I was overjoyed by the incredible response that I got on my girl list from you berries! I gave it a couple days so I wouldn’t overrun the feed with my word vomit but here are the boys I promised. Enjoy!
[name_m]Cassian[/name_m] [name_u]Storm[/name_u]
I’ve loved the name [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] since I first heard it as a little girl on [name_m]Prince[/name_m] [name_m]Caspian[/name_m]. It was on my boy list when I was a young teen exploring my style because it was an uncommon choice that my mom loved. As I thought about it though, [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] was too grand for my son. When I found [name_m]Cassian[/name_m], I was blown away. It had the dashing adventurous spirit of [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] but dropping the P made it so much more accessible. I pronounce it CASS-ee-an.
[name_u]Storm[/name_u] is a middle name on my boy and girl lists. I love thunderstorms, especially at night when I’m going to sleep. Kansas has the best thunderstorms so it reminds me of growing up there. I would call him “[name_m]Cap[/name_m]” as a nod to [name_m]Captain[/name_m] [name_u]America[/name_u]. The combo means “empty storm” and I hope [name_m]Cassian[/name_m] understands that any storm, no matter how strong, is a match for him.
[name_m]Leo[/name_m] Somerled
There are very few names that have made the transition from my “dislike” list to my “love” list but [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is one of them and it is completely because of [name_m]Leo[/name_m] Valdez from [name_m]Rick[/name_m] [name_m]Riordan[/name_m]’s Heroes of [name_m]Olympus[/name_m] series. I do wonder if [name_m]Leo[/name_m] is just a guilty pleasure because my sister’s name is [name_f]Leah[/name_f] and it’s more popular than I’d like, but I love it so much.
Somerled emerged during my [name_m]Leo[/name_m]-themed signature last year (zodiac). It means “summer traveler.” I can’t wait to travel with my children someday.
[name_m]Torin[/name_m] [name_u]Everest[/name_u]
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] is the longest standing name on my girl list but [name_m]Torin[/name_m] beats out her. I’ve loved [name_m]Torin[/name_m] since early 2013. I first heard it during a Confirmation retreat for my church on one of the counselors. I’m no longer religious so the church part of the memory means little to me, but I will never forget his story. When it was his turn to inspire us, to speak to this group of impressionable 8th graders, he told us about the time he accidentally glued his laptop shut, cut himself with the knife he used to try and pry it open, and then waited in the car while his mom got her nails done on the way to the ER. I have no idea how that related to God but he had everyone in tears from laughing.
Mount [name_u]Everest[/name_u] is obviously the highest peak on [name_f]Earth[/name_f]. Together, the combo means “chief of the tallest peak” (or something like that) and I hope [name_m]Torin[/name_m] remembers that he can reach any height he aspires to.
[name_m]Phineas[/name_m] [name_m]Knight[/name_m]
To say that my family is obsessed with [name_m]Phineas[/name_m] and Ferb would be an understatement. We quote the show with every other thing we say and one of our favorite inside jokes is an obscure reference from a song on the [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] soundtrack that never even premiered on TV. A few years ago, my mom had a dream where I had children named [name_u]Finn[/name_u] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f]. Now, I don’t like [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and doubt I ever will, but [name_u]Finn[/name_u] has stayed with me. I’d use the F spelling as a nickname for the [name_f]Star[/name_f] Wars reference!
[name_m]Knight[/name_m] is a super cool word name. Knights are chivalrous, loyal, and good-hearted. Based on his sex, my son will have a lot of privilege given to him at birth. I want [name_m]Phineas[/name_m] to have the heart of a knight and use that privilege to help as many people as possible.
[name_u]Evren[/name_u] [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u]
[name_u]Evren[/name_u] is a Turkish name meaning “cosmos, the universe.” It’s the perfect amount of standing out and fitting in that I love in names. I am also a sucker for almost every “ev” name imaginable.
