No, we're not talking true "bad boys." But the trend of giving kids bold, spunky names is fresh and hip, even outside of Hollywood.
It's no secret that many parents today are crossing traditional favorites off their lists, and opting for names that more directly reflect their lifestyle and personal taste. And sometimes it just feels more fun to choose a name with some get-up-and-go, instead of borrowing a go-to from a great-great-grandfather. Not only does this baby naming path express your family's personality, it will leave an immediate impression.
Whatever your motivation, if you're in search of a baby name that is the opposite of bland, preppy, or stuffy, look no further. These names run the gamut from unusual to mainstream, and they've all got at least a bit of mischief. But don't worry, they are given in affection and won't actually turn your little boy into a troublemaker. He'll do that all on his own.
Brazen: A brash, unusual "word" name that's not too distant from Bryson and Braden.
Cannon: This traditional English name may mean clergyman, but it has a much more explosive side to it. Alternate spellings include Kannon and Canon.
Diesel: A surname that came to be associated with fuel, Diesel sounds edgy and energetic. It's also got some juice thanks to Fast & Furious actor Vin Diesel.
Gunner: Gunner is the most popular name on this list, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. It has a military association and is right on target.
Raiden: Raiden sits right in the middle of the top 1,000 names. A Mortal Kombat character and the word "raid" give this name some major punch.
Rambo: Inspired by Sylvester Stallone's character John Rambo, the term Rambo has become synonymous with a rebellious, reckless attitude. It's also a rare choice … given to just five American boys last year.
Rebel: There's no double meaning behind this name—Rebel is a nickname-turned-given name that makes a defiant statement. Rebel is also getting lots more exposure thanks to actress Rebel Wilson.
Rekker: Made for a tiny troublemaker, Rekker was chosen by easy-on-the-eyes leading man Cam Gigandet—fittingly starring in the sitcom "Reckless"—and his fiancée Dominique Geisendorff. Can also be spelled Wrecker.
Riot: A more intense cousin to the Western name Wyatt, Riot has a catchy sound and a chaotic personality. We've also seen it spelled Riott, Ryatt, Ryett, Ryot, or Ryott.
Rogue: Rogue may bring to mind the Marvel Comics X-Men character or even the political memoir, Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin. However, as a name, this word seems to have distanced itself a bit from its real-life definition—dishonest, scoundrel, and rascal are all synonyms.
Rowdy: This name got lots of exposure as Clint Eastwood's character on Rawhide. It gets the point across quickly, bringing to mind a rambunctious little guy with a sly grin.
Storm: A nature name with turbulent associations, Storm becomes a little bit cheesy only if it belongs to a meteorologist.
Stryker: A Stryker is an armored fighting vehicle in use today by the US Army. It's a strong name that some military families are looking to in recent years, though it's never broken the top 1,000 boys' names. A similar, less aggressive choice is Stryder.
Maverick: A nonconformist name that appeared after the 2008 presidential election, Maverick is on its way up in popularity.
Wilder: Wilder is an untamed choice that is a little familiar to us as a surname (à la Gene Wilder). Oliver Hudson, actor and son of Goldie Hawn, chose this name for his son.
Wolf: A wild nature name with a rebellious side, or short for the more domesticated German name Wolfgang. Actor Nat Wolff, seen recently in The Fault in Our Stars, could bring this name to the attention of expecting parents.
