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A new year is upon us, and so is a fresh batch of baby boy name trends for 2025. Just like trending baby girl names in 2025, inspiration for baby boy names this year is coming from multiple sources–country cowboys, family trees and more. Throughout the years, baby boy name trends have evolved. Michael reigned as the top name in the 80s and the 90s, Jacob in the 00s, and Noah in the 2010s. While it can be hard to nail down exactly which baby boy names will prove to be standouts, one way to guess is by taking a look at recent baby boy name data.

Most Recent Popular Baby Boy Names
Since 1924, the Social Security Administration has been tracking the most popular boy names in the United States. While the top names of 2024 have yet to be released, these are the top 10 baby boy names from 2023:

  1. Liam
  2. Noah
  3. Oliver
  4. James
  5. Elijah
  6. Mateo
  7. Theodore
  8. Henry
  9. Lucas
  10. William
Since 2017, Liam has remained the most popular baby boy name in the United States. In previous years, the most popular baby boy name was Michael–which remained at the top 44 times. From 1949-2010, it could be found in the top 5 names each year–but has since fallen off.

Country Rebrand
Names inspired by the Old West and its rugged cowboys will see a major renaissance in 2025. "One of the biggest trends we’ll see for baby boy names in 2025 are 'Country Rebrand' names," Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of baby-naming site Nameberry, told Good Housekeeping. "Cowboy-style names have been in fashion this decade, but the cohort of Country Rebrand names goes past last names as first names like Carter and Tate. This new group embraces names that were once considered hokey, like Abner and Hiram; names from non-English cultures like Navarone and Santos and even 'bad boy' country names associated with outlaws like Jessejames."

She adds that the key to nailing country names in 2025 is to "think last names as first names like Carter and Lawson, or place names west of the Mississippi such as Denver and Dakota."

Here are a few country-inspired baby boy names to consider:

  • Crockett
  • Enoch
  • Ephraim
  • Harlan
  • Hatcher
  • Huck
  • Jethro
  • Lyle
  • Truett
  • Waylon

Athletes
Professional athletes will continue to be a big source for baby boy names in 2025, according to BabyCenter. From ballers to Olympians, those with athletic prowess (and Super Bowl rings) might top the charts. These include:

  • Brock
  • Christian
  • Creed
  • Isiah
  • Louis
  • Patrick
  • Raphael
  • Travis
  • Trent

Patrick MahomesTouch Down Kansas City Chiefs GIF by NFL On PrimeGiphy


"E" Names
BabyCenter predicts that "E" names for baby boys will have a comeback. BabyCenter notes that one name, Emrys, recently made its first-ever appearance in the top 1,000 boy names in the United States. Others gaining popularity include:

  • Easton
  • Edgar
  • Eliel
  • Elijah
  • Eliseo
  • Emir
  • Enrique
  • Everett
  • Ezra

Croc Names
Nope, these aren't inspired by crocodiles–rather, the divisive shoe that has fashion camps taking sides. Crocs are either the best shoe ever, or the ugliest. "Their namesake shoes — foam, perforated clogs in loud hues — are now so ugly, they’re beautiful. Croc Names intend to make the same transition," writes Kihm. And these Croc Names, usually from older generations and rendered from family trees and lineage, are coming back in 2025:

  • Clarence
  • Clyde
  • Ernest
  • Gilbert
  • Harold
  • Howard
  • Isadore
  • Morris
  • Murray
  • Oswald
  • Simeon
  • Tyrone
  • Vernon
  • Virgil
  • Wilbur
sportsfootballsportnfltouchdownchiefskansas city chiefskctdkansas citykc chiefschiefs kingdompatrick mahomesmahomesnational football associationchiefskingdomgo chiefslets go chiefstouch downpat mahomeschiefs wintouchdown chiefstouchdown kansas citytouchdown kc

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