Our first round of voting is complete, and we’ve narrowed the field from eight to four contenders in the boys’ edition of the New Names Showdown 2026.
Every year when the new popularity data is released, some names debut in the boys’ Top 1000 while others return after an absence. The May 2026 list gave us 49 names to ponder. Eight of those names are competing for the title of Best New Boy’s Name.
We’ll get to the voting in a minute, but first let’s recap the action so far.
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BOYS OPENING ROUND RESULTS
With nearly 84% of the vote, Montgomery trounces Jasai. Montgomery has been quietly catching on for years, so it’s not surprising to see it win big here. But don’t count Jasai out. Those names ending with AI are a whole category of up-and-comers.
Stone smashed Haziel, with over 76% of the tally. Stone hovers on the edge of the Top 1000 in recent years, but it feels like a name that ought to succeed now – strong, straightforward, borrowed from the nature world. But as with -ai enders, -iel names for boys are also faring well, so Haziel could be the next Hayden.
Beck beat Coast, scoring more than 73%. Beck feels like a promisinig Beckett-meets-Jack compromise, while casual-cool Coast flounders.
By just a handful of votes, romance-language Marcello passes Old Testament Boaz. Both names have attracted more attention recently, so this near-tie is no surprise.
This sets up two perfect face-offs for the next round!
