Modern Boy Names That Are Cool and Trendy

Choosing a name for your newborn boy is one of those moments that will remain with you.

There’s excitement, anxiety, that tinge of anticipation when you’re trying to figure out the name that will fit, that is fresh, important, even unexpected.

Modern boy names are an exciting category because they seem like they’re new and in vogue but also have a strong origin or a twist.

Names like Zayden or Jaxon are contemporary and names like Kai or Maddox are just so different.

Then there are names such as Arlo or Beckett, which make effortless cool and chic sound.

Such names are popular for a reason – they represent the next generation of adventurers and dreamers, children who will have the world all around them.

But where do you start when there’s just so much amazing to choose from?

Whether you like rough, hipster names like Finn and Ryder, or something more traditional and modern like Liam or Jameson, I have you covered.

The list includes celebrity-inspired names as well as nature-based names that are also rustic yet contemporary.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a name that is powerful, trendy, and totally modern, let’s jump in and find something great for your little one.

Cool Modern Boy Names

• Jireh – (Hebrew) To see, The Lord will provide
• Fitzgerald – (Irish, Scottish) Son of Gerald
• Deuce – (English) Two
• Bard – (Irish, Scottish) Minstrel, Poet
• Kayden – (Welsh, Irish, English) Spirit of war, Battle, Gentle, Round
• Carver – (English) Wood carver
• Epiphany – (Greek) Manifestation, Vision of God, Bringing light
• Cortez – (Spanish) Courteous
• Faulkner – (English) Falconer
• Scorpio – (Latin) Scorpion
• Austen – (Latin) Great, Magnificent
• Bond – (English) Peasant farmer
• Kolt – (English) Young horse
• Flash – (English) Bright light
• Wylie – (Scottish) Resolute protection
• Knowledge – (English) The information and understanding gained from experience or education
• Avi – (Hebrew) Father
• Tai – (Chinese) Great extreme
• Neo – (Latin, Tswana) New, Gift
• Krew – (American) A group of people
• Brewer – (British) Ale or beer maker
• Usain – (Arabic) Beautiful
• Kyler – (Dutch) Archer

Modern Hipster Boy Names

• Cassius – (Latin) Hollow
• Huck – (British, German) River bend, Heart, Mind
• Winston – (English) Wine’s town
• Ulysses – (Latin, Greek) Of Odysseus, Voyage, Wrathful
• Kip – (British) Pointed hill
• Arlo – (Irish, English) Between two hills
• Eames – (English) Son of the uncle
• Mingus – (Scottish) Tenants of a manor
• Homer – (Greek) Security, Pledge
• Nixon – (English) Son of Nicholas
• Adler – (German) Eagle
• Brando – (Italian) Firebrand, Sword
• Sterling – (English) Of the highest quality, Little star
• Coltrane – (Irish) Descendant of Coltarán
• Rohmer – (German) Pilgrim, Fame
• Huxley – (English) Inhospitable place
• Ozzy – (British) God’s power or protection, Bear god
• Ace – (Latin) One, Someone who excels
• Edison – (English) Son of Edward
• Oak – (British) Oak, Oak tree
• Canyon – (Spanish) Footpath
• Duke – (English) British nobleman
• Gable – (French) Triangular shape in architecture
• Ridge – (British) An elevated body part or structure
• Elvis – (Norse) All wise

Popular Modern Boy Names

• Soren – (Danish, Norwegian) Stern
• Knox – (Scottish) Round hill
• Malcolm – (Scottish) Devotee of Saint Columba
• Xander – (Greek) Defending men
• Damon – (Greek) One who tames, Subdues
• Colton – (English) From the coal or dark town
• Ford – (English) Dweller at the ford
• Simeon – (Hebrew) He [God] has heard
• Emmanuel – (Hebrew) God is with us
• Keanu – (Hawaiian) The coolness or the cool breeze
• Collins – (Irish) Whelp, Young hound
• Jaxon – (British) Son of Jack
• Ronin – (Japanese, Irish) Masterless samurai, Wave man, Floating man, Seal
• Denzel – (Cornish) From the high stronghold
• Kelvin – (Scottish) Narrow or wooded river
• Caden – (English, Celtic) Battle
• Kenji – (Japanese) Second son
• Bennett – (English) Blessed
• Wesley – (English) Western meadow
• Zaid – (Arabic) To increase
• Bodhi – (Sanskrit) Awakening, Enlightenment
• Joaquin – (Hebrew, Spanish) God will judge, Established by God
• Cairo – (Arabic) The strong
• Elian – (Dutch, Hebrew) The lord is my God, Pledged to God

