AHEAD: The ultimate list of elegant names for 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 you’re probably going for.

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.

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 What one person might find fancy, another might find too stuffy and outdated—or on the flip side, too modern and trendy.

So I’ve tried to mix it up a bit, with both classic and more fashion-forward names on this list.

I’ve also included each name’s meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.

So without further ado, here are over 160 fancy baby names for your little boy…

Related: Elegant Girl Names

Perfect fancy boy names for modern babes

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

The source for popularity data is SSA.

Banks

• Name meaning: Riverbank dweller.
• Popularity: #503

Beau

• Name meaning: Handsome.
• Popularity: #94

Beckett

• Name meaning: Beehive.
• Popularity: #198

Bennett

• Name meaning: Blessed.
• Popularity: #90

Brooks

• Name meaning: Small stream.
• Popularity: #77

Emmett or Emmitt

• Name meaning: Universal.
• Popularity: Emmett ranks #103 and Emmitt ranks #544.

Graham

• Name meaning: Gravel.
• Popularity: #161

Griffin

• Name meaning: A fierce or dangerous person.
• Popularity: #232

Jameson

• Name meaning: Son of James.
• Popularity: Jameson ranks #80 and Jamison is #522.

Lawson

• Name meaning: Son of Lawrence.
• Popularity: #362

Liam

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

Related: Middle Names for Liam

Nolan

• Name meaning: Noble or famous.
• Popularity: #60

Oliver

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

Preston

• Name meaning: Priest’s estate.
• Popularity: #241

Theodore or Theo

• Name meaning: God given. Divine gift.
• Popularity: Theodore ranks #10 and Theo is #142.

Related: Middle Names for Theo

Wells

• Name meaning: Spring or person who lives near a spring.
• Popularity: #479

Winston

• Name meaning: Might mean ‘from Wine’s town’ or ‘from a friend’s town’.
• Popularity: #411

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

Classic and elegant boy names

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

Alexander

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: #13

Related: Middle Names for Alex

Allister

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: This elegant A name isn’t ranking.

Atticus

• Name meaning: Person from Athens.
• Popularity: #266

Charles

• Name meaning: Free person.
• Popularity: Charles ranks #50 and Charlie is #189.

Gabriel

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

James

• Name meaning: One who follows.
• Popularity: James ranks #5 and Jimmy is #758.

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 #92, Nicolas is #188, and Nikolas is #587.

Thaddeus

• Name meaning: Might mean courageous heart, one who praises, or gift of God.
• Popularity: #820

Victor

• Name meaning: Conquerer. Winner.
• Popularity: #209

Walter

• Name meaning: Powerful warrior, bright warrior, forest warrior.
• Popularity: #271

William

• Name meaning: Vehement protector.
• Popularity: #6

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: #457

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: #171

Jefferson

• Name meaning: Son of Jeffrey.
• Popularity: #723

Lachlan or Lochlan

• Name meaning: War-like. Lake land.
• Popularity: Lachlan ranks #724 and Lochlan is #790.

Leonardo

• Name meaning: Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, meaning brave lion.
• Popularity: #87

Remington

• Name meaning: Raven.
• Popularity: This bird name ranks #231 for boys and #348 for girls.

Solomon

• Name meaning: Man of peace. A biblical name.
• Popularity: #422

Valentino or Valentin

• Name meaning: Strength.
• Popularity: Valentino ranks #561 and Valentin is #821.

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: #192

Boden

• Name meaning: Hill.
• Popularity: Boden ranks #827. Bowden and Beauden aren’t ranking.

Bowen

• Name meaning: Son of Owen.
• Popularity: #367

Bradford

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

Cameron

• Name meaning: Crooked nose.
• Popularity: #62

Connor

• Name meaning: Lover of hounds.
• Popularity: Connor ranks #97, Conor is #462, and Conner is #514.

Emerson

• Name meaning: Son of Emery.
• Popularity: This classy nonbinary name ranks #279 for boys. For girls, Emerson ranks #167 and Emersyn is #148.

Grant

• Name meaning: Tall.
• Popularity: #212

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: #236

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: #148

See more one-syllable names.

