Masculine names used in the most languages
These masculine names appeared in the largest variety of languages or cultures (out of 58 checked). The top ones here should sound familiar to people all around the world.
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Featured in baby name books
Abraham
Abraham is a Hebrew name meaning “father of many” or “father of nations,” with forms like Abe, Avram, and the Arabic Ibrahim. The biblical Abraham, first called Abram, is regarded as a forefather of both the Jewish and Arab peoples through his sons Isaac and Ishmael.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, Unusual Baby Names
Adam
Adam is a Hebrew name meaning “man” and tied to the word for earth, often rendered “of the red earth.” In the Bible, Adam was the first man, formed from dust and placed in Eden with Eve as his partner.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, Sci-Fi Baby Names
Adrian
Adrian is a Latin name for a man “from Hadria,” a town in northern Italy that gave its name to the Adriatic region. Adrian is also read as meaning “dark,” “black,” or “black earth,” with variants like Adrien and Hadrian.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), The Best Baby Names for Boys, Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
Albert
Albert is a Germanic name meaning “noble and bright,” often extended to “famous,” with forms like Albrecht and Alberto and nicknames Al and Bertie. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, popularized the name in England, and Albert Einstein linked it with genius; it was very popular until the 1930s but has since faded.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Numerology for Baby Names, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Everything Baby Names Book
Alexander
Alexander is a Greek name meaning “defender of men” or “protector,” with countless forms worldwide, including Alessandro, Alejandro, Alistair, and Sasha. Alexander the Great made the name a byword for strength and leadership, and it has never been more popular; other famous bearers include Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Arthur
Arthur is a Celtic name usually traced to artos, “bear,” and glossed as “bear-hero” or “rock,” with Arturo and Artur as other forms. The legendary King Arthur made the name famous, and the Duke of Wellington and Tennyson’s Idylls of the King boosted it; it was in the U.S. top fifteen around 1900.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Daniel
Daniel is a Hebrew name meaning “God is my judge,” with Dan and Danny as nicknames. The biblical Daniel was an exiled Israelite who rose in Babylon by interpreting dreams and survived a night in the lion's den.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
David
David is a Hebrew name meaning “beloved,” “cherished,” or “darling.” The biblical David was a shepherd boy who slew Goliath, wrote psalms and music, and became a mighty king of Israel.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Edward
Edward is an Old English royal name meaning “wealthy guardian” or “prosperous protector.” Edward is also glossed as “guardian of property,” and bearers include playwright Edward Albee, painter Edward Hopper, and actor Edward Norton.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Everything Baby Names Book
Elijah
Elijah is a Hebrew name meaning “the Lord is my God,” with Elias, Ellis and Eli among its forms. Elijah was one of the great Old Testament prophets, who fought idol worship, worked miracles, and was carried to heaven in a fiery chariot.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, Unusual Baby Names
Eric
Eric is a Norse name meaning “eternal ruler” or “ruler of the people.” Erik the Red and several Scandinavian kings bore the name, and it peaked in the 1970s helped by Eric Clapton and speedskater Eric Heiden.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
Felix
Felix is a Latin name meaning “happy,” “lucky,” or “fortunate.” Used since ancient times, Felix is a steady classic and a more distinctive alternative to Alex.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, Unusual Baby Names
Gabriel
Gabriel is a Hebrew name meaning “hero of God,” “God is my strength,” or “man of God.” Gabriel is the archangel who appears to Daniel and announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, and in Islam he reveals the Koran to Muhammad.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Baby Names Made Easy, Classic Biblical Baby Names, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Everything Baby Names Book
George
George is a Greek name meaning “farmer” or “one who works the earth.” Despite its humble meaning, George is a proud, royal name, carried by many kings and by Saint George, the dragon slayer and patron saint of England.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
Hector
Hector is a Greek name meaning “steadfast,” “holding fast,” or “restraint.” In The Iliad Hector was the brave, honorable prince of Troy who led its army and was killed by Achilles; in Arthurian legend, a Hector raised the young Arthur.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, Unusual Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Badass Baby Names
