AHEAD: The ultimate list of elegant names for 2025 baby boys.

If you’re looking for a classy and sophisticated boys’ name, you’re in the right place.

This curated list includes a variety of handsome choices with that certain je ne sais quois that’ll even impress your bougiest, most upper-crust relative.

Related: Elegant Girl Names

Perfect fancy boy names for 2025 babies

These names are a little bit fancy and a little bit modern.

Banks

• Name meaning: Riverbank dweller.
• Popularity: #348

Beau

• Name meaning: Handsome.
• Popularity: #79

Beckett

• Name meaning: Beehive.
• Popularity: #196

Bennett

• Name meaning: Blessed.
• Popularity: #74

Brooks

• Name meaning: Small stream.
• Popularity: #73

Emmett or Emmitt

• Name meaning: Universal.
• Popularity: Emmett ranks #118 and Emmitt ranks #655.

Graham

• Name meaning: Gravel.
• Popularity: #140

Griffin

• Name meaning: A fierce or dangerous person.
• Popularity: #214

Jameson

• Name meaning: Son of James.
• Popularity: Jameson ranks #103 and Jamison ranks #660.

Lawson

• Name meaning: Son of Lawrence.
• Popularity: #414

Liam

• Name meaning: Will. Resolution. Helmet. Protector.
• Popularity: #1

Related: Middle Names for Liam

Nolan

• Name meaning: Noble or famous.
• Popularity: #57

Oliver

• Name meaning: Olive tree.
• Popularity: #3

Preston

• Name meaning: Priest’s estate.
• Popularity: #275

Theodore or Theo

• Name meaning: God-given. Divine gift.
• Popularity: Theodore ranks #7 and Theo ranks #78.

Related: Middle Names for Theo

Wells

• Name meaning: Spring or person who lives near a spring.
• Popularity: #445

Winston

• Name meaning: Might mean ‘from Wine’s town’ or ‘from a friend’s town’.
• Popularity: #398

If you like these contemporary fancy names for boys you might also like this list of modern boy names for 2025

Classic and elegant boy names

The following fancy boy names have stood the test of time.

Alexander

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: #22

Related: Middle Names for Alex

Allister or Alistair

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: Allister isn’t ranking. Alistair ranks #920.

Atticus

• Name meaning: Person from Athens.
• Popularity: #284

Charles

• Name meaning: Free person.
• Popularity: Charles ranks #54 and Charlie is #175.

Gabriel

• Name meaning: God is my strength.
• Popularity: #38

James

• Name meaning: One who follows.
• Popularity: James ranks #4 and Jimmy is #818.

Leopold

• Name meaning: Brave people.
• Popularity: This elegant L name isn’t ranking.

Linden or Lyndon

• Name meaning: Hill of linden trees.
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this fancy tree-inspired boys’ name is ranking.

Nicholas

• Name meaning: People of victory.
• Popularity: Nicholas ranks #109, Nicolas is #193, and Nikolas is #650.

Thaddeus

• Name meaning: Might mean courageous heart, one who praises, or gift of God.
• Popularity: #903

Victor

• Name meaning: Conquerer. Winner.
• Popularity: #217

Walter

• Name meaning: Powerful warrior, bright warrior, forest warrior.
• Popularity: #267

William

• Name meaning: Vehement protector.
• Popularity: #10

If you like these classic and elegant boy names you might also like this list of Greek names.

Sophisticated names for boys

Here are some big names for a fancy little boy to grow into!

Amadeo or Amadeus

• Name meaning: Love of God.
• Popularity: Neither version of this fancy Italian boys’ name is ranking.

Augustus

• Name meaning: Magnificent.
• Popularity: #488

Bartholomew or Bates

• Name meaning: Son of the trenches where seeds are planted.
• Popularity: Neither version of this sophisticated B name is ranking.

Broderick

• Name meaning: Either means brother or is a family name.
• Popularity: This classy Irish name last ranked in 2014.

