AHEAD: The ultimate list of A names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.

If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter A, you’re in the right place!

Perhaps you’re planning to honor a family member whose name begins (or began) with the letter A.

Or you’ve got an “A” theme for your kids’ names.

Or maybe you just happen to like the letter A. (Totally valid, btw).

Lucky for you, awesome A names for boys are a-bundant!

In fact, there are exactly 100 “A” names ranking in the top 1000.

​Below, I’ve rounded up a variety of A names ranging from trendy to traditional and long to short.

For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.

Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these a-mazing boy names that start with A.

Related: Girl Names that Start with A

Short boy names that start with “A”

These boys’ names are comprised of only 3 to 5 letters, and of course, they all start with the letter A!

Most of these rank in the top 1000, but you’ll see a few rare gems as well!

Aiden or Ayden or Aidan or Aden or Aydin

• Name meaning: Little fire.
• Popularity: Aiden ranks #24, Ayden ranks #122, Aidan is #261, Aden is #664, and Aydin is #867.

Related: Middle Names for Aden

Alden

• Name meaning: Wise friend or old.
• Popularity: #670

Aldo

• Name meaning: Wise or noble.
• Popularity: #784

Alec

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: #582

Alpha

• Name meaning: First letter of the Greek alphabet. Socially dominant.
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Ansel

• Name meaning: Follower of a nobleman. With divine protection.
• Popularity: This German boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Arlo or Arlow

• Name meaning: Literary name. Might mean ‘between hills’.
• Popularity: Arlo ranks #220 and Arlow isn’t ranking.

Artéo

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: This exotic boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Asher

• Name meaning: Happy or blessed.
• Popularity: #32

Related: Middle Names for Asher

Atlas

• Name meaning: From Greek mythology: a Titan who was forced to support the heavens on his shoulders. Also a collection of maps.
• Popularity: #189

Axel or Axl

• Name meaning: Father of peace.
• Popularity: Axel ranks #72 and Axl is #760.

If you like these mini names that start with A check out this huge list of short names for boys.

Cool boy names that start with “A”

Most of these A names for boys aren’t super popular… but they should be!

Abbott

• Name meaning: Father.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

Abner

• Name meaning: Father of light, creator of the sun and stars.
• Popularity: #971

Alpine

• Name meaning: Relating to mountains. A type of plant.
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Anderson

• Name meaning: Son of Anders.
• Popularity: #307

Apollo

• Name meaning: Destroyer. From Greek mythology. NASA’s Apollo program put the first people on the moon.
• Popularity: #448

Archer

• Name meaning: Bowman.
• Popularity: #160

Archie

• Name meaning: Truly brave.
• Popularity: #466

Arrow

• Name meaning: Object shot from a bow.
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Ashton

• Name meaning: Ash tree town.
• Popularity: #136

Atticus

• Name meaning: Person from Athens.
• Popularity: #300

Austin or Austen

• Name meaning: Magnificent. The state capital of Texas.
• Popularity: Austin ranks #89 and Austen hasn’t ranked since 2006.

Axton

• Name meaning: Swordsman’s stone.
• Popularity: #609

If you like these cool boy names that start with A you’ll also like this list of outer space names.

Classic boy names that start with “A”

These A names have been around for centuries and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!

Aaron or Aron

• Name meaning: Exalted. Strong. Teacher. Mountain of strength.
• Popularity: Aaron ranks #63 and Aron is #743.

Abraham

• Name meaning: Father of many.
• Popularity: #201

Adam

• Name meaning: Son of the red earth.
• Popularity: #96

Adrian

• Name meaning: Person of Adria.
• Popularity: Adrian ranks #58 for boys. Adrian and Adrienne are no longer ranking for girls.

Alexander

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: #10

Andrew

• Name meaning: Strong and manly.
• Popularity: #52

Anthony

• Name meaning: A Roman family name.
• Popularity: #41

Augustus

• Name meaning: Magnificent.
• Popularity: #502

If you like these classic boy names that start with A you’ll also like this list of 3-syllable names.

