Country boy names capture the spirit of the American West: places and landscapes, cowboys and pioneers, and country music – including the names singers give their own children.

　　The country style embraces names from a wide range of origins, from nature to cities to the bible. They’re not traditional classics, but neither do they feel like modern inventions. It’s no surprise that many are popular in the heartlands of country culture. For example, Wyatt, the 29th most popular name in the US, is in the Top 10 in 8 states, most of them in the Midwest and South.

　　If you like names that are cool with old-fashioned charm, and want to spread the country spirit wherever you live, here are 15 of our favorite country boy names (and some are unisex too).

　　

Abel

Lots of biblical names have a cowboy vibe, partly because they were popular with parents in the late 1800s who settled in the “promised land” of the American West. Abel is a gently understated Old Testament name, with a can-do sound and the potential for Abe as a nickname.

　　

Boone

This sleek surname has strong country credentials thanks to the frontiersman Daniel Boone, one of the first Europeans to settle west of the Appalachians. Singer Eric Church used it for his son in 2011, and it’s been in the Top 1000 (and rising) since 2015.

　　

Clayton

Clayton is an unexpectedly enduring name that’s never been out of the Top 300. The nickname Clay (like singer Clay Walker) is a cool country name in its own right too: other pairs like this include Colton and Colt, Clinton and Clint, Weston and West.

　　

Deacon

An occupational name with spiritual authority, and a cool nickname in the form of Deke. We have Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe to thank for its rise, after they used it for their son in 2003. A character in Nashville helped to give it a country flavor.

　　

Knox

A simple-but-cool surname with the X factor, Knox is originally Scottish but brings to mind Knoxville, Tennessee, named after revolutionary general Henry Knox. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt started the trend for this name, but other parents have run with it, including country singer Dierks Bentley.

　　

Lawson

Beyond popular Jackson and Carson there are many more “son” surnames to discover. Lawson, meaning “son of Lawrence”, could be a way to honor a Lawrence (or Laurence or Lorenzo) in your life, although it doesn’t have to be. Others off the beaten track include Bronson, Dawson and Judson.

　　

Maverick

A decade ago, few would have guessed Maverick would reach the Top 50. Now we predict it could even make the Top 10 one day, but it’s still a distinctive choice that won’t be confused with any other name. It’s one of several active, free-spirited word names that are currently popular – others include Blaze, Chance and Ryder – and recalls the 1950s TV show Maverick, following the exploits of card-playing brothers in the Old West, long before Top Gun came along.

　　

Memphis

In ancient Egypt, this place name meant “enduring and beautiful”; but name your kid Memphis today and most people will think of the cultural hub in Tennessee. Country singer Jason Aldean used it for his son in 2017. Other place names with a country vibe include Nash (for Nashville), Dallas, and Dakota.

　　

Oakley

The ultimate unisex country name, Oakley brings together a strong nature image, cool place-name style, and the legacy of gunwoman Annie Oakley. It’s no wonder it’s been rising almost equally for boys and girls, but it’s still a long way from being overused.

　　

Rhett

Helped by country singers like Rhett Akins, this name has cast off its suave Gone with the Wind image and is now a laid-back surname name that’s on the upswing. If popularity is a consideration for you, remember there are probably more Rhetts around than the statistics show: some parents use it as a short form for names like Barrett and Everett.

　　

Ridge

Conjuring up pictures of mountains and rocky outcrops, Ridge is a recent addition to the canon of rugged nature names, entering the Top 1000 in 2015. Other wilderness names include Forrest, River and Canyon.

　　

Sawyer

Can you get more country than an old-time occupational name? Mix in a Mark Twain connection, and it’s easy to see why Sawyer has been a hit of the last decade for both sexes. Slightly less common names in this include Fisher, Roper and Tanner.

　　

Shane

One of the most classic country names, Shane is the archetypal cowboy, thanks to Jack Schaefer’s novel and the 1953 movie of the same name. Although not as popular as it once was, this Irish version of John feels like it could settle down to become a timeless choice.

　　

Wilder

Wilder has long had a lot of love on the Nameberry forums, and is now finally rising in the rankings — but it's still far from common. With literary and pioneering connections (thank you, Laura Ingalls Wilder), it makes a great alternative to popular Wyatt. If you like the sound and want to go even rarer, Wylie is another option.

　　

Zeke

Casual nicknames are a staple of country style, so if Ezekiel is too much for you, Zeke – rarer than Jake and fresher than Zack – is great on its own. Other nicknames that can stand alone include Gus, Hank and Mack.

　　If this is your style, don't miss our full list of country boy names.

　　

About the Author

　　

Clare Green

　　Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at [email protected]

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