Style, defined by a data rule
Classic boy names
61 names that have never dropped out of use since 1930 in the long-running records. Given most today: Jack, William, and James.
How we define it
Given to at least 20 in every 100,000 babies in every five-year period since 1930 in the long-running records.
Peak year and today's rate per 100,000 boys come from the long-running records (France, or Ontario and British Columbia combined).
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 11 more places.
Say it JAK
Loved across three Canadian provinces, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and 4 more places. Common in England and Wales, the Netherlands, Sweden, and 4 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 11 more places.
1 in 50 boys born in Ireland in 2025. Number 2 there.
from John, “God is gracious” · English origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 2021; about 836.7 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 9 more places.
Say it WIL-yum
Loved across three Nordic countries, Quebec, Queensland, and 2 more places. Common across the UK, Ontario, Switzerland, and 7 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 9 more places.
1 in 187 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 25 there.
“will + helmet” · Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1926; about 691.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 13 more places.
Say it JAYMZ
Loved in the Netherlands, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Common across England and Wales, Canada, Scotland, and 5 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 13 more places.
1 in 61 boys born in Northern Ireland in 2025. Number 3 there.
“possibly holding the heel” · Hebrew origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1942; about 711.5 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
Say it THEE-uh-dor
Loved across England and Wales, three Canadian provinces, Australia, and New Zealand. Common in Quebec, Ireland, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
1 in 103 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 9 there.
“god + gift” · Latin and Greek origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 2023; about 997.1 in every 100,000 boys today.
Common across the UK, Sweden, Austria, and 10 more places.
Say it HEN-ree
Loved across three Canadian provinces, Cologne, and Australia. Common across the UK, Sweden, Austria, and 10 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 4 more places.
1 in 118 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 13 there.
“home + king” · Old French and Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 2023; about 815 in every 100,000 boys today.
Common across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 23 more places.
Say it DAN-yul
Common across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 23 more places. Rare in France, Quebec, Slovenia, and 1 more place.
1 in 105 boys born in Ireland in 2025. Number 13 there.
“God is my judge” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1946; about 127.2 in every 100,000 boys today.
Common across the UK, Poland, the Netherlands, and 19 more places.
Say it al-ig-ZAN-der
Common across the UK, Poland, the Netherlands, and 19 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Israel, and 3 more places.
1 in 130 boys born in Scotland in 2025. Number 22 there.
“to defend + man” · Greek origin · 4 syllables
Peaked in 1993; about 471 in every 100,000 boys today.
Common in England and Wales, Italy, Poland, and 17 more places.
Say it GAY-bree-ul
Loved in France and Switzerland. Common in England and Wales, Italy, Poland, and 17 more places. Rare in Israel, the Netherlands, Ireland, and 4 more places.
1 in 62 boys born in Poland in 2025. Number 19 there.
“God is my strong man” · Latin, Greek, and Hebrew origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 2016; about 1,536.2 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 13 more places.
Say it JAY-kub
Common across the UK, three Canadian provinces, Ireland, and 5 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 13 more places.
1 in 136 boys born in Northern Ireland in 2025. Number 27 there.
“possibly holding the heel” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1999; about 504.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 16 more places.
Say it JORJ
Loved in England and Wales and New Zealand. Common in Ontario, Scotland, British Columbia, and 5 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 16 more places.
1 in 88 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 7 there.
“farmer, earth worker” · Greek origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1925; about 210.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 16 more places.
Say it HAIR-ee
Common across the UK, Sweden, Ireland, and 5 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 16 more places.
1 in 92 boys born in Northern Ireland in 2025. Number 13 there.
“home + king” · English, Old French, and Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1927; about 46.8 in every 100,000 boys today.
Common in England and Wales, the Netherlands, Austria, and 12 more places.
Say it LOO-ee
Loved in France, Switzerland, Quebec, and Berlin. Common in England and Wales, the Netherlands, Austria, and 12 more places. Rare in Italy, Poland, Israel, and 7 more places.
1 in 264 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 49 there.
“loud; famous + battle” · French origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 1,078.7 in every 100,000 boys today.
Common across the UK, three Canadian provinces, Israel, and 7 more places.
Say it MY-kul
Common across the UK, three Canadian provinces, Israel, and 7 more places. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 11 more places.
1 in 126 boys born in Ireland in 2025. Number 22 there.
“who is like God?” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1976; about 344 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in Italy, Poland, Israel, and 15 more places.
Say it JOH-sef
Common across France, the UK, Ontario, and 6 more places. Rare in Italy, Poland, Israel, and 15 more places.
1 in 207 boys born in Northern Ireland in 2025. Number 54 there.
“(God) shall add” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 259.3 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
Say it OH-in
Loved in British Columbia. Common in France, the Netherlands, Ontario, and 2 more places. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
1 in 418 boys born in Scotland in 2025. Number 107 there.
English origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 2004; about 602.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 12 more places.
Say it MARK
Loved in Slovenia, Moscow, and 1 more place. Common across Poland, four German cities, Ireland, and Hungary. Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 12 more places.
1 in 409 boys born in Ireland in 2025. Number 99 there.
Latin origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1964; about 125.3 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, England and Wales, Italy, and 16 more places.
Say it JON
Common in Ontario, Ireland, British Columbia, and 3 more places. Rare in France, England and Wales, Italy, and 16 more places.
1 in 145 boys born in Ireland in 2025. Number 29 there.
“God is gracious” · Hebrew origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1926; about 300.6 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, England and Wales, Italy, and 16 more places.
Say it MATH-yoo
Common in Ontario, Ireland, Scotland, and 2 more places. Rare in France, England and Wales, Italy, and 16 more places.
