Expecting a little bundle of blue love and need some help naming him? Below, I’ve rounded up the top 30 classic names for baby boys (thank you, Social Security Administration!) and their meanings for you. I’ve also shared a few tips that have helped me and my husband with all of our kids and some favorite resources we’ve used over the years. If you find a name you love or have already chosen for your little one, let me know in the comments below!
Who is The Labor Mama and Why Am I Here?
Hey friend! I’m Lo – also known around here and social media as The Labor Mama. I’ve spent my nursing career in labor, delivery, and postpartum, have birthed 3 of my own babies, have labored thousands of mamas at the bedside, have taught hundreds of students online, and have even delivered a few speedy little babies with my bare hands (oops).
Here at TLM, I offer online birth classes to empower you the way everyone should be. The education + support I offer gives you experience, evidence, and empathy; you’re getting all of my years of “clinical” RN knowledge, beautifully combined with my real experiences as a mama and a nurse. These are not your hospital birth classes (those won’t do it, I promise), and honestly, birth doesn’t follow a textbook or protocol anyway – you need to know so much more than that.
If you want to connect with me further, head to Instagram. There are hundreds of thousands of us over there learning together daily.
Tips for choosing a name for your son
If you’re feeling stuck or just uninspired, it’s sometimes easiest to:
- Narrow down names you DON’T like: this can be as helpful as finding ones you do! For example, want to skip trendy in favor of classic or vice versa? Want a name that can or can’t be shortened with nicknames? These are factors that can make your list smaller–and less overwhelming!
- Work off of a middle name. If there’s a family name you were hoping to use, consider using it as a middle name: and then combine first names with it to see what you think!
- Person of faith? The Name Book may be a great place to start.
- Want more options? This book is probably the most loved and well reviewed on Amazon.
- More of an app person? This one lets you and your partner swipe, and find matches (??), together!
Classic Baby Boy Names in 2024
Naming a whole little person can feel like extremely serious business – I get it! We’ve done it 4 times, and we’ve never known sex, so it has felt like double the work! So, it goes without saying (or maybe it doesn’t?) that it can be one of the most difficult parts of preparing for a new baby. If you don’t have family names you plan to use and if you and your partner are just downright at odds, let me help take the pressure off! Here are some great options to name your future son.
Top 30 Names for Baby Boys + Their Meanings
- 1. Liam: This adorable and ultra-popular name is Irish, and is the short form of the classic name William, meaning “desire and protection.”
- 2. Noah: A Hebrew name meaning “rest and comfort.”
- 3. Oliver: With French roots, this strong boy’s name means “olive tree.”
- 4. James: Hebrew AND Latin combine for this historically Biblical name, with lots of religious meanings to include “supplanter” or “may God protect.”
- 5. Maverick: Here’s to hoping he finds his Goose: Maverick means “independent” and is a standard English name.
- 6. William: Much like the previously mentioned Liam, this is a strong name for a strong fella: “desire and protection” would be his namesake.
- 7. Henry: As classic as they come, this Germanic name means “power” or “ruler.”
- 8. Lucas: The Greeks influenced a lot, and this adorable name is one of them meaning “bringer of light.”
- 9. Benjamin: Arabic and Hebrew influence this name with adorable nickname options, but the meaning behind it is “son of the right hand.”
- 10. Theodore: Your little blessing’s name would mean “a gift from God” and has Greek roots in origin.
- 11. Ethan: A strong name like Ethan means “enduring and long-lived” in Hebrew.
- 12. Levi: Another Biblical-by-nature option, this name means “united by harmony.”
- 13. Sebastian: This name is an old one, coming from the Latin Sebastianus meaning “revered.”
- 14. Daniel: “God is my Judge” is the meaning of this classic name.
- 15. Jack: Lots of names in both genders use Jack as a nickname, but this boy name means “God is gracious.”
- 16. Cade: Chunky baby lovers rejoice, as this sweet name means “round” or “barrel.”
- 17. Alexander: Think Alexander is great? So did the Greeks–this name means “man’s defender or warrior.”
- 18. Owen: The name Owen means “noble,” and it takes noble effort naming a baby indeed!
- 19. Asher: Deriving from the Hebrew “osher,” which means happiness, this is sure to be a happy baby name option for your little guy.
- 20. Samuel: Another Hebrew hit, Samuel translates to many things–to include “God has heard.”
- 21. Mateo: A formerly unknown name that has risen in the ranks of popularity, this Spanish nombre means “gift of God.”
- 22. Leo: Expecting a brave little one? Leo is from the German “lion-hearted.”
- 23. Jackson: This is a great name with nicknames galore and means “son of John.”
- 24. Mason: A future sculptor may be in your midst: Mason is a super cute name that roughly translates to “works with stone.”
- 25. Ezra: This boy’s name means “helper” in Hebrew, and is a wonderful option for a future boy.
- 26. John: Meaning “God is gracious,” John is a name that can be found in many cultures and books!
- 27. Hudson: “Hudd” is thought to have originated from the German “Hugh,” that means mind or spirit.
- 28. Luca: Thought to be an Italian name, it’s similar to “Lucas,” with its meaning being bringer of light.
- 29. Aiden: Have Irish ties or fancy yourself a family full of spirit? Aiden translates to “little fire.”
- 30. Joseph: Meaning “God shall add,” this sweet new addition is certain to add joy to your world
Want to check out my list of gender-neutral names too? You can find that right here.
If you’ve taken a peek at these and you feel inspired, let me know–I LOVE hearing from you guys about everything from naming your babies to birth plans and beyond. xx – Lo
More resources (and freebies!) for you to take a peek at:
