25 Thrilling Boy Names That Are Trendy Going Into 2023

New year, new names! As we kick off the new year, we decided to take a look at the baby names that are currently trending for newborn boys today. The baby name mega database Nameberry tracks the appellations searched on its website and correlates them with data collected by the Social Security Administration to come up with a data set that shows the names that are popular today that were not so ten years ago. Be prepared to be surprised by these boy names!

Parents today are choosing more diverse names than ever before. Just a couple of decades ago, there was much more homogeny among baby appellations. That’s simply not the case today. From Atreus to Zakai, so many unique appellations are trending for boys today. Discover the trendiest among them below.

Ambrose

Ambrose’s popularity in the US was at its highest in 1881. It fell from fashion around the 1940s and didn’t make a return to the US top 1000 names for boys until 2019! Ambrose is back, baby. This boy name is of Latin origin and is related to the mythic food of the gods, ambrosia. Thus, the name means “immortal.”

Amiri

Gorgeous Amiri first landed in the US top 1000 boy names in 2021. It’s a fascinating, multicultural name that is found in Maori, Arabic, and Hebrew naming traditions. This means there are a few possible meanings: “eastern wind,” “king,” and “treetop.”

Atreus

No one saw this name coming! Atreus is an ancient name found in Greek mythology. The character is the king of Mycenae in the Peloponnese. The appellation first gained traction in 2019, and it’s tracking to be a top 500 name in 2023. The root of the name means “fearless.”

Bellamy

Bellamy is one of the fastest-rising unisex names for both baby girls and boys. The appellation originated as a French surname and was adopted by the English and Irish. This boy name has one of the very best meanings of “fine friend.”

Bishop

Bishop’s most popular year in the US was 1890. It spent nearly 100 years out of the top 1000 before sticking a landing in 2015. The name has been trendy ever since. Bishop is an English occupational name that means exactly what you think it does.

Bjorn

Bjorn is a Swedish boy name that has long been popular in Europe. If this appellation is new to you, it is pronounced byorn. The name was once trendy in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but it fell from favor until 2017, when it staged a comeback. This charmer means “bear.”

Casper

Casper is a boy name found in Dutch/Scandinavian naming traditions. It is a form of Jasper, an appellation that originated in Persian, meaning “bringer of treasure.” The name was most prevalent in the US prior to the 1930s, but new parents today are making it trendy once more.

Colter

Colter is a new favorite, and it’s tracking to be a top 500 boy name for the first time in 2023. It is related to the more established Colton, and both are English occupational names that mean “colt herder.”

Denver

Denver is a unisex name that is just slightly more popular for baby boys than girls today. The name originated in France, where it means “of Anvers.” The English got ahold of the name, and it transformed into Denver over time. The name was most popular in the US in the 1920s and 1930s, but it’s on its way to best those years in 2023.

Eliseo

Eliseo is pronounced a-lee-say-oh, and it is the Italian and Spanish form of Elisha, a name that originated in Hebrew and means “God is my salvation.” The name has had its ups and downs throughout the years in the US. Thankfully, this handsome boy name is trendy once more.

Jiraiya

Jiraiya is a name of Japanese origin that is pronounced jih-RY-ah. The name means “young thunder.” The name began trending in 2021, and it has become more buzzworthy since then. We largely have the anime and manga series Naruto to thank for introducing this name to American parents.

Joaquin

Joaquin is the Spanish form of Joachim, a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God will judge.” The name is more popular today than ever before in the US and it is enjoying popularity across South America. It is firmly in the top 500 here, and things are only looking up for its staying power.

Kashton

Kashton is a modern invention that is only popular in the US. The name first became mildly popular in 2015, but it’s now a top 500 name today. Because this boy name was dreamed up, there’s no firm meaning for it. But we’ll give it a try. Kash is an alternate form of Cash, an English diminutive form of Cassius that means “hollow.” The suffix -ton is common in English naming traditions and means “town.” So, Kashton could potentially mean “hollow town.”

Koa

Noah is one of the most popular boy names in America (and beyond) today. Its ubiquity has encouraged new parents to look for alternatives. Koa is as close as it comes. The name is a unisex Hawaiian appellation, and it’s currently more popular for baby boys than girls in the US. Koa climbed the charts quickly, and it has become one of the trendiest names for baby boys.

