Over 100 New Word Names for Boys

New word names for boys might sound bold and surprising. Risky, even.

Except this is the age of boys answering to River and Maverick, Jasper and Legend, Cash and Colt and Messiah. Check out the US Social Security Administration Top 1000, and it’s surprising just how many nouns and verbs mix in with classics like Charles and chart-toppers like Liam and Noah.

With so many parents searching the dictionary for baby naming inspiration, new word names stand out and blend right in to the average kindergarten class, too.

My rules for adding a name to this list? 

• It has to be easily used in a sentence as an English word. 
• While some of these rank in the current US Top 1000 Baby Boy Names, they have to be a recent arrival.
• An English name that just happens to be a word doesn’t count. Wade, for example, or Warren or Grant.

Even with those rules, there are lots of new word names to consider for our sons.

MUSIC & LYRICS

ANTHEM

A little bit musical, a little bit patriotic. With boys’ names like Ethan and Austin popular, Anthem sounds like a fit.

BRIO

Okay, this one stretches my use-in-a-sentence rule. But it means vivacious or dynamic, and that’s too good to pass by. It’s most often heard as a musical term. Names ending with O are having a moment, so Brio sounds like a boy’s name in our era of Arlo, Milo, and Enzo.

CHORD

If we name our daughters Harmony, why not Chord for our sons?

DRUMMER

A surname-style name for lovers of percussion … or possibly Christmas. It’s a logical choice alongside names like Parker, Carter, and Walker.

STRUMMER

Another in the key of Drummer. The Clash’s frontman Joe Strummer – born John Mellor – helps put this one on the list.

SYMPHONY

Three-syllable, ends-with-Y names for boys like Anthony, Timothy, and Zachary are traditional. Word names with the same rhythm might work every bit as well.

NATURE NAMES: WATER

BAY

A nature name that brings to mind the ocean, as well as a color. It’s almost as subtle as Kai, but not quite.

COVE

More wearable than cave, and more coastal, too.

DUNE

Sure, there’s the legendary sci fi novel turned hit movies, but it also brings to mind sand dunes.

FEN

A marshy wetland, and a word name that might follow Finn.

HARBOR

A word that brings to mind a safe place for ships, but also a place of refuge. That makes Harbor a little bit of a virtue name, too.

REEF

Tropical and exotic as natural places go, and close enough to favorites like Reed to be name-like.

SEA

Sure, it sounds like the initial C. But then, plenty of boys have answered to Jay over the years, so this one should work.

NATURE NAMES: CREATURES

BEAR

Cuddly and fierce.

CUB

The Latin name Iacob comes from the Hebrew Ya’akov. We know it as Jacob, a former number name in the US and elsewhere. Shorten Jacob to Cub and it’s every bit as wearable as Theodore-called-Teddy. It’s also a potential name for a Chicago baseball fan.

FALCON

We tend to reserve many bird-inspired names for girls, but Falcon feels more masculine.

FINCH

Another name inspired by birds. Finch comes from finc, the Old English name for the bird. It’s commonly heard as a last name, too, as in Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.

HART

It brings to mind affection, but it’s also an adult male deer, and occasionally a surname, too.

HAWK

Another soaring name for a son.

HERON

A long-legged wading bird.

KESTREL

Another bird of prey, one that echoes popular choices like Gabriel and Michael with that L ending.

LION

Leo feels mainstream, but Lion has an edge.

LYNX

Another wild cat. It got its name from the Greek leuk, ultimately the same root as Luc- names like Lucas, because of the brightness of its eyes.

ROOK 

A cousin to the crow, and a brief, intriguing sound.

SABLE

The name of a small mammal, and the dark brown-black color of its fur.

STARLING

As in the small bird.

WOLF, WOLFE

Perhaps the most traditional of the creature names, used in German across the generations.

NATURE NAMES: PLANTS & TREES

ASH

Ash names dot the US Top 1000: Asher, Ashton, Ashley, Dash, Cash, and Nash. So why not just Ash?

BIRCH

Flower names tend to trend feminine, but trees? Birch feels like a boy’s name.

CALYX

We love Alex, short for commanding Greek name Alexander. Calyx shares the same sound and same Greek origin, but refers to the outer covering of a flower.

CEDAR

With names like Cooper and Carter so popular for boys, and tree names trending, Cedar seems like an obvious choice.

