The popularity of names ebbs and flows throughout generations. A look at those that are rising the most in popularity at any given moment can offer inspiration to any soon-to-be parent, as well as insight into major cultural and demographic shifts occurring throughout the country.
To determine the fastest growing boy names in America, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on first names from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Names were ranked based on the total change in male newborns assigned the name from 2017 to 2022. Supplemental data on names by state is also from the SSA.
The fastest growing names for boys are an interesting mix of the traditional and modern, including names from the Bible, mythology, nature, and pop culture. (These are the most popular literary-inspired baby names in America.)
Many new parents are looking to the past for inspiration. Vintage names like Theodore, Wesley, and Leo, for example, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Leo peaked in popularity around 1900, consistently ranking in the top 50 most popular boy names. After falling to No. 486 in 1995, the name quickly rebounded, and in 2022 was the 22nd most popular name for male newborns.
There is also a strong naming trend in choosing first names traditionally used as surnames. Names like Bennett, Brooks, Cooper, Hudson, Parker, and Walker have steadily transitioned from surnames to first names over the last several decades, and are today among the fastest growing names for boys.
Click here to see the fastest growing boy names in America
There is also a growing trend toward the overall diversity of names, with less concentration among the most popular ones. While in 1920, the 500 most popular names for boys constituted 88.1% of all newborn babies, in 2022 the 500 most popular made up just 65.9%. According to “Drift as a Mechanism for Cultural Change: An Example from Baby Names” published in the August 2003 edition of proceedings Biological Sciences, the incidence of new, unusual names spiked in the 1920s and again in the 1960s, suggesting that Americans may look to unique names during times of social and cultural change. (Here are the biggest name fads of the last 40 years.)
50. Tate
> Increase in boys named Tate, 2017 to 2022: +803
> Newborn boys named Tate in 2022: 1,484 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Tate in 2017: 681 (0.0%)
> States where Tate is most popular: Wyoming, Iowa, North Dakota
Tate is a unisex name of English origin. It is derived from an Old English surname meaning “cheerful” or “pleasant.” Over the last few years, the number of male babies named Tate has seen one of the largest increases of any name in the gender.
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49. Lorenzo
> Increase in boys named Lorenzo, 2017 to 2022: +821
> Newborn boys named Lorenzo in 2022: 2,824 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Lorenzo in 2017: 2,003 (0.1%)
> States where Lorenzo is most popular: Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Mexico
Lorenzo is a masculine name of Italian origin derived from the Latin name “Laurentius,” meaning “from Laurentum” – an ancient city southwest of Rome. The name Lorenzo is often interpreted as meaning “crowned with laurel” or “victorious.” Laurel wreaths were historically used to crown victors in ancient Greece and Rome, symbolizing honor and achievement.
48. Amari
> Increase in boys named Amari, 2017 to 2022: +835
> Newborn boys named Amari in 2022: 2,157 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Amari in 2017: 1,322 (0.1%)
> States where Amari is most popular: Rhode Island and Delaware (plus the District of Columbia)
Amari is a unisex name with roots in several cultures. In Swahili, Amari means “strength” or “command,” while in Hebrew and Arabic, similar words mean “eternal” or “immortal.” And it is, probably coincidentally, the Latin for “to be loved.”
47. Leon
> Increase in boys named Leon, 2017 to 2022: +847
> Newborn boys named Leon in 2022: 2,361 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Leon in 2017: 1,514 (0.1%)
> States where Leon is most popular: Rhode Island and Oregon (plus the District of Columbia)
The name Leon is derived from the Greek word “leon,” which means “lion.” It is associated with strength, courage, and nobility, as the lion is often seen as the king of the animal kingdom. A classic name, it has been in use for centuries.
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46. Rowan
> Increase in boys named Rowan, 2017 to 2022: +897
> Newborn boys named Rowan in 2022: 3,742 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Rowan in 2017: 2,845 (0.2%)
> States where Rowan is most popular: Wyoming, Vermont, Maine
Rowan is a name of Celtic origins, considered gender-neutral. It comes from the Old Irish Ruadhán, meaning red-haired.
