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Searching for badass boy names for your little one that are tough and edgy, but still cute? Then pull up a seat, mama, because you’re in the right place. I’m a baby names expert and here are my top picks for badass baby boy names in 2025.
Originally Published Mar 7, 2022 ・ Updated Jan 23, 2025
What is an edgy boy name, exactly?
Edgy boy names typically use some of the less common letters in them like z and x: Zephyr, Zion, Onyx, Kendrix, Axel, Phoenix and Knox.
The badass feel of a name can also come from its meaning. The name Odin comes from Old Norse: it means lord of frenzy and has serious viking vibes. Kane means warrior, and Arno is German for eagle.
Names with aristocratic vibes like like Reign, Kingston and Cash are another direction to go when choosing an edgy boy name.
There are so many different places to dig for inspiration when it comes to searching for badass boy names – and this baby names list does just that!
Here’s what’s in store –
Modern Badass Baby Boy Names
Some of our top picks when it comes to choosing a badass name for your little babe, these tough boy names are in style in 2025.
Picked from United States’ Social Security Administration baby name data for 2023, these names are either in the ranks of the top 100, or found on the list of top-movers; baby names that increased in popularity over the past year.
- Origin: Scottish origin
- Meaning: elm grove
- Rank: #265
- About: Isn’t there just something so edgy and unique about a boy’s name with an x?
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a neutral color
- Rank: #862
- About: This Americana boy’s name has only recently made its way on to the baby names charts in the US, first cracking the top 1000 in 2013, and gaining steam ever since. For middle names, you could either lean towards a more traditional, classic boy’s name like Grey Alexander, go Biblical with Grey Elijah or Grey Malachi, or turn up the tough by pairing it with another name from this list, like Ledger.
- Origin: English origin
- Meaning: hedged area
- Rank: #209
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s gracious gift
- Rank: #246
- Origin: English
- Meaning: untamed
- Rank: #421
- Origin: Hawaiin
- Meaning: warrior
- Rank: #298
- Origin: British, English
- Meaning: a type of black gemstone similar to onyx, or referring to an airplane, also known as a jet
- Rank: #206
- Origin: Danish
- Meaning: father of peace
- Rank: #72
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the lake settlement
- Rank: #64
- Origin: French origin
- Meaning: beautiful, or romantic partner
- Rank: #79
- Origin: Scottish, English, Irish origin
- Meaning: one who transports goods by cart
- Rank: #48
- Origin: American
- Meaning: always
- Rank: > 1000
Cruz
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: brave or fierce person
- Rank: #328
- Origin: Scottish/Irish
- Meaning: son of or greatest
- Rank: #545
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: rock hill
- Rank: #158
- Origin: Arabic origin
- Meaning: to increase
- Rank: #191
- Origin: American
- Meaning: independent
- Rank: #37
- Origin: Scottish/English
- Meaning: from the east settlement
- Rank: #96
- Origin: Scandinavian, Irish
- Meaning: God’s spear, or deer lover
- Rank: #216
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: citizen of Rome; from Rome
- Rank: #66
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a group of people
- Rank: #260
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: nail, strong or a black gemstone
- Rank: #308
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: from the small hill
- About: Although this name has a meaning all on its own, it could also be associated with badass, Johnny Knoxville, or be thought of to give off western vibes when connected to Knoxville, Tennessee
- Rank: #208
- Origin: German
- Meaning: wealth
- Rank: #281
- Origin: British
- Meaning: dweller by the rocks\
- Rank: #990
- Origin: English
- Meaning: traveller
- Rank: #456
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wealth
- Rank: #652
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: sun
- Rank: #297
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: wolf
- Rank: #881
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: sky, heavenly
- Rank: #405
- Origin: Aramaic
- Meaning: gift of God
- Rank: #903
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my help
- Rank: #654
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: meditation
- Rank: #935
- Origin: Hebrew origin
- Meaning: God is good
- Rank: #280
Cool Place-Inspired Baby Boy Names
Our next set of the best badass boy are place names – names inspired by cities, countries, continents and more, from around the world.