ELM

Another strong, resilient tree. They appear in poetry as excellent places for lounging beneath.

HAWTHORN

As distinguished as classic Theodore, but borrowed from the flowering shrub.

LEIF

The similar Scandi name Leif comes from an Old Norse word meaning heir, but it sounds almost like Leaf, which could work as a more obvious word name.

OAK

Surname Oakley – choose your spelling – is on the rise, but mighty Oak remains rare, and belongs on the list of new word names for boys.

PINE

Brief and complete.

SEQUOIA

A tree known for its towering height, and also the name of nineteenth century Native American leader Sequoyah. He’s remembered for creating the alphabet and writing system that transformed Cherokee into a written language. In an era with boys’ names like Luca, Ezra, and Elijah ending in A, Sequoia fits right in.

TIMBER

As in -lake and -land, but really a stand-alone possibility. It could refer to wood ready for another use, or might be called out when a tree is about to fall.

NATURE NAMES: RUGGED & OUTDOORSY

CANYON

A deep gorge, like the Grand Canyon, and all the majesty that implies. It fits with so many two-syllable, ends-in-n boy names, but also with new word names for boys.

GRANGE

Classic boy’s name George means farmer; Grange means farm.

RIDGE

Rugged and outdoorsy, an alternative to one-syllable names like Jude and Quinn.

SUMMIT

Almost a virtue name, since a summit is a peak. I’ve heard of kids called Everest and Denali, but Summit applies to all sorts of heights.

TRAIL

A nod to both paths through the wilderness, and those who blaze them. Bonus? It rhymes with Dale, which makes it feel just a little more name-like.

VENTURE

To venture is to risk or to dare, a word that feels just name-like enough.

HERE COMES TROUBLE

BASH

Smash and bash sounds like odd inspiration for a child. But Sebastian is among the most popular boy names of our moment, and Bash is sometimes used as a nickname.

HAVOC

Havoc is chaos and destruction. Once, “to cry havoc” meant to signal soldiers it was time to pillage. In Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar, Mark Antony speaks the famous line: “Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.” It’s not a warm or uplifting image for a child, and yet Havoc sounds almost name-like. It’s been used in small numbers as a boy’s in the 21st century. 

RIOT, RYATT, RYOT

Ryatt looks like Ryan meets Wyatt. Classic Irish name Ryan has brought lots of other choices into the spotlight, from surname Riley to inventions like Rylan. But Ryatt – as a twist on word name Riot – is one of the most surprising.

WILD, WYLD, WYLDE

Surname name Wilder is quite popular, but Wild is the word name. Heavy metal-esque Wylde has seen some use, too, as has Wyld.

COLORS & LIGHT

BLUE

A vivid color choice for a daughter or a son.

BRIGHT, BRIGHTEN

Lots of names, like Luke and Ray, hint at all things light and bright. But how ’bout the word itself?

INDIGO

A deep shade of blue, right next to violet in the rainbow. It puts the I in ROY G. BIV.

LODEN

A dark olive green, Loden is often used for waterproof jackets. That makes it outdoorsy, as well as colorful. It also feels like an obvious choice in our age of Liam, Logan, and Boden.

NAVY

A shade of blue associated with sailors, and all things nautical. Rising in use for both genders, but I think it fits nicely with new word names for boys.

RED

A primary color, sometimes a nickname, and possibly a given name, too.

RUSSET

Sure, there’s the potato. But Russet also refers to a color, a rich, dark brown. The equally potato-adjacent Tate and Tatum are style stars, so perhaps it’s not a deal-breaker. Russet is a little like Russell-meets-Beckett.

ROCKS & STONES

BRONZE

Patrick Mahomes calls his son, Patrick III, Bronze for short. That almost makes it a number name, as well as a metal.

COPPER

If Cooper and Penny are popular names for our children, could Copper appeal?

FLINT

In sound close to Finn and Flynn, but actually a type of hard, gray rock. A flint can be used to spark a fire, so that lends some energy to the name.

GARNET

As red as Rory, and one of the few gemstone names that feels just right for a son.

SHALE

A common kind of rock, and also a potential name that brings to mind Sean, Shane, and Dale.

SLATE

You might think of Slate as a bluish-gray color, a material used for roofing or writing tablets, but originally, it’s a type of rock. It sounds like Jake and Nate and plenty of other boy names.