1 in 224 boys born in Northern Ireland in 2025. Number 61 there.
“gift of the Lord” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1986; about 372.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 15 more places.
Say it CHARLZ
Common across France, three Canadian provinces, three Australian states, and New Zealand. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 15 more places.
1 in 622 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 119 there.
“free man” · Germanic origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1925; about 343.6 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 11 more places.
Say it RAF-ee-el
Loved in France. Common across Austria, five German cities, and Quebec. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 11 more places.
1 in 89 boys born in France in 2025. Number 4 there.
“God cures/has healed” · Hebrew origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 2016; about 1,123.3 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
Say it MAR-tin
Loved in Spain. Common in France, Austria, Norway, and 3 more places. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
1 in 424 boys born in Ireland in 2025. Number 102 there.
“of or like Mars” · Latin origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 2018; about 426.2 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 20 more places.
Say it ED-werd
Common across England and Wales, Australia, and New Zealand. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 20 more places.
1 in 196 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 31 there.
“wealth, riches + ward, guard” · Old English origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1936; about 130.3 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 10 more places.
Say it PAWL
Loved across Austria and three German cities. Common across France, Quebec, three German cities, and 1 more place. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 10 more places.
1 in 61 boys born in Austria in 2025. Number 2 there.
“small” · Latin origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1925; about 569.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
Say it VIK-ter
Common in France, Switzerland, Quebec, and 4 more places. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 14 more places.
1 in 206 boys born in France in 2025. Number 28 there.
“conqueror” · Latin origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1998; about 485.7 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 15 more places.
Say it SY-mun
Common in France, Austria, Munich, and 2 more places. Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 15 more places.
1 in 128 boys born in Austria in 2025. Number 25 there.
from Simeon, “hearkening, listening” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1991; about 348.5 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, England and Wales, Italy, and 19 more places.
Say it KAM-er-un
Common in Ontario and Scotland. Rare in France, England and Wales, Italy, and 19 more places.
1 in 214 boys born in Scotland in 2025. Number 48 there.
“crooked, bent + nose” · Scottish Gaelic origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 1999; about 237.2 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Poland, and 15 more places.
Say it NIK-uh-lus
Common in Italy, Catalonia, Munich, and 3 more places. Rare across France, the UK, Poland, and 15 more places.
1 in 195 boys born in Catalonia in 2025. Number 37 there.
from Nicholas, “victory + people” · Latin and Greek origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 1980; about 66.1 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
Say it AN-droo
Common in Ontario. Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
1 in 418 boys born in Scotland in 2025. Number 107 there.
“manly” · Greek origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1987; about 240.5 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 20 more places.
Say it FRED-rik
Common in England and Wales, Victoria, and New South Wales. Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 20 more places.
1 in 285 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 52 there.
“peace king, peaceful ruler” · Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1926; about 86.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Poland, and 17 more places.
Say it NIK-uh-lus
Common in Italy and Ontario. Rare across France, the UK, Poland, and 17 more places.
1 in 1,162 boys born in England and Wales in 2025. Number 214 there.
“victory + people” · Greek origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 1998; about 213.8 in every 100,000 boys today.
31 more names
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 16 more places.
“God is gracious” · Scottish Gaelic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1980; about 147 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
“carrier of Christ + carrier, bearer” · Greek origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 1982; about 135.3 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 19 more places.
“stone, rock” · Greek origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1956; about 106.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
“wealth, riches + guard (via Edward)” · French, Old English, and Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 122.2 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 12 more places.
“home + king” · French and Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 128.8 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
French origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1957; about 43 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 17 more places.
“west + wood, clearing” · Old English origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 2024; about 445.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 17 more places.
from Nicholas, “victory + people” · Greek origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1991; about 51.8 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
“fond of horses” · Greek origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1951; about 36.7 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
from Francis, “French(man)” · Germanic origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1925; about 30.1 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 17 more places.
French origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1996; about 295.7 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
“helper, defender” · Greek origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 1996; about 71 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in France, Italy, Poland, and 20 more places.
“stone + meadow” · Old English origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1927; about 25.1 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
“bald” · Used in Dutch · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1996; about 116.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
Hebrew origin · 4 syllables
Peaked in 1971; about 47.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
“heart, mind” · Germanic origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1930; about 53.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
“king, ruler + hard, brave” · Germanic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1946; about 45.1 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
“devotee of Columba” · Scottish Gaelic and Gaelic origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 2020; about 137 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
“merciful” · Latin origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1998; about 173.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 18 more places.
“to defend + man” · French and Portuguese origin · 3 syllables
Peaked in 1993; about 231.3 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
Scottish Gaelic origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1926; about 48.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
Old English origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 61.8 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across France, the UK, Italy, and 18 more places.
“elf + friend” · Old English origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 23.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
French origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1985; about 34.7 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
Latin origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1992; about 156.9 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
“follower of (the wine god) Dionysus” · Greek origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1946; about 18.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare across the UK, Italy, Poland, and 18 more places.
“light” · Latin origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 249.4 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 38 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
from Elijah, “Yahweh is my god” · Hebrew origin · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1925; about 137.1 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
“God is gracious” · French origin · 1 syllable
Peaked in 1943; about 191.6 in every 100,000 boys today.
Rare in all 24 places we hold figures for.
Used in French and Hungarian · 2 syllables
Peaked in 1927; about 158.6 in every 100,000 boys today.
Other styles
Ranks from official birth statistics; meanings and origins from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). How these figures are computed.