It’s been one tough year, but you have cause to celebrate with a little baby boy on the way! After parents have endured the strangeness of living through a pandemic, the prospect of an uplifting baby boy name has clearly become attractive as baby names with positive meanings are trending right now with new parents leaning into inspiring and bright appellations.
We decided to take a deep dive into the world of uplifting baby names to discover which names offer excellence in their aesthetic and meaning. These cheerful baby names bring inspiration and promise for the brighter days ahead of us all. Who could be mad at that? Naming your baby boy a meaningful appellation is like gifting them an uplifting life driven by the ideals you value as a parent. If you are searching for a meaningful, uplifting baby name for boys, you have come to the right place! Check out these uplifting baby boy names and bless your child with one of them!
25. August
August has been on the upward swing among new parents since the 1990s and it is tracking to beat its best performance on the US top 1000 most popular baby boy names. August has German origins from the Latin name Augustus. This attractive, uplifting baby boy name means “magnificent.”
24. Zeke
Zeke returned to favor in 2011 and it has been climbing ever since then. For religious parents, this one could prove a real winner, it means “God strengthens.” The name was featured in the Old Testament as Ezekiel. This uplifting baby boy name has that zippy Z that so many parents are after today, so expect to see favor for this name to grow even more.
23. Liev
Liev is the Yiddish variation of Lev, a Hebrew baby name that means “heart.” Liev has yet to land in the US top 1000 but we expect parents to start adopting this unique appellation in coming years thanks to the popularity of actor Liev Schreiber.
22. Kenzo
Kenzo is an uplifting baby boy name with Japanese origins that can mean “strong” and/or “healthy” depending on the kanji used to build the name. Kenzo is having a moment in the US today, debuting in the US top 1000 in 2018, this name has been on the rise ever since. Keep Kenzo up, new parents!
21. Mathis
Pronounced mat-tees, Mathis is a popular choice in France today and we expect American parents to catch on very soon. Mathis has Hebrew, German, and French origins that mean “gift of God.” If you are looking for an alternative to Matthew but still want the name to retain the meaning, Mathis is an excellent option.
20. Artemas
Artemas is an uplifting baby boy name of Greek origin meaning “gift of Artemis.” In Greek mythology, Artemas is the goddess of the hunt. Artemas is familiar to most Americans, just not as an accessible name choice. We think that should absolutely change! Artemas sounds like a champion to us.
19. Felix
Felix was originally an ancient Roman surname until it was adopted as nickname for someone who is extremely lucky. The name stuck and the Roman Sulla began to widely use it. Felix has been a popular baby name for boys in the US since records started in 1880. It’s on the upward swing thanks to its uplifting meaning and its widespread use in the Hispanic community. Felix means “fortunate.”
18. Asher
Asher is an uplifting baby boy name that exploded in the 1990s and is now in the top 50 most popular names for boys. Asher is mentioned in the Bible as a son of Jacob whose name was given to one of the tribes of Israel. Like Felix, Asher also means “fortunate.”
17. Caius
It’s a mystery to us why Caius has never been broadly used by parents in the US. The name has a casual, yet ancient quality to it that feels utterly full of joy. Perhaps this uplifting baby boy name’s meaning is to thank for that. Caius has Latin roots that mean “rejoice.” This name is like a party for your newborn son!
16. Amal
Amal is a figure from the Bible, a member of the tribe of Asher. Amal has Hebrew origins, in this context, and means “labor.” Somehow, this name has never enjoyed tons of favor in the US, but this uplifting baby boy name would certainly be a gift to your son. We expect this one to take off soon, so get ahead of the trend.
15. Enfys
Pronounced EN-viss, Enfys is a Welsh baby name that means “rainbow.” This Welsh name is given to both boys and girls and its uplifting meaning makes it an excellent choice. Enfys is rare even in Wales today, so you would have a gem of a name if you decided to go with it.
