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The top cowboy and Western baby names that are riding high

Here’s some inspiration when naming baby if you’re a fan of all things Western

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Cute baby crawling across a rug
Oksana Kuzmina / Shutterstock

There’s so much to be excited about when it comes to having a baby, but parents-to-be often spend quite a bit of time agonizing over the perfect name. There is a lot of pressure to choose the ideal name for your little one, which may be why Western baby names are riding back to the forefront.

Namerology creator Lauren Wattenberg is all about names and predicts cowboy baby names will definitely be something to climb in the saddle for in the coming years. Wattenberg feels shows like the popular Western drama Yellowstone have brought cowboy names in from the range. Of course, Western baby names have never really ridden into the sunset. Dakota is a gender-neutral Western baby name that became prevalent in the 90s.

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If you’ve always been inspired by the romance and lure of the Wild West, not to mention the Dixie Chicks’ hit Cowboy Take Me Away, here are the best Western baby names that won’t leave you squatting on your spurs.

Top Western baby names

Baby girl with a "hello my name sign is" on her onesie
Africa Studio / Adobe Stock

There’s just something about those inviting wide-open spaces that inspire cool cowboy names. So, if you’re searching for baby names that will make you go yeehaw, saddle up. We’ve got Western baby names for boys and girls, as well as gender-neutral names.

Classic cowboy boy names

  • Ryder
  • Wyatt
  • Luke
  • Cole
  • Levi
  • Colton
  • Dalton
  • Josh
  • Beau
  • Jackson
  • Hayden
  • Buck
  • Shiloh
  • Shane

Classic cowboy girl names

  • Cassidy
  • Cheyenne
  • Bailey
  • Bonnie
  • Clementine
  • Georgia
  • Sadie
  • Rose
  • Callie
  • Ruby
  • Montana
  • Molly
  • Reba

Gender-neutral Western baby names

  • Dakota
  • Jesse
  • Charlie
  • Morgan
  • Jordan
  • Reese
  • Jamie
  • Parker
  • Jaden
  • Kendell
  • Casey
  • Riley
  • River

Modern Western baby names

Pregnant woman standing next to a horse
Christin Noelle / Unsplash

Of course, Westerns have never actually ridden off into the sunset. They’ve always been a popular genre on television and film, as well as in literature. Then, there’s music. The 2018 premiere of the Western drama Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner, did seem to reignite the campfire, though. So, if you’re looking for a modern twist on cowboy names for your little one, try these.

  • Sterling
  • Jett
  • Maverick
  • Tate
  • Wade
  • Walker
  • Decker
  • Sawyer
  • Tanner
  • Judson

How to decide on the perfect Western baby name

A parent feeding a baby some baby food.
goodluz / Shutterstock

With so many names to choose from, it can be tough to decide on the right one for your little one. When trying to find the ideal Western baby name to suit your little cowboy or cowgirl, avoid getting too much input from well-meaning friends and family. Sometimes, too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the sauce, as the saying goes. Instead, focus on finding a name that you and your partner agree on. When choosing cowboy names for your little one, keep these tips in mind:

  • Avoid creative spellings. If you’re naming your cowpoke Jackson, don’t go wild with the spelling.
  • Take a look at the rhythm of your Western baby names along with your surname.
  • Make sure your cowboy name goes with your last name and doesn’t end up being a pun or a joke.

Picking a name for your child is a big decision. Parents typically want a unique name. It’s never fun for a child when two or three other kids in the class share the same first name. That being said, you also don’t want to go too far off the beaten path that your baby’s name is so bizarre it always has to be explained or spelled.

Western baby names give parents quite a bit to choose from, with classic boy, girl, and gender-neutral options. Cowboy names have also been making a comeback in recent years. So, you’re sure to find one that rides to the forefront of your list.

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