STONE

Television journalist Stone Phillips lends this name some gravitas, but even without him, it’s an obvious choice for new word names for boys.

VIRTUES: FIERCE

BRAVE, BRAVERY

An edgy sound, and a worthy quality. Just plain Brave works, too.

DARE

Dare has some history as a girls’ given name, but not so much that it wouldn’t work with new word names for boys, too.

VALIANT

Beginning in 1937, Prince Valiant was a long-running comic strip about one of the Knights of the Round Table. (While he was invented by the writer Hal Foster, knights named Valiant have appeared in Arthur-related stories since then.) The character’s haircut became a go-to choice for boys. With the comic strip fading in our memory, Valiant sounds more like a variation on Valeria and Valentino.

VALOR

A blazing name, brave and bold. And yet, in an age of Hunter and Carter, maybe it’s the tiniest bit more of a blend-in choice, too.

VIRTUES: STRIVING

BRAZEN

Take Aiden, add Blaze, and Brazen is a cousin to Brayden. It can mean bold and shameless but also rude.

ELITE

The best are the elite, ultimately from the Latin word eligere, to choose.

ENDEAVOR, ENDEAVOUR

Inspector Endeavour Morse rivals other long-running television characters. He debuted on Britain’s ITV in 1987 and ran through 2000. He returned in a 2012 prequel series, titled Endeavour, which ran through 2023. That increased interest in the detective’s unusual given name, spelled with an extra ‘u’ in the UK.

FREE, FREEDOM

Free is occasionally a short form of Frederick, but mostly it’s a word name with a sort of counter-culture vibe. While Free is seldom heard as a given name, Freedom has appeared in the US data since at least the 1970s.

RESOLUTE

A rock solid virtue, meaning determined, but also one with an Americana twist. Years ago, a British royal navy ship called Resolute was abandoned during an Arctic expedition. Americans salvaged it. Congress later returned it to Queen Victoria as a goodwill gesture. In turn, the queen had wood from the ship turned into the Resolute Desk, currently sitting in the Oval Office.

SUCCESS

A word that means accomplishment, used in small numbers since the 21st century.

VIRTUES: GOODNESS

CHARM

Short and sweet. It’s also a call-out to Baltimore, Charm City. (In 2023, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott named his son Charm.)

FOREVER

As Prince says, “forever means a mighty long time.” Ever is trending, and Forever has been used in small numbers, too.

FORTUNE

From the Latin word fortuna, Fortune can be neutral, suggesting chance. But we often think of it as good luck.

LOVE

Plenty of baby names mean love – think of David or Amadeus. But just Love works, too, especially as a middle.

NOBLE

Aristocratic birth can make you a noble. Typically, noble refers to honorable behavior, and it actually did appear as a given name in the US into the 1950s – but I think it still feels fresh and modern.

PROSPER

Another name with a certain Pilgrim sheen and a brief history of use, Prosper means to flourish, and that feels like an uplifting choice for a child’s name.

TRUTH

Want something with just a little more sound than True? Truth feels every bit as virtuous, and slightly less expected.

TRUST

Another quality admired by all, and a word that sounds surprisingly name-like.

VIRTUES: PEACE & FAITH

BELIEVE

An aspirational name, or maybe one for a Ted Lasso fan. Possibly both.

CONCORD

A place name associated with New England and grapes, but also a synonym for unity or goodwill.

CREDENCE

Belief, but also a character in the Fantastic Beasts stories. 

CREED 

Fictional boxer Apollo Creed from the Rocky universe has made this name almost mainstream. But Creed is a word name ultimately from the Latin phrase “I believe.”

WONDER

Used in small numbers since the 1950s, Wonder might’ve gotten a boost from the 2012 book turned 2017 movie. Though the character in Wonder is named August “Auggie” Pullman.

ZEN

A branch of Buddhism, but also a state of calm.

VIRTUES: STRENGTH & VIGOR

HALE

Perhaps a bit archaic, but to be hale is to be healthy.

HARDY

Speaking of Hale, the phrase is often “hale and hearty.” But Hardy also means capable, robust. I can imagine them (almost) as very well-matched names for twin brothers.

PURPOSE NAMES

CALVARY

A significant place name from the Bible, with a stylish sound, too.

CHOSEN

A name that implies the child is destined for great things. They’re cousins to epic boy names like Maverick, but with a virtuous or spiritual sensibility. Now both Chosen and Chozen rank in the US Top 1000 along with Chozen. 