James
James is a form of Jacob and shares its meaning, “supplanter” or “he who replaces.” James grew out of Jacob through Latin and Greek forms; in the New Testament two disciples bore it, chief among them James son of Zebedee, part of Jesus’s inner circle.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
John
John is a Hebrew name meaning “God is gracious” or “God is good,” with forms across Europe such as Juan, Jean, Johann, and Sean. John was a top-five name for centuries until 1980; it remains sturdy and authoritative, evoking leaders like John Kennedy and John Adams as well as artists like John Lennon.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Joseph
Joseph is a Hebrew name meaning “God will add” or “God will increase.” In the Bible, Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, sold into slavery in Egypt, and another Joseph was the carpenter husband of Mary.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Joshua
Joshua is a Hebrew name meaning “God is my salvation” or “Jehovah saves,” with Made Easy offering “may God help.” Joshua succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land; the name Jesus derives from its Hebrew form, Yeshua.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Matthew
Matthew comes from Hebrew and is understood as “gift of God” or “gift of the Lord.” Matthew was one of the twelve apostles, a tax collector who followed Jesus when called and is credited with a gospel.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
Michael
Michael is a Hebrew name posing the question “who is like God,” and is the name of an archangel. Michael is the archangel who protects Israel in Daniel and leads heaven’s angels against the devil in Revelation; he is also patron saint of soldiers and appears in the Koran.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Oliver
Oliver comes from Latin and refers to the olive tree, a symbol of peace. Some link Oliver to the Norse Olaf, meaning “ancestor,” and in the Song of Roland Oliver is the wise friend of the hero.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Irish Names for Children
Paul
Paul is a Latin name meaning “small” or “humble,” with forms around the world such as Pablo, Paolo and Pavel. The apostle Paul, born Saul, persecuted Christians until a blinding vision on the road to Damascus, then became a central figure of the early Church and wrote much of the New Testament.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Peter
Peter comes from the Greek Petros, “rock,” and has countless international forms, including Pierre, Pedro, Pyotr and Pieter. The apostle Peter, a Galilean fisherman born Simon, was renamed by Jesus as the rock of his church and is regarded as the first pope.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Quentin
Quentin is a Latin name meaning “fifth,” with spellings such as Quinton and Quintin. The opening Q makes Quentin sound edgy though its roots are Roman, and it is probably the most common Q name.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, Unusual Baby Names
Robert
Robert is an old Germanic name meaning “bright fame” or “renowned,” with nicknames like Bob, Rob, and Robbie. Robert traveled from Germany through France to England with the Norman Conquest, and Scots cherish it thanks to Robert the Bruce and poet Robert Burns.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, Baby Names Book, Baby Names Made Easy, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time
Samuel
Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning “God has heard” or “asked of God.” The biblical Samuel, born to Hannah who had asked God for him, became Israel’s last judge and first prophet.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
Thomas
Thomas is an Aramaic name meaning “twin,” with Tom and Tommy as nicknames and forms such as Tomás, Tomasz, and Tamas around the world. The apostle Thomas refused to believe in the Resurrection until he could touch Christ’s wounds, giving rise to the phrase “doubting Thomas,” and his fame spread the name from the Middle Ages on.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book
Tobias
Tobias is a Hebrew name meaning “God is good,” with Toby as its classic nickname and Tobiah and Tobin as related forms. In the Book of Tobit, Tobias travels with the angel Raphael, defeats a demon, and marries Sarah.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Made Easy, Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Classic Biblical Baby Names, The Everything Baby Names Book, Numerology for Baby Names
Walter
Walter is a German name meaning “ruler of the army” or “army commander,” though some books render it “ruler of the people.” The name was a U.S. top-fifteen pick in the early 1900s and is tied to Walter Scott, Walter Raleigh, Walter Cronkite, and Walt Disney; Walt and Wally may make it fresh again.
Sources: 10,000 Baby Names, 1,107 Baby Names That Stand the Test of Time, Baby Names Book, Baby Names Made Easy, The Best Baby Names for Boys, Unusual Baby Names, Baby Names (Laura Emerson), Baby Names Your Child Can Live With, The Everything Baby Names Book
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