasai also benefits from that appealing sound and -AI ending.

KAYCEN (#974)

A re-spelling of Kayson that builds on the popularity of Yellowstone universe’s Kayce.

KOAH (#912)

Re-spelling of Hawaiian Koa heavily influenced by chart-topping Old Testament name Noah.

KREED (#936)

Kreed-with-a-K follows meaningful word name Creed into greater use.

LANDRY (#996)

A French surname name originally from a medieval French saint’s name, Landry returned to the boys’ and girls’ Top 1000 lists this year. Shades of Remy, maybe.

MACKLIN (#998)

A potential formal name for Mack boosted by young Canadian ice hockey player Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.

MARCELLO (#900)

Popular comic and Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernandez helps put this romance language name on parents’ radar. Also noteworthy: Marcella appears on the new girl names list this year.

MONTGOMERY (#962)

Polished and gentlemanly surname name finally in the rankings after years of quiet gains in use.

NAEL (#905)

Used as a short form of names like Nathanael in French, and now, in the US, too.

OZIEL (#997)

Formal name for Ozzy with Old Testament roots.

PALMER (#995)

Surname name originally for one who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, Palmer has long been popular for girls. Palmer referred to the palm fronds they’d bring back from their travels.

NEITHAN (#723)

A Spanish phonetic spelling of Nathan.

NEYTHAN (#926)

Another spelling for Neithan.

SCOTTIE (#909)

Scottie for girls raced up the popularity charts since 2022. Now it’s ranking for boys again, possibly thanks to golfer Scottie Sheffler.

STONE (#916)

Strong and enduring nature name returning to the US Top 1000 after a brief absence.

SYAIRE (#939)

Possibly inspired by place name Zaire, or the Arabic Shair, meaning poet.

TOBY (#979)

Old school nickname for Tobias, meaning God is good. It peaked in the 1970s, but might be beginning a quiet comeback now.

VEER (#942)

Almost certainly in use because it’s a Hindi name, also sometimes spelled Vir. But it’s also a word meaning “to shift; to change direction” often associated with sailing. Veer works on multiple levels.

YADIEL (#839)

Probably a reduced and streamlined version of Yehudiel, a Hebrew name associated with an archangel in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Boys’ names ending with -iel are having a moment, including some relatively creative takes on more established favorites. Yadiel fits right in.

What are your favorite new boy names 2026?