Choosing a baby name can be a real challenge for a parent. But it can also be one of the fun things that you get to do for your little one.
There’s a great deal to consider when choosing a name and trying to find the right combination of a first and middle name is even more challenging.
We’ve put together some of our favorite combinations of first and middle names for little boys. Hopefully, they inspire your choice.
In this article
A
Adrian Mackenzie – Adrian – means ‘black or dark’; Mackenzie – means ‘born of fire’ or ‘child of the wise leader.’
Albert Carmichael – Albert – means ‘noble or bright’; Carmichael – meaning ‘fort of Michael.’
Alden Blake – Alden – means ‘old wise friend’; Blake – means ‘fair-haired’ or ‘dark’
Alder Wolfgang – Alder – means ‘eagle’; Wolfgang – means ‘traveling wolf’.
Archie Connor – Archie – means ‘genuine, bold, or brave’; Connor – means ‘descendent of hound or desire.’
Arrow Roman – Arrow – means ‘a projectile fired from a bow.’
Atticus Finch – Atticus – means ‘man of Attica’; Finch – means ‘to swindle.’
Atlas Benjamin – Atlas – means ‘support or prop’ but it’s also a character from Greek mythology, he was a Titan who took part in the revolt against the gods; Benjamin – means ‘son of my right hand.’
Axel Donovan – Axel – means ‘father of peace’; Donovan – means ‘little brown one.’
B
Baxter Thomas – Baxter – is an occupational name and it means ‘baker’; Thomas – means ‘a twin.’
Beau Bennett – Beau – is a French name that means ‘handsome’; Bennett – meaning ‘blessed.’
Benson Augustus – Benson – means ‘son of the blessed one’; Augustus – means ‘majestic’ or ‘the increaser.’
Benjamin Scott – Benjamin – means ‘son of the south or right hand’; Scott – means ‘Gaelic speaker.’
Bentley Rhys – Bentley – means ‘from the bent-grass field’; Rhys – means ‘passion or enthusiasm.’
Blake Dawson – Blake – means ‘pale blond one or dark’; Dawson – means ‘son of David.’
Brantley Cooper – Brantley – means ‘firebrand or field’; Cooper – is an occupational name that means ‘barrel maker.’
Brayson Garrett – Brayson – means ‘son of Brice’; Garrett – means ‘spear rule.’
Brecken Wilder – Brecken – means ‘freckled’; Wilder – means ‘wild animal.’
View in gallery
Broderick Gregory – Broderick – meaning ‘son of Rhydderch’; Gregory – means ‘watchful or alert.’
Bryden Hayes – Bryden – is an occupational name that means ‘bridle maker’; Hayes – means ‘lives by the forest or brush.’
C
Caden Tyler – Caden – means ‘fighter’; Tyler – is an occupational name that means ’tile maker.’
Caleb Archer – Caleb – meaning ‘faithful’; Archer – meaning ‘bowman.’
Callahan Fox – Callahan – means ‘little bright headed one’; Fox – means ‘wild animal in the dog family.’
Calvin Harper – Calvin – means ‘bald’; Harper – means ‘a harp player.’
Cameron Cole – Cameron – means ‘bent nose’; Cole – means ‘victory of the people.’
Canyon Elijah – Canyon – means ‘a large ravine’; Elijah – means ‘my God is Yahweh.’
Carter James – Carter – is an occupational name that means ‘driver of a cart’; James – means ‘supplanter.’
Channing Cohen – Channing – means ‘young wolf’; Cohen – means ‘priest.’
Charlie William – Charlie – means ‘free man’; William – means ‘with a gilded helmet.’
Colt Harrison – Colt – means ‘young horse’; Harrison means ‘son of Harry.’
Cooper Jayce – Cooper – is an occupational name meaning repairer of wooden vessels; Jayce – means ‘healer’ or ‘the Lord is salvation.’ This would give you the perfect nickname of CJ.