Trending Modern Boy Names

• Shepherd – (English) Sheep herder
• Draco – (Greek, Latin) Dragon
• Kenzo – (Japanese) Strong and healthy
• Thatcher – (English) Roof thatcher
• Boden – (English, German) Hill shaped like a bow, Messenger, Ground
• Story – (English) An account of incidents or events
• Anakin – (American) Warrior
• Draven – (Scottish, Gaelic) Of the raven, Hunter, Of the dark waters
• Lebron – (French) Brown-haired one
• Shepard – (British) Sheep herder
• Kaiser – (German) Emperor
• Cannon – (English, Gaelic) Rule, Discipline, Wolf cub
• Darwin – (English) Dear friend
• Gannon – (Irish) Fair-skinned, Fair-haired
• Alias – (English) Pseudonym
• Westley – (British) Western meadow
• Zayden – (Arabic, American) Growth, Born of fire
• Daxton – (French) From Dax (a town in France)
• Wesson – (English) From the western town
• Jaxson – (English) Son of Jack
• Canaan – (Hebrew) Humble
• Major – (Latin) Greater, A military rank
• Dilan – (Turkish) Love

Classic Modern Boy Names

• Nash – (English) By the ash tree
• Creed – (British) Guiding principle, Doctrine, Belief
• Booker – (English) Scribe
• Drake – (English) Dragon, Male duck
• Larkin – (Irish) Rough, Fierce
• Axl – (Scandinavian) Father of peace
• Macklin – (Scottish) Son of the servant of Saint John
• Gibson – (English) Gilbert’s son
• Ramone – (Spanish) Protecting hands
• Morrison – (English) Son of Morris
• Denver – (English, French) Green valley, From Anvers
• Wiley – (Scottish, German, English) Resolute protection, From Wylye
• Jackson – (English) Son of Jack
• Davis – (Hebrew) Beloved
• Crosby – (Irish) Village with crosses
• Boston – (British) Town by the woods
• Lowell – (French) Young wolf
• Zeppelin – (German, Slavic) Zeppelin, Flail
• Stiles – (English) Steep hill, Steps
• Roosevelt – (Dutch) Rose field
• Wright – (British) Carpenter
• Den – (Greek) Son of Dennis, Follower of Dionysius
• Emanuel – (Hebrew) God is with us

Unique Modern Boy Names

• Shaquille – (Arabic, American) Well developed, Handsome
• Meshach – (Akkadian) Who is what Aku is?
• Jesiah – (Hebrew) Jehovah exists
• Amen – (Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek) Certainty, Truth, The hidden one
• Kehinde – (Yoruba) Second-born of twins, One who falls behind
• Alcott – (English) Dweller at the old cottage
• Timber – (British) Wood
• Wilde – (English) Undomesticated, Uncultivated
• Ruffin – (English) Reddish, Red hair
• Radley – (English) Red meadow
• Picasso – (Spanish) Talkative, Magpie
• Psalm – (Hebrew, Greek) Sacred poem, Praises, Song sung to the harp
• Sekani – (African) Laugh
• Jadon – (Hebrew) God has heard
• Reno – (Spanish) Of Moreno, Dark-haired
• Omari – (Swahili, Arabic, Hebrew) Populous, Highest, Life, Follower of the Prophet, Speak, Say
• Parks – (English) Park-keeper or stone
• Granger – (English, French) Worker of the granary

Modern Handsome Boy Names

• Atticus – (Latin) From Attica
• Orson – (Latin, English) Bear cub
• Cruz – (Spanish) Cross
• Wells – (British) Spring, Spring stream
• Romeo – (Italian) Pilgrim to Rome, Roman
• Boone – (English, French) Blessing, Lucky
• Truett – (English) Dry wood, River bend
• Langston – (English) Tall man’s town
• Jones – (English) God is gracious
• Callahan – (Irish) Bright-headed
• Mccoy – (Irish) Fire
• Tennyson – (English) Son of Dennis
• Kieran – (Irish) Little dark one
• Fox – (English) Fox, a bushy tailed wild animal
• Penn – (English) Enclosure
• Sayer – (English) Woodcutter, Reciter
• Corbin – (English, French) Crow, Raven
• Kareem – (Arabic) Noble, Generous
• Milan – (Italian, Slavic) Gracious, Dear

Short Modern Boy Names

• Coen – (Dutch) Bold advisor
• Tripp – (French) One who tripped
• Briggs – (British) Bridges
• Pike – (American) Pike, a fish
• Colt – (British) Young horse
• Dax – (French) Leader
• Gage – (French) Oath, Pledge
• Fynn – (Irish) Bright, Fair
• Cru – (French) A high-quality vineyard, Weir
• Iker – (Basque) Visitation
• Jed – (Hebrew) Beloved of God
• Dex – (Latin) Dyer, Right-handed, Dexterous, Skilled
• Slade – (English) From the valley
• Crew – (English) A band, Group of people who work together
• Smith – (English) Blacksmith
• Riggs – (English) One who lives on the ridge
• Jair – (Hebrew) He shines
• Case – (British) Case-maker
• Spike – (English) A very large nail

