Cover of a 1912 edition of the poem, illustrat...
Cover of a 1912 edition of the poem, illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Expecting a son this holiday season?  You could always name him Nicholas, and hope that he’d appreciate sharing his classic appellation with S. Claus himself.

Or maybe Rudolph, but even if he arrives on December 25, it still feels like a name more clunky than cool.

So what are the stylish names to consider for a son who makes his appearance right around the Christmas holidays?  I’m surprised to say that there are plenty of possibilities, easily more than the girls’ list.

If you’re hoping for a boys’ name with a subtle nod to the season, here are some to consider.

Arthur – He’s best known a legendary king, but in 2011’s animated Christmas flick Arthur Christmas, he’s also an elf who sets off on an adventure to save Christmas.

Balthasar – The three wise men aren’t named in the Bible, but by tradition they’re typically known as Balthasar, Casper, and Melchior.  Thanks to handsome actor Balthazar Getty, this might be the most wearable of the three.

Casper – Before he was the friendly ghost, he followed a star to Bethlehem.  Another version of the name is the quite fashionable Jasper.  Melchior, however, is probably out.

Clement – The enduring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is the literary masterwork of Clement Clarke Moore, a Columbia University professor in the early nineteenth century.  Among other things, Moore’s poem gave us the names of the eight reindeer, none of which made this list.

December – Sometimes listed as a possibility for girls, December strikes me as wearable for both genders.  Dex for short, maybe?

Douglas – After the evergreen.  Could be an exceptionally handsome middle if you want something as classic as James, but less common.

Drummer – I wouldn’t have thought of musical Drummer among the Christmas baby names, except that blogger No Big Dill gave the name to her son, born in 2011, inspired by the Nativity story and the song The Little Drummer Boy.

Eben – You probably wouldn’t name a baby Ebenezer, but Eben is a part of the compound Hebrew name.  In our age of Evan and Ethan, Eben is something just a little different.

Fraser – Another evergreen, one that fits with surname names for boys, especially those that end with r.  Television’s Frasier Crane helped put the name firmly on the list of possibilities.

Fred – Yes, Fred.  Or maybe Frederic or Frederick, thanks to the Vince Vaughn movie Fred Claus.  Okay, it’s not exactly It’s a Wonderful Life, but the 2007 movie has some charm.  Plus, Freddie is a great short form for little boy.

Frost – A seasonal winter pick less expected than Jack.

Garland – Like many surnames, Garland makes me think of Southern gentlemen more than winter holidays.  But if you’re decking the halls, Garland does have some seasonal appeal.

Luke – Along with Matthew, the Gospel of Luke is one of the accounts of the Nativity, and it is the longest one.  Luke tells us of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, and the angel telling the shepherds of Jesus’ birth.  It’s a popular name, and one that captures the spiritual elements of the season, too.

Hollis – He’s a surname related to Holly, right at home with preppy ends-with-s names for boys like Brooks and Ames.

Noble – A virtue name, and yet another evergreen tree to add to the Christmas baby names list.

Noel – Pronounced no ELLE she’s a feminine appellation, borrowed from the French word for Christmas.  But rhyme Noel with Joel and Cole, and he’s a boys’ names with a British vibe, thanks to Noel Coward and Noel Gallagher.

North – The three wise men followed a star, and stars are a well-known Christmas symbol, so celestial names feel appropriate.  Better still, the North Star has been used for centuries to aid navigators, and True North is a poetic way of saying that you know your direction.  This makes North something of a modern virtue name.

Pax – Yes, he’s a Jolie-Pitt kid.  Pax is also Latin for peace.

Rudy – Rudolph feels unwearable, but how ’bout Rudy?  There’s something unexpected and edgy about this name.  Bonus points if you’re Notre Dame fans.

Shepherd – A daring occupational name, a gentle answer to Jagger and Slade.

Spruce – Perhaps best reserved for the middle spot, Spruce rhymes with once-favorite Bruce, and is as valid a Christmas tree name as any on this list.

Tannen – I had my doubts about Tannen, also sometimes spelled Tannon.  It is German for pine, and Tannenbaum is a seasonal word.  But Tannen feels more like a modern innovation than a seasonal nod.  Still, he could be a great compromise choice if you’re stuck between Hayden and Noel.

Have I missed any seasonal names for boys?  Would you consider any of these for a December/January baby?  How about at other times of the year?

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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.

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