Choosing your baby boy name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Whether you’re looking for a modern and unique baby boy name or something that’s rooted in tradition, there are plenty of resources to help. One of the best is the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular baby names.
The top 10 baby boy names in 2022 are all familiar, but there are a few new faces. James jumped ahead of Elijah, and the names on the bottom of the list changed around a bit. Kylian, last year’s highest climber, moved up a few spots as well. The name Levi (pronounced LEH-vie) is a trendy choice for boys. The name comes from the Biblical prophet and is associated with light, fire and strength. Other popular boy names include Linus, Damian and Dai.
While a name’s meaning shouldn’t be the most important factor in your decision-making process, it can add some extra weight to your choices. The SSA’s most popular baby names also reveal some interesting trends and influences, such as the rise of gender-neutral and unisex names.
Strong baby boy names have become a top trend, perhaps because they aren’t associated with a specific sex and may be used by both girls and boys. Some of these strong names also have powerful meanings, which can help your child feel grounded and strong. Examples of strong boy names include Abiah, Acacius and Jace. Another hot and powerful boy name is Damon, which is a variant of the Latin word for tame (Damien). The name is often shortened to its nicknames Damon or Dalton.