20 Awesome Word Names for Boys

Maverick just sounds like the coolest name and it’s a great one to add to the short list of names if bold, standout names are important. The name obviously stems from the word that means "independent” or “non-conformist,” so parents might have their hands full if he lives up to his name.

Bear is a baby name used for boys that's recently experienced a large jump in popularity. Both celebrities (like Alicia Silverstone) and us regular people are looking at animal names to repurpose as names for our little one. Bear, like Wolf, has been a favorite over the past few years and we’re guessing it’s not going anywhere.

Royal is not a traditional baby name by any stretch, but it’s been climbing up the popularity charts for a while. We don’t anticipate the name Royal to crack the top 10 list, or even the top 100 baby name list, but it’s a word name that really just fits some kiddos.

Listening to the beautiful and calming sounds of the rain is always a little dose of therapy. So, why not use some of that calming power as inspiration for a baby name? Rain — which can also be spelled “Rainn” or “Rayne” — is not only a nod to nature, but a fun word name too.

Our kids are our future and if looking ahead is always on the mind, why not have a moniker inspired by that? Future is a forward-thinking name (get it?) and while it’s not a popular one, we think it’s one to watch.

Ace sounds like a name for a little boy who loves sports or a family who really loves card games. The short-but-sweet name is fitting for a sweet baby boy but we can also see a fully grown man who has the name, which is important to consider. The name is in good company, too – Jessica Simpson’s son is named Ace!

There will be a lot of parents who think of Rocky Balboa — Sylvester Stallone's titular character in the popular boxing movies — when we hear this name. And if we were to ask our older kids, they would probably associate Rocky with one of the Paw Patrol characters. And that’s why it’s such a fun name option for a little boy with parents who want a name that people won’t forget.

Mars is a planet, yes. It’s also the stage name of Bruno Mars and could be a great name option for a family who loves his music or is fascinated with outer space. It’s one that will certainly be remembered since it’s not commonly used as a first name. But that's what makes it truly out of this world.

Jet can be spelled with one "t" or two (as in Jett) and it’ll work! We love the name because it’s short, sweet, and an obvious nod to airplanes. It’s one of those names that’s always around but it’s never really on anyone’s radar. It’s a sweet option for families who have a tie to aviation or are just looking for a name with a little something extra.

As a name, Clay used to be more common as a last name – named after those who worked with clay, the soil. But the name was also pretty common in the late 1800s. The name took a dive in popularity in the early 2000s but it’s already on its way back up. This means the name has some strong staying power, and it’s cute to boot.

Geo is a gender-neutral name that works as a short-form for George but can also be a fun word name for Geography. Yes, it’s unconventional, but Geo on its own sounds really cool and we wouldn’t be surprised if we hear it a lot more over the next few years.

Reign might have strong ties to the royals, but for parents looking for a unique name with a strong meanin,g Reign will do it. Kourtney Kardashian used the name for one of her sons, which certainly increased its use, but it’s also just a really fun and playful option.

For a lot of people Pilot is their job title, but it’s also a really fun word name for a boy. It’s definitely unique which means there won’t be any confusion on who the teacher is calling when they’re trying to get his attention. It’s not the most “out there” baby name, though.

As a kid, we probably thought about what it would be like to have a Zillion dollars one day. The word for an undetermined amount of money but way more than a billion, this unique name for a boy is almost one of a kind. One of Nick Cannon’s (many) kids was given the name Zillion.

Axl is a boy name that’s got that rock-n-roll vibe with it whether the parents choose to spell it as “Axl” as in Axl Rose, or “Axel.” The name comes from wheels, of all things, and without an axel none of us would have cars or strollers. It’s definitely a hip name and hasn’t been overused.

There are some people who love word names while also going into a surprising direction with it. If that’s a vibe that’s being sought after, Sir as a baby name for a boy is a unique and surprising option. It's also in good company — it’s the name of one of Beyoncé’s twins!

Baron is one of those regal-style names that we don’t hear too often. Historically, people who hold the title of Baron are referred to as “Lord” and so for any parents who want that air about their kiddo, but don’t want it to be so obvious, this may just hit the spot.

Marshall has a very strong presence to it probably because it’s a name that’s most often heard as a last name. The word is also associated with someone who is of high rank in the miliary or another association (like a fire marshall), with the added extra letter for some added flair. Just be warned, it's also the name of a lot of kids' favorite Paw Patrol character.

If parents are looking for a more playful name for their little boy Jazz is an ideal fit. It’s not popular but it’s definitely memorable. Named after the music genre, there’s a pretty safe guarantee no one will forget his name after a first meeting. It sounds like the perfect name for a family who is always playing music.

Beau is a cute name and it works for any gender. A lot of us know Beau as just a really fun name, but it’s actually a French word that means “handsome.” We love it because it’s short and sweet, too.