Finding great modern boy names doesn’t have to be stressful. With all the different origins and meanings to dig through, I’ve done all the hard work for you. Not only have I made a huge list of modern boy names for you to consider, but I’ve even taken it a step further and added in some subsections that feature unusual modern names, unique modern names, and more!
And like always, I’ve included all the origins and meanings for each and every name as well!
You’ll find that each section is alphabetized for your convenience, too. Make certain that you take the time to look through all the various sections to see just how many awesome modern boy name choices there are.
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If you find a name that you love on the list, let me know! I always love hearing from you in regards to the perfect name that you’ve chosen for your upcoming bundle of joy.
Related: Popular 4 Letter Boy Names (includes origins and meanings!)
MODERN BOY NAMES
Aiden (Irish) This modern boy name means “little fire” and can often have a variety of spelling to it as well.
Abbott: (English) Meaning “priest”, this name is a great first name choice but can also easily be a middle name as well.
Ajax: (Greek) Meaning “eagle”, this name is certain to soar high to the top of your list.
Alistair: (Scottish) This baby boy’s name means “defending men” and does have a tough ring to it as well.
Amar: (Islamic) This name means “long life” which is what we all want for our children.
Apollo: (Greek) This name means “manly beauty” and is so fitting for a handsome newborn baby boy.
Arlo: (Spanish) The meaning of this name is “bayberry” and it’s gaining popularity as well.
Ashton: (English) Meaning “ash tree town”, most parents probably associate this name with the actor, Ashton Kutcher.
Auro: (Latin) This name comes from the Latin word aurum which means “gold” but we all know that your newborn baby boy is going to be priceless, right?
Banner: (English) With the meaning of “flag bearer”, you’ll love this modern boy name choice.
Bowie: (Gaelic) Meaning “blond” this name probably also makes your mind go right to the famous David Bowie as well.
Bryant: (Celtic) “Strong” is the meaning of this adorable baby boy’s name.
Bryce:: (Anglo-Saxon) This name means “son of a nobleman” and might be the perfect choice for your baby boy.
Dallas: (Celtic) This name means “dwells by the waterfall” and can actually be a unisex name as well.
Dax: (French) Meaning “a town in Southwestern France that dates before the days of the Roman occupation” but most associate this name with the actor, Dax Shepard.
Genesis: (Greek) Meaning “origin”, most associate this name with the first book of the Bible as well.
Grayson: (English) This modern boy name means “son of the bailiff” and can be shorted to the name Gray easily also.
Dexter: (English) This name means “one who dyes” and makes me think of an occupation that you’d see in a small town or city.
Diesel: (German) While the meaning of this name isn’t really known, we all probably think of a fuel base or additive. However, it definitely is starting to gain popularity as celebrities as using it to name their sons too.
Donovan: (Irish) Meaning “brown-haired chieftain”, this full name for boys can be shortened to Don easily.
Duke: (Latin) With a name meaning “leader”, there’s no denying the popularity of this name.
Elijah: (Hebrew) Meaning “Jehovah is God”, this name is a great way to showcase your faith.
Frost: (Scandinavian) This name means “born at the time of the frost”, so if you’re having a winter baby, this could be a really cute name choice.
Kace: (Gaelic) Meaning “alert”, this is one thing that your bundle of joy will be.
Kayden: (Celtic) Meaning “son of Cadan”, this popular names just proves that there can always be a way to vary the spelling.
Keaton: (English) This name means “place of hawks” and as a new parent, it might be fitting because you’ll probably be watching over him like a hawk.
Glacier: (Unknown) Literally meaning “ice”, this is another great name choice for a baby that’s due to be born during the winter months.
Grey: (English) Meaning “grey-haired”, this is just a fun way to have a unique and unusual name with a simple twist.
Hayden: (English) Meaning “fire”, he’s certain to light a spark in your heart.
Hunter: (English) This name means “one who hunts” and is perfect if that’s a hobby or tradition that you hope to establish with your son.
Jude: (Hebrew) Meaning “praised”, this is a great choice for a Biblical name for your child.
Jax: (English) This is another name with religious reference and it means “God has been gracious”.
Landon: (English) This modern boy name means “long hill” and can be spelled with an “e” in it as well.
Leopold: (German) Meaning “brave people”, you can also shorten this name to just “Leo” as well.
Levi: (Hebrew) “Attached” is the meaning of this name and that’s absolutely one thing that you’re going to be once you see your beautiful bundle of joy.
Levon: (Armenian) This name means “lion” and he’s certain to be your little cub.
Mason: (English) As the name sounds, it means “worker in stone” which links to the occupation of masonry.
Maxwell: (Scottish) Meaning “Macks’ stream”, this boy’s name also sounds a bit like royalty too.
Miles: (English) This name means “soldier” and is short and sweet.
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Murphy: (Irish) Meaning “strong or superior” you might find that you love this modern name.
Nolan: (Irish) This name meaning “champion” is a great choice for a modern baby name.
Phoenix: (Greek) If you’re looking for a name that is still going strong, here it is. Meaning “dark red”, it’s also a popular city name choice as well.
Rainier: (German) Meaning “wise army”, this name really is eye-catching and fun.
Ronan: (Irish) Meaning “little seal”, this name is unique fun, and modern.
Saint: (Latin) This name means “holy” and just might be pretty unique as a name choice as well.
Sully: (French) While the meaning is “stain or from the south meadow”, this name only reminds of on the move Monsters, Inc.
Tate: (English) Meaning “cheerful”, this is a great name for a happy baby boy!
Truitt: (unknown) The origin and meaning of this name are actually unknown, but that hasn’t stopped it from being a modern name that is gaining in popularity.
