Top boy Names For 2023

Balancing modern trends with timeless traditions.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Baby name trends change regularly. The change may be moderate, but names move up and down the popularity chart. Looking at the list of popular boy names in 2023, parents preferred names associated with strength, power, and religious faith. The year also witnessed a noticeable shift towards short names over long names.

Short classics such as Liam (protector) and Noah (comfort) stayed on top of the list as parents continued to shower love on these timeless names. Meanwhile, modern alternatives such as Levi (attached) and Leo (lion) also made up the list. Names symbolizing strength received special love from parents as names like Henry (home ruler) and Alexander (defender of people) featured among the top names in the US. Names with religious significance also remained popular among parents in 2023, with names like Elijah (Yahweh is my God) and Mateo (gift of God) continuing to capture their hearts. If you’re searching for a strong and meaningful name, look at the list below. Based on official SSA data (1), parents highly favored and cherished these names throughout the year.

In This Article

Browse Top Baby Names by Gender

Girl Boy

Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Liam		Boy	Strong-willed warrior; Protector; Guardian; My nation; My people
Oliver		Boy	Olive; Olive tree planter; Ancestor's descendant; All cautious
James		Boy	Supplanter
Elijah		Boy	Yahweh is my God
William		Boy	Will; Protector
Henry		Boy	Home ruler
Lucas		Boy	Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
Benjamin		Boy	Son of the right hand; Son of the south
Theodore		Unisex	God's gift
Mateo		Boy	God's gift
Levi		Boy	Joined; Attached; He will join
Sebastian		Boy	From Sebaste; Venerable; Exalted
Daniel		Boy	God is my judge
Jack		Boy	God is gracious; Healthy; Supplanter
Michael		Boy	Who is like God?
Alexander		Boy	Defender of mankind
Owen		Boy	Well-born; Noble birth; Born from the yew tree
Samuel		Boy	Name of God; God has heard
Asher		Boy	Happy; Blessed; Someone who lived by an ash tree or ash grove
Ethan		Boy	Enduring; Firm; Strong
Leo		Boy	Lion
Jackson		Boy	Son of Jack
Mason		Boy	Stone worker
Ezra		Boy	Help
John		Boy	God is gracious
Hudson		Boy	Son of Hudde; Mind; Thought; Spirit
Luca		Boy	Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
Aiden		Unisex	Little fire
Joseph		Boy	He will add; Praise
David		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Nova		Girl	New; New star
Jacob		Boy	May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Luke		Boy	Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
Julian		Boy	Youthful; Bright; Juvenile; Downy-bearded
Gabriel		Unisex	God is my strength
Grayson		Boy	Son of a gray-haired person
Matthew		Boy	God's gift
Maverick		Boy	Independent person who avoids conformity
Isaac		Boy	He will laugh; He will rejoice; Laughter
Dylan		Boy	To tide; To flow
Elias		Boy	My God is Yahweh
Anthony		Boy	Flower
Thomas		Boy	Twin
Carter		Boy	Tourist; Sojourner; Son of Carter; One who uses a cart
Ezekiel		Boy	God will strengthen
Charles		Boy	Free man
Josiah		Boy	Jehovah supports
Caleb		Boy	Dog; Brave; Devoted to God; Whole-hearted
Lincoln		Boy	Pool or lake colony
Christopher		Boy	Bearer of Christ; One who carries Christ
Miles		Boy	Gracious; Merciful; Soldier
Nathan		Boy	Gift of God; God has given; He gave
Isaiah		Boy	Yahweh is salvation; God saves
Joshua		Boy	God is salvation
Andrew		Boy	Man; Manly; Brave; Strength; Warrior
Adrian		Boy	Man from Hadria
Waylon		Boy	Craft; Cunning
Jaxon		Boy	Son of Jack; God is gracious
Roman		Boy	Strong or powerful.
Eli		Boy	Ascension; My God; My God is an oath; Torch
Wesley		Boy	West meadow
Aaron		Boy	Exalted; High mountain
Ian		Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Leonardo		Boy	Brave lion; Hard; Brave; Hardy
Brooks		Boy	Stream; One who lived near a brook or stream
Axel		Boy	Father is peace
Jonathan		Boy	Gift of God
Easton		Boy	From the east town
Everett		Boy	Brave boar
Weston		Boy	From the western town
Robert		Boy	Bright fame; Shining glory; Bright in counsel
Jameson		Boy	Son of James; Supplanter
Jose		Boy	God will give; He will add
Landon		Boy	Long hill
Silas		Boy	Of the forest; Of the woods; Asked for; Prayed for
Beau		Boy	Beautiful; Handsome
Colton		Boy	From a coal town
Jeremiah		Boy	Yahweh will exalt
Greyson		Boy	Son of the gray-haired man; Son of the steward
Adam		Boy	Son of the Earth; Formed of earth; Red; One from the soil
Nicholas		Boy	People's victory
Theo		Boy	Gift of God; God; Folk; People
Xavier		Boy	New house; Bright
Dominic		Boy	Belonging to God
Jace		Boy	Healer; To heal
Kayden		Boy	Fighter; Companion
Thiago		Boy	Supplanter
Carson		Boy	Son of marsh dwellers; Descendant of Carra
Austin		Boy	Grand; Majestic; To grow
Myles		Boy	Peaceful; Gracious; Soldier; Mill
Amir		Boy	Ruler; Prince; Commander
Declan		Boy	Full of goodness
Ryder		Boy	Mounted warrior; Knight; Messenger
Luka		Boy	From Lucania; Light
Connor		Boy	Lover of wolves; Hunter; Desiring wolves
Jaxson		Boy	Son of Jack
Enzo		Boy	Ruler of an estate or a house; Victorious
Giovanni		Boy	God is gracious
Vincent		Boy	Conquering
Diego		Boy	Teacher; Saint; Supplanter

Infographic: Historical Boy Names Popular In 2023

Parents often choose historical names for their sons because these names carry a sense of legacy and are known for their timelessness. These names are significant because they have been passed down from generation to generation and are also associated with historical personalities. The infographic below gives you the most popular historical boy names in 2023. Have a look to see if you can find the perfect historical name for your little prince.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team