If you’re here, you probably have a baby on the way and you’re searching for a lovely new name. We’ve collated the 100 most popular baby boy names, the meaning of those names, as well as the origin of the name.
A name’s meaning shouldn’t be your most important decision criteria. If you love the name, and you think it will fit your family and suit your child, that’s the most important thing.
But many names do have traditional meanings behind them, and come with hundreds of years of historical significance and origin.
So finding out if the name you love has a beautiful meaning too is definitely a great thing to do.
And, of course, some parents go back the other way and start with the meaning. This can be something of significance to you, or your family, and can make a name really special.
One thing is for sure, lots of people will ask you how you came up with your baby’s name, or what the name means to you. So for many people the meaning of a name is just as important as the name itself.
If you’re looking for the meaning of girl’s names, check out our A to Z of girl names and meanings.
And don’t forget to check out our Baby names page for hundreds more great baby name ideas for your wee bundle of joy!
| Boy Name | Name Origin | Boy Name Meaning | Variations ; Derivative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack | English | diminutive form of John | John, Jackson |
| Oliver | English | Elf Army | originally from Germanic: Alfhere |
| James | English | Supplanter | originally from Hebrew: Jacob |
| Joshua | Hebrew | God is Salvation | – |
| William | English | Strong-willed Warrior | Will, Bill, Willie, Liam |
| Samuel | Hebrew | His Name is God | Sam, Samual, Sameul |
| Liam | Irish | Strong-willed Warrior | form of William |
| Benjamin | English | Son of My Right Hand | Ben; (Hebrew) Benjamen, Benjamim |
| Daniel | Hebrew | God is My Judge | Dan |
| Thomas | Greek | A Twin | Tom |
| Lucas | Greek | from Lucania | Lukas |
| Riley | Irish | Descendant of Roghallach | Rylee, Ryleigh, Ryley, Rileigh |
| Ryan | Irish | King | – |
| Ethan | Hebrew | Firm, Strong | Ethen |
| Jacob | Hebrew | Supplanter | Jakob |
| Noah | Hebrew | Rest, Peace | – |
| Hunter | English | One Who Hunts | – |
| Max | Latin | Greatest | Maxx, deriv.of Maximillian or Maxwell |
| Alexander | Greek | Defender of the People | Alessandro, Alexzander |
| Jayden | American | form of Jaden | Jaden |
| Connor | Irish | Wolf Lover | Conner, Conor, Konnor, Konner |
| Matthew | English | Gift of God | Mathew, Mattew; Greek form: Matthias |
| Cooper | English | Barrel Maker | – |
| Tyler | English | Tile Maker | Tylor |
| Blake | English | Pale Blond One or Dark | – |
| Isaac | Hebrew | He will Laugh | Isaak, Issac |
| Dylan | Welsh | Son of the Sea | Dillan, Dillon, Dylin |
| Lachlan | Scottish | from the Land of Lakes | Locklan |
| Luke | Greek | from Lucania | Luc |
| Logan | Irish | From the Hollow | – |
| Caleb | Hebrew | Rage like a Dog | Kaleb, Kalib |
| Joseph | Hebrew | God will Increase | Joesph, Joeseph |
| Charlie | English | Free Man | Charlee, Charley, Charli, Charles |
| Xavier | Latin | The New House | Xzavier |
| George | Greek | Farmer | Georgie, Gorge |
| Levi | Hebrew | Joined in Harmony | – |
| Jackson | English | Son of Jack | Jaxson |
| Nathan | Hebrew | He Gave | Nathen |
| Michael | Hebrew | Who is like God? | Mike |
| Oscar | Irish | Deer Lover | – |
| Harry | English | Army Ruler | deriv. of Henry or Harold |
| Harrison | English | Son of Harry | – |
| Toby | English | God is Good | Tobiah, Tobias |
| Alex | English | Defender of the People | short form of Alexander |
