This list includes 54 American boy names that start with B, from “Balthazar” to “Bryson”. These names range from biblical and classic choices to modern and regionally popular options. Use it for baby-name research, inspiration, or quick reference during your naming process.
American boy names that start with B are male given names in the United States beginning with B. They include longstanding examples like “Benjamin” and distinctive choices like “Balthazar,” reflecting varied cultural roots.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Origin & meaning, and Source.
Name: The given name as commonly used in the U.S., so you can scan and choose familiar options quickly.
Pronunciation: A concise phonetic guide lets you say each name correctly and imagine how it sounds aloud.
Origin & meaning: Brief origin and one-line meaning give cultural context and help you compare name backgrounds at a glance.
Source: A short citation shows where the name usage or meaning is recorded, so you can follow up if needed.
American boy names that start with B
| Name | Pronunciation | Origin/Meaning | Popularity (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin | BEN-jah-min | Hebrew; “son of the right hand” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Ben | BEN | Short form of Benjamin; “son of right hand” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bennett | BEN-et | Medieval English; “blessed” (from Benedict) | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Benson | BEN-son | English; “son of Ben” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Benedict | BEN-eh-dict | Latin; “blessed” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Benny | BEN-ee | Diminutive of Benjamin or Benedict | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Benji | BEN-jee | Diminutive of Benjamin | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bernard | BER-nard | Germanic; “brave as a bear” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bernardo | ber-NAR-doe | Spanish/Italian form of Bernard | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Barrett | BEH-ret | English; “bear strength” or “strife” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Baron | BAIR-on | Title-origin name; “nobleman” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Barron | BAIR-on | Variant spelling of Baron; “nobleman” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Barack | buh-RAHK | Swahili/Hebrew via Arabic; “blessed” or “lightning” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bartholomew | bar-THOL-oh-mew | Aramaic/Greek; “son of Tolmai” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Barry | BARE-ee | Irish/English; from bear-related roots | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bart | BART | Short for Bartholomew or Barton | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Basil | BAY-sil | Greek; “regal” or “kingly” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Beau | BOH | French; “handsome” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Beckett | BEK-et | Old English; “bee cottage” or “stream” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Beckham | BEK-um | English; surname from a place name | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bellamy | BELL-ah-mee | Old French; “fine friend” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Blake | BLAYK | Old English; “pale” or “dark” (two meanings) | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Blaine | BLAYN | Scottish/Irish; “slender” or “yellow” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Blaze | BLAYZ | English adaptation; “flame” or fiery” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Balthazar | bal-THAH-zar | Hebrew via Greek; “God protects the king” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Baylor | BAY-lor | English; place-name/surname used as first name | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Braden | BRAY-den | Irish/English; “broad valley” or “descendant of Bradán” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Braeden | BRAY-den | Variant spelling of Braden | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brayden | BRAY-den | Modern Irish/English variant; “broad valley” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Braydon | BRAY-don | Variant of Brayden/Braden | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brayan | BRY-an | Spanish-influenced form of Brian | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brandon | BRAN-don | Old English; “hill covered with broom” or “beacon hill” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brendan | BREN-dan | Irish; “prince” or “king” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brendon | BREN-don | Variant spelling of Brendan | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brent | BRENT | Old English; “steep hill” or from name of a river | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brett | BRET | Old English; “Breton” or “from Brittany” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brian | BRY-an | Irish; “noble” or “high” (many etymologies) | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bryan | BRY-an | Variant spelling of Brian | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bryce | BRYCE | Scottish; “speckled” or topographic name” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brycen | BRY-sen | Modern variant of Brice/Bryson | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bryson | BRY-son | English; “son of Brice” or patronymic form | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bryant | BRY-ant | English; variant of Brian or patronymic | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brock | BROK | Old English; “badger” or Anglo-Saxon place name” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brody | BRO-dee | Scottish/Irish; “ditch” or “muddy place” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brogan | BROH-gan | Irish; “stomach” or possibly “sharp” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bronson | BRON-son | English; “son of the brown-haired one” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bodhi | BOH-dee | Sanskrit; “awakening, enlightenment” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bode | BOH-dee or BOHD | German/Scandinavian form; short form of Bode/Bo | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bowen | BOH-en | Welsh; “son of Owen” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Booker | BUK-er | Old English; “scribe” or occupational name” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bowie | BOH-ee | Scottish; “blond” or from Gaelic buidhe | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bradley | BRAD-lee | Old English; “broad clearing” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Brady | BRAY-dee | Irish; “spirited” or “broad chested” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
| Bruno | BROO-noh | Germanic/Italian; “brown” | Documented usage (SSA 2023) |
Descriptions
Benjamin
Classic biblical name; widely used in the U.S.; notable bearer Benjamin Franklin. Source: SSA 2023, Behind the Name.
Ben
Informal, commonly used given name in the U.S.; versatile as standalone name or nickname. Source: SSA 2023.
Bennett
Surname-turned-first-name rising in use; actor Bennett Miller and literary associations. Source: SSA 2023.
Benson
Originally a surname, now a familiar given name in the U.S.; feels classic and modern. Source: SSA 2023.
Benedict
Historic and ecclesiastical name (St. Benedict); occasionally used in the U.S. Source: Behind the Name, SSA 2023.