D
Daniel Nolan – Daniel – means ‘God is my judge’; Nolan – means ‘chariot fighter’ or ‘champion.’
Derrick Presley – Derrick – means ‘gifted ruler’; Presley – is a place name meaning ‘priest’s meadow.’
Declan Emerson – Declan – meaning ‘full of goodness’; Emerson – means ‘Emery’s son.’
Dominic Everett – Dominic – means ‘belonging to the Lord’; Everett – means ‘brave as a wild boar.’
Drake Taylor – Drake – means ‘dragon’; Taylor – is an occupational name and means ‘one who tailors clothes.’
E
Easton Hayes – Easton – means ‘east town’; Hayes – means ‘lives by the forest or brush.’
Elijah Thomas – Elijah – means ‘Yahweh is God’; Thomas – means ‘twin or leader.’
Elliot Jack – Elliot – means ‘Jehovah of God’; Jack – means ‘God is gracious.’
View in gallery
Emeric Leon – Emeric – means ‘home ruler’; Leon – means ‘lion.’
Ethan Tanner – Ethan – means ‘strong or safe’; Tanner – is an occupational name meaning ‘leather maker.’
Everett Charles – Everett – means ‘brave as a boar’; Charles – means ‘freeman.’
Ezra Fitzgerald – Ezra – means ‘help’; Fitzgerald – means ‘son of Gerald.’
F
Felix Dorian – Felix – means ‘lucky or successful’; Dorian – means ‘gift.’
Frankie Noel – Frankie – means ‘free or truthful’; Noel – means ‘Christmas.’
Frederick Garrison – Frederick – means ‘peaceful ruler’; Garrison – means ‘son of Garrett.’
G
Garrett Xavier – Garrett – means ‘rules by the spear’; Xavier – means ‘splendid and bright or new house.’
Gavin Mitchell – Gavin – means ‘godsend or white hawk’; Mitchell – means ‘who’s like God’ and is a form of Michael.
Gideon Lewis – Gideon – means ‘feller or hewer’; Lewis – means ‘renowned warrior.’
Greyson Flynn – Greyson – means ‘son of Grey’ or ‘son of the steward’; Flynn – means ‘reddish or ruddy complexion.’
Griffin Tyler – Griffin – means ‘strong lord’ or is a reference to a mythological creature that is half lion and half eagle; Tyler – is an occupational name meaning tiler or tile maker.
Gunner Jackson – Gunner – means ‘warrior’; Jackson – means ‘son of Jack or John.’
Gus Jackson – Gus – means ‘great’; Jackson – means ‘son of Jack or John.’
H
Harper Avery – Harper – means ‘harp player’; Avery – means ‘elf king.’
Harrison James – Harrison – means ‘son of Harry’; James – means ‘supplanter.’
Heath Jameson – Heath – is a place name meaning someone who lives by a moor or heath; Jameson – means ‘son of James.’
Holden Flynn – Holden – means ‘hollow valley’; Flynn – means ‘reddish or ruddy complexion.’
View in gallery
Howie Beckett – Howie – means ‘heart brave’; Beckett – means ‘beehive.’
Hunter Easton – Hunter – is an occupational name that means one who hunts; Easton – means ‘from the east town.’
Huxley Marshall – Huxley – means ‘from hoc’s field’; Marshall – is an occupational name that means ‘horse keeper.’
I
Ian Cooper – Ian – means ‘God is gracious’; Cooper – is an occupational name that means ‘barrel maker.’
Isaac Hayden – Isaac – means ‘he will laugh’ or ‘he will rejoice’; Hayden – means ‘fire.’
J
Jagger Levi – Jagger – means ‘carter, to pack or load’ but it is most often used in reference to rock legend Mick Jagger; Levi – means ‘joined or attached.’
James Dylan – James – means ‘supplanter’; Dylan – means ‘son of the sea.’
Jared Odin – Jared – means ‘rose or he descends’; Odin – means ‘frenzy, poetic fury, or inspiration.’
