We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it a thousand times more: Southern baby names never go out of style.
When you think about the South, at least the idyllic parts of the South, there are cowboy boots, sprawling farms, and lots of sweet Southern charm. There’s a lot of Southern aesthetics: classic ones, Southern gothic aesthetic, and more; however, we’re going to be talking about all of them, and which names from all of them make the perfect Southern boy names.
Southern boy names should embody the loyalty, strength, and determination you’d expect. Plus, since the South is all about working hard and playing hard, it’s a perfect place to find occupational names, nature names, and more. (Even, yes, names that conjure up hats.) Don’t believe us?
Below, check out the 40+ coolest Southern boy names we could find.
Arrow
The name Arrow has so much potential for a Southern boy. It’s strong, and it can represent an arrow that is straightforward and to the point. Seriously, it can work amazingly — especially since hunting is a huge pastime in the South!
Austin
Obviously, there’s Austin, Texas, which is quintessentially Southern, but the name also means “great, magnificent;” and that works perfectly.
Beau
We know Beau is French for “handsome,” but it has such a Southern flair to it, that perfect mix of beauty and grit.
Bennett
Southern boys are blessed, and Bennett literally means “blessed” — it comes from the Latin name Benedictus.
Brady
Talk about a manly Southern man! Brady is perfect because it means “broad meadow or large-chested.”
Brooks
Get ready for a lot of nature names because if there’s one thing Southern boys like, it’s being outdoors. Brooks is not only a strong name, but it means “of the brook.”
Buck
Buck is a term for a male deer or rabbit, perfect for the animal-loving Southern boys.
Caleb
To make sure your kid has that adorable golden retriever energy we love from Southern boys, you can’t go wrong with Caleb, which literally means “dog” (from the Hebrew kelev) or “whole heart.” How sweet!
Cash
Cash is a short and sweet name you won’t forget, and its association with the legendary Johnny Cash gives it definite Southern vibes.
Clayton
Clayton is another strong name, linked to labor and farming. For those who don’t know, it means “place with good clay.”
Colton
Colton is an English name meaning “from the coal or dark town.” Plus, when we hear it we think of “colt” — as in, a horse. Giddy-up!
Curtis
Did you know that Curtis means “courteous, polite?” That’s another perfect way to describe Southern boys.
Dallas
Dallas is another Texas name, but it’s also a name with so many meanings that work perfectly for a Southern boy aesthetic. It means “meadow dwelling, valley house, skilled.” Seriously, all of them work.
Dalton
Dalton is a unique name that actually means “the settlement in the valley.” Doesn’t that just feel country-chic, like something a Southern boy would be named?
Derby
Like the Kentucky Derby! But in all seriousness, Derby is such a cool Southern name because it means “park with deer.”
Dillon
Southern boys are loyal, so give them a name that means “loyal” like Dillon!
Easton
Okay, we know Easton means “eastern town,” so its meaning doesn’t exactly make it innately Southern, but it fits so well with the aesthetic anyway.
Emory
Emory is the perfect Southern boy name because it literally means “industrious.”
Ford
Ford is a cool, one-syllable name that’s truly “Ford tough.” (We’re sorry, but we have to!) But in all seriousness, it’s an English name meaning “dweller at the ford.”
Franklin
Franklin is a classic boy’s name of English origin, meaning “free landholder,” and it’s linked to the town in Tennessee! Talk about a double whammy!
Garth
Did you know that the name Garth is Norse for “groundskeeper, enclosure?!” How cool is that?!
Gatlin
Gatlin is a unique, free-spirited name that works perfectly with the Southern boy names since it means “wandering man.” Gatlinburg is one of the most famous Southern cities, in Tennessee.
Granger
No, we’re not talking about the Harry Potter character Hermione Granger; we’re talking about the English name Granger. This may be the best Southern boy name of all because it literally means “worker of the granary; farmer.”
Hunter
Hunter is a quintessential Southern boy name since it’s strong, a classic, and means “one who hunts.” We love a name that’s to the point!
Jackson
Jackson means “son of Jack,” obviously, but it also can mean “son of the favored one;” and everyone loves Southern boys!
Jasper
So, Jasper is actually Persian, meaning “bringer of treasure.” How cool and sweet is that? Also, you can thnk about the Southern-boy-turned-vampire, Jasper Hale, from the Twilight series.
Mason
Mason is an English occupational name, meaning it’s a name inspired by a job. This cool one is linked to a “worker in stone.”
Nash
Nash is a boy’s name meaning “by the ash tree,” which is cool when you remember that a lot of different kids of ash trees are found in Tennessee.
Oakley
Oakley is not only a powerful boy’s name, but it can work for girls and boys! It’s a nature name meaning “oak wood or clearing.”
Parker
Yes, we got another ultra-cool occupational name up in here! Parker is such a classic boy’s name, and it means “park-keeper”; talk about being perfect for the Southern vibe!
Presley
Presley is another stunning unisex name meaning “priest’s meadow” (yes, another gorgeous nature name). Plus, you know, you can think of the Presley family — Southern icons!
Rhett
Rhett is a sweet, cool name that means “advice,” and that is perfect for Southern hospitality.
River
Southern names are perfect for all the cool nature names, and River is both edgy and manly!
Sawyer
Yes, another ultra-cool unisex name with an edge. Sawyer is the perfect Southern name since it’s gritty and classic, especially since it means “woodcutter.”
Smith
Unless it’s your last name, Smith can make an interesting first name, especially for a Southern boy with a love for blacksmithing.
Sutton
You want a truly Southern name, meaning and all? Sutton literally means “from the southern homestead.”
Tanner
Tanner is a unique boy’s name meaning “leather tanner,” which just hits all the bases for a good Southern name.
Tate
Tate is Norse for “cheerful,” and that’s the best word to describe a Southern boy.
Tennessee
Tennessee, like the state, y’know? And also, it means “bend in the river or meeting place.” Reese Witherspoon — born in New Orleans and raised in Nashville — gave her youngest son this name.
Tucker
Do you think we’re done with the cool occupational names that a Southern cowboy would rock? Think again. There’s also Tucker, which means “fabric pleater.”
Walker
Walker is also an occupational name, from the Old English wealcan, meaning “to walk.” As a job, “walkers” would literally walk on wet wool to help process it.
Westen
Westen means “western town,” but we’re counting it because of the Western influence on the Southern aesthetic.
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