125 Best Boy Names That Start With A

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On the hunt for striking boy names starting with A? Below you’ll find 125 of the best A-names for baby boys, hand-selected to help you on your name search.

Finding the one when you’re looking for baby names can feel daunting. You have to consider your naming style and preferences, family naming tradition and a seemingly endless amount of options. I definitely felt the pressure when naming my own kids.

That’s why I wrote this list of boy names that start with A in order to help other parents on their name hunt. I include names from different styles so there are ideas for everyone on the list. These names come from my years of experience as a Ph.D. researcher who loves analyzing baby name trends.

In this list, you’ll find classic A names for boys, along with unique boy A names that are modern and trendy. I’ve also included cute A names for boys and gender-neutral A options too.

With every name you’ll find information about its meaning and origin. This information was sourced from my personal database of over 2000+ names, compiled over the years from multiple sources, including websites, forums, pop culture, and name books.

I hope you find this set of A names is helpful to you. My goal is to provide you with a thorough, handpicked list of boy A names to save you time and help in your decision.

And for even more name ideas, don’t miss my fun list of sunflower names.

Now, let’s check out these remarkable A names for boys!

Classic Boy Names Starting with A

First up are classic boy names that start with A. These names have been mainstays on the U.S. top 1000 for most of the last century (source: Social Security Administration data).

From the names below, I love Abram as a spin on classic Abraham. I also pitched Ambrose for my own kid so that one is definitely high on my personal list.

1. Aaron

• Meaning: exalted
• Origin: Hebrew

2. Abdullah

• Meaning: servant of Allah
• Origin: Arabic

3. Abraham

• Meaning: father of many
• Origin: Hebrew

4. Abram

• Meaning: father of many
• Origin: Hebrew

5. Adam

• Meaning: man
• Origin: Hebrew

6. Agustin

• Meaning: magnificent
• Origin: Latin

7. Albert

• Meaning: noble
• Origin: German

8. Alberto

• Meaning: noble
• Origin: Spanish; Italian; Portuguese

9. Alejandro

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Spanish; Greek

10. Alexander

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Greek

11. Alfonso

• Meaning: noble, ready
• Origin: Spanish; Italian

12. Alfred

• Meaning: wise counsel, elvin
• Origin: English

13. Alistair

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Scottish

14. Alvin

• Meaning: elf friend
• Origin: English

15. Ambrose

• Meaning: immortal
• Origin: Greek; Latin; English

16. Anderson

• Meaning: son of Andrew
• Origin: English

17. Andre

• Meaning: manly
• Origin: French

18. Andrew

• Meaning: manly
• Origin: Greek

19. Angelo

• Meaning: angel
• Origin: Italian

20. Anthony

• Meaning: priceless
• Origin: Latin

21. Antonio

• Meaning: priceless
• Origin: Latin

22. Archibald

• Meaning: brave
• Origin: German; Spanish; Scottish

23. Archie

• Meaning: brave
• Origin: German

24. Armando

• Meaning: soldier
• Origin: Spanish; Italian; Portuguese

25. Arthur

• Meaning: bear
• Origin: Celtic

26. Arturo

• Meaning: bear
• Origin: Italian; Portuguese; Spanish

27. Augustine

• Meaning: magnificent
• Origin: Latin

28. Augustus

• Meaning: magnificent
• Origin: Latin; Slavic

29. Austin

• Meaning: great
• Origin: English

Cute Boy Names That Start with A

Next let’s turn to cute boy names that start with A. These names are friendly and warm, perfect for someone looking for a softer boy’s name.

It is hard to narrow down these names because I like so many of them. I could see Alfie becoming more popular in the U.S. given its popularity in the U.K. I also love the flow of Adriel.

And if you love one of the most popular cute A names, Arlo, I also have a list of middle names that go well with Arlo.

30. Aarav

• Meaning: peaceful
• Origin: Hindu

31. Adriel

• Meaning: flock of God
• Origin: Hebrew

32. Ahmed

• Meaning: highly praised
• Origin: Arabic

33. Aiden

• Meaning: little fire
• Origin: Irish

34. Alden

• Meaning: old friend
• Origin: English

35. Alfie

• Meaning: counsel, elf
• Origin: English

36. Alijah

• Meaning: Lord is my God
• Origin: American

37. Amaris

• Meaning: moon child, promised by God
• Origin: Spanish; Hebrew

38. Ameer

• Meaning: prince
• Origin: Arabic

39. Anders

• Meaning: manly
• Origin: Scandinavian

40. Andres

• Meaning: manly
• Origin: Greek

41. Anton

• Meaning: priceless
• Origin: Latin

42. Arjun

• Meaning: bright
• Origin: Hindu; Sanskrit

43. Arlo

• Meaning: fortified hill
• Origin: English

44. August

• Meaning: magnificent
• Origin: Latin

Modern Boy A Names

The next section highlights boy A names that are popular with today’s parents. These trendy names are fashionable because of their sound or style, such as unique word names or nature names.

I like Arbor as a unique name option that is also gender neutral. Azriel sounds like an ultra-modern name but also has timeless roots as a name mentioned in the bible (source).

