35+ Wild And Rugged Western Or Cowboy Names For Boys

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Cowboys and their adventures catch the fancy of many. From whipping their lassos to confidently riding their horses, cowboys are considered heroic and brave. So, here’s our list of cowboy names for your baby boy to help you pick the right one. Cowboys have often been cast as the protagonist in many movies and novellas. So, these names will inspire your child to embrace heroism and chivalry. So, check out these rugged western names for your baby boy.

Famous Cowboy Names For Boys

If you want your son’s name to carry an air of wilderness, here are some cowboy-inspired names for him.

1. Ames

The name originates from the French word ‘amis’ or ‘ami’, meaning companion. This French word has its roots in Latin and has come from the word ‘amicus’ meaning to love. This name was popular in the early part of last century, and some notable names were singer and actor Ed Ames, and scientist Adelbert Ames Jr. Ames is also a surname of English, French, or German origins. With its strong sound, it captures the essence of Western culture.

2. Austin

It is one of the most famous and top-rated names in the 1990s. The name has a feel of the southwest and roots from the Anglo-Saxon origin. Its modern usage is likely influenced by the popular surname Austin. It is also the name of a city in Texas, which provides a natural link to cowboy culture and Western heritage. A notable character with this name is Austin Sloper from the novel Washington Square by the celebrated novelist Henry James.

3. Bart

Bart is a diminutive of Bartholomew or Bartholomeus, which means ‘furrowed.’ The name is connected to agriculture and the land, aligning with the values of the cowboy lifestyle.

Trivia

The name Bart is commonly known from the mischievous character in the TV series The Simpsons.

4. Beau

It’s a name which has always been on the wish-list of parents. Whenever this name comes to your mind, the image of a very impressive person reflects immediately. Beau is a name of French origin meaning ‘handsome’ or ‘beautiful.’ The name has been in use as a given name since the mid-20th century and is used for both girls and boys in Britain and the Netherlands. In the US, it is mainly considered a masculine name and considered a cowboy name for its association with strength and charm. Beau was the child of Ashley and Melanie Wilkes in the novel Gone With the Wind.

5. Blaze

It’s an English name, and the meaning is burning fire. It’s an English name, and the meaning is burning fire. Blaze carries a strong, fiery connotation fitting for a bold cowboy character. It is believed that it has originated from the English name Blaise meaning falter. Actress Kate Winslet has a son named Blaze.

6. Chevy

Chevy is a literary place name famously featured in the poem “The Ballad of Chevy Chase.” It can be considered a cowboy name due to its strong association with the durable and iconic vehicles of the Chevrolet brand.

7. Clint

Clint is a shortened form of Clinton, which originates from an English surname linked to towns like Glinton or Glympton. The name Clint is closely associated with Clint Eastwood, widely regarded as the screen cowboy due to his iconic roles in Western films.

8. Colter

Colter, derived from an English surname meaning ‘a keeper of horses,’ is a fitting cowboy name. Its historical connection to John Colter, a pioneering mountain man and explorer, adds to its association with the cowboy lifestyle.

9. Ford

The name Ford comes from an Old English surname rooted in a place name that means ‘shallow river crossing.’ It is also famously associated with Henry Ford, the American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. It is considered a cowboy name due to its association with the well-known pickup truck manufacturer.

10. Hank

This cowboy name with a simple sound is the short form of John, meaning ‘God is merciful’ in Hebrew. The most notable bearer of this name is the famous singer Hank Williams Jr.

11. James

James is an Anglo-Saxon name and one of the most common English names. In the New Testament, this name is associated with two apostles: Saint James the Greater, who was the brother of the apostle John (1), and James the Lesser, the son of Alphaeus (2). Another James is also noted in the Bible as the brother of Jesus (3). James is also among the popular baby boy names and ranks high on lists of favorite cowboy names for baby boys. Celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker and Colin Farrell have named their sons James.

12. Jesse

Jesse comes from the Greek version of the Hebrew name Yishai, meaning ‘gift or existence.’ According to the Old Testament, Jesse is the father of King David. With its strong, timeless feel, Jesse is associated with the adventurous and independent cowboy spirit.