| Jake | Hebrew | Supplanter | short form of Jacob |
| Jesse | Hebrew | Gift | Jessy |
| Cameron | Scottish | Bent Nose | Camaron, Cameryn, Camron |
| Leo | Italian | Lion | – |
| Ashton | English | Ash Tree Town | – |
| Finn | Irish | Fair | Fynn |
| Jordan | Hebrew | to Flow Down | Jordyn, Jordin, Jorden, Jordon |
| Luca | Italian | person from Lucania | Lucca |
| Jamie | English | Supplanter | Jaimie, Jamiee, Jaymee, Jaymi |
| Mason | French | Stone Worker | Masen |
| Cody | English | Descendant of Oda | Codey, Codie |
| Sam | Hebrew | His Name is God | deriv. of Samuel |
| John | Hebrew | God is Gracious | Jhon |
| Elijah | Hebrew | The Lord is My God | – |
| Seth | Hebrew | Appointed | – |
| David | Hebrew | Beloved | Dave |
| Henry | German | Ruler of the Home | Henri, Hank |
| Aiden | Irish | Little Fire | Ayden, Aydan, Aydin, Aedan, Aidyn |
| Zachary | Hebrew | God has Remembered | Zachery, Zackary, Zackery |
| Kingston | English | from the King’s Town | – |
| Joel | Hebrew | God will be Willing | – |
| Angus | Scottish | One Strength | – |
| Flynn | Irish | Descendant of the Red-haired Man | – |
| Carter | English | Driver of a Cart | Karter |
| Charles | German | Free Man | – |
| Lincoln | English | from the Lake Settlement | – |
| Sebastian | Greek | Venerable | Sabastian, Sebastien |
| Hamish | Scottish | Supplanter | form of James |
| Aidan | Irish | Little Fire | Ayden, Aden, Aydin, Aedan, Aidyn |
| Nicholas | Greek | Victory of the People | Nicolas, Nickolas, Nikolas |
| Reuben | Hebrew | Behold, a Son | – |
| Phoenix | Greek | Blood Red | – |
| Adam | Hebrew | Of the Earth | biblical: the first created man |
| Callum | Scottish | Dove | – |
| Quinn | Irish | Descendent of Conn | – |
| Ben | English | Son of My Right Hand | Benjamin |
| Gabriel | Hebrew | God is My Strength | – |
| Hayden | English | from the Hay Downs | Haden, Haiden, Haydan |
| Felix | Latin | Happy and Prosperous | – |
| Tyson | English | Firebrand; Son of Denis | Tycen |
| Mitchell | American | Who is like God? | form of Michael |
| Ryder | English | Knight, Mounted Warrior | Rider |
| Cole | English | Victory of the People | Khole |
| Christian | English | Follower of Christ | Cristian |
| Zion | Hebrew | Israel | Zyien, Zyon |
| Chase | English | Hunter | Chace, Chauncey |
| Edward | English | Wealthy Guardian | Ted, Eddie, Ed |
| Andrew | Greek | Manly | – |
| Roman | English | from Rome, Italy | – |
| Troy | Greek | Water ; Foot Soldier | – |
| Austin | English | Great | Austen, Austyn; short for Augustine |
| Tristan | Welsh | Tumult | Tristen, Tristin, Trystan, Triston |
| Christopher | Greek | Christ-bearer | Christoph, Cristopher |
| Louis | German | Famed Warrior | – |
| Brooklyn | American | Borough of New York | – |
| Hugo | German | Bright in Mind and Spirit | Hugh |
Don’t forget to check out our Baby names page for hundreds more great baby name ideas for your wee bundle of joy!
Was I the only one who missed the girl names?
Hi there, you can find our A – Z of girls names on this article here: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/girl-names-and-meanings/
Ha! No maori names?! What a crock kiwi families !
Hi Anna, you can find a list of top trending Maori baby names in our full names article here: https://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/articles/baby-names/
harry
Very useful post, i also chose names for my kids my their meaning, it is important psychologically for both parents and their children when they grow up
I’m glad you liked it! It’s so hard choosing the right name, eh??