Choosing the right name for your newborn can be a tough decision, and while looking at a list of the most popular baby names can be a good place to start, these modern baby boy names also offer great inspiration if you're looking for something a little more unique for your son.
Whether you're taking inspiration from celebrity babies - such as Aire, the name chosen by Kylie Jenner for her son, and August, the name of Princess Eugenie's firstborn – or fancy the idea of giving a classic name a new lease of life, there's something for everyone in our list below…
What are modern baby names?
A modern baby name could be considered as a new name or one that is having a resurgence in popularity from long ago. For example, Archie – the name chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their son in 2019 – could be considered a modern baby boy name, as it has made a comeback in recent years to become one of the most popular names for boys.
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Modern baby boy names with meanings
Looking for a unique or contemporary baby boy name? Browse our list of 130 ideas from A-Z, along with their meanings to see which takes your fancy.
Aaron
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "mountain of strength, exalted, strong."
Aidan
Origin: Gaelic. Meaning "little fire."
Aire
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "lion of god."
Angel
Origin: Greek. Meaning "messenger".
Archie
Origin: English. Meaning "genuine," "bold" or "brave."
Arlo
Origin: English. Meaning "fortified hill."
Asher
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning " happy" and "blessed".
Atlas
Origin: Greek. Meaning "to carry."
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Atticus
Origin: Latin. Meaning "man of Attica" or "belonging to Attica."
August
Origin: Latin. Meaning "great, to increase."
Beau
Origin: French. Meaning "beautiful."
Benjamin
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "son of the right hand, son of the south, son of my days."
Benson
Origin: British. Meaning "son of Ben."
Bentley
Origin: British. Meaning "meadow with coarse grass."
Bodhi
Origin: Indian. Meaning "awakening" and "enlightenment."
Brody
Origin: Irish. Meaning "ditch, muddy place."
Cairo
Origin: Arabic. Meaning "victorious, the conqueror, the vanquisher."
Caleb
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "wholehearted, dog-like."
Cameron
Origin: Scottish. Meaning "crooked nose."
Cassius
Origin: Latin. Meaning "vain."
Cillian
Origin: Irish. Meaning "bright-headed."
Colt
Origin: British. Meaning "young male horse."
Conrad
Origin: German. Meaning "brave counsel."
Cruz
Origin: Portuguese. Meaning "cross."
Dalton
Origin: English. Meaning "the settlement in the valley."
Dominic
Origin: Latin. Meaning "of the lord."
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Drake
Origin: British. Meaning "dragon."
Dream
Origin: English. Meaning "joy" or "music."
Easton
Origin: English. Meaning "East Town."
Eden
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "paradise."
Elijah
Origin: Hebrew. Derives from a phrase meaning "Jehovah is my God."
Emmett
Origin: Irish. Meaning "universal, truth."
Evan
Origin: Welsh. Meaning "God is gracious; born of yew; youth."
Ever
Origin: American. Meaning "always" or "ever in life."
Everett
Origin: German. Meaning "wild boar" and "brave, hardy".
Ezra
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "help."
Fenix
Origin: Greek. Meaning "dark red."
Gabriel
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "God is my strength; hero of God."
Gray
Origin: British. Meaning "grey-haired."
Grayden
Origin: British. Meaning "son of grey-haired one."
Grayson
Origin: British. Meaning "son of the grey-haired one."
Griffin
Origin: Welsh. Meaning "lord" or "prince."
Gunner
Origin: German. Meaning "battler" or "warrior."
Harlow
Origin: English. Meaning "army hill."
Harley
Origin: British. Meaning "hare's meadow."
Harrison
Origin: British. Meaning "son of Harry."
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Haven
Origin: English. Meaning "safe place."
Hayden
Origin: English. Meaning "fire."
Hudson
Origin: English. Meaning "son of Hudd" or "son of Hugh."
Huxley
Origin: British. Meaning "Hugh's meadow."
Hugo
Origin: German. Meaning "mind."
Israel
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "God perseveres."
Izaiah
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "Salvation of God; Lord helps me."
Jameson
Origin: British. Meaning "son of James."
Jaxon
Origin: British. Meaning "son of Jack."
Jayden
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "thankful; God will judge."
Jeremiah
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "the lord exalts."
Joziah
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "Jehovah helps."
Julian
Origin: Greek. Meaning "youthful" or "Jove's child."
Kash
Origin: Indian. Meaning "universe" or "sky."