45. Bennett
> Increase in boys named Bennett, 2017 to 2022: +903
> Newborn boys named Bennett in 2022: 4,082 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Bennett in 2017: 3,179 (0.2%)
> States where Bennett is most popular: Maine, South Dakota, Iowa
Bennett is a surname that has transitioned into use as a given name. It is derived from the medieval English personal name Benedict, from the Latin “benedictus,” meaning “blessed.”
Like the name Benedict, Bennett has the meaning of being blessed or fortunate. It can also symbolize goodwill or favor.
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44. Callum
> Increase in boys named Callum, 2017 to 2022: +977
> Newborn boys named Callum in 2022: 1,409 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Callum in 2017: 432 (0.0%)
> States where Callum is most popular: New Hampshire, Hawaii, Maine
Callum is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Calum, itself a variant of “columba,” Latin for “dove.” The name is associated with peace and tranquility due to its connection to the dove, a symbol of peace in various cultures. It can also be interpreted as “dove-like” or “dove-hearted.”
43. Cooper
> Increase in boys named Cooper, 2017 to 2022: +995
> Newborn boys named Cooper in 2022: 5,609 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Cooper in 2017: 4,614 (0.3%)
> States where Cooper is most popular: North Dakota, Wyoming, Vermont
Cooper is a surname that originated as an occupational name, derived from the Middle English word “couper” or “cowper,” which means “barrel maker.” A cooper was a skilled craftsman who made and repaired wooden barrels. While still a popular family name in America, it has also transitioned to being used as a given name.
42. Crew
> Increase in boys named Crew, 2017 to 2022: +1,005
> Newborn boys named Crew in 2022: 1,345 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Crew in 2017: 340 (0.0%)
> States where Crew is most popular: South Dakota, North Dakota, Maine
The name Crew has an occupational origin, derived from the English word “crew,” which refers to a group of people working together, particularly on a ship or in aviation, but comes originally from the Old French “crue,” meaning a military reinforcement. It conveys a sense of teamwork and collaboration.
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41. Hayes
> Increase in boys named Hayes, 2017 to 2022: +1,006
> Newborn boys named Hayes in 2022: 1,770 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Hayes in 2017: 764 (0.0%)
> States where Hayes is most popular: Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota
Hayes is a surname of English origin, now used increasingly as a given name. It is derived from the Old English word “hǣs,” which means “hedged or fenced area.” It was originally used to describe someone who lived near an enclosed field or an area surrounded by hedges.
40. Stetson
> Increase in boys named Stetson, 2017 to 2022: +1,058
> Newborn boys named Stetson in 2022: 1,460 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Stetson in 2017: 402 (0.0%)
> States where Stetson is most popular: Wyoming, Montana, Arkansas
Best-known as the name of a hat brand, founded by John B. Stetson in 1865, Stetson is a name of English origin. The suffix “-son” indicates that it originated as a patronymic, meaning it was based on the name of an ancestor, indicating that person’s male offspring. It may have originally derived from the Old English given name Stedda, though some etymologies link it to “Stytt,” an Anglo-Saxon word for a fighter, or “Stott,” an Old English nickname for a cattle dealer.
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39. Wesley
> Increase in boys named Wesley, 2017 to 2022: +1,073
> Newborn boys named Wesley in 2022: 4,644 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Wesley in 2017: 3,571 (0.2%)
> States where Wesley is most popular: Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire
The name Wesley is another given name derived from a surname. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon or Old English words “wes” and “leah,” meaning “western meadow.” It was probably first used as a first name in the 1700s by members of the Methodist Church, founded by John Wesley.