Calloway or Callaway

• Name meaning: Place of pebbles.
• Popularity: This fancy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Ellington

• Name meaning: Ellis town.
• Popularity: This elegant E name isn’t ranking.

Emiliano

• Name meaning: Italian and Spanish variation of Emil, meaning work.
• Popularity: #133

Jefferson

• Name meaning: Son of Jeffrey.
• Popularity: #762

Lachlan or Lochlan

• Name meaning: War-like. Lake land.
• Popularity: Lachlan ranks #771 and Lochlan is #824.

Leonardo

• Name meaning: Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, meaning brave lion.
• Popularity: #84

Remington

• Name meaning: Raven.
• Popularity: This bird name ranks #283 for boys and #419 for girls.

Solomon

• Name meaning: Man of peace. A biblical name.
• Popularity: #443

Valentino or Valentin

• Name meaning: Strength.
• Popularity: Valentino ranks #515 and Valentin is #711.

If you like these sophisticated names for boys you might also like this list of 3-syllable names.

Classy southern names

Brimming with southern charm, these preppy names are perfect for a fancy little gentleman.

Barrett

• Name meaning: Bear strength.
• Popularity: #207

Boden

• Name meaning: Hill.
• Popularity: Boden ranks #756. Bowden and Beauden aren’t ranking.

Bowen

• Name meaning: Son of Owen.
• Popularity: #348

Bradford

• Name meaning: Broad river crossing.
• Popularity: This fancy water name isn’t ranking.

Cameron

• Name meaning: Crooked nose.
• Popularity: #58

Connor

• Name meaning: Lover of hounds.
• Popularity: Connor ranks #126, Conor is #619, and Conner isn’t ranking.

Emerson

• Name meaning: Son of Emery.
• Popularity: This classy nonbinary name ranks #268 for boys. For girls, Emerson ranks #161 and Emersyn is #146.

Grant

• Name meaning: Tall.
• Popularity: #228

See more Scottish names.

Hartford (or Hart)

• Name meaning: Shallow place in a river where deer roam. The capital of Connecticut.
• Popularity: This badass name, chosen by Stassi Schroeder for her daughter, isn’t currently ranking for either gender.

Holden

• Name meaning: Hollow valley.
• Popularity: #286

Merritt

• Name meaning: Boundary gate.
• Popularity: This fancy M name isn’t ranking.

Patton

• Name meaning: Fighter’s town
• Popularity: This elegant baby name isn’t ranking.

Prescott

• Name meaning: Priest’s cottage.
• Popularity: This fancy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Reeves

• Name meaning: Bailiff.
• Popularity: This sophisticated R name isn’t ranking.

Rhett

• Name meaning: Advice.
• Popularity: #165

See more one-syllable names.

Walker

• Name meaning: Inspector of the forest.
• Popularity: #85

If you like these classy boy names you’ll also like this huge list of southern names.

Posh names for baby boys

These fancy boy names sound refined and dignified.

Beckham

• Name meaning: An English surname that might mean ‘from the homestead.’
• Popularity: #199

Cedric

• Name meaning: Loved one. War chief.
• Popularity: This elegant boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Charlton

• Name meaning: Town of free men.
• Popularity: This elegant boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Chauncey

• Name meaning: Chancellor or gamble.
• Popularity: This sophisticated baby name isn’t ranking.

Chester

• Name meaning: Fortress.
• Popularity: This classy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Clive

• Name meaning: Cliff or slope.
• Popularity: This fancy male name isn’t ranking.

Heath

• Name meaning: A habitat with low-growing woody vegetation.
• Popularity: This sophisticated name isn’t ranking.

Jacques

• Name meaning: God is gracious.
• Popularity: This classically elegant French boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Jasper

• Name meaning: Treasurer. Also a gemstone.
• Popularity: #122

Jerome

• Name meaning: Spear king.
• Popularity: This dignified name last ranked in 2020.