Rare boy names that start with “A”

These interesting boy names starting with A aren’t ones you hear every day.

Adrius

• Name meaning: Unknown meaning.
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Alistair

• Name meaning: Defender. (Scottish version of Alexander).
• Popularity: #963

Allister

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: This Greek boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Alton

• Name meaning: Old town.
• Popularity: This boy’s name last ranked in 2002.

Amadeus

• Name meaning: Love of God. (Wolfgang Mozart’s middle name!)
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Ambrose

• Name meaning: Immortal or divine.
• Popularity: #821

Ander or Anders

• Name meaning: Scandinavian version of Andrew, meaning strong and manly.
• Popularity: Ander ranks #628 and Anders is #831.

Augustine

• Name meaning: Magnificent.
• Popularity: #711

Aurelius

• Name meaning: Golden.
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

If you like these rare boy names that start with A you’ll also like this list of names for rainbow babies.

Gender-neutral names that start with “A”

All of these A names would work for a boy or a girl!

Alex

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: Alex ranks #182 for boys and hasn’t ranked for girls since 2004.

Related: Middle Names for Alex

Alexis

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: Alexis ranks #483 for boys and #309 for girls.

Amari

• Name meaning: Eternal or immortal.
• Popularity: Amari ranks #217 for boys and #334 for girls.

Arden

• Name meaning: From the eagle valley. Forest.
• Popularity: This nonbinary name isn’t ranking for boys and last ranked for girls in 2019.

Ari

• Name meaning: Lion.
• Popularity: Ari ranks #391 for boys and #486 for girls.

Ariel

• Name meaning: Lion.
• Popularity: Ariel ranks #565 for boys and #200 for girls.

Asa

• Name meaning: Doctor. Healer. Born at dawn.
• Popularity: Asa ranks #507 for boys and is not ranking for girls.

Aspen

• Name meaning: A tree with heart-shaped leaves. A ski resort town in Colorado.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for boys but ranks #224 for girls.

Aster

• Name meaning: A daisy-like flower. Derived from the Greek word for star.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for either gender.

August

• Name meaning: Magnificent.
• Popularity: This name ranks #155 for boys and #856 for girls.

Avery

• Name meaning: Ruler of elves.
• Popularity: Avery ranks #212 for boys and #19 for girls.

Related: Middle Names for Avery

If you like these gender neutral names that start with A check out this list of nonbinary names.

Unique boy names that start with “A”

All of these unique A names are (surprisingly) ranking in the top 1000!

Aarav

• Name meaning: Wisdom. Peaceful.
• Popularity: #641

Adonis

• Name meaning: A lover of the goddess Aphrodite in Greek mythology.
• Popularity: #222

Alaric

• Name meaning: Ruler.
• Popularity: #820

Amias

• Name meaning: Loved.
• Popularity: #699

Anakin

• Name meaning: An invented name from Star Wars.
• Popularity: #704

Aries

• Name meaning: A ram. Astrological sign. The Roman god of war.
• Popularity: Aries ranks #890 for boys and is not ranking for girls.

Arjun

• Name meaning: White, clear, or silver.
• Popularity: #559

Atreus

• Name meaning: Fearless. (Greek mythology name).
• Popularity: #742

If you like these unique boy names that start with A you’ll also like this list of edgy names.

Hebrew boy names that start with “A”

All of these A names for boys are of Hebrew origin.

Related: Hebrew Girl Names

Abdiel

• Name meaning: Servant of God.
• Popularity: #516

Abram

• Name meaning: Exalted father or father of many.
• Popularity: #555

Adriel

• Name meaning: Belonging to God.
• Popularity: #140

Alijah

• Name meaning: Variation of Elijah, meaning Yahweh is God.
• Popularity: #445

Amos

• Name meaning: To carry. Borne by God.
• Popularity: #703

Avi

• Name meaning: Father.
• Popularity: #906

Azariah

• Name meaning: Helped by God.
• Popularity: #685

Aziel

• Name meaning: God is my strength.
• Popularity: #495

If you like these Hebrew boy names that start with A you’ll also like this list of two syllable names.