Benny
Casual, friendly form used as legal name by many Americans; jazz associations (Benny Goodman). Source: SSA 2023.
Benji
Playful modern nickname often registered as a given name; actor Benji Madden shows pop-cultural usage. Source: SSA 2023.
Bernard
Traditional name with medieval roots; used in U.S. across generations. Source: SSA 2023.
Bernardo
Used among Hispanic and general U.S. communities; carries Romance-language flair. Source: SSA 2023.
Barrett
Surname-turned-first-name popular for its strong sound; musician Billy Barrett examples. Source: SSA 2023.
Baron
Used as a given name in the U.S., connotes strength and status. Source: SSA 2023.
Barron
Notable modern bearer Barron Trump; alternative spelling used in the U.S. Source: SSA 2023.
Barack
Most known from President Barack Obama; distinct spelling and strong recognition in U.S. Source: SSA 2023.
Bartholomew
Biblical name with classic weight; often shortened to Bart or Barty in the U.S. Source: Behind the Name.
Barry
Popular mid-20th-century name in the U.S.; familiar and friendly. Source: SSA 2023.
Bart
Informal, sturdy nickname used as a given name; cultural presence via Bart Simpson. Source: SSA 2023.
Basil
Classic name with vintage charm; known from literary and saintly usage. Source: Behind the Name, SSA 2023.
Beau
Stylish, short name popular in the U.S.; used widely as a masculine given name. Source: SSA 2023.
Beckett
Literary and modern appeal (Samuel Beckett); trending surname-firstname choice. Source: SSA 2023.
Beckham
Surname used as a given name, popularized by soccer star David Beckham. Source: SSA 2023.
Bellamy
Historically masculine (now sometimes unisex); used in the U.S. as a stylish choice. Source: Behind the Name, SSA 2023.
Blake
Versatile, surname-origin name longtime in U.S. use; many celebrity Blakes. Source: SSA 2023.
Blaine
Cool, mid-century name seeing steady use; actor Blaine Gabbert, etc. Source: SSA 2023.
Blaze
Energetic, modern-choice name used in the U.S.; bold and distinctive. Source: SSA 2023.
Balthazar
Biblical/legendary flavor; rare but occasionally used in the U.S. Source: Behind the Name.
Baylor
Place-name turned given name in the U.S., familiar from Baylor University. Source: SSA 2023.
Braden
Popular modern name and variants like Braden/Brayden common in U.S. births. Source: SSA 2023.
Braeden
Alternative spelling used in the U.S.; shares meaning with Braden. Source: SSA 2023.
Brayden
One of the popular -aden names in the U.S.; many spelling variants. Source: SSA 2023.
Braydon
Less common spelling variant but documented in U.S. birth records. Source: SSA 2023.
Brayan
Widely used variant among Hispanic communities in the U.S.; masculine. Source: SSA 2023.
Brandon
Very common late 20th-century U.S. name; strong cultural presence. Source: SSA 2023.
Brendan
Classic Irish name well established in U.S. use; many notable bearers. Source: SSA 2023.
Brendon
Alternative spelling used in the U.S.; same origins as Brendan. Source: SSA 2023.
Brent
Solid, masculine name peaked in late 20th century; common in U.S. records. Source: SSA 2023.
Brett
Short, friendly name used widely in the U.S.; sports and entertainment presences. Source: SSA 2023.
Brian
Longstanding popular name in the U.S.; cultural touchstones include Brian Wilson. Source: SSA 2023.
Bryan
Alternate spelling commonly used in the U.S.; popular throughout late 20th century. Source: SSA 2023.
Bryce
Stylish single-syllable name with steady U.S. usage; athlete/actor bearers. Source: SSA 2023.
Brycen
Phonetic-modern variant rising with -en endings in U.S. naming trends. Source: SSA 2023.
Bryson
Popular modern surname-firstname trend in the U.S.; athlete Bryson DeChambeau notable. Source: SSA 2023.
Bryant
Surname used as given name; notable U.S. bearers include Kobe Bryant. Source: SSA 2023.
Brock
Strong, one-syllable name with rugged feel; common in the U.S. Source: SSA 2023.
Brody
Friendly, modern name rising in U.S.; several spelling variants. Source: SSA 2023.
Brogan
Distinct Irish-origin masculine name used in the U.S.; uncommon but recorded. Source: Behind the Name, SSA 2023.
Bronson
Surname-turned-first-name with cinematic associations (Charles Bronson). Source: SSA 2023.
Bodhi
Spiritual, modern choice popular with U.S. parents; celebrity usage noted. Source: SSA 2023.
Bode
Used in the U.S. (e.g., skier Bode Miller); short, sporty name. Source: SSA 2023.
Bowen
Surname-origin given name used in U.S.; clean two-syllable sound. Source: SSA 2023.
Booker
Historic surname used as a strong given name in the U.S.; Booker T. Washington association. Source: SSA 2023.
Bowie
Popularized by David Bowie as a surname-turned-given name; stylish and modern. Source: SSA 2023.
Bradley
Established masculine name in the U.S.; common mid-century choice. Source: SSA 2023.
Brady
Friendly surname-turned-first-name; well-known due to sports families. Source: SSA 2023.
Bruno
Strong European name used in the U.S.; actor Bruno Mars fame increases recognition. Source: SSA 2023.