38. Arlo
> Increase in boys named Arlo, 2017 to 2022: +1,112
> Newborn boys named Arlo in 2022: 2,204 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Arlo in 2017: 1,092 (0.1%)
> States where Arlo is most popular: Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming
The name Arlo has multiple possible origins and meanings. In Old English, it is thought to mean “fortified hill,” while in Spanish and Italian, it is associated with terms for “barberry tree” or “eagle.”
37. Kairo
> Increase in boys named Kairo, 2017 to 2022: +1,120
> Newborn boys named Kairo in 2022: 1,404 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Kairo in 2017: 284 (0.0%)
> States where Kairo is most popular: Delaware and Maryland (plus the District of Columbia)
The name Kairo is a variant of the place name “Cairo,” the capital city of Egypt – a name derived from the Arabic “al-Qāhirah,” which means “the victorious” or “the strong.”
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36. Aziel
> Increase in boys named Aziel, 2017 to 2022: +1,126
> Newborn boys named Aziel in 2022: 1,233 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Aziel in 2017: 107 (0.0%)
> States where Aziel is most popular: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada
The name Aziel is not directly mentioned in the Bible, but it shares similarities with the Hebrew name Azriel (or Ezriel), the father of Seraiah in the Bible, and also Azrael – literally “God has helped” or “God’s helper,” but also the name of the angel of death in Islam.
35. Arthur
> Increase in boys named Arthur, 2017 to 2022: +1,161
> Newborn boys named Arthur in 2022: 2,674 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Arthur in 2017: 1,513 (0.1%)
> States where Arthur is most popular: Vermont and New Hampshire (plus the District of Columbia)
The name Arthur has Celtic origins, and is believed to be derived from the Welsh name Artorius. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it is often associated with the Celtic word “artos,” meaning “bear.” Arthur is a name strongly associated with mythical and historical figures – most notably King Arthur, the legendary leader of the Knights of the Round Table.
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34. Adriel
> Increase in boys named Adriel, 2017 to 2022: +1,216
> Newborn boys named Adriel in 2022: 2,684 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Adriel in 2017: 1,468 (0.1%)
> States where Adriel is most popular: New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada
Adriel is derived from the Hebrew name Adriy’el, which means “flock of God” or “God’s congregation.” In the Old Testament, Adriel was a nobleman and the son of Barzillai, who married King Saul’s daughter Merab.
33. Ezekiel
> Increase in boys named Ezekiel, 2017 to 2022: +1,225
> Newborn boys named Ezekiel in 2022: 5,993 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Ezekiel in 2017: 4,768 (0.3%)
> States where Ezekiel is most popular: New Mexico, Hawaii, Nevada
The name Ezekiel is derived from the Hebrew name Yəḥezqēʾl,”which means “God strengthens” or “God is strong.” It combines the elements “yehez,” meaning “God,” and “qel,” meaning “to strengthen.” In the Old Testament, Ezekiel – namesake of the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament – was a prophet who received divine visions and messages from God, delivering them to the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon.
32. Ace
> Increase in boys named Ace, 2017 to 2022: +1,239
> Newborn boys named Ace in 2022: 2,474 (0.1%)
> Newborn boys named Ace in 2017: 1,235 (0.1%)
> States where Ace is most popular: Hawaii, Alabama, Louisiana
The name Ace is derived from the Old French “as,” meaning “one at dice,” which became “ace” in English – meaning the side of a die, and later a playing card, with only one mark on it. The name evokes a sense of mastery and accomplishment, and is often associated with qualities such as skill, talent, and success.
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31. Gael
> Increase in boys named Gael, 2017 to 2022: +1,264
> Newborn boys named Gael in 2022: 3,503 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Gael in 2017: 2,239 (0.1%)
> States where Gael is most popular: Texas, New Mexico, California
The name Gael is derived from the Scots Gaelic word “gà idheal,” which means “a Gael” or “a person of Gaelic-speaking heritage.” Associated with people inhabiting Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, it is a name that reflects Celtic culture and traditions.
30. Levi
> Increase in boys named Levi, 2017 to 2022: +1,322
> Newborn boys named Levi in 2022: 9,786 (0.6%)
> Newborn boys named Levi in 2017: 8,464 (0.5%)
> States where Levi is most popular: Vermont, Alaska, Rhode Island
The name Levi has its origins in the Bible, where it is the name of the third son of Jacob and Leah, who was the founder of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the great-grandfather of Moses. Levi is often interpreted to mean “attached” or “he will join,” but it might also be connected to the Minaean term “lawi’u,” meaning “priest.”
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29. August
> Increase in boys named August, 2017 to 2022: +1,345
> Newborn boys named August in 2022: 3,403 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named August in 2017: 2,058 (0.1%)
> States where August is most popular: Alaska and Vermont (plus the District of Columbia)
August is derived from the Latin word “augustus,” which means “great” or “venerable.” It is associated with the Latin title “Augustus,” used by the Roman emperors since the time of Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor (63 B.C.-19 A.D.). August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, which is why the name “August” can evoke associations with summertime and warmth.
28. Milo
> Increase in boys named Milo, 2017 to 2022: +1,384
> Newborn boys named Milo in 2022: 3,087 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Milo in 2017: 1,703 (0.1%)
> States where Milo is most popular: South Dakota, Vermont, Utah
The name Milo might derive from the Latin “miles,” meaning “soldier;” the Greek “milos,” meaning “friend;” or the Slavic root “mil-,” meaning “gracious” or “dear.” The name has historical significance appearing as a given name in ancient and medieval records.
27. Legend
> Increase in boys named Legend, 2017 to 2022: +1,421
> Newborn boys named Legend in 2022: 2,879 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Legend in 2017: 1,458 (0.1%)
> States where Legend is most popular: Delaware and Hawaii (plus the District of Columbia)
Legend can be a given name for both boys and girls. The name comes from the English word “legend,” which in turn is derived from the Medieval Latin word “legenda,” meaning “legend” or “story.” The term originally referred to a traditional story or narrative that explains a historical or mythical event, often having to do with the lives of the saints.
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26. Beau
> Increase in boys named Beau, 2017 to 2022: +1,429
> Newborn boys named Beau in 2022: 3,939 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Beau in 2017: 2,510 (0.1%)
> States where Beau is most popular: Wyoming, Maine, Alaska
The name Beau is a derivation of the French word “beau,” which means “handsome” or “beautiful” – the masculine equivalent of the word “belle.” It is often used as a term of endearment for a good-looking person.
25. Archer
> Increase in boys named Archer, 2017 to 2022: +1,454
> Newborn boys named Archer in 2022: 2,914 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Archer in 2017: 1,460 (0.1%)
> States where Archer is most popular: South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana
The name Archer is derived from the English occupational surname given to individuals who were skilled in archery, originally from the Old French word “archier,” meaning “archer” or “bowman.” Its association with the skill of archery lends it a relation to qualities such as precision, focus, and accuracy.
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24. River
> Increase in boys named River, 2017 to 2022: +1,498
> Newborn boys named River in 2022: 3,467 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named River in 2017: 1,969 (0.1%)
> States where River is most popular: Montana, South Dakota, Oklahoma
The English word “river,” meaning a natural watercourse, comes from the Vulgar Latin “riparia,” meaning “riverbank” or “seashore.” As a given name, River is often associated with beauty, tranquility, and the ever-changing flow of life. It is considered a unisex or gender-neutral name.
23. Myles
> Increase in boys named Myles, 2017 to 2022: +1,529
> Newborn boys named Myles in 2022: 3,337 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Myles in 2017: 1,808 (0.1%)
> States where Myles is most popular: Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire
Like Milo (see above), Myles might derive from the Latin “miles,” meaning “soldier;” the Greek “milos,” meaning “friend;” or the Slavic root “mil-,” meaning “gracious” or “dear.” Another variation on the name is Miles (see below)
22. Liam
> Increase in boys named Liam, 2017 to 2022: +1,607
> Newborn boys named Liam in 2022: 20,456 (1.2%)
> Newborn boys named Liam in 2017: 18,849 (1.0%)
> States where Liam is most popular: Delaware, Rhode Island, New Mexico
Liam is a shortened form of the Irish name Uilliam – the equivalent of William. Liam can be understood as a diminutive or nickname for William, but it has gained popularity as an independent given name. The name reflects Irish heritage and has been borne by notable Irish figures in various fields, including literature, music, and film.
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21. Enzo
> Increase in boys named Enzo, 2017 to 2022: +1,649
> Newborn boys named Enzo in 2022: 3,077 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Enzo in 2017: 1,428 (0.1%)
> States where Enzo is most popular: Rhode Island, Nevada, Florida
The name Enzo has both Italian and Germanic origins. It is generally an Italian diminutive of names like Vincenzo or Lorenzo (see above), but is the Italian equivalent of the German name Heinz,. related to th word “Heim,” or “home.”
20. Thiago
> Increase in boys named Thiago, 2017 to 2022: +1,693
> Newborn boys named Thiago in 2022: 3,459 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Thiago in 2017: 1,766 (0.1%)
> States where Thiago is most popular: Delaware, Florida, New Jersey
The name Thiago is of Portuguese and Spanish origin. It is derived from the name Santiago by way of the Latin Sanctus Iacobus, meaning Saint James. It is a common name in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, but is seen increasingly in the U.S.
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19. Elias
> Increase in boys named Elias, 2017 to 2022: +1,756
> Newborn boys named Elias in 2022: 6,684 (0.4%)
> Newborn boys named Elias in 2017: 4,928 (0.3%)
> States where Elias is most popular: Alaska, New Mexico, Nevada
Elias is derived from the Hebrew name Elijah – also rendered as Eliyahu or Eliasz – meaning “my God is Yahweh” or “Yahweh is my God.” Elijah was a prominent prophet in the Old Testament, revered in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
18. Santiago
> Increase in boys named Santiago, 2017 to 2022: +1,815
> Newborn boys named Santiago in 2022: 6,017 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Santiago in 2017: 4,202 (0.2%)
> States where Santiago is most popular: New Mexico, Arizona, Texas
The more formal version of Thiago (see above), Santiago”is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin name Sanctus Iacobus, Saint James – that is, one of the 12 Apostles, known as “Saint James the Great,” and the patron saint of Spain. “Santiago” has deep historical and cultural significance in Spain and is associated with the pilgrimage route known as the Camino de Santiago ( the Way of St. James), leading from various points in Europe to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the Spanish region of Galicia, where the remains of St. James are said to be buried.
17. Atlas
> Increase in boys named Atlas, 2017 to 2022: +1,856
> Newborn boys named Atlas in 2022: 2,898 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Atlas in 2017: 1,042 (0.1%)
> States where Atlas is most popular: Vermont, West Virginia, Hawaii
In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who was tasked with holding up the celestial heavens on his shoulders as punishment for his role in the Titanomachy, the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods. The name Atlas is thus often associated with strength, endurance, and resilience. It symbolizes the weight of responsibilities and the ability to carry heavy burdens.
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16. Oliver
> Increase in boys named Oliver, 2017 to 2022: +1,856
> Newborn boys named Oliver in 2022: 15,076 (0.9%)
> Newborn boys named Oliver in 2017: 13,220 (0.7%)
> States where Oliver is most popular: Vermont, Maine, South Dakota
The name Oliver is derived from the Old French name Olivier, which itself comes from the Latin name Oliverius, based on It is believed to be derived from the Latin word “olivae,” meaning “olive” or “olive tree.” For thousands of years, the olive tree has been associated with peace, fertility, and vitality.