Virgil: (Latin) Meaning “flourishing” this baby boy name is one that you’ve maybe never actually heard before.
Zayden: (Celtic) “Little fire” is the meaning of this modern baby name for boys.
Zeke: (Hebrew) Meaning “God strengthens”, this name is actually a shortened version of the name Ezekiel.
Zian: (Indian) Meaning “life”, it’s fitting for the new life that will soon be born into your family.
Related: Country Names for Boys That You’re Gonna Love
MODERN TOUGH BOY NAMES
Axel: (German) Meaning “father of peace”, this name just has a tough (but sweet!) ring to it.
Dean: (English) This name means “valley” and it reminds of me James Dean, who we all know is tough.
Gerard: (German) Meaning “spear”, this name also sounds quite tough, if you’re asking me.
Harley: (English) “Hare’s meadow” is the meaning, but the toughness of this name reminds me of Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Marcus: (Latin) This name means “hammer” and symbolizes toughness.
Maximus: (Latin) Meaning “the greatest”, this name just might be the best choice for your baby boy!
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Slate: (American) Meaning “gray-green rock”, just saying this name out loud sounds really cool.
Slevin: (Gaelic) This name means “mountain” and is another really modern name with a totally unique twist.
Stryker: (German) Meaning “tester”, this name does sound really tough.
Related: Unique Boy Names
MODERN UNIQUE BOY NAMES
Arish: (Muslim) Meaning “righteous”, this name is unique but has a great meaning.
Arnaldo: (Italian) This name means “eagle” and sounds beautiful when spoken.
Neo: (Latin) Meaning “new”, isn’t that exactly what your newborn son is going to be?
Ojas: (Indian) This unique modern boy’s name means “glow” and that’s exactly what he’s going to do.
Otis: (English) Meaning “wealthy”, it’s not as unique as other names but still isn’t quite a common choice either.
Romel: (Latin) This name means “citizen of Rome” but it’s a fun twist in the spelling.
Tavish: (Scottish) Meaning “twin”, this unique modern name is fun. And if you’re having twins you’ll just have to pick out another unique name to go along with it.
Xander: (Greek) “Defending men” is the meaning of this name and it also sounds like something that you’d hear from Roman times as well.
Related: The Best Boy Names with Nicknames (that aren’t weird)
MODERN UNUSUAL BOY NAMES
Adhrit: (Sanskrit) This name means “the one who doesn’t need any support but supports everyone” and if that isn’t an awesome name meaning, I don’t know what is.
Amari: (Hebrew) Meaning “eternal”, this name is turning into a unisex name as more boys are starting to be given this name at birth.
Kai: (Hawaiian) With a name that means “sea”, your little one is certain to make waves.
Mekhi: (Hawaiian) This name is a combination of Hawaiian and Hebrew and means “who is like God”.
Related: Cute One Syllable Boy Names
Joaquin: (Spanish) Meaning “God will judge”, this name offers an unusual spelling which can sometimes trip people up when saying it.
Lathan: (English) While the meaning isn’t exactly clear of this name, one thing is for certain. It’s a unique modern name that is certain to be different.
Rhys: (Welsh) Meaning “enthusiasm”, this name is unique and easy to remember.
Tynan: (Irish) With a meaning of “dusty”, I think that it also sounds a bit masculine as well.
Ulrick: (German) Meaning “all-powerful ruler”, your son just might grow up to be just that!
Vedran: (Slavic) “Cheerful” is the meaning of this unusual modern boy name.
URBAN BOY NAMES
Brayden: (English) This modern name means “broad valley” and it can be spelled in different ways as well.
Clive: (English) Meaning “someone who lived near a cliff”, I just love the simplicity of this name.
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Garrison: (English) This name means “spear-fortified town” and could be used as a first name or even as a middle name, too.
Ked: (Thai) Meaning “province”, this name has a wide variety of meanings actually from many different origins.
Kingston: (English) Meaning “king’s town”, there’s little doubt that your son isn’t going to rule the kingdom, right?
Knox: (Scottish) This name means “round hill” and is a fun name to consider.
Lennox: (Scottish) Meaning “elm grove”, this name is modern and unique all in one.
Monty: (French) This name means “mountain belonging to the ruler” and is also known for the group Monty Python as well having the same name.
Roman: (Latin) Literally meaning “citizens of Rome”, this name has always been used for boys but is now transitioning into a unisex name as well.
Related: Fantasy Baby Boy Names from Your Favorite Fiction Series
CLASSIC MODERN BOY NAMES
Calvin: (Latin) Meaning “bald”, this meaning will be fitting right when your baby is born.
Ethan: (Greek) This name means “firm” and has been a popular name for many years.
Hugh: (German) Meaning “mind”, this name has a classic and modern feel to it because most people relate it to the actor Hugh Grant.
Jefferson: (English) “Son of Jeffrey” is the meaning of this name so if that’s you – it might just be the perfect fit.
Jeremy: (English) Meaning “appointed by God”, this is a great name to consider for your baby boy.
Joseph: (Hebrew) This name means “Jehovah increases” and is a name that you’re going to see a lot in the Bible as well. If Biblical names are on your radar, you might want to consider this one.
Marcus: (Latin) Meaning “hammer”, there are ways to shorten this name into a smaller format as well.
Mitchell: (English) “Who is like God” is the meaning of this classic modern boy name.
Raymond: (German) Meaning “wise protector”, this is yet another name that has been around for a while and still remains popular and modern.
Sebastian: (Latin) Ranking #18 in popularity, this boy’s name means “revered”.
See how many choices there are out there for modern boy names? And now I’m curious…
Related: Vintage Boy Names
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