Top 100 Baby Boy Names in The U.S
Picking a name for your son? You're in the right place. This list shows the top 100 boy names in American history, pulled straight from Social Security Administration records. We're talking real data—over 140 years of birth certificates tracking names in the United States.
Discover the Top 100 Girl Names Loved by Americans!
Think of this as your naming shortcut. Instead of endless scrolling through baby name books, you can see which top baby names for boys have stood the test of time and why parents keep coming back to them.
Discover the origin and history of your nameAbout This List
How We Compiled the Top 100 Names
These rankings come from actual SSA records. Every time someone applies for a social security card, the baby name gets logged. We've crunched those numbers to show you the all-time champions.
Here's what you'll find for each name:
- Its rank (1-100)
- How often it appears (like "1 in 64 people")
- Total number of times it's been used
- Percentile ranking
You can search any boy or girl name using the tool above. Want to know where "James" stands? Type it in. Curious about "Liam"? Same deal. Let’s find out how rare your name is in seconds!
Understanding Social Security Administration Data
According to the Social Security Administration, they track every name registered in the U.S. They've been doing this since 1880. That's a lot of baby boys.
But here's the thing: these are cumulative totals. James sits at #1 because it's been popular for over a century. Meanwhile, names like Noah and Liam appear lower on this list but are actually topping the charts right now in 2026.
Why? Because they're newer to the scene. Give them a few decades and they'll climb higher.
The data tells two stories: what's been popular historically and what's trending today. Both matter when choosing a baby name in 2025. Let’s generate baby names that truly fit your family!
The Complete Rankings
#1-25: The Most Popular Baby Boy Names
The Classics That Never Quit
James takes the crown with over 5 million occurrences. John and Robert follow close behind. These aren't trendy names—they're timeless choices for baby boys.
Michael (#4) and William (#5) round out the top five. All five have been go-to choices for generations. Your grandfather probably knew several guys with these names. So did your dad. And you probably do too.
David, Joseph, Richard, Charles, and Thomas fill out the top 10. They're solid. Reliable. The kind of names that work whether your son becomes a doctor, an artist, or anything in between.
Check out 500+ fastest rising baby names trending for boys and girls!The Modern Classics
Christopher (#11) and Daniel (#12) hit their peak in the '80s and '90s. Matthew (#13) followed the same path. These names feel both familiar and current.
Anthony, Donald, Paul, Mark, and George keep the traditional vibe going. Then you get to Andrew, Steven, Kenneth, and Joshua—names for boys that bridge old and new perfectly.
Kevin, Edward, and Brian close out this tier. Each appears over a million times in the records. That's staying power.
#26-50: Trending Baby Picks for 2025
The Transition Zone
Ronald and Timothy were huge in the '50s and '60s. Jason and Jeffrey? Total '70s and '80s babies.
Jacob (#30) is interesting. It's had multiple waves of popularity. Biblical names do that—they disappear for a while, then come roaring back as name trends shift.
Ryan and Nicholas dominated the '80s and '90s. Gary, Eric, and Jonathan round out the mid-30s. These are names your older cousins probably have.
The Comeback Kids
Benjamin (#39) deserves attention. It's one of those names that works at every age. Cute for a toddler, professional for an adult. Samuel and Justin sit nearby.
Jack (#45) is making a serious comeback. It's short, punchy, and impossible to mess up. Parents looking for boy names for 2025 are rediscovering it big time.
Alexander, Gregory, Henry, and Patrick fill out the rest. Henry, especially, is having a moment. Vintage classic options are in, and Henry fits the bill perfectly.
Names Going Extinct Worldwide#51-75: Solid Traditional Picks
The Sweet Spot
This range is gold for parents who want something recognizable but not overused. Your son's name won't be one of five Nathans in his class, but people won't struggle with it either.
Nathan, Peter, Adam, and Aaron all have biblical roots. They're familiar without being boring.
