25 Cool boy names from 2020
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Why is it that, as soon as you need to pick a name for your newborn baby boy, all names ever just drop out of your head? We get it. Finding the right name can be tricky, especially if you want it to stand out from the crowd.
Oliver and Olivia topped the list again for the 100 most popular boy names and girl names in 2020, according to the Office of National Statistics, but what if you're looking for something more unusual?
Get baby boy name inspo from the list below, where we've put some of the coolest and most memorable names that parents gave their newborns in 2020.
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1. Odin
You don't get much cooler than Odin, king of all the Norse gods. He was associated with wisdom, healing, death, art, sorcery, poetry and lots more – a pretty epic mix if you ask us!
2. Xander
Short for Alexander, Xander is a rather grand and heroic name from ancient Greek that means 'protector of the people'.
Buffy fans will surely recognise this one from character Xander Harris, played by Nicholas Brendon.
3. Enzo
The Italian version of the German name Heinz. Not just of baked bean fame though, Enzo also appears in The Godfather as Enzo the Baker.
4. Kaiden
Deriving from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name 'Cadáin', this name means 'fighter' or, in Arabic, 'companion'.
5. Kylo
A popular one since Star Wars introduced Han Solo and Princess Leia's son Kylo Ren. This name has a suitably cosmic meaning too – 'sky'.
6. Hendrix
For all the aspiring rockers out there. Inspire your baby to learn to shred by naming him after one of the greatest guitar gods of all time, Jimi Hendrix.
7. Osian
The Welsh version of Oisin, who was thought to be the greatest poet in Irish legend. The name means 'little deer' because, in true mythical fashion, his mother was, erm, a female deer.
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8. Bear
Simple but memorable. Strong and fierce, hungry and sleepy, lover of honey (or marmalade, depending on your choice of famous bears). Cheryl and Liam Payne chose this name for their baby boy back in 2017.
9. Atlas
Want to inspire perseverance in your kid? In Greek myth, Atlas was the Titan who carried the weight of the Earth on his shoulders for all eternity.
10. Dante
Leaning to the more gothic side of things, Dante was a famous poet who wrote 'Dante's Inferno' about the nine circles of Hell. Cheerful stuff.
11. Loki
Loki was a trickster god who thrived on chaos in Norse mythology, which may be quite apt when your baby reaches their terrible twos! An excellent choice for Marvel fans.
12. Bodhi
In Sanskrit, Bodhi means 'enlightened' or 'awakened' and is especially related to the concept of Buddhist enlightenment.
Bodhi is another great Star Wars name too, turning up in Rogue One with Riz Ahmed's character.
13. Phoenix
Phoenix is an ancient Greek name that means 'dark red', though we all think of the fiery bird first. Phoenixes are mythic birds that are reborn from ashes, making them epic symbols of eternity.
14. Ziggy
Means 'victor' or 'protector', and comes with big space age vibes due to David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust.
Bob Marley also named one of his sons Ziggy, and if it's good enough for Bob then it's good enough for us!
15. Beauden
An alternative spelling for the name Boden, which means 'hill shaped like a bow; floor'. Beau is also French for 'beautiful' or 'handsome', which is perfect for your beautiful baby boy.
16. Jago
A cool alternative to the more commonly used Jacob, Jago is Cornish in origin and means 'supplanter'.
17. Sultan
For the aspirational amongst you, Sultan means 'power' or 'king' in Arabic. In many Islamic countries, 'Sultan' used to be the title given to rulers.
18. Caspian
The true king of Narnia who is fair, just and also a great sea voyager. For fans of C.S. Lewis or keen swimmers and sailors!
19. River
A tranquil nature-inspired name that has grown in popularity in recent years, along the same lines as names like Sky and Ocean. Jamie and Jools Oliver have a son named River Rocket.
20. Marley
Who wouldn't want one of the world's greatest ever musicians for your namesake?
Meaning 'from the lake meadow', Marley is a (rather famous) surname – as popularised by both musician Bob Marley and the Dickens character Jacob Marley – that is increasingly being popularised as a first name.
21. Castiel
If your baby was born on a Thursday, you might decide to name him after Castiel, the actual Angel of Thursday. Perhaps the parents who chose this name were fans of hit show Supernatural?
22. Neo
The 90s revival is strong with this one. The Matrix was the height of cool sci-fi films at the end of the millennium, and is still endlessly quotable.
Quote this to your little one when they're naughty:
"You have a problem with authority, Mr. Anderson. You believe you are special, that somehow the rules do not apply to you. Obviously, you are mistaken."
23. Tristan
The name itself may mean 'sorrowful', but Tristan was also one of the knights of King Arthur's round table.
24. Kai
Kai is up there among the most popular names in the UK just now, and was in the top 100 back in 2019.
In Welsh, it means 'keeper of the keys; earth' while in Japanese culture it means 'ocean' or 'shell'.
25. Maximus
A strong Latin moniker that means 'the greatest', and is also the name of the main character in Gladiator. Try quoting 'Are you not entertained?!' if your kid ever complains about being bored.
Still searching for the perfect name? Best Baby Names 2021 by Siobhan Thomas has over 9000 names to inspire you. See more details here at Amazon.
Or looking for a personalised gift? We love this super cute baby-sized bathrobe that's available in pink, blue and grey and it can be personalised, too. See more details here at Amazon.
Still looking for the perfect name for your baby boy? We've got loads more ideas in the articles below, or you can look for inspo from other parents in the forum:
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