60+ Authentic Baby Boy Names Starting With A

Boy names that start with A are back — and better than ever!

After years of flirting outside of the top-10, the letter “a” has now been the second-most popular first initial for boys in the United States every year since 1993, according to Behind the Name. 

In 2024, A boy names accounted for 9.73% of all names given to baby boys — second to the letter “j.” 

RELATED: 1000+ Baby Boy Names From Every Corner of the World

What’s interesting about the letter “A” is that, despite its popularity, only four boy names that start with A cracked the Social Security Administration’s top-50 most popular boy names of 2024. 

Those names include Asher (20th), Alexander (27th), Anthony (44th) and Aiden (47th), per the SSA. 

Eight other A boy names landed inside the SSA’s top 100 for 2024, including Angel (63rd), Andrew (68th), Adrian (72nd), Axel (78th), Aaron (79th), August (88th), Amir (95th) and Adam (100th). 

Other more traditional boy names starting with A include Austin, Arthur, Alfred, Alan and Albert. 

Whether you have a tradition to uphold or simply love the aesthetic of A names for boys, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular (and unique) A boy names we could find!

Asher

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Happy; Blessed

Asher, pronounced ASH-er, derives from the Hebrew word ashar, meaning “to be happy” or “to be blessed.” In the Old Testament, Asher is the eighth son of Jacob and second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant.

Alexander

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Defender of mankind; Helper

Alexander, pronounced al-ihk-ZAN-der, is the Latinized form of the Greek name Alexandros, which is composed of the Greek elements alexo, meaning “to defend” or “help,” and aner, meaning “man.” 

Anthony

Origin: Roman; Greek

Meaning: Priceless one; Little flower

Anthony, pronounced AN-thuh-nee, is the English form of the Roman name Antonius. While its meaning is debated, some theories commonly (but incorrectly) link it to the Greek word anthos, meaning “flower.” 

Aiden

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Little fire; Little flame

Aiden, pronounced AY-din, comes from the Irish name Áedán, which is derived from the Old Irish word áed, meaning “fire.” It likely grew popular in the U.S. due to its proximity to names like Braden or Hayden.

Angel

Origin: Latin; Greek; English

Meaning: Messenger; Heavenly creature

Angel, pronounced AYN-juhl, comes from the medieval Latin masculine name Angelus, which is derived from the Greek word angelos, meaning “messenger.” Angels are often viewed as messengers between humans and God.

Andrew

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Manly; Masculine

Andrew, pronounced AN-drew, is the English form of the Greek name Andreas, which derives from the Greek word andreios, meaning “manly” or “masculine,” and the Greek word aner, meaning “man.” 

Adrian

Origin: Roman

Meaning: From Hadria

Adrian, pronounced AY-dree-ihn, is a variant of Hadrian, which comes from the Roman cognomen Hadrianus, meaning “from Hadria,” with Hadria referring to two ancient Roman cities (Atri in central Italy and Adria in northern Italy).

Axel

Origin: Danish; Hebrew

Meaning: Father’s peace; Peaceful father; Father of peace

Axel, pronounced AX-uhl, is the medieval Danish form of Absalom, which comes from the Hebrew name Avshalom and is composed of the Hebrew elements av, meaning “father,” and shalom, meaning “peace.”

Aaron

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: High mountain; Exalted

Aaron, pronounced AIR-ihn, comes from the Hebrew name Aharon, which is believed to mean “high mountain” or “exalted” in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Aaron is the brother of Moses and first high priest of the Israelites.

August

Origin: English; Roman; Latin

Meaning: To increase; Venerable; Exalted

August, pronounced AW-gust or AW-gist, comes from the Roman name Augustus, which derives from the Latin word augeo, meaning “to increase.” Augustus was the first Roman emperor and is also the name for the eighth month of the calendar year. 

Amir

Origin: Arabic; Hebrew

Meaning: Commander; Prince; Treetop

Amir, pronounced AH-meer or uh-MEER, either comes from the Arabic word amīr, meaning “commander” or “prince,” or the Hebrew word word amir, meaning “treetop.” Other theories suggest it means “crown.” 

Adam

Origin: Hebrew; Akkadian

Meaning: Man; To be red; To make

Adam, pronounced AD-uhm, comes directly from the Hebrew word ʾaḏam, meaning “to be red,” referring to the ruddy colour of human skin. It can also derive from the Akkadian word adamu, meaning “to make.” 

Austin

Origin: English; Roman; Latin

Meaning: To increase; Capital of Texas

Austin, pronounced AWH-stin, is a contracted form of Augustine, which comes from the Roman name Augustus and is derived from the Latin word augeo, meaning “to increase.” It’s also the name of the capital of Texas.

