There are so many gorgeous names for baby boys, you might find yourself feeling like there’s actually too much choice. Sound familiar? Well, stop stressing because, if you’re looking for a cute name for your little dreamboat but still haven’t hit on the perfect choice, we’re here to help.
Mumsnet’s aim is to make parents’ lives easier and, bearing in mind that naming babies can be a tricky business, we like to offer lots of naming inspiration and guidance surrounding the subject of baby names. Looking for cute baby names? We’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ve selected 140 of the most popular cute names for baby boys right now, along with some more unique - and incredibly cute - options for you to consider for your newborn son.
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How we chose the top cute baby boy names
We started our baby name search with the most popular names for girls and boys registered in England and Wales in 2021, as recorded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
How the ONS compiles their list of baby names
Each year, the ONS collects yearly birth registration data and ranks first names according to frequency (popularity) as well as dividing by sex. The yearly ‘top 100’ and ‘top 10’ lists for baby boy names and baby girl names offer insight and guidance into naming trends and fashions - ideal if you’re looking for a cute name for your newborn.
While the figures for 2022 haven’t been released yet, we’ve selected the cutest names for baby boys taken from the ONS’s top 100 list from 2021.
During our research, we also selected some popular and unique baby boy names which were mentioned, discussed and loved by Mumsnetters on our Baby Names forum. Additionally, we included the cutest picks from our other baby name articles, including cute baby names for 2024, most popular baby names, top baby boy names, unusual baby names, and the most popular Welsh baby names, Scottish baby names and Irish baby names.
Quick heads up - if you’re also looking for baby girl names, take a look at the top cute girl names for 2024.
Popular cute boy names
1. Adam
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Man
2. Albie
Origin: English (diminutive of Albert)
Meaning: Noble
3. Alfie
Origin: English
Meaning: Elf counsel
4. Alex
Origin: Greek (diminutive of Alexander)
Meaning: Defending men
5. Archie
Origin: English
Meaning: Genuine
6. Arthur
Origin: Celtic, Welsh
Meaning: Bear-like
7. Arlo
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Fortified hill
8. Ashley
Origin: English
Meaning: Ash tree meadow
9. Benjamin (Benji for short)
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Son of my right hand
10. Billy (or Billie)
Origin: German
Meaning: Helmeted protector
11. Bobby (or Bobbie)
Origin: English
Meaning: Bright fame
12.Brody (or Brodie)
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Muddy place
13. Casper (or Caspar)
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Treasure bearer
14. Charlie
Origin: English
Meaning: Free man
15. Chester
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Fortress
16. Dexter
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Dyer, right-handed
17. Dylan
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Son of the sea
18. Elijah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Yahweh is my God
19. Elliot
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Yaweh is my God
Ellis
Origin: Hebrew (derived from Elijah)
Meaning: Kind or my God is Yahweh
21. Ethan
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Strong or steadfast
22. Evan
Origin: Welsh (derived from Iefan)
Meaning: Young warrior or God is good/gracious
23. Ezra
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Help or helper
24. Felix
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Happy or lucky
25. Finn
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Fair
26. Finley
Origin: Scottish, Irish
Meaning: Fair warrior
27. Flynn
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Reddish complexion
28. Frankie
Origin: English
Meaning: Free or honest
29. Freddie
Origin: English
Meaning: Peaceful ruler
30. Harvey
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Army warrior
31. Harry
Origin: English
Meaning: Ruler of the household
32. Hugo
Origin: German
Meaning: Spirit
33. Isaac
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He will laugh
34. Ivan
Origin: Slavic, Hebrew
Meaning: God is gracious
35. Jacob
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Supplanter
Jack
Origin: English
Meaning: God is gracious
37. Jamie
Origin: English
Meaning: Supplanter
38. James
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Supplanter
39. Jesse
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God exists
40. Joe (or Jo)
Origin: Latin
Meaning: God is gracious
41. Jonah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Dove
42. Jordan
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: To flow down or descend
43. Jude
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Praised
44. Leo
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lion
45. Levi
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Joined
46. Liam