Trivia

A famous individual with the name Jesse is Jesse Owens, the American athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games.

13. Josh

Josh is a cowboy name that evokes a sense of strength and reliability. It’s the diminutive name of Joshua, which is derived from the Hebrew name ‘Yehoshua’ meaning salvation. In the Old Testament, Joshua is described as a close companion of Moses (4). Several famous movie actors such as Josh Brolin share this name.

14. Lane

This name has its origin from a surname which means path and is usually used to denote the name living in proximity of a road or lane. It makes a fitting cowboy name, as it symbolizes open trails and country roads—essential elements of cowboy life.

15. Levi

Levi is believed to mean ‘joined’ or ‘attached’ in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah and the ancestor of the Levites, one of Israel’s twelve tribes (5). The name gained widespread recognition through Levi Strauss, the founder of Levi’s jeans, a brand that embodies the rugged, enduring cowboy spirit.

16. Maverick

This name comes from the English word meaning free spirit. It conveys a sense of individuality and freedom, qualities connected to cowboy culture. Tom Cruise had this name in his first hit movie Top Gun. The name Maverick has appeared on the list of the top 1,000 names for boys in the US since 1994 and has ranked among the top 50 names since 2020 (6).

17. Morgan

This name is derived from two old Welsh words ‘mor’ which means sea and ‘cant’ which means circle. It evokes vastness, fitting the free-spirited essence of cowboy life. This name has been made famous by the Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman. In the US, this name is used for any gender but has grown more popular among girls than boys since the 1990s (6).

18. Nash

This name came from a surname which originated from the phrase ‘atten ash,’ signifying open landscapes and natural settings often associated with cowboy life. The famous Kiwi cricketer Dion Nash has this name. This name saw a rise in popularity as a boys’ name in the mid-1990s, following the debut of the TV series Nash Bridges. Its popularity grew further in 2005 when a character with this name was introduced on the soap opera One Life to Live.

19. Oakes

Oakes is a variation of the surname Oak, originally used to describe someone living near an oak tree or forest. It is a fitting cowboy name representing qualities like strength, resilience, and endurance that are central to the cowboy spirit.

20. Palmer

This name originates from an English surname, which in turn has come from the Latin ‘palma’ or palm tree. This name also means ‘palm bearer’ or ‘pilgrim.’ It traces back to Christian pilgrims who carried palms during their journeys to the Holy Land. Golfer Arnold Palmer is a proud bearer of this name. Palmer is also a cowboy name that reflects the spirit of adventure and toughness tied to cowboy life.

21. Pete

This name is the short form of the name Peter, derived from the Greek word Petros, meaning stone, which conveys a sense of simplicity and strength, qualities often admired in cowboy culture. Simon Peter was an apostle of Jesus and is regarded as the first pope ((7)). The 14-time Grand Slam tennis champion Pete Sampras has this name.

22. Randy

It is the diminutive form of several names like Randolf or Randel. The name comes from two German words: ‘rand,’ which means ‘edge,’ and ‘wulf,’ which means ‘wolf,’ making it a fitting cowboy name that embodies courage and strength. Randy Couture is a famous boxer-cum-movie actor.

23. Ray

It’s the diminutive form of the name Raymond but has gained immense popularity as a unique name also. The English name means ‘beam of light’. Its connection to the open skies and sunlight makes it a fitting choice as a cowboy name. Several renowned personalities such as actor Ray Liotta and athlete Ray Lewis share this name.

24. Remington

It comes from an English surname that means ‘settlement by the Riming stream,’ which brings to mind the vast, open lands and frontier life of cowboys. The name could also be inspired by Eliphalet Remington and his sons, who founded the well-known firearms company.

25. Roy

It comes from the Anglo name Ruadh, which means ‘red’ and symbolizes fire, passion, and strength, making it a fitting cowboy name. It is shared by civil right campaigner Roy Innis, and fictional superhero Roy Harper from the comic series Arrow.