Arthur

Origin: Old Welsh

Meaning: Bear-like, Bear man

Arthur, pronounced AHR-thur, is believed to derive from the Old Welsh elements arth, meaning “bear,” and gur, meaning “man.” It was widely popularized by King Arthur, a legendary king of Britain. 

Alfred

Origin: Old English

Meaning: Elf counsel; Elf advisor

Alfred, pronounced AL-frid, comes from the Old English name Ælfræd, which is composed of the Old English elements ælf, meaning “elf,” and ræd, meaning “counsel” or “advice.” Alfred the Great was a 9th-century king of Wessex.

Alan

Origin: Unknown

Meaning: Little rock

Alan, pronounced AL-lin, is believed to derive from a Brythonic word meaning “little rock,” but the meaning is often debated. It can also refer to the Alans tribe, an Iranian people who migrated into Europe.

Albert

Origin: Germanic

Meaning: Bright and noble

Albert, pronounced AL-burt, comes from the Germanic name Adalbert, which is composed of the Germanic elements adal, meaning “noble,” and beraht, meaning “bright.” Albert was a common name given to medieval German royalty.

Atlas

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Enduring; Titan

Atlas, pronounced AT-liss, is believed to come from the Greek word tlao, meaning “enduring” or “to endure.” In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan condemned to hold up the heavens or sky for eternity.

Adriel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Flock of God; God’s herd

Adriel, pronounced AY-dree-el or uh-DREEL, derives from the Hebrew elements eḏer, meaning “flock” or “herd,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. In the Bible, Adriel is the husband of Saul’s daughter Merab.

Archer

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: Bowman; Archer

Archer, pronounced AHR-chur, originated as an English surname given to a bowman, archer or someone who made bows. It derives from the Latin word arcuarius, meaning “maker of bows,” and arcus, meaning “bow.” 

Arlo

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Between two highlands

Arlo, pronounced AHR-loh, is believed to derive from the Irish place name Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands.” It was popularized as a place name in Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem “The Faerie Queene.” 

Ace

Origin: English

Meaning: Expert; Excellent; First

Ace, pronounced AYS, comes directly from the English word ace, referring to someone who excels or is very good at something. It can also refer to a playing card, a tennis shot, the one on a dice or “first.” 

Amari

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: Long-lived; Thriving

Amari, pronounced uh-MAHR-ee, is believed to derive from the Arabic word amara, meaning “to live long” or “to thrive.” Some theories suggest that it’s a variant or elaborated form of Ammar, which also derives from amara. 

Antonio

Origin: Spanish; Italian; Roman

Meaning: N/A

Antonio, pronounced an-TOH-nee-oh, is the Spanish and Italian form of Anthony, which ultimately derives from the Roman name Antonius, which is sometimes (incorrectly) linked to the Greek word anthos, meaning “flower.” 

Alejandro

Origin: Spanish; Greek

Meaning: Defender of mankind; Man’s helper

Alejandro, pronounced ah-lay-HAHN-droh, is the Spanish form of Alexander (from Greek Alexandros), which is composed of the Greek elements alexo, meaning “to defend” or “help,” and aner, meaning “man.”

Ashton

Origin: Old English

Meaning: Ash tree settlement; Town of ashes

Ashton, pronounced ASH-tin or ASH-tun, originated as an English surname and place name derived from the Old English words æsce, meaning “fire remains” or “ash tree,” and tun, meaning “town” or “settlement.”

Andres

Origin: Estonian; Greek

Meaning: Manly; Masculine

Andres, pronounced AHN-drez or AHN-dray, is the Estonian form of Andrew, which comes from the Greek name Andreas and, ultimately, the Greek words andreios, meaning “manly,” and aner, meaning “man.” 

Abraham

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Father of many; Exalted father

Abraham, pronounced AY-bruh-ham, comes from the Hebrew name Avraham, which is believed to derive from the Hebrew words av, meaning “father,” and rum, meaning “exalted,” or hamon, meaning “many.” 

Alex

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Defender; Helper

Alex, pronounced AL-iks, derives from the Greek word alexo, meaning “to defend” or “help.” It’s often used as a nickname or shortened form of Alexander and Alexandra, meaning “defender of mankind.” 

Adonis

Origin: Phoenician; Greek

Meaning: Lord; Master

Adonis, pronounced uh-DAH-niss, comes from the Phoenician word adon, meaning “lord” or “master.” In Greek mythology, Adonis was a hunter and mortal lover of the goddesses Aphrodite and Persephone.