Philippe

• Name meaning: Lover of horses.
• Popularity: This fancy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Thatcher

• Name meaning: One who makes roofs from straw.
• Popularity: #996

Watson

• Name meaning: Son of Walter.
• Popularity: #804

If you like these posh baby names you might also like this list of royal boy names.

Unique fancy boy names

These elegant male names are unique alternatives to classics like William.

Amias

• Name meaning: Loved.
• Popularity: #681

Benson

• Name meaning: Son of Ben.
• Popularity: #615

Edison

• Name meaning: Son of Edward.
• Popularity: #830

Ellery

• Name meaning: Alder tree. Part of the Birch family, Alder trees grow along rivers and on wetlands.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for either gender.

Ellison

• Name meaning: Child of Elias.
• Popularity: This classy name isn’t ranked for boys and is no longer ranked for girls.

Grafton

• Name meaning: Grove settlement.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Hamilton

• Name meaning: Treeless hill or crooked hill.
• Popularity: This fancy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Holland

• Name meaning: Wooden land. Part of the Netherlands.
• Popularity: This baby name ranks #568 for boys.

Johannes

• Name meaning: German, Dutch, and Scandinavian version of John, meaning God is gracious.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but is popular in Germany.

Layton or Leighton

• Name meaning: Town by the meadow.
• Popularity: For boys, Layton ranks #611 and Leighton ranks #965. For girls, Leighton ranks #357.

Ledger

• Name meaning: Tribe + spear.
• Popularity: #561

Leland

• Name meaning: Cultivated land.
• Popularity: #522

Lincoln

• Name meaning: Town by the pool or settler by the lake.
• Popularity: #64

Pierce

• Name meaning: Rock. Son of Piers.
• Popularity: #546

Porter

• Name meaning: Gatekeeper (occupation).
• Popularity: #503

Royce

• Name meaning: Son of the king.
• Popularity: #447

Sullivan

• Name meaning: Little dark-eyed one.
• Popularity: #358

If you like these unique fancy boy names you might also like this enormous list of unique names.

Fancy boy names you don’t hear every day

The following elegant male names are super rare.

Ansel

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

Aurelius

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

Barrington

• Name meaning: Cities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
• Popularity: This fancy male name isn’t ranking.

Brighton

• Name meaning: Bright town. A resort town on the coast of England.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Cambridge

• Name meaning: A city near Boston and also in England.
• Popularity: This elegant-sounding baby name isn’t ranking.

Carlton or Carleton

• Name meaning: Town of free men.
• Popularity: Carlton last ranked in 2005 and Carleton isn’t ranking.

Carrington

• Name meaning: A place in the UK.
• Popularity: This distinguished name isn’t ranking.

Courtland

• Name meaning: Short land.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Garland

• Name meaning: Flower wreath.
• Popularity: This great winter boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Gentry

• Name meaning: Aristocracy.
• Popularity: This fancy G name isn’t ranking.

Hastings

• Name meaning: High stone. A seaside town in England.
• Popularity: This elegant H name isn’t ranking.

Ingram

• Name meaning: Raven.
• Popularity: This fancy I name isn’t ranking.

Jennings

• Name meaning: Graced by God.
• Popularity: This posh J name isn’t ranking.

Merrick

• Name meaning: Fame and power.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

If you like these rare fancy boy names you might also like this list of city names.

Formal names with cute nicknames

These fancy boy names sound distinguished in their long forms and friendly in their short forms.

Anderson “Andy”

• Name meaning: Son of Anders.
• Popularity: #332

Benjamin “Ben” or “Benji”

• Name meaning: Son of my right hand.
• Popularity: Benjamin ranks #11 and Ben is #796.

Bradley “Brad”

• Name meaning: Wide meadow.
• Popularity: #359

Edmond “Eddie”

• Name meaning: Wealth or fortune. Prosperous. Guardian or protector.
• Popularity: This sophisticated boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Edward “Eddie”

• Name meaning: Wealth or fortune. Prosperous. Guardian or protector.
• Popularity: Edward ranks #213 and Eddie is #858.

