A “cool” boy name is usually one of three things: short and punchy, a little unexpected, or classic with a sharp edge. If you want something that feels confident on day one and still works on a grown-up, start here and read a few out loud. You’ll know fast which ones click.
Ace: one, unity
Aiden: little fire
Ajax: eagle (mythic name)
Alden: old friend
Alec: defender of the people
Alistair: defender of the people
Anders: manly
Apollo: destroyer (Greek god name)
Archer: bowman
Arden: great forest
Arlo: between two hills
Armstrong: strong arm
Asher: happy, blessed
Atlas: to carry, endurance
Atticus: from Attica
August: great, venerable
Axel: father of peace
Beck: stream
Beau: handsome
Beckham: homestead by the stream
Bennett: blessed
Blaze: flame
Bodhi: awakening, enlightenment
Booker: scribe
Bowie: blond, yellow-haired
Briggs: bridges
Brody: ditch, muddy place
Brooks: of the brook
Bryce: speckled
Byron: barn for cows
Cade: round, barrel
Caius: rejoice
Calvin: bald
Camden: winding valley
Cannon: clergy member (surname)
Carl: free man
Cash: hollow (surname), also money (word name)
Casper: treasurer
Cassius: hollow, empty
Chance: luck, fortune
Chase: to hunt
Clark: cleric, scribe
Clay: clay, earth
Coby: supplanter
Cody: helpful
Cole: charcoal, swarthy
Colt: young horse
Connor: lover of hounds
Cooper: barrel maker
Cruz: cross
Crew: group, team
Crispin: curly-haired
Cyrus: sun (often linked), also Persian royal name
Dax: leader (French place name)
Dean: valley
Dex: right-handed, skilled (short form of Dexter)
Dexter: right-handed, skilled
Diego: supplanter
Dominic: of the Lord
Drake: dragon, serpent
Drew: strong
Duke: leader, noble rank
Duncan: dark warrior
Easton: east-facing place
Edison: son of Edward
Ellis: my God is Yahweh
Enzo: ruler of the household
Everest: from the mountain name
Ezra: help
Felix: happy, fortunate
Finn: fair, white
Fischer: fisherman
Flint: hard stone
Ford: river crossing
Fox: fox (word name)
Frank: free man
Frey: lord (Norse name)
Gavin: white hawk
Gideon: hewer, one who cuts down
Griffin: strong lord
Gunner: bold warrior
Hank: home ruler (from Henry)
Harrison: son of Harry
Hayes: hedged area
Hendrix: son of Hendrik
Holden: hollow valley
Hudson: son of Hugh
Hugo: mind, spirit
Hunter: hunter
Ian: God is gracious
Idris: ardent lord
Iker: visitation
Ira: watchful
Isaac: he will laugh
Jace: healer (from Jason)
Jack: God is gracious
Jagger: peddler (occupational surname)
James: supplanter
Jasper: treasurer
Jett: jet (black gemstone)
Joaquin: God will establish
Jude: praised
Kai: sea
Kane: warrior
Keaton: place of hawks
Keegan: son of Egan
Kellan: slender
Kendrick: royal ruler
King: king (word name)
Knox: round hill
Koa: warrior, brave one
Kobe: supplanted (from Jacob lineage)
Lachlan: from the land of lakes
Lane: small road
Lars: crowned with laurel
Leo: lion
Levi: joined, attached
Lincoln: town by the pool
Logan: little hollow
Luca: bringer of light
Maddox: son of Madoc
Magnus: great
Malachi: my messenger
Marco: warlike
Mason: stone worker
Maverick: independent, nonconformist
Max: greatest
Micah: who is like God?
Milo: merciful, soldier
Nash: by the ash tree
Nico: victory of the people
Nolan: noble, famous
Odin: inspired fury (Norse god name)
Onyx: onyx (black gemstone)
Orion: boundary, limit (also a constellation)
Oscar: deer friend
Otis: wealth, fortune
Phoenix: dark red (mythic bird name)
Quinn: chief, leader
Rafael: God has healed
Rhett: advice, counsel
Rio: river
Roman: citizen of Rome
Ryder: rider, messenger
Sage: wise (also the herb)
Sebastian: from Sebaste
Soren: stern
Tate: cheerful
Theo: gift of God
Zane: God is gracious (John variant)
Cool is personal. Sometimes it’s a one-syllable name that snaps (like Jett or Knox), sometimes it’s a classic that still feels fresh (like Leo or Ezra), and sometimes it’s a bold pick that sounds like a main character (like Atlas or Maverick). If you’re stuck between a few, try the “say it out loud” test: first name, middle name, last name, then imagine calling it across a playground or seeing it on a graduation program. The right choice usually feels easy, like it fits without trying too hard.