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Resolute protector, strong-willed warrior
47. Louie
Origin: French
Meaning: Famous warrior
48. Luca
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Light
49. Mackenzie
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Son of the bright one
50. Matty
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Gift of God
51. Max
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Greatest
52. Milo
Origin: German
Meaning: Merciful
53. Myles
Origin: English
Meaning: soldier or merciful
54. Nate
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Gift of God
55. Nico
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Victory of God
56. Noah (or Noa)
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Rest or comfort
57. Oliver (Ollie for short)
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Olive tree
58. Oscar
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Spear of the God
59. Peter
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Rock or stone
60. Ralph
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Wolf counsel
61. Reagan
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Little king
62. Reggie
Origin: English
Meaning: Rule
63. Reuben
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Behold, a son
64. Rory
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Red king
65. Rupert
Origin: German
Meaning: Famous/fame or bright
66. Sam
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Told by God
67. Sonny
Origin: English
Meaning: Son
68. Theo
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Gift of God
69. Thomas (or Tom)
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: Twin
70. Teddy
Origin: English
Meaning: Gift of God
71. Tommy
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: Twin
72. Wilbur
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Strong-willed defender
73. Xander
Origin: Greek (diminutive of Alexander)
Meaning: Defender of the people
74. Zac (or Zack)
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God has remembered
75. Zachary
Origin: Hebrew, Greek
Meaning: God remembers
What Mumsnetters say about popular cute boy names
“I have a Leo so I applaud your taste!” - Mumsnet user, Aria999
Rory is, IMO, the quintessential modern British boy name. Go for it.” - Mumsnet user, Creepygnochi
“I really like Zac. It sounds cool and is traditional but still sounds modern and is easy to say.” - Mumsnet user, Sandysandwich
Cute and unique boy names
76. Abel
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Breath
77. Ace
Origin: English
Meaning: One who excels, number one
78. Adi
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: First or beginning
79. Ambrose
Origin: English
Meaning: Immortal
80. Archer
Origin: English
Meaning: Bowman
81. Ari
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Lion or eagle
82. August
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Majestic
83. Atticus
Origin: English
Meaning: Man of Attica
84. Austin
Origin: English
Meaning: Great
85. Ashton
Origin: English
Meaning: Ash tree town
86. Axel
Origin: German
Meaning: Father of peace
87. Bailey
Origin: English
Meaning: Bailiff, steward
88. Bear
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Bear
89. Beck
Origin: English
Meaning: Stream
90. Birch
Origin: English
Meaning: Type of tree
91. Bramble
Origin: English
Meaning: Thorny shrub or plant
92. Bo
Origin: Norse, Chinese
Meaning: To live or wide wave
93. Bondi
Origin: Australian
Meaning: Waves
94. Bowie
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Yellow-haired
95. Bram
Origin: Hebrew, Dutch (short form of Abraham)
Meaning: Father of a multitude
96. Clement
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Gentle, mild, good and merciful
97. Clyde
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Friendly and also refers to Glasgow’s River Clyde
98. Dorian
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Of the Dorian tribe
99. Edgar
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Spear carrier or protector of the good
100. Enzo
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Ruler of the home
101. Fletcher
Origin: English
Meaning: Arrow-maker
102. Fox
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Cunning
103. Hadley
Origin: English
Meaning: Heather-covered meadow
104. Harlow
Origin: English
Meaning: Rock hill or army hill
105. Huxley
Origin: English
Meaning: Meadow
106. Indie (or Indy)
Origin: English
Meaning: Independence
107. Idris
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Studious or smart
108. Jago
Origin: Spanish, Cornish (form of James or Jacob)
Meaning: Supplanter
109. Jax
Origin: English (diminutive of Jackson)
Meaning: Son of Jack or God is gracious
110. Jett
Origin: English
Meaning: Jet black
111. Jules
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Youthful, downy
112. Kofi
Origin: Akan (Ghanaian)
Meaning: Born on Friday
113. Lars
Origin: Scandinavian, Germanic
Meaning: Crowned with laurel
114. Leif
Origin: Scandinavian, Old Norse
Meaning: Descendant, heir
115. Linus
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Flax
116. Lorcan
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Meaning: Fierce or little fierce one