Emmanuel “Manny”

• Name meaning: God is with us.
• Popularity: Emmanuel ranks #173 and Emanuel ranks #484.

Finnegan “Finn”

• Name meaning: Fair-haired.
• Popularity: #492

See more F names.

Frederick “Freddie”

• Name meaning: Peaceful ruler.
• Popularity: #506

Geoffrey “Geoff”

• Name meaning: Peace.
• Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2005. Jeffrey ranks #485.

Macallister “Mac”

• Name meaning: Son of Alasdair.
• Popularity: This posh boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Maximilian “Max”

• Name meaning: The greatest.
• Popularity: #571

Nathaniel “Nate”

• Name meaning: He has given.
• Popularity: Nathaniel ranks #143 and Nathanael is #720.

See more N names.

If you like these formal names with nicknames you might also like this list of strong boy names.

Fancy names you haven’t thought of

Here are some more elegant boy names worth considering!

Abbott

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

Abel

• Name meaning: Breath.
• Popularity: #220

See more short names.

Abram

• Name meaning: Exalted father or father of many.
• Popularity: #712

Carsten

• Name meaning: Christian.
• Popularity: This fancy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Dorian

• Name meaning: Several possible meanings: From Dorus, a legendary Greek hero. From Doris, a district of Ancient Greece. Child of the sea.
• Popularity: #608

Franklin

• Name meaning: Free land holder.
• Popularity: #410

Gideon

• Name meaning: One who cuts down.
• Popularity: #318

Julian or Julien

• Name meaning: Youthful.
• Popularity: Julian ranks #33 and Julien is #635. Neither name is ranking for girls.

Julius

• Name meaning: Youthful.
• Popularity: #400

Leander

• Name meaning: Lion man.
• Popularity: This fancy boy name isn’t ranking.

Lionel

• Name meaning: Young lion.
• Popularity: #494

Osmond

• Name meaning: God protects.
• Popularity: This fancy boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Otis

• Name meaning: Wealth. Son of Ode.
• Popularity: #652

See more 4-letter names.

Sebastian

• Name meaning: Person from Sebastia.
• Popularity: #13

Wallace

• Name meaning: Welshman, stranger, or foreigner.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

If you like this batch of fancy boy names you might also like this list of 2-syllable names.

Fancy boy names that are past their prime

While many of these sophisticated names are currently ranked in the top 1000, I personally think they’ve seen better days.

That’s of course for you to decide!

(Or, feel free to jump ahead to my 2025 predictions for fancy boy names…)

Arthur

• Name meaning: Bear-like.
• Popularity: #128

Byron

• Name meaning: Place of cow sheds.
• Popularity: #835

Clancy

• Name meaning: Son of the red warrior.
• Popularity: This fancy C name isn’t ranking.

Clarence

• Name meaning: Bright.
• Popularity: This sophisticated baby name last ranked in 2010.

Cornelius

• Name meaning: Horn.
• Popularity: This polished name hasn’t ranked since 2008.

Darcy

• Name meaning: Dark one.
• Popularity: This fancy D name isn’t ranking for either gender.

Francis

• Name meaning: Frenchman or free man.
• Popularity: #458

Gerald

• Name meaning: Spear king.
• Popularity: This sophisticated name isn’t ranking.

Harold

• Name meaning: Military power or army ruler.
• Popularity: #926

Langston

• Name meaning: Tall stone. Long town.
• Popularity: #892

Lawrence

• Name meaning: Person from Laurentum, an ancient Roman city.
• Popularity: Lawrence ranks #559 and Larry isn’t ranking.

Leonard

• Name meaning: Brave or strong lion.
• Popularity: #693

Octavius

• Name meaning: Eighth.
• Popularity: This elegant O name isn’t ranking.

Pascal

• Name meaning: Relating to Easter.
• Popularity: This fancy P name isn’t ranking.

Philip or Phillip

• Name meaning: Lover of horses.
• Popularity: Philip ranks #499 and Phillip ranks #622.