Leif

Leif is a Scandi name that can be pronounced layf (our preferred) or leaf. 1979 was this boy name’s most popular year in the US, but that could easily change in the next five years or so as this brilliant name has become ultra-trendy. The root of the name means “heir.”

Leonidas

Last year was Leonidas’ most popular year on record. It was the first time the appellation entered the top 500. Leonidas is an ancient name belonging to a Spartan warrior. It was coined in Greek, and it means “lion.” In Greece, you will hear the name pronounced leh-oh-NEE-das. However, most Americans will say leh-oh-NYE-dus.

Lucca

Luca is a unisex name that’s given primarily to boys in the US, and it ranks in the top 50 today. Its cousin, Lucca, is the trendy option today, climbing into the top 500 for the first time last year. Both names share the same root, but there’s some debate over what it means. Most agree that it means “from Lucania.” Others argue it means “light” or “bringer of light.” Take your pick!

Nico

Nico is more popular than ever in the US, and that’s also true for many countries worldwide. Nico is a diminutive form of Nicholas, from Greek, meaning “people of victory.” Technically, this one is unisex but it’s not ranking for baby girls yet.

Onyx

Onyx is a darkly handsome gem name that first became popular in 2018. It climbed the charts quickly and is now a top 500 boy name. You won’t find this name trending anywhere else.

Osiris

Of all the boy names that could be trendy today, Osiris is among the most surprising. The name only inched into the top 1000 in 2020, and it’s been trending ever since. Osiris was depicted by the Ancient Egyptians as a green-skinned deity with dominion over death, rebirth, agriculture, and fertility. According to Nameberry, this name means “with strong eyesight.”

Ralph

For the love of all that is holy, please do not pronounce the name Ralph as RAWLF. The British, who coined the name, have a much more elegant pronunciation, rafe. In England today, it is a top 100 name. The name was once one of the most popular in the US, but it tanked around the 1940s. Now, it’s trendy once more.

Ryatt

We’re not big fans of the newly minted name Ryatt which is some sort of amalgamation of Wyatt and Riot. A riot is a violent act. We haven’t a clue why this name is so trendy today.

Santino

Santino is a name of Italian origin that is currently most popular worldwide in Chile, Argentina, and… the US. This Latinate name means “little saint.” The name has been substantially climbing since 2002, and it’s a top 500 boy name today.

Watson

Watson was popular in the US until it fizzled out in the 1940s. It returned to the top 1000 in 2018 and has been ascending ever since. The name originated as an English and Scottish appellation, meaning “Wat’s son.” Wat is a very old nickname used for Walter. Nameberry notes that Watson is the 20th most common surname in Scotland today.

Zakai

Now for one of the zestiest boy names on the list! Zakai is a modern spelling of the ancient Hebrew name Zaccai. Its root means “pure.” With the recent superstar name Kai dominating in popularity, Zakai could be a potential alternative. The name first entered the top 1000 in 2018 and it’s super-trendy today.

There you go! What did you think of these amazing, trendy boy names? We hope they appeal to you as they have with many other new parents today. For even more baby name inspiration, keep reading! We have another big trend, maximalist baby names, to share with you.

Amadeus

Amadeus is a baby name for boys of Latin origin, meaning “lover of God.” Unsurprisingly, this name has never been popular in the US, but that is likely to change. Both Mia Farrow and Boris Becker have used the name for their sons.

Ambrosia

In Greek mythology, Ambrosia is food to the gods that brings them immortality. The Greek root of the word means “immortal.” Could this name for girls be the new Aurora? It’s possible!

Andromeda

Andromeda is a lot of name. It is of Greek origin and means “informing like a man.” In myth, the name belonged to a character who became a star. That’s why the constellation of the same name exists.

Casimir

Casimir is a boy’s name of Polish and Slavic origin, meaning “destroyer of peace” or “declarer of peace.” Casimir was last popular in the US before the 1940s. It could be time for a comeback.

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is Andromeda’s mother and is also turned into a star in Greek myth. The meaning of this name is disputed, but it could be related to the cassia tree or berry.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra is a name associated with ancient Egypt and has never made the leap as a baby name in modern times. Cleopatra is a name of Greek origin and means “father’s glory.”