DOMINION

It sounds like a a mix of Dominic and Cameron, but to have dominion is to rule. It might also be a shout out to Virginia, nicknamed “Old Dominion.”

GATHER

It’s a verb, of course, but Gather seems to imply gathering followers in a religious sense, or perhaps for another high-minded purpose.

GOLDEN

Like Diamond, it’s a little bit flashy, but Golden also implies something deeper. A Golden Age or Golden Years are notable for their excellence.

INDEPENDENCE

Maybe a long way to get to the nickname Indie, possibly a reference to the Fourth of July, or another word name meant to suggest self-sufficiency.

LEGACY

I’ve listed this with the epic boy names before, but Legacy implies something that endures, and that adds an extra layer of meaning.

PURPOSE

The ultimate purpose name.

SOVEREIGN

Sovereign means ruler; it’s a name that suggests independence.

ACTIVE VERBS

DODGE

Sure, it’s a storied auto manufacturer, just like Top 1000 name Ford. But it’s also a quick movement – and maybe even a choice suited for baseball fans.

JUDGE

It can sound harsh, even authoritarian, but to be a good judge of character is a positive trait.

LINK

Connection makes this verb feel powerful; long-running video game series The Legends of Zelda lends it a heroic sheen, and makes it feel slightly more familiar. (A generation of boys who are called Linc as a nickname for Lincoln make it more plausible, too.)

PACE

Pacing can imply worry, but pacing yourself and setting the pace suggest prudence and leadership.

RACE

Racer has made some headlines, but it’s Race that’s steadily more common as a given name – though still rare. Perhaps that’s because Race has history as a surname, too.

REVEL

A choice that’s all about celebration – and joy!

RISE

An aspirational choice that brings to mind mountains.

SWAY

An upbeat sound and an energetic name, too.

TRACE

Thoroughly outdoorsy.

TRACK

A name that made headlines thanks to political figure Sarah Palin’s children. (Her five kids answer to Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig.)

TREK

Takes Track off the beaten path.

THOSE WHO DO

DIVER

An active image, and one that suggests enthusiasm, too.

PAINTER

An artistic surname name, and one that seems just a little different from long-time favorite Payton.

PILOT

Sixteen years ago, Jason Lee made waves for naming his son Pilot Inspektor. But with so many boys named Jett, Pilot fits in nicely.

PIONEER

A name both Americana and inspiring.

RACER

Speedy.

RANGER

Rugged and outdoorsy.

TROOPER

Originally a soldier in the cavalry, and later a term referring to a policeman. But if Cooper is a name, Trooper doesn’t seem that different. 

STRIDER

If you’re literally striding, you’re walking quickly and confidently.

STRIKER

“To strike out” is to go off on your own, and so the surname Striker once meant wanderer. In more recent decades, it brings to mind the soccer position.

READY, AIM, NAME

ARROW

This one is gaining in use, but remains outside the US Top 1000 … for now.

CALIBER

The appeal of so many weapons-related names is that they imply a mix of accuracy and excellence. Caliber suggests one who attains a high standard, making it so much more than a gun name.

PIKE

If Michael shortens to Mike and Isaac to Ike, then maybe Pike is a name, too? It’s also a highway, a fish, and a weapon. 

WARRIOR 

Plenty of names mean something like “brave warrior.” The Old Irish surname Hogan means “young warrior.” Ryder comes from an Old English term for a mounted warrior. But straight-up word name Warrior? It’s a lot to live up to. But it’s not necessarily aggressive. Noted conservationist and television personality Bindi Irwin named her daughter Grace Warrior, a tribute to her family’s legacy of protecting wildlife.

CALENDAR BOYS

DAY

It sounds like Jay and Ray, but with the optimism of a new Day, too.

DECEMBER

The last month of the year, potentially shortened to Dex.

JANUARY

Jan is a European form of evergreen John. And while that has nothing to do with the month name January – it comes from the Roman god of doors, Janus – it helps January sound more name-like.

JULY

Julian ranks in the US Top 100 for boys. The month of July shares the same roots.

MARCH

We’ve given June and even January to the girls, but March – a mix of active verb and month name – feels nicely masculine.

OCTOBER

Nickname Toby makes October even more wearable.

