Popular Boy Names

These are the boys' names chosen most often by American parents in the latest year of Social Security records. A popular name is easy to spell and pronounce, and it will feel familiar to teachers and friends. The trade-off is that your son may share his name with others in his class.

Classic names hold a strong place here. James, William, Henry and Benjamin have been used for centuries, and Theodore has come back into favor with its friendly short forms. Elijah, Elias and Levi come from the Hebrew Bible, while Noah is the builder of the ark in Genesis. These names feel timeless, suiting a baby and an adult equally well.

Several names reflect cross-cultural appeal. Mateo is the Spanish form of an apostle's name, and Lucas and Luca are related names used across many languages, with Luca common in Italy. Liam began as an Irish short form of William, and Oliver connects to the olive tree. Jack began as a familiar form of an even older classic and now stands on its own. When choosing a popular name, consider nicknames, initials and how the name sounds with your surname. A familiar name can still feel special when it suits your family.