15. Miles
> Increase in boys named Miles, 2017 to 2022: +1,912
> Newborn boys named Miles in 2022: 5,540 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Miles in 2017: 3,628 (0.2%)
> States where Miles is most popular: Wyoming and Maine (plus the District of Columbia)
As with Milo and Myles (see above), Miles might derive from the Latin “miles,” meaning “soldier;” the Greek “milos,” meaning “friend;” or the Slavic root “mil-,” meaning “gracious” or “dear.”
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14. Hudson
> Increase in boys named Hudson, 2017 to 2022: +2,095
> Newborn boys named Hudson in 2022: 7,883 (0.5%)
> Newborn boys named Hudson in 2017: 5,788 (0.3%)
> States where Hudson is most popular: Vermont, Wyoming, South Dakota
A given name that comes from a surname, Hudson has English origins and probably derives from the Old English “hudd” (“hood” or “covering”) and “sone” (meaning “son”), suggesting a person who made hoods or a son of a person associated with hoods.
13. Kai
> Increase in boys named Kai, 2017 to 2022: +2,192
> Newborn boys named Kai in 2022: 5,343 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Kai in 2017: 3,151 (0.2%)
> States where Kai is most popular: Hawaii and Alaska (plus the District of Columbia)
Kai is a unisex name with has multiple possible origins. In Hawaiian, “kai” means “sea” or “ocean.” In Maori, it means “food” or “meal.” In Scandinavian languages, “Kai” is a variant of the name “Kaj,” derived from the Old Norse word “kárr,” which means “rejoice” or “happy.”
12. Maverick
> Increase in boys named Maverick, 2017 to 2022: +2,264
> Newborn boys named Maverick in 2022: 6,991 (0.4%)
> Newborn boys named Maverick in 2017: 4,727 (0.3%)
> States where Maverick is most popular: North Dakota, Alaska, Hawaii
The name Maverick comes from an English-language term which originally referred to an unbranded calf or a stray animal. It is an eponym from the name of a 19th-century Texas rancher Samnuel A. Maverick, who was known for not branding his livestock. Over time, the term “maverick” has come to symbolize independence, nonconformity, and a free-spirited nature. It is also often associated with the American West and cowboy culture – “Maverick” was a popular TV Western in the late 1950s and early ’60s and several spinoffs – and was also the nickname of Tom Cruise’s adventurous, self-reliant character in the “Top Gun” movies.
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11. Leo
> Increase in boys named Leo, 2017 to 2022: +2,288
> Newborn boys named Leo in 2022: 8,250 (0.5%)
> Newborn boys named Leo in 2017: 5,962 (0.3%)
> States where Leo is most popular: Vermont, North Dakota, New Hampshire
Like Leon (see above), Leo is derived from the Greek word “leon,” which means “lion.” It is associated with strength, courage, and nobility, as the lion is often seen as the king of the animal kingdom.
10. Asher
> Increase in boys named Asher, 2017 to 2022: +2,297
> Newborn boys named Asher in 2022: 8,350 (0.5%)
> Newborn boys named Asher in 2017: 6,053 (0.3%)
> States where Asher is most popular: West Virginia, Vermont, Hawaii
The name Asher (or Asha”) probably comes from the Hebrew root “osher,” suggesting a meaning of “happy” or “blessed.” In the Bible, Asher was a son of Jacob, and founder of the Tribe of Asher – known for its fertile lands and agricultural prosperity.
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9. Theo
> Increase in boys named Theo, 2017 to 2022: +2,384
> Newborn boys named Theo in 2022: 3,614 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Theo in 2017: 1,230 (0.1%)
> States where Theo is most popular: Hawaii, Wyoming, Vermont
The name Theo has Greek origins and is derived from the Greek word “theós,” which means “god” or “divine.” It is often used as a diminutive or nickname for longer names such as Theodore (see below) or Theodora.
8. Brooks
> Increase in boys named Brooks, 2017 to 2022: +2,402
> Newborn boys named Brooks in 2022: 4,336 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Brooks in 2017: 1,934 (0.1%)
> States where Brooks is most popular: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota
Like River (see above), this is a name associated with flowing water and nature. It is derived from the Old English word “broc,” which means “torrent” or “stream.”
