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Find a beautiful name for your baby boy on our extensive list
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Historically, people have typically gravitated toward strong, masculine-sounding names for baby boys, but many modern parents are shaking up these norms. Softer, gentler, and even pretty-sounding boy names are having a major moment, and we absolutely love this trend. If you’re hoping to explore some beautiful names for your little bundle of joy, you’re in the right place! We’ve compiled a thorough list of pretty boy names for you to choose from, including popular, unique, vintage, and modern options. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Our Favorite Pretty Boy Names

  • Bailey: “Berry clearing” or “city fortification,” British and French origins.
  • Elias: “Jehovah is God,” Hebrew origin.
  • Dorian: “Descendant of Dorus” or “from the sea,” Greek origin.
  • Julian: “Youthful” or “love’s child,” Latin and English origins.
  • Luca: “Bringer of light,” Italian origin.
  • Mateo: “Gift of God,” Spanish origin.
  • Sebastian: “Venerable” or “revered,” Greek and Roman origins.
Section 1 of 6:

The Best Pretty Boy Names

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  1. These pretty, beautiful-sounding boy names are on the more common side, so they’re great choices if you don’t want something too out there. They’re tried and true and well-loved, so you can’t go wrong!
    • Adrian: “Son of Adria” or “rich,” Greek origin.[1]
    • Alexander: “Defender of men,” Greek origin[2]
    • Andre: “Manly” or “warrior,” French and Portuguese origins.
    • Asher: “Happy” or “blessed,” Hebrew origin.
    • Bailey: “Berry clearing,” “bailiff,” “city fortification,” British and French origins.[3]
    • Bryce: “Speckled” or “freckled,” Celtic and Scottish origins.
    • Caleb: “Faithful,” “devotion,” “wholehearted,” or “brave,” Hebrew, English, and African origins.
    • Camden: “Enclosed valley,” British origin.
    • Cameron: “Crooked nose,” Scottish origin.[4]
    • Carson: “Son of Carr,” Irish and Scottish origins.[5]
    • Christian: “Anointed,” Greek origin.
    • Damien: “To tame” or “subdue,” Greek and French origins.
    • Damon: “To tame” or “subdue,” Greek origin.
    • Daniel: “God is my judge,” Hebrew origin.
    • Diego: “Supplanter,” “successor,” or “heir,” Spanish origin.
    • Dominic: “Lordly” or “sovereign,” Latin origin.
    • Donovan: “Dark” or “brown-haired chieftain,” Irish origin.
    • Dorian: “Descendant of Dorus” or “from the sea,” Greek origin.
    • Elias: “Jehovah is God,” Hebrew origin.
    • Elijah: “Jehovah is God,” Hebrew origin.
    • Elliot: “The Lord is my God,” English and Scottish origins.
    • Emerson: “Brave” and “powerful,” German origin.
    • Emmett: “Universal,” Irish, British, and Hebrew origin.
    • Ezra: “Salvation,” Hebrew origin.
    • Felix: “Happy” or “fortunate,” Latin origin.
    • Gabriel: “God is my strength,” Hebrew origin.
    • Grayson: “To shine” or “son of the bailiff,” English origin.
    • Harrison: “Son of Harry,” English origin.
    • Hugo: “Mind,” “intellect,” “soul,” “thought,” and “heart,” Latin and German origins.[6]
    • Isaiah: “Salvation of the Lord,” Hebrew origin.
    • James: “Supplanter,” Hebrew origins.
    • Jasper: “Keeper of the treasure,” Persian origin.
    • Jonas: “Dove,” Hebrew origin.
    • Julian: “Youthful” or “love’s child,” Latin and English origins.
    • Logan: “Little hollow,” Scottish and Gaelic origins.
    • Louis: “Renowned warrior,” German and French origins.
    • Lucas: “Man from Lucania,” Latin origin.
    • Luca: “Bringer of light,” Italian origin.
    • Mason: “Stone worker” or “brick layer,” English origin.
    • Mateo: “Gift of God,” Spanish origin.
    • Micah: “Who is like the lord,” Hebrew origin.[7]
    • Nicholas: “People of victory,” Greek origin.
    • Noel: “Christmas,” French origin.
    • Oliver: “Olive tree,” “olive tree planter,” or “elf army,” Latin, German, and French origins.[8]
    • Phineas: “Bronze-colored one,” Hebrew origin.
    • Reese: “Enthusiasm,” Welsh origin.
    • Sebastian: “Venerable” or “revered,” Greek and Roman origins.
    • Sterling: “Excellent” or “little star,” English origin.
    • Theo: “Gift of God,” Greek origin.
    • Timothy: “Honoring God,” Greek origin.
    • Tobias: “God is good,” Hebrew origin.
    • Tristan: “Sad” or “melancholy,” Celtic origin.
    • Vincent: “Prevailing” or “conquering,” Latin origin.
    • Wallace: “Welsh” or “Welshman,” French origin.
    • Wesley: “Western meadow,” English origin.
    • Weston: “From the western town,” English origin.
    • William: “Resolute protector,” German origin.[9]
    • Xavier: “New house,” Spanish and Basque origins.
    • Zachary: “God remembers,” Hebrew origin.
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Section 2 of 6:

Unique Pretty Boy Names

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  1. If you don’t want your son to share a name with many other kids in his class, try out one of these unique options. These names are pretty rare and eye-catching, so they’re sure to give your little boy some serious star quality!
    • Adonis: “Handsome” or “desirable,” Greek origin.
    • Alaric: “All-powerful ruler,” German origin.
    • Alessio: “Defender,” Italian origin.
    • Ames: “Friend” or “amicable,” French, British, and Latin origins.[10]
    • Antoine: “Highly praiseworthy,” “priceless one,” French and Latin origins.[11]
    • Ansel: “Under divine protection” or “God’s helmet,” German origin.
    • Asa: “Healer” or “born in the morning,” Hebrew and Japanese origins.[12]
    • Atticus: “From Attica,” Greek origin.[13]
    • Aubrey: “Elf ruler,” German and French origins.
    • August: “To increase” and “great,” Latin and Roman origins.[14]
    • Beau: “Beautiful” or “handsome,” French origin.
    • Blaine: “Yellow,” Gaelic and Irish origins.[15]
    • Callahan: “Bright-headed,” Irish.
    • Callum: “Dove,” Scottish origin.
    • Casper: “Treasure-bearer,” Persian origin.
    • Caspian: “From Qazvin,” Greek and Latin origins.[16]
    • Cedric: “Kindly” or “loved,” English origin.
    • Cillian: “Bright-headed,” Irish origin.
    • Cosmo: “Order” or “harmonious,” Greek origin.
    • Cyrus: “Sun,” Persian and Greek origins.
    • Dakota: “Friend” or “ally,” Native American origin.
    • Dante: “Steadfast,” “enduring,” or “everlasting,” Latin origin.
    • Declan: “Man of prayer,” Irish origin.
    • Ellis: “Kind” or “benevolent,” Welsh, Greek, and Hebrew origins.
    • Elio: “Sun,” Italian, Greek, and Latin origins.
    • Emilio: “Rival” or “eager,” Latin origin.
    • Evander: “Bow warrior” or “strong man,” Scottish and Greek origins.
    • Enzo: “Home ruler,” Italian origin.
    • Fabian: “One who grows beans,” Latin origin.
    • Fernando: “Adventurer” or “bold voyager,” Spanish and Portuguese origins.
    • Florian: “Flowering,” Latin origin.
    • Gareth: “Gentle,” Welsh origin.
    • Gideon: “Hewer,” “feller,” or “warrior,” Hebrew origin.
    • Gray: “Son of the bailiff,” English origin.
    • Jalen: “Calm” or “tranquil,” American, Greek, and British origins.
    • Jameson: “Son of James,” British and Hebrew origins.
    • Josiah: “Yahweh supports,” Hebrew origin.
    • Josue: “God is salvation,” Portuguese, Haitian, and Hebrew origins.
    • Joaquin: “Established by God,” Hebrew origin.
    • Julius: “Dedicated to Jove,” Greek and Latin origin.
    • Keanu: “Cool breeze,” “ancient,” or “enduring,” Hawaiian and Irish origins.[17]
    • Kieran: “Little dark one” or “black haired,” Irish origin.
    • Knightley: “Servant clearing,” English origin.
    • Leon: “Lion,” Greek origin.
    • Lorenzo: “From Laurentum,” Latin, Italian, and Spanish origins.
    • Luciano: “Light” or “shining,” Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian origins.
    • Lucien: “Light,” French origin.
    • Lysander: “Liberator,” Greek origin.
    • Malachi: “My angel” or “my messenger,” Hebrew origin.
    • Marcel: “From the god Mars,” Latin, Roman, and French origins.
    • Matthias: “Gift of God,” Hebrew origin.
    • Moses: “Son” or “child,” Egyptian and Hebrew origins.
    • Nikolai: “Victory of the people,” Greek origin.
    • Nolan: “Famous” or “noble,” Irish origin.
    • Orion: “Son of fire,” also a constellation, Greek origin.
    • Orson: “Bear cub,” Latin and English origin.
    • Pascal: “Easter” or “Passover,” French, Hebrew, and Latin origins.
    • Raphael: “God has healed,” Hebrew origin.
    • Ren: “Water lily” or “lotus,” Japanese origin.[18]
    • Roman: “Citizen of Rome,” Latin origin.
    • Romeo: “Pilgrim to Rome,” Italian origin.
    • Rory: “Sea,” “warrior,” or “triumph,” Hawaiian, Frisian, and Chinese origins.[19]
    • Rowan: “Little redhead,” Irish and Scottish origins.[20]
    • Rhys: “Ardent” or “enthusiasm,” Welsh origin.
    • Santiago: “Supplanter,” Hebrew and Spanish origins.[21]
    • Silas: “Woodman,” Latin origin.
    • Soren: “Stern” or “severe,” Danish origin.
    • Stellan: “Calm,” Swedish origin.
    • Virgil: “Staff bearer,” Latin origin.
    • Zaire: “The river that swallows all rivers,” African origin.[22]
Section 3 of 6:

Cute Pretty Boy Names

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  1. Beautiful boy names don’t have to be long, imposing, or elaborate—a short and adorable boy name is just as special! Here are some boy names that are both cute and pretty-sounding:
    • Alfie: “Wise counselor,” English origin.
    • Archie: “Bold prince,” English origin.
    • Ari: “Lion of God,” Hebrew origin.
    • Artie: “Bear,” Celtic origin.
    • Arlo: “Fortified hill,” “warrior,” or “famous throughout the land,” English and German origins.[23]
    • Calvin: “Bald” or “little bald one,” French origin.
    • Chance: “Good fortune,” English origin.
    • Clay: “Clay settlement,” English origin.
    • Cole: “Victory of the people,” Greek origin.
    • Drew: “Wise,” Welsh origin.
    • Eli: “Ascended,” “uplifted,” and “high,” Hebrew origin.
    • Finn: “Fair-haired” or “thunder,” Irish and Norse origins.[24]
    • Flynn: “Son of the red-haired man,” Irish origin.
    • Ian: “God is gracious,” Scottish origin.
    • Jace: “The Lord is salvation,” Hebrew origin.
    • Jamie: “Supplanter,” Hebrew origin.
    • Jude: “Praised,” “to be generous,” or “to be good to others,” Latin, Hebrew and Arabic origins.[25]
    • Henry: “Ruler of the home,” German origin.
    • Kace: “Brave in battle,” Irish origin.[26]
    • Koda: “Friend,” Native American origin.
    • Koa: “Warrior” or “valiant one,” Pacific Islander origin.[27]
    • Laurie: “Laurel” or “sweet bay tree,” Latin origin.
    • Levi: “Join” or “unite,” Hebrew origin.
    • Liam: “Unwavering protector,” Irish, Celtic, and Gaelic origins.
    • Luke: “From Lucania,” Greek origin.
    • Milo: “Soft-hearted” or “merciful,” German origin.
    • Miles: “Soldier,” “servant,” or “merciful,” German, Irish, and English origins.[28]
    • Nico: “People of victory,” Italian origin.
    • Noah: “Comfort” or “wanderer,” Hebrew origin.
    • Ollie: “Olive tree,” Latin origin.
    • Otto: “Wealth,” German origin.
    • Owen: “Young warrior” or “well-born,” Welsh origin.
    • Remy: “Oarsman,” French and Latin origins.[29]
    • Sully: “Woodland clearing” or “south meadow,” English origin.
    • Quentin: “Fifth,” Latin origin.
    • Quinn: “Chief,” “counsel,” or “wisdom,” Gaelic origin.
    • Teddy: “Gift of God,” Greek origin.
    • Wyatt: “Brave in world,” English origin.[30]
    • Zane: “God is gracious,” “beauty,” or “grace,” Hebrew and Arabic origins.
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Section 4 of 6:

Vintage Pretty Boy Names

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  1. If you want something that has withstood the test of time, consider looking to the past. These classic names have persisted throughout the decades (and even centuries, in some cases!), so you can rest assured that they’ll never go out of style.
    • Alastair: “Man’s defender” or “man’s protector,” Scottish and Greek origins.
    • Ambrose: “Immortal,” Greek origin.
    • Archibald: “Genuine,” “bold,” and “brave,” German origin.
    • Augustus: “Great” or “magnificent,” Latin and Roman origins.
    • Basil: “Kingly” or “royal,” Greek origin.
    • Bernard: “Strong as a bear,” German and French origins.
    • Bram: “Father of multitudes,” Hebrew origin.
    • Cecil: “Blind” or “sixth,” Welsh origin.
    • Clement: “Mild” or “merciful,” Latin origin.
    • Conrad: “Brave counsel,” German origin.
    • Darcy: “Dark haired,” Irish origin.
    • Edmund: “Fortunate protector,” English origin.
    • Ernest: “Earnest,” “serious,” or “sincere,” German origin.
    • Everett: “Wild boar” or “strong as a boar,” German, English, and Irish origins.[31]
    • Franklin: “Freeman” or “freeholder,” English origin.
    • Francis: “Frenchman,” Latin origin.
    • Frederick: “Peaceful ruler,” German origin.
    • Harvey: “Army warrior” or “battle worthy,” English origin.
    • Graham: “Gravel area” or “gray homestead,” British and Scottish origins.
    • Lawrence: “From Laurentum,” Latin origin.
    • Laurent: “From Laurentum” or “laurel,” French origin.
    • Leonardo: “Lion-hearted” or “brave as a lion,” German origin.
    • Lionel: “Young lion” or “lion cub,” French and Greek origins.
    • Magnus: “Greatest,” Latin origin.
    • Nathaniel: “God has given,” Hebrew origin.
    • Oscar: “God spear,” “deer-lover,” and “champion warrior,” English and Irish origins.
    • Percy: French surname, French origins.[32]
    • Peregrine: “Traveler” or “wanderer,” Latin origin.
    • Preston: “Priest’s town” or “priest’s estate,” British origin.
    • Spencer: “Dispenser of provisions,” British origin.
    • Sullivan: “Dark eyes,” Gaelic and Irish origins.
    • Theodore: “God’s gift,” Greek origin.
    • Willoughby: “Farm in the willow meadow,” British origin.
    • Winston: “Joyful stone,” British origin.
    • Valentine: “Strong” or “healthy,” Latin origin.
Section 5 of 6:

Modern Pretty Boy Names

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  1. These names are undeniably cool, so they’re perfect if you want something with a fresh, current energy. Here are some great options to choose from:
    • Archer: “Bowman,” French, Latin, and English origins.
    • Atlas: “Enduring” or “to endure,” Greek origin.
    • Apollo: “Destroyer,” Greek and Roman origins.
    • Avery: “Elf counsel” or “ruler of elves,” British origin.
    • Bodhi: “Awakening” or “enlightenment,” Sanskrit origin.
    • Bowie: “Yellow-haired” or “blonde,” Scottish origin.[33]
    • Cade: “Round “ or “battle,” British, Welsh, and German origin.
    • Cairo: “The strong” or “victorious,” Egyptian and Arabic origins.
    • Clark: “Clerk” or “scribe,” British origin.
    • Dawson: “Son of David,” English origin.[34]
    • Easton: “East town,” English origin.
    • Hayden: “Hedged valley,” English origin.
    • Jace: “Healer” or “lord of salvation,” Greek and Hebrew origins.
    • Jayden: “Thankful,” Hebrew origin.
    • Jules: “Youthful,” French origin.
    • Kaden: “Companion” or “friend,” Arabic and Scottish origins.[35]
    • Kai: “Keeper of the keys” or “earth,” Welsh and Japanese origins.
    • Knox: “Round-top hill,” British and Scottish origins.
    • Leo: “Lion,” German, Italian, and Spanish origins.
    • Maddox: “Son of Madoc,” “fortunate,” or “good,” Welsh origin.
    • Onyx: “Claw” or “nail,” Greek origin.
    • Paxton: “Peace town,” Latin origin.[36]
    • Phoenix: “Legendary bird,” “dark red,” or “crimson,” Latin and Greek origins.​​[37]
    • Rhett: “To speak” or “advisor,” Latin origin.
    • Ryder: “Horseman” or “rider,” English origin.
    • Sawyer: “Woodcutter,” English origin.
    • Tatum: “Tate’s homestead,” English origin.
    • Wilder: “Untamed” or “wild,” German origin.
    • Zion: “Highest point,” Hebrew origin.
    • Xander: “Defender of humankind,” Greek origin.
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Section 6 of 6:

Nature-Inspired Pretty Boy Names

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  1. There’s nothing more beautiful than Mother Earth herself, so nature-inspired names are great choices if you’re looking for a pretty boy name. Here are some of our favorite options:
    • Alder: “Alder tree,” German and British origins.
    • Arden: “Great forest” or “high valley,” British and Celtic origins.[38]
    • Ash: “Ash tree,” English origin.[39]
    • Bear: “Bear” or “to carry,” British and German origins.[40]
    • Bradley: “Broad meadow,” British origin.[41]
    • Brooks: “Water” or “small stream,” German and British origins.
    • Cedar: “Cedar tree,” French, Latin, and Greek origins.
    • Cove: “Small coastal inlet,” British origin.
    • Cyprus: “Coniferous tree” or “cypress tree,” Greek origin.
    • Elwood: “Elder tree forest” or “elf rule,” British origin.
    • Ewan: “Born from the yew tree,” Scottish and Gaelic origins.
    • Forrest: “Woodland” or “forest,” British origin.
    • Gale: “Wind,” “joy,” or “tranquility,” English origin.
    • Glen: “Glen” or “valley,” Irish and Gaelic origins.
    • Harden: “Valley of the hares,” English origin.
    • Hawthorne: “Haw berry” or “thorn bush,” British origin.
    • Heath: “Level, uncultivated land,” British origin.
    • Hudson: “Hugh’s son,” English origin.
    • Lelend: “Meadow land,” British origin.
    • Linden: “Linden tree,” German and Roman origins.
    • Lochlan: “Land of the lakes,” Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish origins.
    • Oakley: “Meadow of oak trees,” British origin.[42]
    • Ocean: “Sea,” Greek origins.
    • Rainn: “Abundance from above,” English and German origin.[43]
    • Rio: “River,” Spanish origin.
    • River: “Flowing body of water,” British origin.
    • Robin: “Bright,” “shining,” or “famous,” German origin.
    • Sage: “Wise,” “prophet,” or “aromatic spice,” Latin origin.[44]
    • Skye: “Island of clouds” or “winged,” Scottish origin.[45]
    • Storm: “Tempest,” English origin.
    • Sylvan: “Wood” or “forest,” Latin origin.
    • Wells: “Spring stream,” British origin.
    • Wren: “Small brown songbird,” British origin.
    • Zephyr: “West wind,” Greek origin.

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About This Article

Lacey Coffey
Co-authored by:
Baby Name Consultant
This article was co-authored by Lacey Coffey and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Lacey Coffey is a baby name consultant based in Illinois. With a lifelong interest in names, Lacey is influenced by her background in religious studies and linguistics. She started her social media account @softbabynames in 2023 as an outlet to share all of the name ideas, meaning, and combinations. She has since grown her following across Instagram and TikTok to nearly 100,000 followers, inspiring them and sharing her personal style of names which tend to be more classic names with a rich history and meaning and names that evoke that feeling of an old soul. Lacey has a bachelor’s degree in Religion and Intercultural Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). This article has been viewed 1,594 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: September 26, 2025
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Categories: Naming a Baby
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