14. Hassan
Hassan is an Arabic name for boys that means “handsome.” This uplifting baby boy name is one of the most familiar Arabic names in the US, appearing in the US top 1000 since the 1970s. Popular across the Middle East, in England, and Germany today, Hassan is an international hit!
13. Zayn
Another attractive and approachable Arabic name, Zayn took off in the US thanks to former One Direction member Zayn Malik’s popularity. This uplifting baby boy name means “handsome” and “grace.” The Zayn spelling feels like an update to the also popular Zayn version of the moniker.
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12. Oberon
You will find the character Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as the king of the fairies. However, this uplifting baby boy name sounds bold and strong thanks to the O-beginning. Oberon has English origins and means “noble” and “bearlike.”
11. Alaric
Alaric is an ancient noble name meaning “all-powerful ruler.” The name is a traditional name for kings of the Ostrogoths. Alaric has more flavor than others in this class like Frederic or Roderic. This uplifting baby boy name debuted on the US top 1000 in 2017 and it has only found more favor since then.
10. Hugo
The stylish and uplifting baby boy name Hugo is the Latinized form of Hugh. The name has a long history across all of Europe in a variety of traditions. Hugo has been slowly growing in favor since its lowest point in modern US history in the 1940s. Hugo means “intellect.” It’s got smarts!
9. Alfred
Over the last several years, new parents have pulled Alfred from obscurity. We are thrilled that this uplifting baby boy name has made a comeback! Alfred has English origins and he’s more than just a butler, the name means “wise counselor.” You get the immensely lovable nicknames Alfie and Alf.
8. Karim
Kareem is the more popular spelling of Karim in the US, both are great but we are fond of the streamlined Karim. Both have historically been favored, uplifting baby boy names. We have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to thank for making this name visible in the 1970s and beyond. Karim has Arabic origins and means “distinguished.”
7. Ender
American parents know of Ender via Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel Ender’s Game. Ender is beautiful and casual with the be best meaning: “very rare.” This Turkish baby name is for a very special little boy.
6. Lazaro
Lazarus and root name Eleazar and we expect both to rise again. Lazaro was last popular in the US in 1990s. This uplifting baby name enjoys Italian origins that mean “God is my helper.” Popular Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal chose the name for his son born in 2009.
5. Bodhi
Bodhi is a Sanskrit baby name and a Buddhist concept that means “enlightenment” and “awakening.” Bodhi has been growing in popularity after it landed in the US top 1000 in 2010. This uplifting baby boy name feels fresher and more inspired than Cody or Brody.
4. Phoenix
Phoenix enjoys inspiration from the cool city in Arizona and the mythic bird that rises from the ashes. Phoenix is an uplifting baby boy name meaning “dark red.” But, it’s the story of the immortal bird that attracts parents. Phoenix debuted in the US top 1000 in 1995. It’s been on the rise ever since.
3. Teo
Teo is the short form of Teodoro, a Spanish name meaning “gift of God.” Teo, as a standalone name, is already popular in Span and England today. We expect Spanish-speaking parents to find the casual, cool nature of this uplifting baby boy name and adopt for their sons! It’s fabulous!
2. Dilan
You can spell Dilan with a Y like musician Bob Dylan, or you can go with the simple Dilan to avoid any awkward conversations. Dilan has Turkish origins and this uplifting baby boy name means “love.” Dylan is the more popular spelling and it’s in the US top 50, Dilan lands in the top 1000.
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1. Asta
Asta is a Norwegian baby name, something you do not see too often in the US. The uplifting baby boy name means “divine strength.” Asta is popular across Scandinavia and as with other favorites from the region like Thor, Viggo, and Bjorn, we expect Asta to land on American shores very soon.
There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these uplifting baby boys names from a variety of naming traditions. These trending baby names are sure to delight and appeal to numerous new parents today. After the pandemic year we have all survived, an uplifting baby name might be the perfect antidote for trying times. Happy baby name hunting!
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