If you’re reading this, you can probably rattle off some of the most popular boys’ names in the US. Liam, Oliver, Henry, Levi, Jack.

Unless you’ve been reading Appellation Mountain daily, closely, for years? I’m guessing some of these will surprise you.

I mean … I write it, and I’m always a little stunned by some of the most-read names on the site for any given year.

Here’s the thing: AM is big enough to welcome lots and lots of visitors. (And I’m truly grateful for that – thank you!) But it’s a tiny site compared to the massive databases out there. And so it’s a small enough site that the most-viewed names are always a quirky, unpredictable lot.

Some of these names fare well because faithful AM readers have the most amazing style. In any given list, I can spot future rising favorites – because you can spot them, and seek them out. Others rank well simply because, well, Aladar gets as much space as Adrian here, while it’s just a footnote on more mainstream sites.

So don’t assume you’ll meet dozens of boys named Esau, Peregrine, or Iciar in the coming years … but definitely do keep an eye on Rhodes, Cassian, and Zakai.

This list will be the basis for our March Madness Baby Names 2025 contest early next year.

But for now, on to the list!

Table of Contents

TOP TEN BOY NAMES AT APPELLATION MOUNTAIN

10. OTTO (#281 in the US)

A vintage O-ending name set to follow favorites like Leo and Arlo into wider use, Otto is the kind of name that feels slightly different, but instantly familiar. Other Otto names, like Otis and Odette, have also gotten plenty of attention in recent years, but it’s Otto that leads the pack. Otto has consistently been a Top Ten favorite on this list in recent years, and that mirrors the name’s steady ascent in the popularity rankings.

9. RHODES (#707 in the US)

Rhodes signals achievement, whether it’s the scholars or the colossus of the ancient world. A common surname – it simply means “cleared land” – Rhodes fits right in with Wells and Miles and Brooks. It’s also familiar thanks to Marvel’s War Machine, friend to Iron Man, and, in civilian life, James “Rhodey” Rhodes. It’s gone from best-kept secret to rising favorite. Like Otto, Rhodes made last year’s list, too.

8. ADRIAN (#67 in the US)

Boys’ names ending with -ian are having a moment, from mainstream favorites like Julian to rising choices like Caspian. There’s the softer -ian of Sebastian and Cassian, too. Either way, Adrian is a mainstream chart-topper that still feels independent and a little bit different, too.

7. ARCHER (#130 in the US)

Since entering the US Top 1000 in 2009, Archer has become a go-to for our sons. One factor: Archie is the new Charlie, but Archibald? Not nearly as appealing a formal name as Charles. Archer solves that problem with elegance and strength.

6. ORRIN (unranked in the US)

Sometimes it’s obvious why a name makes this list. Others remain a mystery. Orrin has several origins and meanings. It’s an Anglicized form of Ohdrán, an Irish saint’s name. In Hebrew, Oren means pine tree. Orin and Oran are other possibilities. Maybe it’s just a similar-but-different take on boys’ staples like Owen and Aaron?

5. SULLIVAN (#358 in the US)

A long surname name for boys, Sullivan has become a twenty-first century mainstay without ever becoming too popular. It’s a great choice for parents seeking a friendly, memorable name with a bit of an Irish lilt.

4. JETT (#206 in the US)

Like Sullivan, high-flying Jett has become a go-to for parents over the last 25 years. It’s still gaining in use, which might reflect the name’s presence in the top boy names 2024. But it’s also a word name and a color name, and lately? Color names seem like a particularly powerful trend.

3. ALADAR (unranked in the US)

A Hungarian name, likely borrowed from Germanic roots, Aladar sounds like it comes from the world of fantasy fiction. That’s not exactly right. In Disney’s 2000 film Dinosaur, Aladar was the iguanodon at the heart of the story. It’s not quite in Cinderella territory, but it remains well-known by a generation – one that is having children right about now.

2. CORBIN (#454 in the US)

There are plenty of possible origins and meanings, but Corbin is most often related to the French word for raven. That makes this a subtle nature name. Actor Corbin Bleu made it familiar to a generation that grew up on High School Musical. It’s a good balance between current sounds and something slightly different. It’s also freshly popular at Appellation Mountain … it didn’t make last year’s list at all!

1. JAMES (#4 in the US)

The only nationwide Top Ten name to also be wildly popular on the site. Other classic names, like William and Henry, fail to make the top boy names 2024 round-up. Then traditional choices like Arthur and Felix do. So maybe this just truly reflects James’ enduring popularity. Also noteworthy: a post titled “James for a girl” is perpetually popular on the girls’ side, so it’s possible that this post succeeds for the same reasons.

image of boy baby dressed in blue overalls crawling across floor with text "Top Boy Names on the site 2024 edition"
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  1. JAMES
  2. CORBIN
  3. ALADAR
  4. JETT
  5. SULLIVAN
  6. ORRIN
  7. ARCHER
  8. ADRIAN
  9. RHODES
  10. OTTO
  11. ATLAS
  12. ST. JOHN
  13. CASSIAN
  14. TORIN
  15. SUFJAN
  16. ASA
  17. ZAKAI
  18. CHOSEN
  19. DECKARD
  20. ARLO
  21. ICIAR
  22. KAI
  23. CALLUM
  24. ZEV
  25. ESAU
  26. CASPIAN
  27. BRIDGER
  28. HAL
  29. DANTE
  30. WELLS
  31. PEREGRINE
  32. FELIX
  33. CREW
  34. REMY
  35. KALAN
  36. LORCAN
  37. HUXLEY
  38. KOA
  39. JONES
  40. WESLEY
  41. RAFFERTY
  42. RAPHAEL
  43. ROWAN
  44. BLAISE
  45. JONAS
  46. RIVER
  47. REEVE
  48. RIO
  49. HEATH
  50. RIDGE
  51. CASHEL
  52. LANDO
  53. VALEN
  54. RONAN
  55. THATCHER
  56. FINN
  57. WALKER
  58. CALLAHAN
  59. CREW
  60. AYRTON
  61. BOONE
  62. ARTHUR
  63. HAYES
  64. JULES
  65. CALDER
  66. WILDER
  67. LUCA
  68. FERRIS
  69. THERON
  70. AUGUST

Sharp-eyed readers might notice that I listed 80 most popular girls’ names, but just 70 for boys. That’s because, well, girls’ names simply attract more readers. So the 70th most popular boy’s name is still less-read than the 80th most popular girl’s name.

Readers, thank you for sharing your favorites all year – and every year! Are any of these names on your shortlists?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

Read More About Me

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2 Comments

  1. I love that Rio made it! I had a boy this year and his name made the top names of the week a few times this year, so I was surprised not to see it here. Thanks for always sharing great name info and fun!

    Reply