130 European Names for Boys & Their Meanings

Europe is a highly diverse continent that encompasses countries with diverse cultures and traditions. Each part of Europe has experienced numerous events that have been permanently ingrained in the culture and lifestyle of its people. Each country has many stories to tell. From tiny stones to significant monuments, everything oozes history and has stories to tell. The scenery and people change from place to place! From these experiences, cultures, and places come the names and last names of people. In the early centuries, people often chose simple names that mostly belonged to their family. With an increase in exports during the classical period, people began to step outside their boundaries. Therefore, there are numerous trends to follow now. Let’s uncover some of the most popular, adorable, and strong European boy names for your kiddo.

Popular European Boy Names

Here are some interesting and popular European baby boy names that you can consider for your little prince!

1. Adrian

Adrian is among the famous Eastern European boy names. This is a Latin name derived from the names Hadrianus or Adrianus. The ultimate origin of the name would be the former river or Adria from the Illyrian and Venetic word ‘Adur’, which means ‘Water’ or ‘Sea’. Another popular meaning is “dark one”.

2. Alejandro

Though a classic name of the Spanish pronounced often as ‘al-ay-HAN-droh’, this is a popular variant of the name, Alexander. The name means “Defender of Men” or “Defender of People”.

3. Alex

This is another, shorter version of Alexander. The name has Greek origins and it means “Helper or defender of people”.

4. Antonio

A very great choice for your little one, the name means “inestimable”. The name has a Latin origin and is very popular.

5. Baptiste

The name is from the Greek word ‘bapto’ and the meaning of the name is ‘dip’. It is a name growing in popularity.

6. Bastian

Bastian is a break-off from the traditional name Sebastian. It means ‘sublime’ or ‘adorably’.

7. Benito

This is the Portugal version of the name Benedict. This is a very great option if you do not want the clichéd names, Benjamin and Ben. The meaning of this unique name is ‘Blessed’.

8. Caleb

This is a Hebrew name which means “faithful, wholehearted, devotion, brave, and bold”. This is because, in the bible, Caleb follows Moses and leaves Egypt and is one of the followers to reach the promised land.

9. Cillian

Unique and hip, this classic Irish name is a great one that is yet to become very popular. Pronounced as “Kill-ee-an”, this Gaelic name means “little church” or “Strife”. The origin of this name would be from ‘Chaellach’, an Old Irish name.

10. Cyrilo

This is a Portuguese name and the distinct rhythm makes the name sound very unique. The meaning of this name is “Lordly”.

11. Diogo

The name is of Spanish and Hebrew origins and means ‘supplanter’ and ‘teacher’. 

12. Domenico

This beautiful name is of Italian origin and means ‘belonging to the Lord’. 

13. Elias

This is a charismatic name with its roots being Greek. The meaning of this name in Greece is “Yahweh is God” and is a great name with literary ties.

14. Emil

The name has various forms, such as Emily, Amelia etc. It has French and Latin origins that mean ‘excel’ and ‘eager’, respectively. 

15. Emilio

This name is an Italian and Spanish favorite. The meaning of this name is “rival” and is a variation of “Emil”. Emiliano is also another variation and means “work”.

16. Enzo

Italian names always come with a natural, sophisticated and smooth elegance, and this one is no exception. It is originally the shortened version of Vincenzo or Lorenzo. It means “estate ruler” and is an Italian variation of the name Henry.

17. Everett

This is a very unique name because the origin of the name is Anglo-Saxon. The name means “Wild Boar” or “strong”.

18. Federico

The origin of the name is Italian, and it means ‘peaceful ruler’.

19. Ferdinand

This is the name of several popular Spanish and Italian kings and Roman emperors. It is a popular Old German name where ‘Fardi’ means journey and ‘Nanthi’ means venture.

20. Giovanni

This is a very good option if you are looking for classy names. The name has Italian origins and it means “God is gracious”.

21. Giuseppe

It is a name of Italian origin. It is the Italian version of the name Joseph which means ‘God will add’. 