117. Micah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Who is like God
118. Moss
Origin: English
Meaning: Small, soft plant
119. Nolan
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Descendant of a champion
120. Oakley
Origin: English
Meaning: Oak tree clearing
121. Oisín
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Meaning: Little deer
122. Quentin
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Born in the fifth month
123. Rafferty
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Abundance or one who will prosper
124. Roman
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Of Rome
125. Rumi
Origin: Japanese
Peaceful or flow
126. Stevie
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Crown
127. Tate
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Cheerful
128. Tatum
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Cheerful
129. Taylor
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Cutter of cloth
130. Tristan
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: Sad or melancholy
131. Troy
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Foot soldier
132. Vale
Origin: English
Meaning: Valley
133. Victor
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Conqueror
134. Wesley
Old English
Western Meadow
135. Willoughby
Origin: English
Meaning: Willow farm
136. Wyatt
Origin: English
Meaning: Brave in battle
137. Yari
Origin: Japanese, Persian, Italian, Hebrew
Meaning: Spear, friendship or gold
138. Zebedee
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Gift of God
139. Zeke
Origin: Hebrew (diminutive of Ezekiel)
Meaning: God will strengthen
140. Ziggy
Origin: German
Meaning: Victorious protector
What Mumsnetters say about cute and unique names for boys
“I've always like months of the year as names. Most recently I've liked August for a boy.” - Mumsnet user, GR8GAL
“I've always loved Moss, Roman and Ari for a boy.” - Mumsnet user, aperolspritzbasicbitch
“Zeke’s nicely unusual.” - Mumsnet user, Luredbyapomegranate
How to choose a cute boy name
Most people think of names ending in a ‘y’ or ‘ie’ as sounding cute, such as Teddy or Willoughby.
Short, striking one syllable names can be cute yet powerful - how about Axel or Max?
Embrace a cultured name, which evokes history or literature, such as Troy, Roman or Atticus.
Choose an adorable meaning, such as Tate which means ‘cheerful’ or Isaac which means ‘he will laugh’. Cute, right?
Look to the great outdoors for a cute boy name, such as Fox, River, Bramble, Boss or Beck.
Looking for a popular baby name? Pick one of the top 100 on the latest ONS list.
If you fancy going for something more unusual, avoid baby naming trends and choose one well outside the ONS top 100 list.
Bear in mind that your baby boy is going to grow up to become a hulking teen, who may choose for a less cutesy option, as this Mumsnetter explains: “We have a Teddy and that's his name on birth certificate. He goes by Ted now he's older.”
If you want a longer name for the birth certificate, choose one with cute shortenings such as Thomas (Tom/Tommy), Rafferty (Raff/Raffy) and Zebedee (Zeb).
What is the cutest name ever for a boy?
With so many cute baby boy names around, it’s hard to select the top picks. In order to decide the cutest names ever for a boy, we headed to our Baby Names forum as well as scouring the ONS Top 100 list and other online resources.
So <drum roll please> here are the results…
Cutest popular name? It’s Teddy! Can you really find a cuter name? Traditionally short for the classic and well-loved Edward, Teddy is now a delightful standalone name and growing in popularity, year on year. We can understand why too. Seriously, who wouldn’t want cuddles with their very own little snuggly newborn teddy bear?
And how about the top unusual cute baby name? We think you can’t go far wrong with a gorgeous nature-inspired choice? For that reason, we’ve chosen River as the cutest unusual baby name for 2024. Not only is it super adorable, it would suit any outdoorsy little chap, who enjoys getting muddy in his wellies. We love it.
About the author
Louise Baty writes parenting content for Mumsnet, producing product round-ups, travel guides and baby name articles. She’s also written content for Mumsnet’s sister site, Gransnet.
Originally from West Yorkshire and now based in Nottinghamshire, Louise has worked as a features writer for consumer magazines and national newspapers for 20 years. She specialises in parenting and lifestyle features and emotional true life first-person interviews and has authored four non-fiction books on parenting and grandparenting.
Mum to two tweenagers, Louise’s own baby name choosing days may be long gone. However, she admits to having spent a LONG time deciding on her DCs’ names, together with her DP.
For this reason, Louise has a particular interest in baby names. She understands how difficult it can be to narrow down a short list from your long list of baby names, either during pregnancy or during the sleep-deprived days following the birth of your baby. By compiling comprehensive and easy-to-follow baby name round-ups for Mumsnet, she hopes to provide inspiration and support to parents-to-be who are looking for the perfect name for their baby.