45. Ace

• Meaning: one, unity
• Origin: Latin

46. Aden

• Meaning: little fire
• Origin: Hebrew

47. Alessandro

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Greek; Italian

48. Alonzo

• Meaning: battle ready
• Origin: Spanish

49. Alvaro

• Meaning: guardian
• Origin: Spanish; German

50. Ander

• Meaning: lion man
• Origin: Scandinavian

51. Apollo

• Meaning: destroyer
• Origin: Greek

52. Arbor

• Meaning: tree
• Origin: English

53. Archer

• Meaning: bowman
• Origin: English

54. Aries

• Meaning: ram
• Origin: Latin

55. Armani

• Meaning: warrior
• Origin: Italian

56. Aryan

• Meaning: noble
• Origin: Sanskrit

57. Asher

• Meaning: happy
• Origin: Hebrew

58. Atlas

• Meaning: enduring
• Origin: Greek

59. Atticus

• Meaning: from Attica
• Origin: Greek

60. Axel

• Meaning: father of peace
• Origin: Scandinavian

61. Axton

• Meaning: sword stone
• Origin: English

62. Azael

• Meaning: made of God
• Origin: Hebrew

63. Azariah

• Meaning: helped by God
• Origin: Hebrew

64. Aziel

• Meaning: God is my power
• Origin: Hebrew

65. Azriel

• Meaning: God is my helper
• Origin: Hebrew

Short A Names for Boys

Here are short boy names starting with A. Each name in this section is either 4-letters or less, or only one syllable. Short names are great for those who want to minimize the chance of a future nickname.

From the short names, I want to highlight Abel and Ames, two grandpa-chic names that I love.

66. Abe

• Meaning: father of many
• Origin: Hebrew

67. Abel

• Meaning: breath
• Origin: Hebrew

68. Adan

• Meaning: son of the earth
• Origin: Spanish

69. Alan

• Meaning: precious
• Origin: German

70. Aldo

• Meaning: wise
• Origin: German; Italian

71. Alec

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Greek

72. Alex

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Greek

73. Ali

• Meaning: elevated
• Origin: Arabic

74. Allen

• Meaning: handsome
• Origin: Gaelic

75. Ames

• Meaning: friend
• Origin: French; English

76. Amir

• Meaning: prince
• Origin: Arabic

77. Amos

• Meaning: to carry
• Origin: Hebrew

78. Andy

• Meaning: manly
• Origin: Greek

79. Ari

• Meaning: lion; eagle
• Origin: Hebrew; Nordic

80. Aron

• Meaning: tall mountain
• Origin: Hebrew

81. Art

• Meaning: bear man
• Origin: Celtic

82. Arya

• Meaning: noble
• Origin: Sanskrit

83. Asa

• Meaning: healer
• Origin: Hebrew

84. Ash

• Meaning: Ash tree
• Origin: English

85. Avi

• Meaning: father
• Origin: Hebrew

86. Ayan

• Meaning: God’s gift
• Origin: Hindu; Arabic

Unique Boy Names That Start With A

Next we have unique names that start with A for boys. These names include names outside of the U.S. top 500 rankings and/or unexpected and quirky names.

I like Avian as a unique answer to two name trends — unique word names and bird names (one of my kids has a bird name so I actually wrote a whole list of bird-inspired names).

87. Abdiel

• Meaning: servant of God
• Origin: Hebrew

88. Adler

• Meaning: eagle
• Origin: German

89. Adonis

• Meaning: handsome
• Origin: Greek

90. Aelis

• Meaning: sun
• Origin: Greek

91. Aire

• Meaning: air
• Origin: English

92. Alaric

• Meaning: ruler
• Origin: German

93. Alaska

• Meaning: great land
• Origin: Native American

94. Altan

• Meaning: red dawn
• Origin: Turkish

95. Amias

• Meaning: loved
• Origin: Latin

96. Amiri

• Meaning: prince
• Origin: Arabic; African (Swahili)

97. Anakin

• Meaning: warrior
• Origin: American; Pop Culture

98. Angus

• Meaning: choice
• Origin: Scottish

99. Ansel

• Meaning: with divine protection
• Origin: German

100. Anthon

• Meaning: priceless
• Origin: Latin

101. Ares

• Meaning: God of war
• Origin: Greek

102. Argus

• Meaning: vigilant guardian
• Origin: Greek

103. Arsenio

• Meaning: manly
• Origin: Greek

104. Aster

• Meaning: star
• Origin: Greek

105. Atreus

• Meaning: fearless
• Origin: Greek

106. Avian

• Meaning: bird-like
• Origin: Word name

107. Aziz

• Meaning: powerful
• Origin: Arabic

Unisex A Names

Finally, here are some unisex A names for boys or girls. Unisex names give future flexibility and are very fashionable today.

I love gender neutral names, and particularly love Aubrey when used as a boy’s name. It was high on the list for my own kids. To me, it feels more like a vintage unisex name when used on a boy.

If you like the name Amari, don’t miss this list of names that go well with Amari.

108. Abbott

• Meaning: father
• Origin: Amaraic; Hebrew

109. Adair

• Meaning: fortunate
• Origin: English

110. Adal

• Meaning: noble
• Origin: German

111. Addison

• Meaning: son of Adam
• Origin: English

112. Adley

• Meaning: God is just
• Origin: Hebrew

113. Adrian

• Meaning: sea
• Origin: Latin

114. Afton

• Meaning: afternoon
• Origin: Scottish; Swedish

115. Ainsley

• Meaning: meadow
• Origin: English

116. Alessi

• Meaning: defender
• Origin: Greek

117. Alexis

• Meaning: defending
• Origin: Greek

118. Amari

• Meaning: eternal
• Origin: African (Yorba); Hebrew; Sanskrit

119. Angel

• Meaning: messenger
• Origin: Greek

120. Arden

• Meaning: eagle valley
• Origin: English

121. Ariel

• Meaning: lion of God
• Origin: Hebrew

122. Ashton

• Meaning: ash tree
• Origin: English

123. Aspen

• Meaning: aspen tree
• Origin: English

124. Aubrey

• Meaning: elf ruler
• Origin: German

125. Avery

• Meaning: ruler of elves
• Origin: English

Looking for more name ideas? You may like some of these handsome first and middle names for boys.