Walker

• Name meaning: Inspector of the forest.
• Popularity: #129

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: #222

Cedric

• Name meaning: Loved one. War chief.
• Popularity: #970

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: #958

Jacques

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

Jasper

• Name meaning: Treasurer. Also a gemstone.
• Popularity: #128

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: #813

Watson

• Name meaning: Son of Walter.
• Popularity: #596

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: #756

Benson

• Name meaning: Son of Ben.
• Popularity: #585

Edison

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

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 ranking for boys and ranks #902 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 isn’t ranking for boys but ranks #638 for girls.

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 #630 and Leighton is #378. For girls, Leighton ranks #378.

Ledger

• Name meaning: Tribe + spear.
• Popularity: #574

Leland

• Name meaning: Cultivated land.
• Popularity: #430

Lincoln

• Name meaning: Town by the pool or settler by the lake.
• Popularity: #45

Pierce

• Name meaning: Rock. Son of Piers.
• Popularity: #499

Porter

• Name meaning: Gatekeeper (occupation).
• Popularity: #441

Royce

• Name meaning: Son of the king.
• Popularity: #392

Sullivan

• Name meaning: Little dark-eyed one.
• Popularity: #373

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: #328

Benjamin  “Ben” or “Benji”

• Name meaning: Son of my right hand.
• Popularity: Benjamin ranks #7 and Ben is #763.

Bradley  “Brad”

• Name meaning: Wide meadow.
• Popularity: #313

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 #217 and Eddie is #774.

Emmanuel  “Manny”

• Name meaning: God is with us.
• Popularity: Emmanuel ranks #191 and Emanuel ranks #510.

Finnegan  “Finn”

• Name meaning: Fair-haired.
• Popularity: #376

See more F names.

Frederick  “Freddie”

• Name meaning: Peaceful ruler.
• Popularity: #476

Geoffrey  “Geoff”

• Name meaning: Peace.
• Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2005. Jeffrey ranks #385.

Macallister  “Mac”

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

Maximilian  “Max”

• Name meaning: The greatest.
• Popularity: #547

Nathaniel  “Nate”

• Name meaning: He has given.
• Popularity: Nathaniel ranks #133 and Nathanael is #780.

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: #196

See more short names.

Abram

• Name meaning: Exalted father or father of many.
• Popularity: #584

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: #567

Franklin

• Name meaning: Free land holder.
• Popularity: #395

Gideon

• Name meaning: One who cuts down.
• Popularity: #310

Julian or Julien

• Name meaning: Youthful.
• Popularity: Julian ranks #33 and Julien is #618. Neither name is ranking for girls.

Julius

• Name meaning: Youthful.
• Popularity: #319

Leander

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

Lionel

• Name meaning: Young lion.
• Popularity: #663

Osmond

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

Otis

• Name meaning: Wealth. Son of Ode.
• Popularity: #647

See more 4-letter names.

Sebastian

• Name meaning: Person from Sebastia.
• Popularity: #19

Wallace

• Name meaning: Welshman, stranger, or foreigner.
• Popularity: #897

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! Here they are…

Arthur

• Name meaning: Bear-like.
• Popularity: #155

Byron

• Name meaning: Place of cow sheds.
• Popularity: #751

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: #466

Gerald

• Name meaning: Spear king.
• Popularity: #954

Harold

• Name meaning: Military power or army ruler.
• Popularity: #962

Langston

• Name meaning: Tall stone. Long town.
• Popularity: #750

Lawrence

• Name meaning: Person from Laurentum, an ancient Roman city.
• Popularity: Lawrence ranks #578 and Larry is #866.

Leonard

• Name meaning: Brave or strong lion.
• Popularity: #649

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 #451 and Phillip is #523.

Ronald

• Name meaning: Advice + ruler.
• Popularity: #563

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? If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect one, check out the lists below…

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

Hopefully, 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!

My best advice to you is to save them all on a list on your phone. Read the list over every day. One by one, erase any name that doesn’t seem sufficiently sophisticated. If you do this enough times, eventually you’ll get to ‘the one’!

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

Fancy Boy Names