Perfect for the parents who love to travel, these cool & unique baby names make a great choice –
- Origin: Greek origin
- Meaning: where roses grow
- Rank: #707
- About: One of the famous Greek islands
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: sea land
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: winding valley
- Rank: #181
- About: A borough in London famous for the Camden Market, one of the world’s most lively and bustling outdoor markets
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: treasurer
- Rank: #122
- About: A national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
- Origin: American
- Meaning: Bronck’s Land
- Rank: > 1000
- About: A borough in New York
- Origin: British
- Meaning: boar settlement
- Rank: > 1000
- About: Part of the word New York
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: citizen of Rome
- Rank: #520
- About: The capital city of Italy
- Origin: German
- Meaning: borderline or river rake
- Rank: > 1000
- About: Germany’s capital
- Origin: British
- Meaning: dweller of the Eure river
- Rank: #837
- About: Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: the highest point
- Rank: #125
- About: A place in the Bible referred to as the “city of refuge”
- Origin: French, English
- Meaning: green valley
- Rank: #512
- About: A city in the state of Colorado where the Rocky Mountains are visible
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: victorious
- Rank: #333
- About: The capital of Egypt, on the Nile River
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: to carry
- Rank: #112
- About: Literally, an atlas is a book of maps or charts
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: free man
- Rank: #295
- About: This name was a top pick by UK-based professional baby namer, SJ Strum
- Nicknames: Frankie, Frank
Unique Badass Baby Boy Names
Next up – badass baby names that are totally unique & uncommon. Outside of the ranks of the top 100 most popular baby names for boys in the US, these unique baby boy names are less commonly used, but all still have edgy vibes.
If it’s important to you that your little guy is the only one in his class with his name, these picks are great baby names for you to consider –
- Origin: Old German
- Meaning: victorious protector
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: old German
- Meaning: hunter
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Old German
- Meaning: heart or mind
- Rank: #415
- Origin: Finnish/Estonian or English
- Meaning: wave or path or roadway
- Rank: #254
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: bringer of joy
- Rank: #233
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: carrier of Christ
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: one, unity
- Rank: #157
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: sky, shine
- Rank: > 1000
- About: A Greek mythology great, the name Zeus is an incredibly rare name choice
- Origin: Scandinavian origin
- Meaning: bear
- Rank: #801
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: sun
- Rank: #297
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son
- Rank: #354
- Origin: French, British
- Meaning: kingly one
- Rank: #402
- Origin: Germanic/English
- Meaning: greatest
- Rank: #163
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a semi-mythical story passed down through generations
- Rank: #145
- Origin: Germanic/Hebrew
- Meaning: God strengthens, short for Ezekiel
- Rank: #640
- Origin: English
- Meaning: genuine, bold, short for Archibald
- Rank: #347
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: from the small hill
- Rank: #208
- Origin: Latin origin
- Meaning: dear, beloved
- Rank: #121
- Origin: English
- Meaning: by the ash tree
- Rank: #259
- Origin: English
- Meaning: dweller by the brook
- Rank: #196
- Origin: English
- Meaning: leather maker
- Rank: #430
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Brock’s town
- Rank: #656
- Origin: German
- Meaning: wealth, prosperity
- Rank: #281
- Origin: Celtic origin
- Meaning: warrior
- Rank: #399
- Origin: American
- Meaning: an iconic auto brand
- Rank: #521
- Origin: French, German origin
- Meaning: strong and brave animal
- Rank: #817
- Origin: Welsh, Russian
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Rank: #915
- About: One of my favorite unique badass boy names, Van channels some serious free-spirited vibes, reminding me of both the super trendy sneaker brand, Van’s, as well as the cool, carefree van life lifestyle.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: the Lord, from the word Kyrios
- Rank: #236
- Origin: British origin
- Meaning: king’s town
- Rank: #142
- Origin: Italian, Spanish, Latin
- Meaning: the sun
- Rank: #842
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: son of Madoc; fortunate
- Rank: #174
- Origin: American
- Meaning: to run quickly
- Rank: #792
- Origin: Spanish origin
- Meaning: happy
- Rank: #193
- Origin: English
- Meaning: son of the dark man, or son of the brown one
- Rank: #863
- Origin: Germanic
- Meaning: brown
- Rank: #618
- Origin: British, Irish
- Meaning: wolf cub
- Rank: #596
- Origin: English
- Meaning: roof maker
- Rank: #965
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: untamed
- Origin: German origin
- Meaning: from the strong settlement
- Origin: English
- Meaning: dark hair, crow, raven, to chase, or chariot
- About: A totally modern boy’s name with many different meanings
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: to increase
- Origin: English origin
- Meaning: horseman, rider
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: birdlike
- About: A super unique choice, the only year this baby name was ranked was in 1900.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: a person frrom Denmark
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: rock
- Origin: Teutonic
- Meaning: one who is bold
- Origin: British
- Meaning: arrow maker
- Rank: #677
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: sea strength
Rare Badass Boy Names
Next up, these super cool yet rare baby boy names all fall outside of the top 1000 most popular baby names for boys in the US, bestowing them with a classification of truly unique, or rare:
- Origin: English
- Meaning: valley
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: trustworthy, faithful
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: deer wood
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: eighth
- About: A totally unique nickname for Gustav, this name was a top pick by baby names YouTuber, Heidi, from Baby Names Sunday