Ayden

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: Little fire; Little flame

Ayden, pronounced AY-din, is a modern variant of the name Aiden, which is believed to come from the Irish name Áedán and, ultimately, the Old Irish word áed, meaning “fire.” It can also be spelled Aidan. 

Abel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Breath

Abel, pronounced AY-buhl, derives from the Hebrew word hevel, meaning “breath.” In the Bible, Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve, the first two humans, who was murdered by his envious brother Cain. 

Aziel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God comforts; God is my strength, Power of God

Aziel, pronounced uh-ZEEL or ah-zee-EL, is believed to derive from the Hebrew element oz, meaning “strength,” or uz, meaning “to take refuge,” combined with the word el, referring to the Hebrew God. 

Avery

Origin: English; Germanic

Meaning: Elf counsel; Elf ruler

Avery, pronounced AY-vur-ee, originated as a surname that came from the Germanic name Alfred, meaning “elf counsel” or “elf advisor,” or the Germanic name Alberich, meaning “elf ruler” or “elf king.”

Atticus

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: From Attica

Atticus, pronounced ADD-ih-kus or ADD-ih-kiss, is the Latinized form of the Greek name Attikos, meaning “from Attica,” with Attica referring to an ancient city that now makes up the Athens metropolitan area. 

Angelo

Origin: Italian; Latin; Greek

Meaning: Angel; Messenger 

Angelo, pronounced AN-juh-loh, is the Italian form of Angel, which ultimately derives from the Latin name Angelus and Greek word angelos, meaning “messenger” and referring to the heavenly messenger being. 

Ares

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Bane; Ruin; God of war

Ares, pronounced AIR-eez, is believed to derive from the Greek word are, meaning “bane” or “ruin,” or arsen, meaning “male.” In Greek mythology, Ares is the god of war and the son of Zeus and Hera. 

Ali

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: To be high; Lofty; Sublime

Ali, pronounced AH-lee, comes from the Arabic word ala, meaning “to be high,” “lofty” or “sublime.” It was widely popularized in the United States by iconic boxer Muhammad Ali and has deep Muslim influence. 

Archie

Origin: English; Germanic

Meaning: Pure; Bold; Brave; Holy

Archie, pronounced AHR-chee, is a diminutive of Archibald, which comes from the Germanic name Ercanbald and is composed of the Germanic elements erkan, meaning “pure,” and bald, meaning “bold.” 

Andre

Origin: French; Greek

Meaning: Manly; Masculine

Andre, pronounced AHN-dray, is the French and Portuguese form of Andrew, which comes from the Greek name Andreas and derives from the Greek words andreios, meaning “manly,” and aner, meaning “man.”  

Anderson

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Son of Andrew; Son of a manly man

Anderson, pronounced AN-der-sun, is a patronymic name meaning “son of Andrew,” with Andrew coming from the Greek name Andreas and, ultimately, the Greek word andreios, meaning “manly” or “masculine.” 

Augustus

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: To increase; The priceless one

Augustus, pronounced aw-GUST-iss or uh-GUST-iss, comes from a Roman name derived from the Latin word augeo, meaning “to increase.” Augustus was the title given to the first Roman emperor, Octavian.

Ari

Origin: Multicultural

Meaning: Lion; Eagle; Brave

Ari, pronounced AHR-ee, has several meanings depending on the origin. For example, it could derive from the Hebrew word ari, meaning “lion,” Old Norse word ari, meaning “eagle,” or Armenian word ari, meaning “brave.” 

Apollo

Origin: Greek

Meaning: God of prophecy; Sun god

Apollo, pronounced uh-PAH-loh, comes from the Greek name Apollon, which has an unknown meaning. In Greek mythology, Apollo is a major god associated with music, healing, light, the sun and prophecy.

Armani

Origin: Italian; Germanic

Meaning: Son of Ermanno; Son of Herman

Armani, pronounced ahr-MAH-nee, comes from an Italian surname meaning “son of Ermanno,” with Ermanno being the Italian form of Herman, derived from a Germanic name meaning “army man.” 

Alijah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: My God is Yahweh

Alijah, pronounced uh-LYE-juh, is a variant of Elijah, which derives from the Hebrew name Eliyyahu and is composed of the Hebrew elements el and yah, both of which refer to the Hebrew God. In the Bible, Elijah is a miracle worker.

Alexis

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Defender; Helper

Alexis, pronounced uh-LEX-iss, derives from the Greek word alexo, meaning “to defend” or “help.” It comes from the same root element as Alexander and Alexandra, meaning “defender of mankind.” 