7. Waylon
> Increase in boys named Waylon, 2017 to 2022: +2,471
> Newborn boys named Waylon in 2022: 4,897 (0.3%)
> Newborn boys named Waylon in 2017: 2,426 (0.1%)
> States where Waylon is most popular: West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky
The name Waylon has Old English and Norse origins, coming from the combination of the elements “wæg” (“way” or “path”) and “land” (“land” or “territory”). Waylon can be interpreted to mean “land by the road.” The name is strongly associated with country music due to the influential “outlaw country” star Waylon Jennings. (It is also the first name of the characters usually called simply “Mr. Smithers” on “The Simpsons.”)
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6. Mateo
> Increase in boys named Mateo, 2017 to 2022: +2,551
> Newborn boys named Mateo in 2022: 10,321 (0.6%)
> Newborn boys named Mateo in 2017: 7,770 (0.4%)
> States where Mateo is most popular: New Mexico, Nevada, California
Mateo is the Spanish form ofMatthew, and like that name, it derives from the Latin name Matthaeus, which in turn is a variation on the Hebrew term “mattiṯyāhū,” meaning “gift of God.”
5. Luka
> Increase in boys named Luka, 2017 to 2022: +2,583
> Newborn boys named Luka in 2022: 3,288 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Luka in 2017: 705 (0.0%)
> States where Luka is most popular: Alaska, Vermont, North Dakota
The name Luka – like Luca (see below) or Luke – is generally said to derive from the Latin word “lux,” meaning “light,” or from the Greek given name Loukas, meaning someone from Lucania, a historical region of southern Italy. In this spelling, it has also been adopted in Slavic countries, including Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Russia.
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4. Ezra
> Increase in boys named Ezra, 2017 to 2022: +2,604
> Newborn boys named Ezra in 2022: 7,943 (0.5%)
> Newborn boys named Ezra in 2017: 5,339 (0.3%)
> States where Ezra is most popular: Vermont, Alaska, New Mexico
Ezra is the name of a prominent biblical scribe, credited with the restoration of Jerusalem and the reestablishment of Jewish law after the Babylonian Captivity. It is probably an abbreviated version of the Hebrew name Azaryahu, meaning “God helps.”
3. Walker
> Increase in boys named Walker, 2017 to 2022: +3,132
> Newborn boys named Walker in 2022: 4,232 (0.2%)
> Newborn boys named Walker in 2017: 1,100 (0.1%)
> States where Walker is most popular: Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota
Walker is another family name with an occupational origin that has become popular as a given name. It derives from the Middle English word “walkere,” meaning a fuller – a person who cleaned and thickened raw wool.
2. Luca
> Increase in boys named Luca, 2017 to 2022: +4,713
> Newborn boys named Luca in 2022: 7,803 (0.5%)
> Newborn boys named Luca in 2017: 3,090 (0.2%)
> States where Luca is most popular: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware
Luca is the common Italian form of the names “Luka” (see above) and “Luke.” Like them, it probably comes from the Latin word “lux” (“light”) or from the Greek given name Loukas, describing a person from Lucania, a historical region of southern Italy. The name is popular not only in Italy but also in Hungary, Romania, Croatia, and Slovenia.
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1. Theodore
> Increase in boys named Theodore, 2017 to 2022: +4,788
> Newborn boys named Theodore in 2022: 10,754 (0.6%)
> Newborn boys named Theodore in 2017: 5,966 (0.3%)
> States where Theodore is most popular: New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine
The name Theodore (like its feminine form, Theodora) has Greek origins. It comes from the combination of the Greek words “theós” (“god”) and “dóro” (“gift”) – so means “gift of God” or “God’s gift.” The name has seen the largest increase in use of any male name between 2017 and 2022.
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