Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

The best boy baby names that begin with the letter A

Marie Holmes
By

Looking for a name for your baby boy? Why not start at the beginning? Of the alphabet, that is. Check out this select 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!

Baby boy wearing a blue knitted cap

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 is currently sitting at number 63. There are many varieties on 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 1000 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

From the 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 five 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 has gone 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 nine in 1996 but is holding steady in the top one hundred. 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, 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 Alexandos, 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 four 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 twenty 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 has seen a sharp rise in the past decade, peaking in 2020 at number 155. 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. It 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 United States 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 yet, but it rose from number 242 to number 222 between 2019 and 2020.

Whatever name speaks to you is sure to be the perfect moniker for your new little one.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Why brushing your baby’s hair should be part of your daily routine
Why you need to make brushing baby's hair a daily habit
Brushing baby's hair

You make a habit of brushing your hair every day to keep it healthy. But should you brush your baby's adorable little hair every day as well? Believe it or not, brushing a baby's hair isn't solely about detangling. Although your teeny tot may not have much hair yet, it's still a good idea to incorporate brushing into your routine.

It takes just a few minutes per day, and you'll notice the benefits long after hair time is over. Yes, there are perks for you and your bundle of joy when it comes to daily hair care. Let's take a look at the top six reasons you'll want to start brushing your little one's precious locks right away.

Read more
When do babies roll over? Everything to know about this exciting milestone
Find out when baby's tummy time turns into rolling over
Baby boy laying on a blanket on his tummy

As a new parent, you may have 101 questions about the safety and development of your new little one. One of those questions relating to both factors might be, when do babies roll over? What can a parent do to encourage this movement? And once they start rolling over, how can we keep them safe? Look no further for the answer because we have it right here, along with tips for getting babies on their way toward this exciting milestone.

When do babies start to roll over? Is there a specific age?
Somewhere around 4 months, babies typically start rocking back and forth from their backs to their sides. This motion sets the stage for rolling over. Also, you might notice that during this stage, your baby might begin lifting their chest, neck, and head with some help from their little arms. In some cases, babies might even roll over onto their backs accidentally from this position. This happens when they unintentionally shift their weight over to one side and land their backs.

Read more
Baby’s first haircut: Everything you need to know to get through this milestone without tears
How to handle your baby's first haircut
Baby getting a haircut

The first year of your child's life is filled with milestone moments, from their first smile to crawling for the first time to taking their first steps. For most parents, that first haircut is another milestone that can be emotional for both parents and child. The notion of cutting your baby's hair for the first time can bring you both to tears.

Whether you plan to pick up the scissors yourself or take your infant to a pro, a baby's first haircut can be an emotional time for everyone. Before you go DIY or make that first salon appointment, check out everything you need to know before your baby's first haircut.

Read more