22. Grayson

This trendy English name was originally used as a last name it meant “son of a steward”. Now, it simply means “steward”.

23. Gustav

This is a very popular name in Sweden and Germany. The meaning of this name is ‘Staff of the Goths’. And this old European boy name would be a very rare pick for your baby boy.

24. Hector

Many years ago, the name was popularly used among Latinos. It is the name of the hero of the great Trojan War and the meaning of the name is ‘Holding Fast’.

25. Henrik

The name is of Scandinavian origin, and it means ‘Ruler of the home’. 

26. Jack

This is an English Boy baby name, and the meaning of this name is “God Is Gracious”. It was a very popular name during the middle ages and was a general term for “boy” or “man”.

27. Jakov

The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘may God protect’.

28. Jasper

This is a growing name in British culture. Sophisticated and very masculine, this English and Persian name means “bringer of treasure”.

29. Jules

This is a very captivating and soft name derived from the French. The literal meaning of the name is “youthful” and “downy”. It is a very popular name in France.

30. Kamil

This name is also used as an adjective. It is of Arabic origin and means ‘the perfect one’. 

31. Laszlo

The name is of Hungarian origin and is a glorious name to give your baby. It means ‘glorious ruler’.

32. Leon

If you are looking for an effortlessly cool name, then this is the one. It also has a less-ubiquitous and equally cool alternative, the Greek version of Leo.

33. Lincoln

The name Lincoln has a Latin origin but also means “Roman colony at the pool”. Another meaning of the name is the “Lakeside colony” and it was the name of the early settlements of the Romans in England.

34. Luis

The meaning of this popular name is ‘famous warrior’ and is a very decent option for your boy. The origin of the name is from France.

35. Luke

It is a very popular Greek name for boys and it means “light-giving”. In a district in ancient Italy, Luciana, Luke was an author of the third Gospel of the New Testament. He was a patron saint to artists and doctors and was widely called “the beloved physician”.

36. Matteo

This under-the-radar, cool Italian name is perfect if you are Hipster parents. This name is the Italian version of the name Mathew. The other version of the name is “Mateo”.

37. Nathaniel

With Hebrew origins, the meaning of the name Nathaniel is “Gift of God” or “God has given”.

39. Oliver

This English name means ‘The Olive Tree’. The olive tree in biblical terms symbolizes beauty, fruitfulness, and dignity. An offer of peace is signified when extending an olive branch.

40. Olle

The name comes from the Old Norse name Olaf. The name means ‘ancestor’s relic’. 

41. Oskar

A variant from the traditional name “Oscar”, this name means “Divine Spear” and the “k” instead of “c” makes it a bold choice for parents since it offers a unique twist.

42. Otto

The origin of the name Otto is German. This is a very nice name which means “wealthy”.

43. Owen

This is a traditional Welsh name which popularly means the “well-born”, “young warrior” or “noble”. The name was back in the list of popular names from the 2000s. It has a Celtic origin.

44. Paolo

An exotic version of the name Paul, this is a very appealing Italian version. The meaning of this name is “small” and would be a great option for your baby.

45. Phillipe

The name Phillipe is one of the twelve apostles. Pronounced as “Fill-eep”, this is a very classic name and the slight variation in the spelling makes it sound very exotic.

46. Raymond

Raymond has been a very dormant name for many years. The name Raymond means “Wise Protector”.

47. Theo

This is another form of the name “Theodore” and the meaning is “Divine Gift”. It has Greek origins.

48. Victor

This is a very fashionable English name, and several saints have this name. It symbolises Christ’s victory over death.

49. Wyatt

This name is derived from a personal name in Old English, Wigheard, where “wig” means “war” and “heard” meaning “brave”, “strong”, or “hardy”.

50. Zoltan

This beautiful and unique name is of Hungarian origin, too. It means ‘sultan’. 

Unique European Names for Boys

There are several lesser-known European names for boys that are astonishing and worth considering. Check this out, this impressive list of names for your champ!