Jaxson Brody – Jaxson – means’son of Jack’; Brody – means ‘second son or ditch.’
John Matthew – John – means ‘God is gracious’; Matthew – means ‘gift from God.’
Jude Tyler – Jude – means from ‘Judea’; Tyler – is an occupational name that means ’tile maker.’
K
Kaiden Hart – Kaiden – means ‘fighter’; Hart – means ‘stag, strong and brave.’
Keegan Allen – Keegan – means ‘son of fire’; Allen – meaning ‘harmony, noble, or stone.’
Kerrick Thatcher – Kerrick – means ‘king’s rule’; Thatcher – meaning ‘to thatch or cover in straw.’
Kieran Graham – Kieran – means ‘little dark-haired one’; Graham – means ‘gravelly homestead.’
Korbin Wade – Korbin – means ‘crow or raven’; Wade – means ‘to go or ford.’
L
Landon Kyrie – Landon – is a place name meaning ‘long hill’ or ‘ridge’; Kyrie – means ‘lord of mercy.’
Lawson Jack – Lawson – means ‘son of Lawrence’; Jack – means ‘God is gracious.’
Lennox Dylan – Lennox – means ‘elm grove’; Dylan – means ‘born by the sea.’
Liam Kennedy – Liam – means ‘strong-willed warrior’ and ‘protector’; Kennedy – means ‘helmeted head.’
Lochlainn Liam – Lochlainn – means ‘land of lochs’ and originally referred to a migrant from Norway; Liam – means ‘resolute protector.’
View in gallery
Logan West – Logan – means ‘little hallow’; West – means ‘westward settlement.’
M
Mason Knox – Mason – is an occupational name meaning ‘one who works with stone’; Know – means ’round hill.’
Mateo Rhys – Mateo – means ‘gift of God’; Rhys – means ‘passion or enthusiasm.’
Maverick Eden – Maverick – means ‘independent’; Eden – means ‘pleasure’ and refers to the biblical garden of Eden.
Mercer Adam – Mercer – means ‘merchant’; Adam – means ‘the earth or ground.’
Mickey Brian – Mickey – means ‘who is like God’; Brian – means ‘noble or high.’
Morgan Chase – Morgan – means ‘chief of the sea’ or ‘sea defender’; Chase – means ‘dweller at the hunting ground.’
N
Nate Arden – Nate – means ‘Gift of God’; Arden – means ‘valley of the eagle or great forest.’
Neil Cedric – Neil – means ‘cloud’; Cedric – means ‘bounty.’
Noah Wilde – Noah – means ‘rest or repose’; Wilde – means ‘untamed or uncivilized.’
Nolan Khan – Nolan – means ‘champion or chariot fighter’; Khan – means ‘chief or ruler.’
O
Oliver Reid – Oliver – means ‘the olive tree’; Reid – means ‘red-haired.’
Owen Flint – Owen – means ‘young warrior’; Flint – means ‘stream.’
Oscar Callan – Oscar – means ‘divine spear’; Callan – means ‘battle or rock.’
P
Palmer Addison – Palmer – means ‘pilgrim or he who holds the palm’; Addison – means ‘son of Adam.’
Parker Bradley – Parker – means ‘park-keeper’; Bradley – means ‘broad wood.’
Paxton Royce – Paxton – means ‘from Pacc’s town’; Royce – means ‘of a famous kin.’
Peyton Royce – Peyton – means ‘fighting man’s estate’; Royce – means ‘son of the king.’
View in gallery
Phoenix Ashton – Phoenix – means ‘dark red’. But it is more commonly associated with the mythological bird that rises from the ashes; Ashton – means ‘from the town with ash trees.’
Preston Drake – Preston – means ‘the priest’s town or village’; Drake – means ‘dragon, serpent, or male duck.’
Q
Quincy Roman – Quincy – means ‘estate of the 5th son’; Roman – means ‘of Rome.’
