It can be daunting trying to find the perfect name for your little guy. There are endless names to choose from and it can be difficult to know where to begin to look, so why not start at the beginning? Of the alphabet, that is. We love boy names and have compiled a list of great boy names that start with the letter A.
There are a wealth of possibilities, from traditional to trendy, popular to unique, and everything in between. Imagine how the following names feel on your tongue, and see if any are the perfect fit!
Best baby boy names that start with A
Aaron
This Old Testament name means “high mountain,” “exalted,” and “enlightened.” Aaron has been holding steady in the top 100 since 1968 and by 2020, sat at number 63. There are many varieties of spelling, including Aron, Arun, and Aren.
Adlai
Looking for a name your child won’t have to share with others? Adlai didn’t make the top 1,000 names in 2020. In fact, it peaked at 481 in the year 1892. Adlai is Hebrew in origin, meaning “God is just.” The best-known Adlais were both named Stevenson — a grandfather and grandson pair who pursued political careers.
Andrew
In Greek, Andrew means “strong and manly,” and he is the patron saint of Scotland, Russia, and Greece. The name has been in the top 100 for over a century, peaking at number 5 in 2003. Foreign variations include Andre (French), Andrés (Spanish), Andrei (Russian), and Anders (Norwegian and Swedish). Andy and Drew are possible nicknames.
Aurelius
Give your little one a name with gravitas. Marcus Aurelius was an emperor of ancient Rome and one of the Stoic philosophers. This Latin name means “the golden one.” Aurelius jumped in popularity from 2020 (number 986) to 2021 (number 78), and is the name supermodel Elle Macpherson gave to one of her sons.
Arlo
Thought to derive from the Celtic word Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands,” this name has seen a steep rise in popularity, going from number 918 in 2011 to number 220 in 2020. Recently, it has taken off as a girl’s name, being used by celebrity couple Leighton Meester and Adam Brody.
Atticus
This name comes from the Greek and Roman and means “from Attica,” which is the region of Ancient Greece containing Athens. Atticus Finch, the father-lawyer in Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird, is probably the best-known Atticus. In the top 1000 for more than a century, Atticus went from number 933 in 2004 to number 300 in 2020.
Austin
This name sits at the top of the list for city-inspired names. Austin peaked at number 9 in 1996 but is holding steady in the top 100. It is of English origin, meaning “great” or “magnificent,” and is gaining in popularity as a girl’s name, too.
Adam
It doesn’t get more basic than naming your son after the first man. Adam means “son of the red earth” in Hebrew, and peaked in popularity at number 18 in 1983 and 1984, and been holding steady in the top 100 since 1970.
Adrian
Adrian is of Latin origin, meaning “man of Adria,” or “Hadria,” which was the name of two towns in Northern and Central Italy. Adrian has ranked in the top 100 since 1989 and also enjoys popularity in Spain, Norway, and Sweden.
Aiden
Think your baby might have that spark? This Irish name means “little and fiery,” and was made more widely known by actor Aidan Quinn and a reoccurring love interest on the show Sex and the City. Aidan peaked at number 39 in 2003 and was number 261 in 2020.
Ade
A popular Nigerian name that means “crown” in Yoruba, Ade is not ranked in the United States, making it a unique option for American parents.
Amari
With possible roots in Hebrew, Thai, or Yoruba, Amari is truly a name with international appeal. One meaning is “eternal.” Amari has been slowly on the rise, reaching number 217 in 2020, and is also used as a girl’s name.
Alan
Alan is a name of Irish origin meaning “handsome” or “cheerful.” Alternate spellings include Allan and Allen. Alun is a Welsh spelling. Alan peaked in popularity at number 40 in 1951 but has remained in the top 200 ever since.
Alexander
Alexander is of Greek origin, meaning “defending men.” In Greek, it’s Alexandros, in Italian, Alessandro, and in Spanish, Alejandro. Nicknames are plentiful as well: Alex, Zander, Xan, and Zan. Alexander has been in the top 100 since 1977, peaking at number 4 in 2009.
Angel
Pronounced as an English or Spanish word, Angel has the same meaning in both languages. It became a more common Anglo male name after the popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer character appeared and has been in the top 100 since 1997. As a name for girls, it peaked in popularity at number 104 in 2001 and has been slowly declining since.
Adriel
A Hebrew name meaning “God is my master,” Adriel has been on a steady rise over the past 20 years, reaching number 140 in 2020.
August
Aside from being a calendar month, August is the German form of the Latin Augustus, meaning “great” or “magnificent.” August’s popularity has seen a sharp rise in the past decade, peaking at 155 in 2020. But with Mandy Moore and Princess Eugenie claiming the name in 2021, its popularity is sure to continue increasing.
Ali
Ali is an Arabic name meaning “supreme” or “exalted,” most closely associated with boxing great Muhammad Ali. The name peaked at number 309 in 2018.
Amir
Amir is a name of Arabic or Hebrew origin, meaning “prince,” “ruler,” or “treetop.” The name is common in the Middle East and rose to number 117 in the U.S. in 2020.
Adonis
This Greek name meaning “lord” (think of the Hebrew word Adonai) is most closely associated with young, male beauty. Adonis hasn’t yet made the top 100, but it rose from number 242 to number 222 between 2019 and 2020.
Tips for choosing the perfect baby name
Deciding on a baby boy’s name that begins with “A” is a great starting point for your name search, but there are a few other things you may want to consider before finalizing your selection. Consider your baby’s initials by writing out their first, middle, and last names together to have them spell anything that may be embarrassing for your child. You may also want to consider if the name is prone to being abbreviated or has a common nickname, and if you’re OK with people using that.
Many parents like to keep their name choice a secret until they welcome their baby, but asking a few trusted friends and family members for feedback on your name choice isn’t a bad idea. It allows you to get honest feedback before you commit to a final name. Lastly, consider how timeless your name choice is. Do you want a name that will never go out of style, or are you looking for something more unique and trendy?
Whatever name speaks to you is sure to be the perfect moniker for your new little one.