Andy

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Manly; Masculine

Andy, pronounced AN-dee, is a diminutive or nickname of Andrew, which comes from the Greek name Andreas and derives from the Greek words andreios, meaning “manly,” and aner, meaning “man.”  

Atreus

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Fearless; Bold; Courageous

Atreus, pronounced ay-TRUCE or AY-tree-us, derives from the Greek negative prefix “a” combined with the Greek word treo, meaning “to fear” or “to flee,” therefore it refers to someone who is fearless and bold. 

Alonzo

Origin: Spanish; Latin; Gothic

Meaning: Noble and ready

Alonzo, pronounced uh-LAHN-zoh, is a variant of Alonso and, ultimately, Alfonso, which comes from the Latin name Alphonsus and is composed of the Gothic elements aþals, meaning “noble,” and funs, meaning “ready.” 

Armando

Origin: Spanish; Italian; German

Meaning: Army man

Armando, pronounced ahr-MAHN-doh, is the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Herman, which is composed of the Old German elements heri, meaning "army," and man, meaning "person” or “man.”

Alden

Origin: Old English

Meaning: Old friend

Alden, pronounced AHL-din, originated as a surname that’s derived from the Old English name Ealdwine, which is composed of the Old English elements eald, meaning “old,” and wine, meaning “friend.”

Arturo

Origin: Italian; Spanish; Old Welsh

Meaning: Bear-like; Bear man

Arturo, pronounced ahr-TOO-roh or ahr-TUR-oh, is the Italian and Spanish form of Arthur, which is believed to derive from the Old Welsh elements arth, meaning “bear,” and gur, meaning “man.”

Ambrose

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Immortal

Ambrose, pronounced AM-broz, comes from the Latin name Ambrosius and, ultimately, the Greek name Ambrosios, meaning “immortal.” Saint Ambrose is one of the four original Doctors of the Church.

Alfredo

Origin: Italian; Spanish; Old English

Meaning: Elf counsel; Elf advisor

Alfredo, pronounced al-FRAY-doh, is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Alfred, which is composed of the Old English elements ælf, meaning “elf,” and ræd, meaning “counsel” or “advice.”

Aurelio

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: Golden; Gilded

Aurelio, pronounced aw-REH-lee-oh or AWH-rel-ee-oh, comes from a Roman family name derived from the Latin word aureus, meaning “golden” or “gilded.” The feminine form of this name would be Aurelia. 

Abner

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: My father is a light; My father’s light

Abner, pronounced AB-ner, comes from the Hebrew name Avner, which is composed of the elements av, meaning “father,” and ner, meaning “lamp” or “light.” In the Bible, Abner is the commander of Saul’s army.

Anders

Origin: Scandinavian; Greek

Meaning: Manly; Masculine

Anders, pronounced AN-derz or AHN-derz, is the Scandinavian form of Andrew, which comes from the Greek name Andreas and derives from the Greek words andreios, meaning “manly,” and aner, meaning “man.”

Alistair

Origin: Scottish Gaelic; Greek

Meaning: Defender of mankind; Man’s helper

Alistair, pronounced AL-ih-stair, is the Anglicized form of Alasdair, which is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander and is ultimately composed of the Greek elements alexo, meaning “to defend,” and aner, meaning “man.” 

Alfonso

Origin: Spanish; Italian; Visigothic

Meaning: Noble and ready

Alfonso, pronounced al-FAHN-soh, is the Spanish and Italian form of Alphonsus, which comes from the Visigothic name Aþalafuns and is composed of the elements aþals, meaning “noble,” and funs, meaning “ready.” 

Arden

Origin: Celtic

Meaning: High; Great

Arden, pronounced AHR-din, is most commonly derived from the Celtic word meaning "high" or "great,” but this meaning is debated. It’s also the name of three different regions in Yorkshire, Cheshire and Warwickshire.

Not Impressed By Boy Names That Start With A?

Boy names that start with A are just as popular now as they were in the early 1900s (if not more). 

With that said, not all parents are going to find the name they’re looking for in the list above — which is OK because there are 25 other letters of the English alphabet worth exploring for your little one. 

From bold B names like Benjamin and classic C names like Christopher, all the way through to distinctive Y names like Yago and rare Z names like Zane. 

Your opportunities are endless. So, don’t sell yourself short with just A boy names!

Every letter of the alphabet holds hidden gems waiting to be discovered — names that might perfectly capture your family's heritage, values, or simply sound just right when you say them aloud.

ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: Extraordinarily Rare Baby Boy Names Parents Chose in 2024

And if you need some extra help, Mod Moms Club is here to help with our baby name lists and exclusive baby name generator, which can help you narrow down your list to your personal preferences!