Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:52 pm
Y’all ready for a dose of Southern charm? Well, saddle up, because we’re diving deep into the world of Southern boy names! Down in the South, names aren’t just labels; they’re a way of life. From the rolling hills of Appalachia to the bayous of Louisiana, Southern culture weaves its way into everything—including names are given to little ones.
Now, when it comes to Southern baby boy names, you can bet your boots there’s a rich tapestry of influences at play. We’re talking about names that draw inspiration from the rugged cowboy culture of the Wild West, the storied history of the Deep South, and the timeless traditions passed down through generations. Think strong, classic names with a hint of Southern hospitality.
From the iconic John Wayne to the legendary Hank Williams, Jr., Southern heroes have left their mark on the namesakes of generations. And let’s not forget about those charming double-name monikers like Billy Ray and Bobby Joe—names that are as sweet as a slice of pecan pie on a hot summer day.
But here’s the kicker: while these names might have their roots in the South, they’ve spread like wildfire across the entire country. That’s right, folks—from California to New York, names with southern influences are becoming popular all over the country.
Don’t believe me? To make this list I used the information found on the Social Security Administration list of popular baby names. You can even search based on state if you want!
So whether you’re hoping to raise a cowboy or a gentleman scholar, there’s a Southern baby boy name that’s just right for your little guy. So sit back, relax, and let’s mosey on down the trail of Southern charm together!
Southern Boy Names
To make your baby name search a little bit easier, I listed all the southern boy names in alphabetical order and included their origins and meanings. Feel free to use the table of contents below to skip to certain letters if that is more your cup of tea.
Make sure to pin this post so you can come back to it and check out some of our other baby names posts sprinkled throughout the page for more inspo.
Table of Contents
A
Abel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Breath, vapor
Abbott
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Father, priest
Ace
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Unity
Aden
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Little and fiery
Alden
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Old wise friend
Alvin
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Elf or magical friend
Ambrose
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Immortal
Amos
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Load, burden
Archibald
- Origin: Old French and German
- Meaning: Bold and brave
Arlen
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Oath
Ashton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Ash tree town
Asa
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Healer, born in the morning
Atticus
- Origin: Greek and Latin
- Meaning: From Attica
Augustus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Great, magnificent
Austin
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Great, magnificent
Avery
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Elf king
If you like Avery, you may also like 400+ Charming Gender-Neutral Baby Names
B
Bailey
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Bailiff
Barton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: From the barley settlement
Baxter
- Origin: Middle English
- Meaning: Baker
Baylor
- Origin: English and Old German
- Meaning: One who delivers goods
Beau
- Origin: French
- Meaning Handsome
Beckett
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Beehive or bee cottage
Bennett
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Blessed
Benton
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Town in the bent grass
Blake
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Dark or fair-haired
Blaine
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Slender
Blaze
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Fire
Bohdi
- Origin: French and Scandinavian
- Meaning: Shelter
Boone
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Good
Branson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Brand
Brock
- Origin: English and Celtic
- Meaning: Badger
Brody
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Broad island
Brooks
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Dweller from the brook
Bryce
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Speckled
Buddy
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Friend or brother
Butch
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Butcher or illustrious
Byron
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Butcher or illustrious
![Southern Boy 1 Southern boy names image 1](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-1-qjh599hkifxm6jryxqx00jgn9uifzroqw4ad5wqkt4.png)
C
Cade
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Round, barrel
Calhoun
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: From the narrow forest
Callahan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Bright headed
Calvin
- Origin: French and Latin
- Meaning: Bald or hairless
Camden
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Winding valley
Carlisle
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: From the walled city
Carson
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Son of the marsh-dwellers
Carter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Transporter of good by cart
Casey
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Brave in battle or vigilant
Cash
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Hallow
Cassidy
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Curley haired
Charlie
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Free man
Charleston
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Free peasant’s settlement
Chase
- Origin: French
- Meaning: To hunt
Clayton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: A settlement on clay
Chester
- Origin: English and Latin
- Meaning: Camp of soldiers
Cletus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Glory or illustrious
Clifford
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Cliff side ford
Clinton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: A hilltop town
Clyde
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: The famed one
Cody
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Helpful
Colt
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Young horse
Colton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Coal town
Conner
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Wisdom or counsel
Cooper
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Barrel maker
Crawford
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Ford of crows
Curtis
- Origin: English and French
- Meaning: Well bred, polite and courteous
Cyrus
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: Sun
D
Dale
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Valley
Dallas
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Skilled or from the valley of meadows
Dalton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: The settlement in the valley
Darcy
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Dark
Dash
- Origin: English
- Meaning: From the ash
Davis
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Son of David
Dawson
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Son of David