Draco

Not just a name for a Harry Potter baddy, Draco’s fortunes could very well change in the coming years. Draco is a name found in Greek and Latin naming traditions and means “dragon.”

Esmeray

Esmeray is a gorgeous name for girls of Turkish origin that is properly pronounced ESS-mer-eye. It has the delightfully romantic meaning of “dark moon.”

Euphemia

Euphemia was last popular as a baby name in the US in 1903! The name is of Greek origin and means “fair speech.” If you love the nickname Effie, this would be a great vehicle to get you there.

Evadne

Evadne was a new one for us that Nameberry believes has great potential. The baby name for girls is pronounced eh-VAD-nee. Its Greek root means “pleasant one.”

Iolanthe

Iolanthe is a French name for girls from Greek that means “violet flower.” You will want to pronounce this one yo-lan-thuh. If you love violet flowers but feel the name Violet is too plain, you know what to do.

Jiraiya

Jiraiya is a name for boys of Japanese origin, meaning “young thunder.” The name landed in the US top 1000 most popular baby names for the first time in 2021. Pronounce this baby name with emphasis on the second syllable, like jih-RY-ah.

Lazarus

Lazarus is a Latinate form of a Hebrew name, meaning “God is my helper.” Most will recall the story from the bible in which Jesus raised a character with the same name from the dead. Despite being well-known, the name has never been popular in the US. That’s set to change.

Lysander

Lysander is a baby name for boys of Greek origin with the great meaning “liberator.” Lysander has historical connections as it was the name of an esteemed Spartan naval commander. It’s got potential!

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Morpheus

Morpheus is a baby name for boys of Greek origin that names the god of sleep and dreams. Thus, the meaning of this name is “shape” or “form.” Although the name is well-worn in pop culture and literature, it has yet to land on many birth certificates in the US.

Myfanwy

Prepare to have to correct pronunciation often with a name like Myfanwy. Myfanwy is a name of Welsh origin, which are notoriously tricky for Americans to pronounce. This name for girls is said muh-VAHN-wee. A treasured choice in Wales, this name has the sweet meaning of “my lovely little one.”

Oberon

The Shakespearean character Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is King of the Fairies. We like the Oberon spelling, but some prefer Auberon. Either way, the name is of Germanic origin and means “noble.”

Octavius

Octavius is a name of Latin origin that means “eighth.” The name had blips of popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s but has gone largely unused in the US. We are big fans of this name and think it would be perfect for a boy born on the 8th or in August.

Ottoline

Ottoline is a French and English diminutive form of Ottilie, a German name that means “prosperous in battle.” Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter Marlowe. Unique celebrity baby names tend to catch on.

Persephone

Persephone has been quietly on the rise in recent years. It first landed in the top 1000 for girls in 2019. The name is associated with the Greek myth that finds the character with the same name as the Queen of the Underworld. Thus, the name is taken to mean “bringer of death.” That’s not stopping new parents from choosing this baby name.

Perseus

Perseus is a storied Greek name that means “destroyer.” According to the myth, he was a great hero and destroyer of beasts. He is even credited with slaying the gorgon Medusa. With names like Atticus and Orion taking flight, this one could follow their trajectory.

Valerian

Valerian is a name of Latin origin that means “strength.” The name belonged to a Roman Emperor. We think this baby name for boys has tons of potential.

Venus

Venus, the name of the Roman goddess of love, has seen its ups and downs in the US. It last made the top 1000 in 1982. Venus Williams made this baby name seem like a real possibility again. It means “desire.”

Wednesday

Wednesday will enjoy some popular years thanks in no small part to the smash hit Netflix series of the same name. Wednesday is of English origin and belonged to a pagan god in the form of Woden. Wednesday translates to “Woden’s Day.”

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Wolfgang

We started with Amadeus, and we will end with Wolfgang for a fun little Mozart twist. Wolfgang is a name for boys of German origin, meaning “traveling wolf.” The name has fallen out of fashion in its country of origin, but Nameberry thinks it will have its day in the US in the coming years.

There you go! What did you think of these big, bold, maximalist baby names? We certainly hope so! Happy baby name hunting.