NOVEMBER

That middle V, shared by Oliver and Everett, makes November seem accessible.

NATURE NAMES: WEATHER & SEASONS

FROST

The chillest of the new word names for boys.

HARVEST

A name that feels abundant, and close to traditional pick Harvey.

NORTH

Strictly speaking, North isn’t a season at all. But it brings to mind frosty winters and cool summers, an outdoorsy choice with the thermometer set to cool.

HEROES & ADVENTURES

CASTLE

Yes, it’s a place, but every hero needs a castle to storm.

HERO

Sure, it’s a lot to live up to … but then, maybe so is Maverick or Messiah, and they’re both popular choices. It’s a gender-neutral name, feminine in Greek legend and Shakespeare.

KNIGHT

Drop the K, and it’s a straight-up nature name. But with the K, it’s a medieval soldier … or a Jedi.

QUEST

The ultimate adventure, one with a purpose.

SHERIFF

Surname Reeve is another occupational name meaning sheriff. Arabic Sharif means excellent. Combined, both make it almost possible to think of Sheriff as less a job title and more a given name.

VIRTUES: WIT & WISDOM

BRILLIANT

A shining choice.

CLEVER

Quick-witted, skillful, and smart. Clever sounds like so many familiar names, plus it has that great middle V.

KEEN

Sharp and smart, and once a slang term along the lines of awesome, too.

REASON

A name-like word that suggests intelligence and restraint.

SINCERE

Another universally appreciated quality.

STOIC

From the name of an ancient school of philosophy, to be stoic is to suffer without complaining. That’s just not a trait assoicated with toddlers. (Or, really, most human beings.) But is inspiration for a handful of children’s names in recent years.

THEORY

Theo meets Legacy.

WISDOM

The logical extension of Sage.

WISE

It can mean a little too smart – a wise guy – or considered, thoughtful, and intelligent. While it’s a lot to live up to, Wise is often heard as a surname, too, which makes it feel a little more wearable.

RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

EVER

As in eternity.

PSALM

A sacred song or hymn, and an overtly religious choice.

RANSOM

At first, it brings to mind letters cut from newspaper. But Ransom is also a way of referring to Christ’s death on the cross, when he gave himself as ransom for humanity’s sins. That puts Ransom in this category of new word names.

SAINT

It literally means holy or devout, and is sometimes suggested as something to strive for. Or maybe it brings to mind saints – historical and religious figures believed to set an example for our own lives. Saints’ names are sometimes strongly associated with place names, or possibly countries for which they offer protection. (Think everything from Saint Andrew in Scotland to California’s San Francisco, named for Saint Francis, and beyond.) But just Saint is a relative newcomer as a given name.

SOLACE

A name meaning comfort and consolation, a choice that signals compassion.

NEW WORD NAMES: EVERYTHING ELSE

ANCHOR

It holds you down, which can be a good thing.

CZAR, TSAR

A title derived from Cesar, traditionally given to the monarch of the former Russian Empire.

FOSTER

To foster is to encourage, a near-virtue name possibility.

GABLE

An architectural term, made dashing by Hollywood icon Clark.

KEY

Either a literal key that opens locks, or a solution that addresses a problem. It’s a helpful name. Another angle: a key is sometimes a name for a small island. One more: to be key is to be essnetial.

KIN

The ultimate family name?

KINDRED

It’s the K in legendary sci fi author Philip K. Dick. (It was his mother’s maiden name.)

MOSS

A gentle nature name.

PRIME

A little bit of a mathematically-inspired name, or maybe the perfect choice for a firstborn.

REVERE

It signals respect and admiration – as well as American revolutionary Paul’s midnight ride.

ROCKET

A name that signals new heights, just as surely as Summit or Rise.

RYE

An edible option, one that brings to mind bread, but also the plant.

SEVEN

A punchline of a baby name on 90s sitcom Seinfeld, today Seven feels like one of the most obvious number names.

SHADOW

A soft gray color, or maybe an appealing sound for a name, though the image seems curious.

SHELTER

A gentle word name in the key of Harbor.

STEEL

Strong.

STORY

As appealing as many of the music names, but in a more literary fashion.

SOLO

Sure, there’s Han. But long before Star Wars, this name referred to someone who preferred to go it alone.

What are your favorite new word names for boys? What have I missed?

First published November 18, 2019, this post was updated on June 30, 2020 and again on March 12, 2025.