Daxton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Right-handed
Deacon
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Messenger or servant
Declan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Full of goodness
Denver
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: The valley of Danes
Drew
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Strong and manly
Duke
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning Leader
E
Earl
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Nobleman or warrior
Easton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: East-facing place
Edmund
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Wealthy protection
Edward
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Wealthy guard
Elias
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: The Lord is strong
Elijah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: My God is Yawweh
Elliot
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah is God
Ellis
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Kind and benevolent
Ellison
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Son of Ellis
Elmer
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Noble, famous
Elvis
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: All wise
Emerson
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Son of Emery
Emmett
- Origin: English
- Meaning: All containing
Ewan
- Origin: Scottish, Hebrew, and Irish
- Meaning: Born from the yew tree
![Southern Boy 2 Southern boy names image 2](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-2-qjh59nl5cygx0p7hnf0ejxwk6mky788py22nd25o7s.png)
F
Fenton
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Settlement on the marsh
Finch
- Origin: English
- Meaning: To swindle
Finn
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Fair or white
Fisher
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Fisherman
Fletcher
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Arrow maker
Ford
- Origin: English
- Meaning: River crossing
Forrest
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Woodsman
Franklin
- Origin: Middle English
- Meaning: Free landholder
Frederick
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Peaceful ruler
Fulton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Fields of the village
G
Gatlin
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Companion or familiar
Gavin
- Origin: English and Scottish
- Meaning: God send, white hawk
Garth
- Origin: English, Norse, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Keeper of the gardens, protector
Garrett
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Spear strength
George
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Farmer
Grady
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Noble, illustrious
Graham
- Origin: Scottish and English
- Meaning: Gravelly homestead
Granger
- Origin: Middle French
- Meaning: Farmer
Grant
- Origin: English and Irish
- Meaning: Tall or big
Gray
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Gray haired
Grover
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Lives near a grove of trees
Gunner
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Bold warrior
Guthrie
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Windy place
![Southern Boy 3 Southern boy names image 3](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-3-qjh5a4i8rz42toiwwmbostmuvk9k1s3w0dte01gl3s.png)
H
Hank
- Origin: Old German
- Meaning: Home ruler
Harley
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Hare’s meadow
Harrison
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Harry’s Son
Hastings
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Son of the austere man
Heath
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Wasteland
Hemingway
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Hemming’s path
Hiram
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: My brother is exalted
Holden
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: From the hollow in the valley
Hollis
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Holly tree
Holt
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Woods, forest
Huck
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Sweet huckleberry
Hudson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Hugh
Hunter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: One who hunts
Houston
- Origin: Irish and Old English
- Meaning: Settlement on a hill
Related: 70+ Location-Inspired Names for Boys
I
Ira
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Watchful, full grown
Irving
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Green, fresh water
Israel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God contended
![Southern Boy 4 Southern boy names image 4](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-4-qjh5asy1po1j7jjexwvzlngubkx3lwswrqs0h8gcm0.png)
J
Jackson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Jack
Jameson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of James
Jasper
- Origin: English and Persian
- Meaning: Bringer of treasures
Jed/Jedediah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Friend of God
Jefferson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Jeffery
Jeremiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Appointed by God
Jesse
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Gift, Jehovah exists
Jett
- Origin: English
- Meaning: An intense color black
Johnny
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is gracious
Josiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Jehovah has healed
Judson
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Praised
K
Keaton
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Place of hawks
Kellen
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Mighty warrior
Kenneth
- Origin: Scottish and Irish
- Meaning: Handsome
Kiefer
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Basket
Kieran
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Little dark one
Knox
- Origin: English and Scottish
- Meaning: From the small hill
L
Lance
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Servant, land
Landry
- Origin: Middle English
- Meaning: Land owner
Lane
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Path
Lawson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Lawrence
Lee
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Clearing, meadow
Levi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Joined together or attached
Liam
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Valiant protector
Lincoln
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Town by the pool
Livingston
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: From Leving’s town
Logan
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Little hallow
Lowell
- Origin: Old French
- Meaning: Young wolf
Luke
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Light
Luther
- Origin: Old German
- Meaning: Soldier of the people
M
Marcus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Shining, warlike, or polite
Marshall
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Caretaker, horses
Martin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Warlike
Mason
- Origin: English
- Meaning: One who works with stone
Maxwell
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Great stream
Memphis
- Origin: Egyptian
- Meaning: Enduring and beautiful
Mercer
- Origin: Middle English
- Meaning: Storekeeper
Micah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Who is like God?
