25 Edgy Baby Boy Names That Are Almost Too Cool for School

Andrew Kreeger

4 years ago

Choosing a unique baby name that balances coolness with gravitas is not a science but rather an art. The challenge is to find a name that stands out, but not for the wrong reasons. Names inspired by pop culture, nature, and history offer a great deal of freshness. An edgy baby name must be a touch rough and a whole lot of smooth!

Edgy baby names are preferred by fashionable parents because they sound hip and fun and lean into the present without worrying about timelessness. However, you don’t want to choose a name that’s so “out there” that you end up regretting it and decide to change it a couple of months down the line. Go with your gut but be sensible is good advice. If that seems like too much of a chore, we’re here to help. We’ve curated 25 edgy baby names for boys that will act as the perfect moniker for your little man. With an open mind, get ready to take a walk on the wild side with these adorable and amusing baby names.

25. Ximon

A general rule of thumb is that names with X’s or Z’s read edgier. So, feel free to experiment with classic names and substituting an X for added pizzazz. For instance, Simon is all fine and good but it sounds even better as Ximon or Zimon. We prefer Ximon. The name has Hebrew origins and means “God is heard.”

24. Blaze

Sticking with the X and Z theme, let’s move on to Blaze, a fantastic gender-neutral name with a touch of heat. Blaze enjoys the added benefit of coming from a saint named Blaise while also sounding edgy. This firey name has been in the top 1000 names in the US since 2000, so it’s not too excessive for many parents.

23. Atlas

Another hot, unisex name for babies that skews toward boys is the storied Atlas. Actors Edward Norton and Shay Mitchell both have children with the name. In general, epic names inspired by mythology offer a boldness. Atlas has Greek origins and means “to carry.”

22. Egypt

Another source of inspiration for cool baby names for boys is to look to places. Cities and countries often have excellent names. Egypt, for instance, is a bold choice that sounds familiar yet feels unexpected as a name. Egypt comes from the Greek name Aigyptos and refers to the River Nile region.

21. York

Not just a candy, York is another place name that works exceptionally well as a name for your baby. Originally, this name comes from Northern England where it’s a city. The Old English name means “yew settlement.” This name has a classic feel while still standing out.

20. Pax

As we mentioned, any name with an X is going to bring that factor. Pax is a name derived from the Latin word that means “peace.” Sure, you could go with the Old English form of Paxton which means “Poecc’s settlement.” Who even knows what that means? We prefer the bold hit of Pax.

19. Falcon

Looking to nature for an interesting baby name is always a smart idea. Falcon is proof. While Falcon sounds contemporary, it was an English occupational name for Falconers centuries ago. For a speedy, soaring name go with this cool choice.

18. Cannon

Typically seen as a surname, Cannon comes from two other names Kain and Kannon that evolved into Cannon over the years. The English name means “clergyman.” It also is reminiscent of the artillery used before the 19th century which helps give this name some toughness.

17. Laurent

Looking at popular names in other languages is another method for finding unique names for boys. Laurent is a French name that’s not used commonly in English-speaking countries. Laurent sounds way cooler than Laurence. The name has Greek origins and means “the bright one.”

16. Aries

When in doubt, look to the stars. Aries is the first astrological sign of the zodiac and refers to the constellation known as “the ram.” Aries is an extremely handsome and underutilized name for boys that we would like to see more of.

15. Grae

The alternative spelling of Grey, Grae offers a fresh take on this classic name. Grae, of course, means “grey” or “grey-haired” and is of English origin. Pair this name with a fun middle name and you’ve got a winner. For instance, Grae Banks, Grae Ash, and Grae Lister all work well.

14. Cyan

While we’re talking names inspired by colors, let’s look at Cyan. Cyan is a unisex name that’s simply beautiful for boys. Cyan is the blue-green shade of turquoise seas. We love this name and would love to see it used for boys more often.

13. Pilot

Go on ahead and name your little captain Pilot. Pilot is an English occupational name that refers to a ship or plane operator. While this name can be used for both boys and girls, we love it for baby boys.

12. Apollo

Apollo is another name inspired by Greek mythology that brings a lot to the table. Apollo not only sounds great, but it also refers to the god who flew through the air in a chariot of fire. Hence, the name means “fiery one.” With Apollo, you get the added benefit of the nickname Lo.

11. Odin

While we’re on the topic of gods, another great option is Odin. This Scandinavian name has roots in Norse mythology and means “frenzy.” Odin was the god of gods. If you’re looking for a supreme name, look no further than Odin.

10. Brock

Slightly more subdued than other options on this list, we still feel that Brock brings some edginess. The English name means “badger-like” or “stream.” If Brock is too tame for your tastes, you can always go with Rock. Both are excellent options.

9. Maximo

Sure, Max is great too, but we love Maximo. This Italian name for boys has Latin origins and means “greatest.” Maximo also offers two wonderful nicknames in the aforementioned Max as well as the breezy, Mo.

8. Bruno

Bruno is a handsome name seldom heard outside of Europe or South America. This German name means “brown.”

7. Alister

Alister is an English name with Greek origins that means “warrior.” Alister hasn’t cracked the top 1000 baby names chart in some time and we’d love to see its fortunes change. This moniker has vintage-charm but carries a strong meaning.

6. Steel

Steel was first used as an English surname, a form of Steele or the German Stahl. As you might imagine, this name means “like steel.” If you’re looking for a strong, bold name for boys, Steel delivers.

5. Aziz

Aziz is an Arabic name that means “powerful.” We love this name and although it’s ubiquitous throughout the Middle East, we don’t hear enough of this authoritative name in the US.

4. Valen

Valen is a name with Latin origins that hasn’t gotten much play over the past couple of centuries. The name means “healthy.” Valen shared the same root as valiant.

3. Relic

Relic would be a bold choice! Relic works as a name for boys because it sounds similar to many other names like Merrick, Derrick, and Eric. Relic is an English name that means “artifact.”

2. Kane

Kane is a handsome name you’ll hear in many languages. In Welsh, it’s “beautiful”; in Japanese, “golden”; and in Hawaiian, “man of the Eastern sky.” Be forewarned, you’re going to get a lot of Cain and Abel commentary if you choose this name. Get ready to explain its spelling 1,000 times or more in your lifetime.

1. Thunder

Sure, you could go with the god of thunder, Raiden, but why not just get right to the point? Thunder isn’t a new invention, it’s an English name that comes by way of Norse (Thor) and means “stormy tempered.” If you’re looking for a name that rocks the boat, Thunder will do the trick.

There you go! 25 names for boys that push the envelope. These edgy names for boys are likely to turn heads so make sure you absolutely love it before landing on a name like Relic, Kane, or Thunder.