Congratulations on your soon to arrive boy! We hope that your pregnancy has been going to plan, you're feeling radiant and are incredibly excited about your upcoming arrival!

As well as preparing the nursery, your baby’s layette and organising a car seat, you also need to choose one or more baby boy names. This is the task that has many parents tearing their hair out. From considering family wishes, avoiding names of people they dislike and wanting a name which simply sounds right, it’s a tough job!

We'd like to make choosing the perfect names easy for you, which is why we've put together a list of popular baby boy names and their meanings to help you out.

10 Popular Baby Boy Names & Their Meanings

Sometimes a name just sounds right. Other times, nothing does. Choosing a name for your soon to arrive little boy is something you'll spend hours dwelling on. Here are ten popular baby boy names for you to consider:

  1. Oliver - with Germanic origins and a meaning of elf warrior, Oliver is currently the most popular boys name in New Zealand.
  2. Noah - of Hebrew origins, Noah is derived from the name Noach, which means rest and comfort.
  3. Leo - originating in the Latin language and used by 13 popes throughout history, Leo means lion man.
  4. Jack - originating in the Hebrew language, and used during medieval times, Jack has always been one of the world’s most popular boys names. Its meaning is God is merciful.
  5. Lucas - a variant of the name Luke, Lucas originates in the Greek language and means from Lucania, a region in Italy.
  6. George - with origins also in the Greek language, George is a name popular with royalty and means farming man.
  7. James - with a meaning of following after, James is derived from the Hebrew name Yaáqov.
  8. William - originating in the Germanic language, William means strong mind and protection. It is a popular royal name, having been used by many British kings.
  9. Thomas - with a meaning of twin, Thomas originates in Aramaic and is often used as a surname as well as a first name.
  10. Charlie - derived from the name Charles, Charlie means free man and is also a popular royal name. It originates from the Germanic languages.

Once you have decided upon your new baby boy’s names, why not consider a baby naming ceremony? They are a beautiful way to welcome your little one and share them with the world!

If you have chosen a naming ceremony, we suggest using our celebrant directory to choose one for your baby’s special day.