Zachary (#60) peaked in the '90s but still feels current. Noah (#62) is here on the all-time list, but it's actually one of the hottest names for baby boys right now. Same with Ethan (#66).
The Distinguished Options
Arthur, Kyle, Carl, and Christian occupy the mid-60s. These names have character. They're not trying too hard.
Lawrence, Gerald, Jeremy, and Keith lean slightly older. But that's not a bad thing. Retro classic name choices are cool again.
Austin (#74) brings a geographic twist. It's a city name that works, plain and simple. Joe (#75) offers a straightforward moniker that's impossible to complicate.
#76-100: Hidden Gems
Underrated Choices
Sean (#76) gives you Irish heritage without going overboard. Dylan (#80) has that artistic vibe—think Bob Dylan, Dylan Thomas.
Jesse works for any personality type. Quiet kid? Works. Outgoing kid? Also works.
The Surprises
Gabriel (#83) sits lower than you'd expect. It's got angels, meaning, and it sounds great. Underused gem that's rising in popularity.
Logan (#88) and Elijah (#90) appear low here, but both are climbing fast in current rankings. They're new favorites accumulating numbers quickly. Elias, a variation of Elijah, is also names that are rising on recent lists.
Louis (#89) brings old-world charm. Eugene might feel dated, but it's due for rediscovery.
The Modern Risers
Liam (#98) and Mason (#100) close out the list of the top 100. Both are exploding in popularity right now. In a decade, they'll rank much higher.
Juan and Vincent represent different cultural influences. Both solid choices for boys in the United States.
Names by Style and Category
Top Baby Boy Names: Short Boy Names
Short boy names pack serious punch. They're easy to spell, impossible to mangle, and work at every age.
Jack (#45) leads this category. Three letters. One syllable. Done.
Joe (#75) keeps it even simpler. No nickname needed—it already is the nickname.
Other standout short options include Mark (#17), Paul (#16), Carl (#65), and Roy (#87). These names get straight to the point.
Why do short boy names work so well? They're memorable. They fit on forms. They sound confident when you say them out loud. For parents seeking finding the perfect name for your baby boy, shorter options eliminate complications.
Ryan (#31), Kyle (#64), and Sean (#76) add slightly more letters but maintain that punchy quality. They're popular baby boy names that never feel overdone.
Finding the Perfect Name: Browse by First Letter
Popular Boy Names That Start with Common Letters (A, J, L, M)
The letter 'J' dominates this list. James, John, Joseph, Joshua, Jason, Jeffrey, Jacob, Jonathan, Justin, Jack, Jeremy, Jesse, Jordan, Juan. That's 14 top boy names starting with J in the top 100.
Why? The sound is strong. Confident. It works across cultures and decades as names every year prove.
'M' brings Michael, Matthew, Mark, and Mason. The M sound feels masculine without being aggressive.
'A' covers Anthony, Andrew, Aaron, Adam, Arthur, Albert, Austin, and Alan. Wide range of styles here—biblical, vintage, modern, geographic.
'L' gives you Lawrence, Louis, Logan, and Liam. The last two are particularly hot among popular baby names right now.
Try This First & Last Name Generator Now!Boy Names That Start with Uncommon Letters: Names That Start with Q and Beyond
Want your son to be the only kid with his first initial? Look at letters like Q, X, and U.
Names that start with Q barely exist in the top 100. That's your opportunity. Quinn or Quincy immediately stand out. If you're browsing resources like Nameberry or using a name generator, Q names often get overlooked—but they shouldn't be.
Zachary (#60) is the only Z name here. But Z names are trending—think Zane, Zeke, Zachariah.
V and W are sparse too. Vincent, Wayne, Walter, and William represent almost all the options. That scarcity creates instant uniqueness.
X names don't appear at all in this list. Xavier and Xander are gaining ground though, representing unisex and gender-neutral names that work across categories.