Miles
- Origin: German and Irish
- Meaning: Soldier
Miller
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: One who grinds grain
Montgomery
- Origin: Old French
- Meaning: From the hill of the powerful man
Monroe
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Mouth of the river Roe
If you like last names as first names similar to Monroe, you should also check out 150+ Adorable Surnames as First Names for Baby Boys
![Southern Boy 5 Southern boy names image 5](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-5-qjh5bekc2uv4mko0fo8ep00fzfyjiy6qips6ilkamw.png)
N
Nash
- Origin: English
- Meaning: By the ash tree
Nathaniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Gift of God
Neil
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Passionate, champion
Nelson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Neil
Noah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Rest
Nolan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Champion
O
Oakley
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Meadow of oak trees
Oliver
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Olive tree
Orson
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Bear
Otis
- Origin: Old English and Old German
- Meaning: Son of Otto, wealth
Owen
- Origin: Irish and Welsh
- Meaning: Young warrior
P
Palmer
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Pilgrim
Parker
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Park keeper
Paxton
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Peace town
Percy
- Origin: Old French
- Meaning: One who pierces the valley
Peyton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Fighting man’s estate
Pierce
- Origin: Welsh, English, and Irish
- Meaning: Rock
Porter
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Gates keeper
Prescott
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Priest’s cottage
Preston
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Priest’s town
Price
- Origin: Old French and Welsh
- Meaning: Prize
Quade
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Son of Uaid
Quest
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: To search
Quinlan
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Slender
R
Rawlings
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Son of a little wolf
Reid
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Red-haired
Remington
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Place on the riverbank
Rhett
- Origin: English and Dutch
- Meaning: Advice, counsel
Rhodes
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Where roses grow
Roscoe
- Origin: Norse and German
- Meaning: Deer forest
Rowan
- Origin: Scottish and Irish
- Meaning: Little redhead
Roy
- Origin: French and Celtic
- Meaning: Red, king
Royce
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of the king
Russell
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Little red one
Ryder
- Origin: English
- Meaning: mounted warrior
Ryker
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Rich
Related: Nature Inspired Names for Baby Boys
![Southern Boy 7 Southern boy names image 8](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-7-qjh5csds52rbpwnncrrmv5fvgv4zuwoidkcwy9ifh4.png)
S
Sampson
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Sun child, bright sun
Samuel
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Shear man
Sawyer
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Woodcutter
Silas
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Woods, forest
Sonny
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son
Spencer
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Steward, butler
Stone
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Stone
Sullivan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Dark eyes
T
Tanner
- Origin: English
- Meaning: One who works with leather
Tate
- Origin: English, Scandinavian, and Norse
- Meaning: Cheerful
Taylor
- Origin: French and English
- Meaning: To cut, tailor
Tennessee
- Origin: Native American
- Meaning: Gathering place
Thaddeus
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: Courageous heart
Thatcher
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Roof thatcher
Theodore
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Gift of God
Thomas
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Twin
Tobias
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is good
Travis
- Origin: French
- Meaning: To cross
Truett
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Speaker of truth
Truman
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Loyal one
Tucker
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Fabric pleater
Turner
- Origin: English
- Meaning: One who works a lathe
U
Ulysses
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Wrathful
Uriah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Yahweh is my light
![Southern Boy 8 Southern boy names image 9](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-8-qjh5d9avk3ehivz2lz2x41665stlpgjofw3nl8tcd4.png)
V
Vaughn
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Small
Vernon
- Origin: Old French
- Meaning: Place of alders
Victor
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Champion
Virgil
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Staff bearer, flourishing
Vincent
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Conquering
W
Wade
- Origin: Scandinavian and Old English
- Meaning: At the river crossing
Wagner
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Wagon maker
Walker
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Fuller of cloth
Walter
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Army ruler
Warren
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Park keeper
Waylon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Land beside the road
Weston
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Western town
Wesley
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Western meadow
Wilbur
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Resolute, brilliant
Wilder
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Wild, hunter
Wilson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Son of Will
Winston
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Joyful stone
Wyatt
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Brave in war
![Southern Boy 10 Southern boy names image 10](https://currentlyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Southern-Boy-10-qjh5egjgah1ocy89lhrraq9dhiwhjjbbxu3znz18ew.png)
Y
Yale
- Origin: English and Welsh
- Meaning: Fertile moor, upland
Yates
- Origin: Middle English
- Meaning: The gates
Z
Zachariah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has remembered
Zane
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is gracious
Zeke
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God strengthens
So there you have it! Whether you’re drawn to the rugged spirit of the Wild West or the sweet tea-sippin’ charm of the Deep South, Southern boy names are as timeless as a country sunset.
I hope you found a few great names to add to your list! I personally love southern boy names because there really is something for everyone in them. There are classic and traditional baby names, all the way to more contemporary (and dare I say trendy) options. Southern names have a bit of everything.
What were your favorites from the list? Leave me a comment below!