[name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] first came to my attention as a character in [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] [name_m]Harrison[/name_m]’s 13 Secrets. Those books were the inspiration for my beloved [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] so I think it’s only fitting that it makes an appearance on my boy list. I love the spunky unisex vibe of this name, how it feels edgy for being a soft boy name.
[name_u]Nico[/name_u] [name_m]Endymion[/name_m]
If you thought that [name_m]Leo[/name_m] was my last [name_m]Rick[/name_m] [name_m]Riordan[/name_m] name on my list, then you were greatly mistaken. I first heard [name_u]Nico[/name_u] on [name_u]Nico[/name_u] di [name_m]Angelo[/name_m], aka my fictional little brother. I love the spunky O ending. This is one of the Italian names that I would actually use, despite not having an ounce of Italian in me, because I can picture it on a son of mine.
[name_m]Endymion[/name_m] is a name that blew me away from the moment I saw it. The combo means “to enter with victory” and I hope my [name_u]Nico[/name_u] enters every situation with confidence and wisdom.
[name_u]Luca[/name_u] Summit
Short and spunky Italian name number 2 on this list! I’m praying that [name_u]Luca[/name_u] doesn’t replace [name_m]Luke[/name_m], which I’m not exaggerating when I say was the name of every teacher at my high school’s son. It’s lovely but… there’s too many. [name_u]Luca[/name_u] is softer and I love that vibe with boy names.
Summit is a word name that I feel should be more popular than it is. The meaning is so uplifting and the sound is reminiscent of the classic [name_u]Emmett[/name_u]. The combo means “light at the summit” because I’m pretending that [name_u]Luca[/name_u] comes from lux and has a cool meaning. I want [name_u]Luca[/name_u] to know that I will be proud of him no matter where he decides his summit is in life.
[name_m]Kylian[/name_m] [name_u]Archer[/name_u]
This is the greatest version of the [name_m]Drake[/name_m] meme I’ve ever experienced. [name_m]Drake[/name_m] is turning away in disgust at [name_u]Killian[/name_u] and [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] but is smiling and proud of [name_m]Kylian[/name_m]. The difference is minor: KEEL-ee-an instead of KILL-ee-an but it makes all the difference to me. I heard this name on [name_m]Kylian[/name_m] Mbappé, the [name_u]French[/name_u] soccer player, and fell in love immediately. Soccer is a huge love of mine and [name_m]Kylian[/name_m] honors the importance the sport has in many of my relationships. You can’t imagine the noise I made when I saw [name_m]Kylian[/name_m] made the 2019 top 1000 because that was the vindication I needed that it could work on an American boy. cue [name_m]Captain[/name_m] [name_m]Holt[/name_m] vindication meme
[name_u]Archer[/name_u] is a double honor name. First, I love the idea that an arrow has to be pulled back to go forward because I think it’s a beautifully optimistic view on life. And second, my mom was an expert archer in college so this is a nod to her.
[name_m]Enzo[/name_m] [name_m]Valerian[/name_m]
This is the last of the spicy Italian names. I love [name_m]Enzo[/name_m]! It’s so spunky and fresh.
[name_m]Valerian[/name_m] means “to be strong” which would be amazing just on its own. With [name_m]Enzo[/name_m] though, the combo could mean “to be a strong leader” which is another nod to how my [name_m]Enzo[/name_m] will be born with privilege that I want him to use like a true leader, to help others.
[name_m]Myles[/name_m] [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m]
One of my favorite movies of all time is Spider-[name_m]Man[/name_m]: Into the Spider-[name_u]Verse[/name_u]. I love the story and the characters and the animation. It’s one of the only movies that still makes me cry even though I’ve watched it at least a dozen times. [name_m]Myles[/name_m] is for [name_u]Miles[/name_u] Morales but I like how this spelling looks less like a word.
[name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] is pronounced like aw-RAY-lee-an. I was neutral on the [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]/Aurelian cohort because I used to say it with an “eel” sound instead of an “ay” sound, which wasn’t as appealing to me. When I heard the “ay” pronunciation, it changed my world. The combo means “golden and gracious”, a beautiful combination.