How to Choose a Name for Your Baby Boy
Baby Name Ideas: Finding the Perfect Match
Choosing a baby name isn't just about popularity. It's about fit. Does the name match your last name? Does it honor family heritage? Will it age well?
Start by saying the full name out loud. First, middle, and last together. Does it flow? Or does it clunk?
Consider nicknames. Benjamin becomes Ben. Christopher turns into Chris. Some names don't shorten well—and that's fine if you prefer the full version.
Think about initials too. You don't want them spelling something unfortunate.
The SSA also provides data on names according to decade, state, and cultural background. These details help you understand context beyond raw popularity.
Tools and Resources to Help You Decide
A name generator can spark baby name ideas you hadn't considered. These tools suggest alternatives based on names you already like. Love "Noah" but want something less common? A generator might suggest "Jonah" or "Micah."
Many parents find some inspiration by browsing categories: biblical names, nature names, occupation names, geographic names. This baby-naming approach helps narrow thousands of options.
The perfect name for your baby often comes from unexpected places. Maybe it's a character from your favorite book. Maybe it's a family name from three generations back. Maybe it's simply a name for your little one that sounds right when you say it.
Resources beyond the SSA exist too. Sites track name meanings, origins, and cultural significance. Understanding what a baby-name represents adds depth to your decision.
Consider Gender-Neutral Names and Alternatives
While this list focuses on traditional boy names, gender-neutral names are gaining ground. Jordan (#81) works for any child. So do names like Riley, Casey, and Avery—though these don't appear in the top 100 male names.
Some parents deliberately choose names for boys and girls that offer flexibility. Others prefer distinctly masculine options. Neither approach is wrong.
The trend toward unisex naming reflects changing attitudes about identity and expression. The SSA tracks these patterns as more parents embrace non-traditional choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the #1 boy name in America right now?
Historically? James. No contest. Over 5 million registrations make it the top baby boy name of all time.
Currently? Different story. In 2025, names like Noah and Liam topped the annual lists for newborns.
The SSA releases new rankings every May. Those show what parents chose the previous year. Check those if you want to know what's hot right now versus what's been popular forever.
How often does the top 100 list change?
The all-time list of top names? Slowly. James won't lose its spot anytime soon.
Annual rankings? They shift constantly. A name can jump 20 positions in one year.
Names follow cycles. What was popular in the '90s often comes back 25-30 years later. That's why vintage names feel fresh again to today's parents looking for top baby options.
Should I choose a popular name or something unique?
Popular baby boy names have advantages. Everyone can spell them. No one mispronounces them. They work on resumes and kindergarten name tags equally well.
The downside? Your kid might be one of several in his class. Some boys end up using last initials or nicknames to differentiate.
The 50-100 range offers a sweet spot. Names like Vincent or Keith are familiar but not overdone. You get recognition without repetition.
Consider a unique middle name combination. A common first name with an unusual middle name gives your son options later. The perfect name for your little one often involves this balance.
Regional differences matter. A name that's #10 nationally might be #3 in Texas and #25 in Maine. The SSA breaks down data by state if you want local intel.
Where does this data come from?
Straight from the Social Security Administration. When parents apply for their baby's social security card, the name gets recorded.
The database goes back to 1880. It's the most complete naming record in America, tracking list of baby names throughout U.S. history.
This tool uses cumulative Historical data. That means all-time totals, not just recent years. It shows the big picture of American naming patterns.
Can I search names by specific criteria?
Yes. Use the search bar at the top. Type any name to see its stats—rank, total occurrences, frequency, and percentile.
This list covers the top 100 boy names. For more options, check the SSA's full database. It includes thousands of names, plus girl names and gender-neutral options.
Want to browse by style? Look for patterns. Short names like Jack and Luke cluster together. Biblical names like Noah and Elijah share traits. Irish boy names like Sean and Ryan stand out.
The perfect name for your baby clicks when you find it. Trust your gut. Whether you pick a top 10 classic or a hidden gem from the 90s, what matters most is that it feels right for your son.