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a projectile fired from a bow
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Danish/Old German
- Meaning: home leader
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: the wealthy one
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: little
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: driftwood
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: German
- Meaning: wolf’s path
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: bold ruler
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Dutch, French
- Meaning: a mound or ridge of sand formed by the wind, especially on a coast or in the desert
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the gates
- About: This unique name could also be referencing Richard Yates, a famous early American author
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a type of hard rock
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: American
- Meaning: leader
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Germanic/Hebrew
- Meaning: stream
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rock spring
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: small wood or grove of trees
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: west wind
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: flax colored
- Rank: > 1000
Celebrity & Movie-Inspired Badass Boy Names
Is reality tv your guilty pleasure? This next group of rare baby boy names is inspired by some of our favorite celebs, movies and stars:
- Origin: English
- Meaning: a family who lived in the North; also, a baby name used by Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: overflow
- Rank: > 1000
- About: The ultimate tough boy name, the name Jethro could be thought of as an ode to the British rock mega-band, Jethro Tull, famous for songs like Locomotive and Aqualung.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wolf-like
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Germanic
- Meaning: spear tribe
- Rank: #574
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: lover
- Rank: #670
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wild animal
- Rank: #939
- About: Aussie health & fitness blogger, Sarah’s Day, named her first born Fox Ocean in 2019.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: homestead by the stream
- Rank: #222
- Origin: American
- Meaning: to rule
- Rank: #608
- Origin: English
- Meaning: maker of chests
- Rank: #253
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: one who manages a pack of horses
- Rank: #771
- About: A rock band relic, the name Jagger is seriously edgy & cool
- Origin: Native American
- Meaning: onion or skunk
- Rank: > 1000
- About: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West’s baby girl born in 2018, this cool & unique first name is actually used for both boys & girls
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: dark red
- Rank: #248
- About: 2000s era socialite, Paris Hilton, named her first born Phoenix in early 2023
- Origin: Gaelic origin
- Meaning: fair-haired
- Rank: #950
- Origin: British
- Meaning: stream
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: peasant farmer, but also referencing James Bond
- Rank: > 1000
Badass Boy Names Inspired by Vikings
Our next set of the best badass boy names is inspired by male characters from Nordic folklore:
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: great
- Rank: #728
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: secret
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: frenzy or rage
- Rank: #330
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: eternal ruler
- Rank: #432
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: eagle
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Scandinavian, German, English
- Meaning: war chief
- Rank: > 1000
Baby Boy Names with Badass Meanings
Next up, these cool boy names all have a strong meaning – they’re totally powerful boy names, hand-picked for your little fighter:
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: fiery torch; field
- Rank: #268
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: ruler of the estate
- Rank: #139
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: battle leader
- Rank: #292
- Origin: German
- Meaning: lion
- Rank: #31
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: brave warrior
- Rank: #249
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: brave in the world
- Rank: #29
- Origin: Breton, Celtic, French
- Meaning: battle worthy
- Rank: #403
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: spirit of battle
- Rank: #230
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: great warrior
- Rank: #333
- Origin: Arabic, Celtic, English
- Meaning: warrior
- Rank: #167
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: army leader
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Germanic
- Meaning: soldier
- Rank: #120
- Origin: English
- Meaning: fighter’s town
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: French, Celtic
- Meaning: battle worthy
- Rank: #403
- Origin: German
- Meaning: glorious raven
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: English
- Meaning: brave as a wild boar
- Rank: #81
- Origin: English
- Meaning: iron strong
- Rank: > 1000
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: champion
- Rank: #65
- About: This Irish boy name is totally a classic name, while still being a super popular choice in 2023
- Origin: Scottish, Irish
- Meaning: blonde warrior]
- Rank: #282 (#218 for girls)
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: strong chief
- Rank: > 1000
Wrapping Up
From the rugged allure of Maverick to the edgy feel of Maddox, each name in this collection has the power to make a seriously bold statement and leave a lasting impression.
Whether you’re a modern mama hunting through badass boy names hoping to find something that just feels different, or your little one already has a special story to tell – remember to have fun with the whole baby naming process!
For more unique baby name ideas, check out this list of baby boy names inspired by places around the world, unique boy names that are actually last names, or these old money baby names.
Even more baby name inspo:
☁️ 105+ Whimsical Boy Names That Will *Definitely* Inspire You
☁️ 159+ Handsome One Syllable Boy Names That Are Short & Strong
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