Choosing Twin Boy Names: Advice and Ideas

When it comes to twin boy names, the options are endless. 

But so are the challenges! Naming twins doubles the babies’ names you’ll need to decide. But it also suggests some extra considerations and complexities.

Here’s my best twin naming advice:

1. Above all, remember that you’re naming two separate individuals. Consider choosing your next two favorite boy names, just as if your sons were born a year or more apart.
2. That said, there’s an argument for building in some balance – possibly more than if you were naming siblings who aren’t twins. Why? First, the names will likely be said together more often than regular siblings. And secondly, the odds that the children themselves might compare names is higher. 
3. Linking names can be powerful; making them sound like part of a matched set is problematic. A subtle connection between siblings’ names is often very appealing. But twin names that rhyme (Mason and Jason, Aiden and Jayden) or share too-similar sounds (Ethan and Nathan, Ryder and Ryker, Cyrus and Silas) might cross a line.

So what do balanced twin boy names look like?

• If one brother gets a family name, so does the other. In general, baby boys still tend to receive family names more often than their sisters. If you name your firstborn Liam after grandpa William, looking for an equivalent choice for his brother is a good idea.
• If one uses a nickname, perhaps the other should, too. Maxwell-called-Max and August-called-Gus feel more compatible than Benjamin-called-Ben and Sebastian used in full. 
• Both names should – ideally – be equally gender-neutral or clearly gendered. This can be a moving target, of course, since names shift over the years. But it’s a good goal, and something to consider.
• At least a subtle style match is a good idea. Two last names as first names might work, like Crosby and Rhodes. Twin boys with vintage names can be appealing – Harvey and Walter, maybe? And better that both receive unique names, like Rigby and Hutch, rather than one be called Isaac and his brother named Japheth.  

GOOD TWIN BOY NAMES: SHARED FIRST INITIAL

Asher + August

Both names are staples for boys born in this generation, though neither was common even two decades ago. Asher means happy. While August’s meaning is far more grand, it carries the joy and light of high summer, too.

Beau + Briggs

They’re both short, complete names. Besides the B, they share a rugged, but gentlemanly vibe. Perfect for brothers!

Conrad + Clark

Slightly offbeat, but still nicely traditional, Conrad and Clark seem like they could be part of the next wave of retro revival names for boys.

Dante + Dash

Both names sound athletic, but they have literary backstories, too. Writer Dante Alighieri of Inferno fame comes to mind, but don’t forget Dashiell Hammett, 20th century detective novelist.

Eli + Ezra

A pair of Old Testament names with a modern sound, both names carry appealing meanings. Eli comes from the Hebrew word for ascension, while Ezra means help.

Francis + Frederic

Impeccable classics, but both underused. You might call them Frankie and Freddie, but they’re equally appealing used in full. Worth noting: Frederick is the more covnentional spelling in English, but just Frederic is French.

Gareth + Giles

From an American perspective, both names sound rather buttoned-up and British. They’re rare, but instantly familiar – another plus.

Hardy + Hale

Hardy and Hale are surname names, linked by more than just the letter H. If you’re hardy, you’re capable and strong. And if you’re hale? Then you’re robust. The subtle similarities in the meanings make this a perfect combo.

Ike + Ivo

Two mini names, with different syllable counts, might be exactly right – visually similar, but different in sound. 

Jasper + Jude

Plenty of boy names start with the letter J. Jasper and Jude are both rising popular names, but with a vintage vibe, too.

Koa + Kai

The two Hawaiian names both refer to nature – Koa to a tree, Kai to the ocean. Plus they’re three letters each, which makes them look nicely balanced.

Leland + Lucian

Two gentlemanly L names, Leland and Lucian feel nicely distinctive. They might short to Leo and Luc/Luke, but they’re great when used in full, too. 

Marco + Mateo

Match up two romance language spins on traditional masculine choices, both with vibrant o endings, for an unforgettable duo.

Nico + Nash

Both Nico + Nash are modern names with deep roots. And while Nash feels a little more rough and tumbled compared to the more polished Nico, I think they make great names for brothers.

Oliver + Owen

Yes, they’re both very popular O names. That’s part of the reason they pair nicely together, linked mainly by that shared initial.

Patrick + Philip

We love classic boy names, but so often that means William and James. Patrick and Philip are both underused classics, often dismissed because we’re not wild about short forms Pat + Phil. But use the names in full, and they’re very handsome.

Quillan + Quest

Are two Q names too much? Or is it just plain unfair to give one son a Q name, leaving the other with a more expected initial? While both of these names are very rare, Quillan seems a little more like a conventional choice than modern virtue Quest, but they still work together.

Rafe + Rhodes

A dashing duo, to be sure! Rafe is short for saintly Raphael, while Rhodes is the Greek island, home to the ancient Colossus of Rhodes.

Stuart + Simon

Traditional, buttoned-down but not too common, Stuart and Simon sound like brothers.

Tennyson + Thatcher

Another pair of surname names. While Thatcher sits just inside the US Top 1000, Tennyson is far rarer. But they feel compatible, don’t they? 

Urban + Ulysses

No one uses U names for their sons. Or daughters. It’s the least popular first initial, out of all 26. And yet there are a few great U names for boys, like the ancient, literary adventurer Ulysses and the saintly, equally ancient Urban.

Vincent + Victor

A pair of names that hover just outside the perpetually popular range, and share strong meanings. The first comes from the Latin vincere – to conquer – while the latter is plain as day – again, victor or conqueror. They’re very similar names, and yet the sounds are distinct, even with the same first initial.

Whitaker + Walton

Two surnames with a quiet strength, Whitake and Walton sound like poets who like to hike.

Xander + Xavier

The first comes from Alexander; the second, from the surname of a saint. Both feel almost classic, but energetically modern and fresh at the same time.

Yarrow + Yule

A pair of offbeat, vaguely nature-inspired names: Yarrow refers to the herb; Yule, to the Christmas-season, especially the yule log. One brings to mind spring and the other winter, but in a nicely compatible fashion.

Zachary + Zane

Doubtless there are bolder duos starting with the letter Z. Zachary and Zane might seem pretty ordinary except for that zippy first initial. Even if you shorten it to Zach, it still feels different enough from Zane that they go together nicely.

MORE TWIN BOY NAMES: SHARED MEANINGS

Alexander + Nicholas

Two triumphant meanings: defender of men and victory of the people.

Asher + Felix

A happy duo. 

David + Hugo

Beloved meets heart. 

Dylan + Kai

Two popular boys’ names with ties to the sea.

Jesse + Theo

Jesse means gift; technically, it’s Theodore means “gift of God.” But style-wise, just Theo feels like more of a match.

What are your favorite twin boy names?

First published on November 12, 2018, this post was revised on November 1, 2025.