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130 unique and modern baby boy names to inspire you

From unusual baby boy names to old classics, you can't go wrong with these modern monikers

A sleeping baby boy
Chloe Best
Lifestyle Features Editor
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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.

RELATED: Most popular royal baby names

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."

Prince Archie sits on Prince Harry's shoudlers© Netflix
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle named their son Prince Archie

Arlo

Origin: English. Meaning "fortified hill."

Asher

Origin: Hebrew. Meaning " happy" and "blessed".

Atlas

Origin: Greek. Meaning "to carry."

MORE: 40 baby names set to go extinct in 2023

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."

victoria beckham proud mum announcement cruz music photo one© Photo: Instagram
Cruz is the name of David and Victoria Beckham's youngest son

Dalton

Origin: English. Meaning "the settlement in the valley."

Dominic 

Origin: Latin. Meaning "of the lord."

MORE: Top 10 retro baby names making a comeback

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."

READ: Top 20 genius baby names revealed

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."

20 of the most original celebrity baby names

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."

Maddox supports Angelina at the "First They Killed My Father" premiere during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival© Getty Images
Angelina Jolie's eldest son is called Maddox

Mason

Origin: British. Meaning "stone worker."

Matthew

Origin: Hebrew. Meaning "gift of God, gift of Yahweh."

READ: 20 baby shower themes every mum-to-be will love

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."

A sleeping newborn baby with his parents hand holding his© iStock

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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