Quinlan Fox – Quinlan – means ‘descendant of the handsome man’; Fox – means ‘a wild animal in the dog family.’
R
Radley Tylor – Radley – means ‘red meadow’; Tylor – means ’tiler maker.’
Reggie Arwyn – Reggie – means ‘powerful ruler’; Arwyn – means ‘muse.’
Rowan Arlo – Rowan – means ‘little redhead’ or ‘tree with red berries’; Arlo – means ‘mound, hill, or little soldier.’
Ryan Kendel – Ryan – means ‘little king’; Kendel – means ‘royal valley.’
S
Sawyer Mackenna – Sawyer – means ‘to saw’; Mackenna – means ‘son of the handsome one.’
Silas Flint – Silas – means ‘man of the forest’; Flint – is a nature name and means ‘flint rock.’
Simon Parker – Simon – means ‘listen or hearing’; Parker – means ‘park keeper.’
Spencer Hudson – Spencer – means ‘steward or administrator’; Hudson – means ‘heart, mind, and spirit.’
Stefan Gerard – Stefan – means ‘crown or wreath’; Gerard – means ‘brave or strong with spear.’
T
Taylor Lennox – Taylor – means ‘cutter of cloth’; Lennox – means ‘elm grove.’
Theodore Grayson – Theodore – means ‘gift of God’; Grayson – means ‘son of Grey.’
Trevor Edward – Trevor – means ‘homestead or prudent’; Edward – means ‘wealth protector.’
Tristan Pryce – Tristan – means ‘noise or sorrowful’; Pryce – means ‘prize or enthusiasm.’
Troy Evan – Troy – means ‘foot soldier’; Evan – means ‘young warrior.’
View in gallery
V
Vallan Morris – Vallan – means ‘valley’; Morris – means ‘dark or swarthy.’
Victor Burke – Victor – means ‘to win’; Burke – means ‘from the fortress.’
Vincent Leo – Vincent – means ‘to conquer’; Leo – means ‘lion.’
W
Wade Allen – Wade – means ‘traveler by the ford’; Allen – means ‘little rock.’
Warren Bailey – Warren – means ‘dweller or keeper of game preserve’; Bailey – means ‘berry clearing or bailiff.’
Wesley Silas – Wesley – means ‘from the west field’; Silas – means ‘man of the forest.’
William Mason – William – means resolute protector; Mason – means someone who works with stone.
Wyatt Joel – Wyatt – means ‘brave in war’; Joel – means ‘the Lord is God.’
Z
Zackary Kai – Zackary – means ‘God has remembered’; Kai – means ‘the sea.’
Zane Anthony – Zane – means ‘God is gracious’; Anthony – means ‘highly praiseworthy.’
Top Tips For Choosing A First and Middle Name For A Boy
Choosing a baby name can be really tough, trying to find a middle name that is a good combination can be twice as hard!
Here are some top tips to help you make the right choices.
Family Names and Traditions
Many families have great traditions with regard to middle names such as they must begin with a certain letter, or it must be the name of the father or grandfather.
These are lovely traditions as it always means that you will love that name as it is connected to someone you love.
But these traditions can also cause issues if parents decide that they want to break with that tradition – so always be aware of any such traditions in your families.
Think About Initials
Children can be cruel so when thinking of your perfect name combination make sure that their initials do not spell out anything unfortunate like a friend of mine called Teresa Indigo Thomas – eeek.
Consider Nicknames
Middle names are great as they can offer a really cute nickname when the first letter of the first and middle name are combined, such as Christopher James or CJ.
Consider The Full Name
Say the full name out loud and see if you love it. Talk to family about the full name and see if they think it is great or if it sounds a little clunky.
Think About The Meaning
If you have a few name combinations that you like but can not decide on the perfect one. Then look at the meanings of both the names and see if it can help you to make that final decision.
The Final Thought
Choosing the perfect name for your little boy is so difficult. It took us months of back and forth before we actually agreed on a combination that we liked. So take your time and the right name will find its way to you!
