Boy Names

Boys' names in the English-speaking world rest on a deep bench of classics. Many of the names parents return to again and again come from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, including James, Michael, Daniel, Joseph, Benjamin and Matthew, and they have been handed down through families for centuries. That staying power is a big part of their appeal, since a name like William or James suits a newborn, a teenager and a grandfather equally well.

Alongside the classics sits a newer style built on surnames and short, crisp sounds. Liam began as an Irish short form of William and now stands firmly on its own, while Logan and Mason started out as surnames before crossing over to first names. Ethan, Noah and Elijah show how older biblical names can feel fresh again when their sound fits current taste, with soft endings and open vowels.

As you compare options, say each one aloud with your last name and listen for rhythm. Longer names such as Alexander, Benjamin and Elijah come with built-in nicknames, which gives your son room to choose as he grows, while shorter picks like Noah and Liam stay the same at every age. You can narrow this list by letter, origin or meaning to find the names that suit your family best.