Spanish and Italian boy names that start with “A”

These A names are of Spanish and Italian origin.

Adan

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Adam, meaning son of the red earth.
• Popularity: #469

Alejandro

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Alexander, meaning defender.
• Popularity: #211

Alessandro

• Name meaning: Italian version of Alexander, meaning defender.
• Popularity: #623

Alfredo or Alfred

• Name meaning: Wise.
• Popularity: Alfredo ranks #747 and Alfred is #902.

Alonzo

• Name meaning: Noble. Ready for battle.
• Popularity: Alonzo ranks #471 and Alonso is #782.

Alvaro

• Name meaning: Guardian.
• Popularity: #845

Andres or Andre

• Name meaning: Spanish/French version of Andrew, meaning strong and manly.
• Popularity: Andres ranks #219 and Andre is #281.

Angelo

• Name meaning: Spiritual being.
• Popularity: #314

Antonio

• Name meaning: A Roman family name.
• Popularity: #180

Armando

• Name meaning: Soldier.
• Popularity: #504

Arturo

• Name meaning: Bear-like.
• Popularity: #583

If you like these Spanish and Italian boy names that start with A you may also like these French names.

Arabic boy names that start with “A”

These baby boy names of Arabic origin are ranking in the top 1000 in the United States.

Abdullah

• Name meaning: Servant of God.
• Popularity: #808

Ahmad or Ahmed

• Name meaning: Highly praised.
• Popularity: Ahmad ranks #624 and Ahmed is #629.

Ali

• Name meaning: Exalted.
• Popularity: Ali ranks #322 for boys and hasn’t ranked for girls since 2013.

Amir or Ameer or Ahmir

• Name meaning: Prince.
• Popularity: Amir ranks #117, Ameer is #830, and Ahmir is #935.

Ayaan or Ayan

• Name meaning: God’s gift.
• Popularity: Ayaan ranks #456 and Ayan is #903.

If you like these Arabic boy names that start with A you might also like this list of one-syllable names.

Names that are past their prime

Even though all of the following names are ranking in the top 1000, I personally think they’ve seen better days.

Alan or Allen or Allan

• Name meaning: Many possible meanings including rock, handsome, cheerful, fox, deer, etc.
• Popularity: Alan ranks #194, Allen is #463, and Allan is #823.

Albert or Alberto

• Name meaning: Noble or bright.
• Popularity: Albert ranks #523 and Alberto is #678.

Alvin

• Name meaning: Noble friend. Elf friend.
• Popularity: #683

Andy

• Name meaning: Short for Andrew, meaning strong and manly.
• Popularity: #401

Angel

• Name meaning: Spiritual being.
• Popularity: #76

Armani

• Name meaning: Son of Armand. Warrior.
• Popularity: #361

Arthur

• Name meaning: Bear-like.
• Popularity: #162

“A” names for boys to AVOID

While compiling this list of boy names that start with A, I came across a few names with pretty undesirable meanings.

They’re ranking in the top 1000, but you may want to skip these!

Ares

• Name meaning: The brutal and bloodthirsty god of war in Greek mythology.
• Popularity: #593

Aryan

• Name meaning: The Nazis glorified the German people as members of the “Aryan race”, while denigrating Jews, Black people, and anyone they viewed as “non-Aryans.”
• Popularity: Aryan ranks #834 and Arian is #858.

Azrael

• Name meaning: Angel of death. Helped by God.
• Popularity: #929

More baby names for boys:

• 250 Hippie Names for your Boho Baby
• 250 Southern Boy Names
• One Syllable Boy Names for Modern Little Dudes

Final thoughts on boys’ names starting with the letter A

Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.

Whether you prefer a name that’s short, cool, classic, rare, gender-neutral, or unique, all of these boy names that start with A are great choices.

Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect A name for your son!

Boy Names that Start with A