26. Sawyer

For parents looking for adventurous baby names, Sawyer is a perfect choice. This masculine name derives from an old English last name, and it means someone who uses a saw to cut wood. With its ties to nature and craftsmanship, Sawyer reflects the hardworking spirit of cowboys. The name had been made famous by Mark Twain when he used it as the surname of the protagonist in his novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

27. Shane

This name has come from the name Sean which is also the Irish form of the very common name John. The root of John is again a Greek name called Ioannes, which has its origin in the Hebrew name Yochanan. It means praising the Hebrew god Yahweh. Many celebrities share the name such as the Australian cricketer Shane Warne, Scottish actor and Academy Award winner Sean Connery among many others. Shane is considered a cowboy name due to its association with the classic film Shane, where the character embodies the heroic qualities often admired in cowboy culture.

28. Stetson

It is a cowboy name associated with the Stetson hat, a symbol of cowboy culture. The name originates from an English surname derived from the village of Stidston in Devon and means ‘Stithweard’s town.’

29. Toby

Used for both boys and girls, the name is the modern version of Tobias. It originated from the Greek name Tobiah. People gave this name to a male protagonist in the fictional version of the Old Testament, which was written in English and named the Book of Tobit. American country singer Toby Keith was a famous bearer of this name.

30. Trevor

This name originates from two different Welsh words ‘tref’ which means village and ‘mawr’ which means large; thus the meaning big community. It is a cowboy name as it evokes a connection to rural life and wide-open spaces.The famous Australian cricketer of the Chappelle brother trio was named Trevor. This name became popular as a given name in the UK during the mid-20th century and gained recognition in the US in the 1960s (6).

31. Vern

This name is the diminutive shape of the name Vernon, which came from a Norman surname. The actual root, though, is ‘vern,’ a Gaulish word meaning ‘alder,’ which carries a natural, earthy connection and makes it a fitting cowboy name. No guesses about who made this name popular—celebrated French author Jules Verne, who wrote several science-fiction novels such as Around the World in Eighty Days.

32. Wade

This name originated from an English surname which means ford. With its meaning ‘ford’ evoking river crossings and rugged landscapes, Wade fits as a cowboy name. Some people opine that this name came from another word which means to go. Famous basketball player Dwayne Wade and Australian cricketer Matthew Wade bear this name.

33. Warren

At first, this name was used to signify any inhabitant of La Varenne in Normandy. Later it was found that the name has its roots in the German language and came from the French word ‘warrene’ which means a place where animals are enclosed. Its connection to nature and the outdoors makes Warren a name that resonates with the spirit of cowboy life. Two very powerful and successful men from different eras bore this name, English General Warren Hastings and one of the richest persons in the world, investment icon Warren Buffet.

34. West

It originates from the English word meaning ‘evening’ or ‘night.’ It can also be a shortened version of the surname Weston, which combines the Old English words ‘west,’ meaning ‘west,’ and ‘tun,’ meaning ‘town’ or ‘settlement,’ linking it to cowboy life. Additionally, it can be derived from the surname West, which refers to someone from the West.

35. Wyatt

It is derived from the Old English name Wigheard, meaning ‘hard, firm or brave.’ Wyatt is associated with the qualities of toughness and bravery, making it a classic cowboy name. It became popular through the legendary figure Wyatt Earp, an American lawman and gunfighter.

35. Zeb

This name originated from the Hebrew language. It is a short form of Zebedee or Zebediah which means a part of God. It is quite a unique cowboy name for your little boy.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

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Infographic: More Cowboy-inspired Names

Choosing a name for their baby is an exciting process for the parents. But going through different sources and narrowing down the tons of suggestions to find the best name can be a task. So keeping this infographic handy will make choosing a cowboy name for your little prince easier.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Wild And Rugged Western Or Cowboy Names For Boys

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Southwestern-inspired cowboy baby names have a distinct charm. This video shows some of the coolest names with their meanings and spellings.

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Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Srija holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Calcutta and a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her interest in editing ranges across niches, including academics, human psychology, and child development.

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Angela AlexMA

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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