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We’re well into summer now, and the days are heating up. It has us thinking about all the expectant mamas out there, waiting for their summer babies to arrive. As your belly grows bigger and your due date draws nearer, the pressure to pick a baby name for your little one is growing as well. Why not draw some baby name inspiration from your surroundings?
It’s summer after all, and there are lots of beautiful things to get inspired by. With trees blossoming, flowers blooming, butterflies fluttering, and rainbows lighting up the sky, there are so many baby name ideas right there in front of us.
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Feel the sunshine: Baby names for boys with summer vibes
There are some really cool names based on different aspects of summer that we think any parent would love for a new baby boy. There are so many beautiful and even powerful things about summer that have to do with things like the beach, the sun, all of the season’s flora and fauna, and even fun summer activities that we can draw names from.
Here are our favorite baby names for boys that bring on that warm, sun-kissed feeling
Ray
The name Ray is most typically used as a nickname for Raymond, which means “wise protection,” but as a standalone name, it’s distinctly reminiscent of summertime and all the rays we soak in.
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Cyrus
The name Cyrus goes way back and has roots in the Greek, Hebrew, and Persian languages. It may come from the ancient Kuru, which is believed to originally be from the Persian Khur, which is actually a name for the sun. Cyrus is just a really cool name for a boy though.
Leo
Leo is most commonly used as a nickname, but it is becoming more popular as a standalone name. It, of course, refers to a lion, but it’s also the zodiac sign for people born in the most definitive time of the summer, between July 22 and August 22.
Kai
Kai is such an adorable name that feels free-spirited and bohemian. In Hawaiian and Japanese, it means “ocean.” In Greece, it actually means “fire” or “fireball,” so you could say it refers to the sun as well.
Dune
A really uncommon name, Dune is a strong option for a baby boy name that makes reference to sand dunes. If you want something really different that still holds some significance and you’re a beach lover, you should definitely consider it.
Reef
We’re kind of obsessed with the name Reef. It sounds supercool, and if you love the sea and the beach, it will always remind you of your favorite place. It refers to “a strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water.”
Julius
If you’re expecting a little boy in the month of July, Julius is a fun name choice to honor his birth date. It’s a bit less common than the name Julian, which is in the top 50 in the U.S., but still has a similar sound.
Sonny
Sonny was originally a word simply used to address a young boy, but throughout the years it’s evolved into an actual name. Of course, it sounds like “sun,” which makes it a summer-inspired name in our book.
Dylan
Dylan is a name that has been popular in the U.S. for decades, likely in part because of singer Bob Dylan, but it’s also just a great-sounding name. It actually means “sea” or “son of the sea” in the Old Celtic language.
Fin
How cute is the name Fin? It can also be spelled Finn, and it originally comes from the Irish word for “fair, white, clear.” But obviously, it can also be a reference to sea life if you’re a thalassophile.
Elio
In both the Spanish and Greek languages, the name Elio refers to the sun. In fact, it’s the Latin translation for the Greek sun god, Helios. We also like that it’s a unique name, and you can use the more common nickname Eli for it.
Samson
If you’re on the hunt for a biblical name for your summer baby, you should consider Samson. It comes from the Hebrew for “sun.” In the Bible, Samson was known for getting his strength from his long hair, which also makes us think of surfers in the summertime.
Somerset
Somerset is a really unique name for a boy. It’s used as a name for towns or cities fairly often, and it actually means “summer settlement,” which is pretty cool. It just makes us think of the vacation lodges and camps that used to be quite common.
Gardner
The name Gardner is quite literal. In the English language, it traditionally refers to a gardener or “keeper of the garden.” Being that gardening is a beloved summer pastime, it’s fitting. It’s a sophisticated name that your son will grow into beautifully.
River
If you love spending the summer months boating or fishing on the river, consider using that for your baby name inspiration. River is such a lovely name that actually works for a boy or a girl.
Sun
Besides being a name that is the essence of summer, Sun is a popular Korean name that means “good, kind, and virtuous.” And with all things Korean becoming popular in the U.S. (we’re talking to you, BTS Army and rabid Korean skincare devotees), we’ll be seeing more names from this vibrant culture.
August
Besides being one of the cherished summer months, August is a popular celebrity name — both Princess Eugenie and Mandy Moore chose it for their sons in 2021. Before that, Mariska Hargitay and Dave Matthews also chose the moniker that means “great, magnificent” for their baby boys.
Apollo
What could be more summer-inspired than the name of the Greek god of the sun? Besides being a nod to the famous space program in the U.S., the name gained popularity after Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale chose it for their youngest son.