Kylan
Origin: Gaelic. Meaning "narrow; straight."
Kylo
Origin: Latin. Meaning "sky; heavenly."
Levi
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "united" or "joined."
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Liam
Origin: Irish. Meaning "helmet of will, protection; strong-willed warrior."
Louis
Origin: French and German. Meaning "famous warrior."
Luca
Origin: Italian. Meaning "bringer of light."
Lucas
Origin: Latin. Meaning "bringer of light."
Maddox
Origin: Welsh. Meaning "son of Madoc; fortunate."
Mason
Origin: British. Meaning "stone worker."
Matthew
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "gift of God, gift of Yahweh."
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Micah
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "who resembles God?"
Milo
Origin: German. Meaning "solider, merciful."
Nathaniel
Meaning: Hebrew. Meaning "God has given."
Oakley
Origin: English. Meaning "meadow of oak trees."
Oscar
Origin: Irish. Meaning "God spear" or "champion warrior."
Otis
Origin: English. Meaning "son of Ode."
Otto
Origin: German. Meaning "wealth."
Owen
Origin: Welsh. Meaning "noble-born" or "young warrior."
Preston
Origin: British. Meaning "priest's town."
Quentin
Origin: Latin. Representing the fifth place or a child born in the fifth month of the year.
Quinn
Origin: Irish. Meaning "wise," "sense," or "reason."
Reign
Origin: American. Meaning "rule" or "sovereign."
Riley
Origin: Irish. Meaning: courageous or valiant
Rhodes
Origin: British. Meaning "where roses grow."
Roman
Origin: Latin. Meaning "citizen of Rome."
Rowan
Origin: Irish and Scottish. Meaning "little red-head."
Royal
Origin: English. Meaning "of the King."
Rubin
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "behold, my son, ruby, red."
Ryan
Origin: Gaelic. Meaning "little king."
Ryder
Origin: English. Meaning "horseman, rider."
Rylan
Origin: English. Meaning "land where rye is grown."
Samuel
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "God has heard" or "name of God."
Saint
Origin: Latin. Meaning "holy."
Sebastian
Origin: Greek. Meaning "venerable, revered."
Solomon
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "peace."
Sterling
Origin: English. Meaning "little star."
Tate
Origin: English. Meaning "cheerful."
Theodore
Origin: Greek. Meaning "a gift from God."
Tobias
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "God is good."
Tyler
Origin: British. Meaning "tile maker, roof worker."
Vincent
Origin: Latin. Meaning "prevailing."
Wade
Origin: English and Scandinavian. Meaning "to go; ford."
Weston
Origin: British. Meaning "from the Western town."
Wyatt
Origin: British. Meaning "brave warrior".
Xander
Origin: Greek. Meaning "defender of humankind."
Xavier
Origin: Spanish. Meaning "bright; splendid; new house."
Zachary
Origin: Greek and Hebrew. Meaning "the Lord recalled."
Zephyr
Origin: Greek. Meaning "west wind."
Short modern baby boy names with meanings
Ace
Origin: English. Meaning "someone who excels."
Ash
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "happy, ash tree."
Dax
Origin: French. Meaning "leader."
Ike
Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "laughter."
Jazz
Origin: English. Meaning "style of music."
Kai
Origin: Welsh. Meaning "keeper of the keys, earth."
Kit
Origin: English. Meaning "bearing Christ."
Koa
Origin: Hawaiian. Meaning "warrior" or "valiant one."
Max
Origin: German. Meaning "greatest."
Modern and edgy boy names with meanings
Axel
Origin: Scandinavian. Meaning "father of peace."
Bear
Origin: American. Meaning "strong and brave bear."
Beck
Origin: German. Meaning "brook" or "stream."
Bowie
Origin: Scottish. Meaning "yellow-haired" or "blond."
Draco
Origin: Greek. Meaning "dragon" or "serpent."
Hendrix
Origin: Dutch and German. Meaning "estate ruler."
Jagger
Origin: British. Meaning "Carter."
Jett
Origin: British. Meaning "free or black stone.
Knox
Origin: Scottish. Meaning "round-top hill."
Legend
Origin: English. Meaning "a mythical or semi-mythical story passed down through generations" or "an extremely famous person."
Maverick
Origin: American. Meaning "an independent man who avoids conformity."
Wolf
Origin: German. Meaning "a man of courage and cunning."
Wylder
Origin: British. Meaning "wild animal."
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