[name_m]Darwin[/name_m] [name_u]Valor[/name_u]
With [name_m]Darwin[/name_m], I of course love the nod to the biologist who made famous the study of evolution. I love learning about old species of humans and it’s something that my grandmother and I bond over. The meaning of “dear friend” is hard to beat as well. I also am incapable of passing up a name that starts with D and ends with N. No, really. Try me. It’s on my long list, I can already tell you.
[name_u]Valor[/name_u] is a soft virtue name that I adore for boys and girls. It’s such a fantastic trait. The combo means “dear friend with courage in the face of danger.” Not only do I want [name_m]Darwin[/name_m] to have valor for himself, I want him to have it for others.
[name_u]Declan[/name_u] [name_u]Mariner[/name_u]
Oh, you didn’t believe me? That was on you. This isn’t even the last D——N name on here. For realsies though, I love the sharpness of [name_u]Declan[/name_u]. Aesthetically, it’s a light blue and dusty gold that reminds me of the beach.
A mariner is a traveler, someone who sails the seas looking for adventure. I love the beachy feel of this name because I am an ocean girl at heart.
[name_m]Weston[/name_m] [name_u]Mercury[/name_u]
We’ve returned to soccer, referencing another favorite player of my dad and mine in [name_m]Weston[/name_m] “[name_u]West[/name_u]” McKennie. The name [name_m]Weston[/name_m] has a rugged cowboy vibe but I also associate it with the American National Team player, giving it a sophisticated and worldly vibe as well.
[name_u]Mercury[/name_u] is both for the planet and the god, both of whom would be an honor for my youngest sister and her interests.
[name_u]Finley[/name_u] [name_m]Osiris[/name_m]
Another name for the [name_u]Finn[/name_u] dream! I love this name and I love that its softness has a feminine vibe. Names that challenge gender boundaries are particularly edgy to me, no matter which way they lean.
[name_m]Osiris[/name_m] is an awesome name. [name_m]Just[/name_m], awesome. Oh and it’s also an Egyptian god. I love the rebellious touch that it gives to [name_u]Finley[/name_u], which feels almost too friendly without it.
[name_u]Archer[/name_u] [name_m]Caspian[/name_m]
For information on [name_u]Archer[/name_u], see the [name_m]Kylian[/name_m] [name_u]Archer[/name_u] tab.
In addition to what I said in [name_m]Cassian[/name_m] [name_u]Storm[/name_u], I love that [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] references the sea. This combo brings to mind a desire to travel to far off places, something I hope [name_u]Archer[/name_u] shares with me.
[name_u]Everest[/name_u] [name_m]Bowman[/name_m]
For information on [name_u]Everest[/name_u], see [name_m]Torin[/name_m] [name_u]Everest[/name_u].
[name_m]Bowman[/name_m] has a double meaning. First, it’s another nod to an archer. Second, [name_m]Bowman[/name_m] [name_m]Field[/name_m] is a staple of Clemson’s campus and is the first thing to greet you to the university. I often imagine bringing my kids to Clemson to show them where I went to school and walk them around the campus, which still blows me away with its beauty.
[name_u]Flynn[/name_u] Calidore
I’ve loved the name [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] since Tangled came out in 2010. [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] [name_m]Rider[/name_m] is the hottest Disney prince, don’t @ me. I love how he’s a badass adventurous rascal with a heart of gold, which is exactly what I want my [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] to be like. Except, maybe without the thieving part.
Calidore is a recent discovery. Isn’t he amazing? It means “beautiful gift”, which is exactly what any child of mine will be.
[name_m]Fabian[/name_m] [name_u]Atlas[/name_u]
This is another 13 Treasures name, after one of the main characters. When I was in middle school and loved trendy names like [name_u]Brooklyn[/name_u] and [name_u]Hudson[/name_u], I somehow found [name_m]Fabian[/name_m] on my list. A bonus association is the soccer player [name_m]Fabian[/name_m] [name_m]Johnson[/name_m].