Modern Badass Boy Names

• Gatsby – (German) From Gaddesby
• Alamo – (Spanish) Poplar tree
• Jedi – (Hebrew) Beloved by the Lord
• Armstrong – (English, Scottish) Strong arms
• Baldwin – (German) Brave friend
• Guthrie – (Scottish) Windy place
• Xavion – (African) Fighter
• Branch – (English, French) Paw, Branch of a tree
• Jax – (English, Hebrew) Son of Jack, Supplanter, Holder of the Heel, God is gracious
• Cash – (English) Money case, Hollow
• Remi – (French) Oarsman
• Braxton – (English) Brock’s settlement
• Decker – (German) Roofer
• Houston – (Scottish) Hugh’s town
• Bridger – (English) Lives near the bridge

Celebrity Inspired Modern Boy Names

• Gunner – (Scandinavian) Bold warrior
• Ransom – (English) Shield’s son
• Chance – (French, English) Chancellor, Good fortune
• Bronson – (English) Son of brown-haired one
• Fisher – (English) Fisherman
• Diesel – (German) People, Gift of Yahweh
• Makai – (Hebrew) Who is like God
• Pax – (Latin) Peace
• Jeter – (French, Latin, Greek) To throw, Stone, Rock
• Chicago – (American) Wild garlic
• Buzz – (American) Village in the woods
• Lincoln – (English) Town by the pool
• Sir – (British) Honorable masculine title
• Everest – (British) Dweller on the Eure River
• Swift – (English, Irish) Quick, Windblown
• Chapel – (English) A small building for English worship
• Ellington – (English) Ellis’ town
• Manning – (Irish) Monk
• Baker – (British) One who bakes
• Rome – (Latin, Roman) Citizen of Rome, From Rome, Italy

Nature Inspired Modern Boy Names

• Beauden – (English, German) Hill shaped like a bow, Floor
• Carmelo – (Spanish, Italian, Hebrew) Garden
• Braven – (English) Invented name
• Arsenio – (Spanish, Greek) Virile, Strong
• Cristiano – (Brazilian) Christian man
• Berkley – (English) Where birches grow
• Jairo – (Hebrew, Spanish) He shines, God will awaken
• Davion – (Hebrew) Beloved
• Colson – (English) Son of Nicholas
• Jabari – (Arabic, Swahili) Comforter, Bringer of consolation
• Gian – (Italian) God is gracious
• Bryson – (English) Son of Brice
• Cyrano – (Greek) From Cyrene
• Astaire – (Jewish, Austrian) From Austerlitz, Moravia
• Emmaus – (Greek, Aramaic) Hot spring
• Dakari – (African) Rejoice
• Brayson – (English) Son of Bray, Hill
• Arcadian – (Greek) From Arcadia, Idyllic
• Edyn – (Hebrew) Place of pleasure, Delight
• Caine – (Irish, Hebrew) Son of the warrior, Possession
• Jace – (Greek) Healer, Lord of salvation
• Brayden – (English) Broad hill

Royal Modern Boy Names

• Royal – (English) Royal
• Duncan – (Scottish) Dark warrior
• King – (English) Monarch
• Ledger – (German) Spear tribe
• Kendrick – (English, Scottish) Royal ruler, Champion
• Pharaoh – (Latin) Ruler
• Landry – (French, English) Ruler
• Kingsley – (English) King’s meadow
• Princeton – (English) Princely town
• Maddox – (Welsh) Son of Madoc
• Ashwin – (Sanskrit) Ash friend
• Obama – (Luo, Japanese) Bending, Little beach
• Jaxton – (American) Jack’s town, God is gracious, Son of Jack
• Bowen – (Welsh) Son of Owen
• Prince – (Latin) Prince
• Kingston – (English) King’s town

Modern Unisex Boy Names

• Jensen – (Scandinavian) Son of Jens
• Porter – (English, French) Doorkeeper, Carrier
• Zaire – (African) The river that swallows all rivers
• Sincere – (American, Latin) Sincere, Pure, Clean, Honest
• Messiah – (Aramaic, Hebrew) Expected savior, Deliverer
• Kash – (British, German) Box maker, Merry, Lively
• Axton – (English) Sword stone
• Zyaire – (African) River
• Jaxtyn – (American) Town of Jack
• Campion – (English, French) Champion, Woodland flower
• Kobe – (Hebrew, Swahili) Supplanter, Tortoise, Turtle
• Jakobe – (Hebrew) He who supplants, At the heel
• Wolf – (English) Traveling wolf
• Korbyn – (Latin, French) Crow, Raven
• Ryatt – (British, French, German) Disorder, Noise revelry, Powerful, Brave
• Brixton – (British) The stone of Brixi
• Gift – (English, African) Gift, Present, Offering
• Kruz – (Latin, Spanish) Crux, Cross
• Jordy – (Hebrew) Flowing down
• Braylon – (American, Scottish, Irish) Hill, Borderland, Marsh

Wrap Up

Reading this list of contemporary boy names, I hope you’ve experienced that spark, the kind that you can make your face and imagine the things your son will do later on in life.

Each name has its own narrative, its own energy.

Maybe you love a celebrity name such as Knox and imagine your son walking into any room with dignity.

Or maybe you go for a nature inspired name, such as River, that says you love the great outdoors.

Believe your gut, enjoy the process and happy naming.