Ronald

• Name meaning: Advice + ruler.
• Popularity: #612

Virgil

• Name meaning: Meaning unknown. (An ancient Roman poet).
• Popularity: This sophisticated V name isn’t ranking.

Did you find the perfect fancy name for your son?

Predictions for 2025

Every few years, a baby name defies normal growth patterns and goes truly viral. Predicting these breakout names requires analyzing thousands of data points and understanding complex cultural factors.

After extensive research into current name rankings, year-over-year changes, and celebrity influence, one name stands out with exceptional viral potential for 2025…

Theo

Theo’s current statistical momentum is remarkable, climbing 21 positions to #78 in 2023 despite already being in the top 100. This kind of acceleration at this ranking level is extremely rare and signals exceptional growth potential.

What’s particularly compelling is how Theo has achieved this growth largely through organic popularity rather than celebrity influence.

Unlike names that spike due to famous babies, Theo’s rise has been steady and grassroots-driven, suggesting far more sustainable momentum.

The selective celebrity usage (like Ivanka Trump’s Theodore “Theo” and Karlie Kloss’s Theodore) has only reinforced its existing appeal rather than artificially inflating it.

The name benefits from an unprecedented support system: its formal version, Theodore, sits at #7 – creating a powerful feedback loop where both versions strengthen each other. This is a rare phenomenon; most nickname-formal name pairs don’t show this kind of simultaneous growth.

Theo also perfectly captures current style trends, with its -eo ending (shared with rising names Leo, Matteo, and Romeo) and its vintage charm. Yet unlike some vintage revivals that can feel forced, Theo manages to feel both classic and contemporary.

Perhaps most significantly, Theo’s growth is powered by two distinct groups: traditional parents using it as a nickname for Theodore (#7) and modern parents using it as a standalone name (#78). This dual pathway to popularity is extremely rare and creates multiple avenues for continued growth.

Given these factors and its current trajectory, Theo could reasonably reach the top 35-40 by 2025, following the historical precedent set by other nickname-to-standalone names like Jack.

Unlike many trending names that show signs of peaking, all indicators suggest Theo’s rise is still in its acceleration phase.

Will any other fancy boy names go viral in 2025?

In my search for names with true viral potential, I conducted a rigorous analysis of several rising candidates, but none showed the same compelling indicators as Theo.

Sebastian, while prestigious at #13, has plateaued after years of steady growth, showing classic signs of reaching its natural peak. The data suggests it’s transitioning into modern classic status rather than preparing for a viral surge.

Walker initially seemed promising, having jumped from #206 to #85 in just three years and benefiting from Kylie Jenner’s choice. However, its 2023 slight decline suggests its celebrity-driven momentum may be stabilizing rather than accelerating.

Our analysis included studying names like Lionel (which climbed from #625 to #494) and Emiliano (holding steady at #133). While both names show healthy growth, they lack the critical combination of factors driving Theo’s exceptional trajectory.

More baby names for boys:

• 77 Handsome Names for Rainbow Babies [Boys Edition]
• 390 Strong Boy Names with Masculine Charm
• 3 Syllable Boy Names that are Modern & Masculine
• 120 Magnificent Royal Boy Names

Final thoughts on fancy names for baby boys

As you’ve seen, this list doesn’t include names like Axel, Cole, Hudson, and River, which are all really amazing baby names… but don’t necessarily have an elegant vibe.

Fancy names tend to be less cute or edgy; they’re usually a bit longer, classic, timeless, and have a recognizable ring of sophistication

That said, elegance, of course, is totally subjective—especially when it comes to a baby name. What one person might find fancy or dashing, another might find too stuffy and outdated—or on the flip side, too modern and trendy.

Either way, I hope you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list of fancy boy names, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.

Now, the tricky part is narrowing down your list of favorites!

The source for popularity data is SSN.

This article was originally published on Jan 9, 2023 and was updated on Nov 13, 2024.

Fancy Boy Names