[name_u]Atlas[/name_u] has the benefit of two awesome namesakes. Well, I guess the mythological figure isn’t awesome per se but mythology is so I’m going with it. Additionally, an atlas is a book of maps, which goes back to my desire to travel the world with my children.
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u] [name_u]Bravery[/name_u]
I’ve always appreciated this name although it has taken until recently for me to put aside the kid I knew in middle school and the memory of our eighth grade science teacher having to tell him to stop licking the blinds… I can’t make this up. This name is also a subtly [name_m]Phineas[/name_m] and Ferb reference that if anyone gets, I will be their best friend.
[name_u]Bravery[/name_u] is a word name that also belongs to [name_f]Siena[/name_f] on the girls’ side. It’s something that is so important to me though so I’ve used it twice. The combo means “brave riot” which is a reminder to [name_u]Tristan[/name_u] that he might need to make some trouble to change the world. [name_m]Just[/name_m] hopefully no blind licking.
[name_m]Koa[/name_m] [name_u]Taliesin[/name_u]
[name_m]Koa[/name_m] is a beautiful and soft Hawaiian name that immediately brings to mind both a calm beach and a mighty warrior.
[name_u]Taliesin[/name_u] means “shining brow” and is adds to the soft strength of [name_m]Koa[/name_m] so wonderfully. This is another combo that feels edgy due to how soft it is.
[name_u]Alden[/name_u] [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]
A couple summers ago, I passed a street called [name_u]Alden[/name_u] on my way to work every day and it stuck in my head since then. It brings to mind nature but has the meaning of “old friend.”
A phoenix is a mythological bird that rises from the ashes every time it dies. I want [name_u]Alden[/name_u] to have that outlook on life.
[name_m]Dawson[/name_m] [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m]
DJ [name_m]Khaled[/name_m] voice Another one! Yes, but this is the last one in the top 25. Another soft name that I actually fell in love with for a boy after hearing it on a girl. This is almost a reminder for myself. The meaning of [name_m]Dawson[/name_m] is “son of the beloved.” I want my children to possess the best of my qualities and add more of their own.
[name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] is after [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] [name_m]Robinson[/name_m] from Meet the Robinsons. He was my first fictional crush! I’ve never seen/read [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]’s [name_m]Web[/name_m] but unfortunately, the rest of the world has, and I don’t want to deal with that association for my son forever. So I’m sticking this GP in the middle.
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m] [name_m]Elio[/name_m]
[name_m]Magnus[/name_m] is a super cool, badass, Scandinavian name that honors the tiny Swedish heritage that I have. It’s a name that only a cool person could possess.
[name_m]Elio[/name_m] adds some softness to [name_m]Magnus[/name_m]. Together the combo means “great light” and I want my [name_m]Magnus[/name_m] to be a great light for anyone he meets.
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] [name_m]Theoden[/name_m]
I love the spunky, quirky feel of [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. It’s recognizable but not popular.
[name_m]Theoden[/name_m] is a LOTR name, an association that I don’t understand, but a name I love all the same. I’ve never been fond of [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]… I know, I might get kicked off of nameberry for saying that haha but I do love [name_u]Theo[/name_u]. [name_m]Theoden[/name_m] feels like [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]’s fantasy, adventurous cousin and it adds some strength to [name_m]Felix[/name_m].
[name_m]Evander[/name_m] [name_m]Hawthorn[/name_m]
And here we are, last but not least! I love the soft strength of [name_m]Evander[/name_m] and how it sounds like a fairytale version of [name_m]Alexander[/name_m].
[name_m]Hawthorn[/name_m] is the Celtic tree month that encompasses my, my cousin’s, and my mom’s birthdays. Together, the combo feels like a fairytale prince. [name_m]Hawthorn[/name_m] bushes have connections to magic as well. The combo means “good man of magic” and I hope [name_m]Evander[/name_m] uses his magic for good!
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this in-depth glimpse into my lists!