1. Achille

The name is derived from the Greek term ‘achos’ which further translates to ‘pain’.

2. Adelmo

Though the German language can be a little confusing, its names are very attractive. This is a beautiful German name which means ‘noble protector’.

3. Aitor

The name is of Spanish or Basque origin and means ‘good father’.

4. Andrin

This name has an Eastern European origin. The meaning of this name is “Ruler of the Home” and is a very nice option.

5. Basile

This beautiful name is of French origin, and it means ‘regal’.

6. Cezary

This unique name is primarily of Polish origin, and it means ‘ruler’. 

7. Christos

The name is of Greek origin, and it is also a name given to Jesus by early Greek-speaking Christians. It means ‘anointed’. 

8. Cosmin

The Greek and the Romanian meaning of this name is “praise” or “in solidarity with life”. This is a very popular Eastern European boy name.

9. Eero

This short and sweet name is of Finnish origin. It means ‘forever strong’. 

10. Elia

This unique name is gender-neutral and originates from Hebrew. It means ‘God has answered’.

11. Eryk

In Polish, the meaning of this name is “lovable”, just what your baby boy is. According to the Norse, the meaning of the Eryk is “Eternal ruler”.

12. Etienne

This is a very classy and popular European name. It has a French origin and the meaning of the name is “crown, garland”.

13. Filippo

For animal-loving parents, this name is perfect. The name is of Italian origin and means ‘friend of horses’. 

14. Florian

This is a Latin boy’s name and is very popular, stylish, and masculine. Yet, it means “flowering”, but it is very sophisticated and smooth. Originally, the name was derived from “florus”, in Latin.

15. Floris

This beautiful name is gender-neutral in nature. It is of Latin origin and means ‘flower’. 

16. Gabin

The name Gain is primarily of French origin and denotes a person from the city of Gabin.

17. Gabor

This given name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘God is my strength’.

18. Giotto

This name has a very creative legacy. The name became famous after Giotto di Bondone, a painter from Florence and an Italian architect.

19. Hannes

The name is primarily of Scandinavian origin and is a form of the name John. The name means ‘God is gracious’.

20. Jacopo

The name is of Hebrew origin and is a fancier version of the name Jacob. It means ‘supplanter’. 

21. Jan

If you are a fan of the Nordic culture, then you should consider this one among the European male names. Pronounced ‘Yahn’, it is the Danish version of the name John and means ‘God has been gracious’.

22. Kende

The name Kende is derived from Hungarian kende which referred to the king of Magyar, the nation that predated Hungary. 

23. Lars

The name Lars is derived from the Latin name Laurentius. It means ‘from the city of Laurentum’. 

24. Levi

This name with a Hebrew origin is a popular one and it means “joined in harmony”. Levi is a famous character from the bible and is Jacob’s third son.

25. Lotte

People go for this name in many parts of Europe because it is a very chic and classy name. It has German roots and the meaning of the name is ‘masculine’. Another meaning is ‘free man’.

26. Maciej

You little bundle of joy is a miracle come true. Maciej is a beautiful name of Polish origin that means ‘God’s gift’.

27. Mael

The name originates from France and means ‘chief’.

28. Milan

There is an Italian origin as well as an Indian origin to this name. Name your child Milan after the city in Italy or ‘grace’ after the Sanskrit word ‘mil’.

29. Natan

The name is a shortened version of the name Nathaniel. It means ‘God has given’.

30. Nicolo

The name is derived from Greek Nikolaos, which is an Italian given name. It means ‘victor of people’.

31. Olivier

The name is a unique version of the name Oliver. It too means ‘olive tree’. 

32. Pietro

This Greek variation of the name ‘Peter’ is another appealing option for your baby boy. The meaning of this name is “rock”. The name was derived from “Petros” or “petra”.

33. Pim

The Dutch name is gender-neutral and means ‘resolute protection’.

34. Rafferty

This is a classic Irish name that means ‘prosperity’.

35. Rayan

The name is an Iranian name with Persian origins. It can be interpreted in many ways, but primarily, it means ‘smart’ or ‘thinker’.

36. Rhett

If you are a fan of Dutch names, then this is a unique option. The name means “Advice”.

37. Rocco

This is a favorite option among hipster parents. The meaning of this name is “rest” and it has Italian origins.

38. Sandro

This beautiful name is of Italian origin and means ‘man’s defender’. 

39. Sem

The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘reown’. 

40. Tarik

This beautiful angelic name is of Arabic origin. It means ‘morning star’. 

41. Teo

It is a derivative of the name Theo. The name is of Spanish origin and is gender-neutral. It means ‘divine gift’. 

42. Tommaso

The name is of Italian origin and means ‘twin’. 

43. Tygo

It is derived from the ancient Greek word Tyche. It represents luck and fortune.

44. Urban

For fun parents, this is a unique name that you can give your child. It means ‘from the city’ and has Latin roots. 

45. Val

The name is gender-neutral and is of Latin origin. It means valiant. 

46. Vasco

The name is of Spanish origin and is used to denote someone from the Basque region. 

47. Wilhelm

The name is of German origin and means ‘Vehement protector’.

48. Yanis

This is a popular Greek name and is a variant of the Hebrew name John. The name Yanis means ‘God is gracious’.

49. Yannick

This name too is a variant of the name John. This too means ‘God is gracious’. 

50. Zente

This spiritual name is of Hungarian origin and means ‘saint’ and ‘holy’. 

Strong Old European Boy Names

These impressive boy names possess the warmth of old-world charm as well as qualities like power and strength.

1. Alpha

Alpha is a spectacular baby name that means ‘first’ or ‘leader,’ symbolising strength and authority. It feels bold and commanding, perfect for someone who stands out.

2. Apollo

Rooted in Greek mythology, Apollo was the god of light, music, and healing. The name radiates brilliance and creative power.

3. Augusto

A name of Latin origin meaning ‘majestic’ or ‘great.’ Augusto has a noble, imperial sound that commands respect.

4. Beau

French for ‘handsome,’ Beau is simple yet charming. This romantic name carries effortless grace and sophistication.

5. Bellamy

With roots in French, Bellamy means ‘good friend.’ It has an old-world elegance paired with warmth.

6. Calloway

An old European surname turned first name, Calloway feels noble and distinguished. It carries a sense of heritage and depth.

7. Callum

Scottish in origin, Callum means ‘dove.’ The beautiful moniker represents peace and gentleness. You can certainly feel the balance of strength and calmness.

8. Carlo

An Italian form of Charles, Carlo means ‘free man.’ It’s strong, stylish, and full of European elegance.

9. Crue

Short and edgy, Crue has a rugged energy. It feels fresh while still echoing medieval European strength.

10. Damien

From Greek roots meaning ‘to tame,’ Damien feels mysterious and powerful. It’s strong yet elegant.

11. Dario

Popular in Italy and Spain, Dario means ‘possessor of good.’ The spectacular name has a refined charm with Mediterranean vibes.

12. Dorian

A name tied to ancient Greece and literature (the famous fiction of Dorian Gray), Dorian has an evergreen aura. This Greek name is of Greek origin and perhaps means ‘of Doris,’ referring to an ancient region in Greece inhabited by the Dorians. Another meaning of this name is ‘gift.’

13. Dritan

Of Albanian origin, Dritan means ‘light.’ It’s rare, strong, and full of character. With this unique name, your little one is sure to shine bright with success.

14. Duvall

A French surname meaning ‘of the valley.’ It feels mysterious and aristocratic, with a strong European edge.

15. Eden

Though biblical in origin, Eden is used across Europe as a symbol of paradise and beauty. It feels fresh and evergreen.

16. Elton

An Old English name meaning ‘Ella’s town,’ the name Elton carries a sturdy charm. Sir Elton John, the musical legend, is one of the most popular bearers of this name.

17. Emanuel

Meaning ‘God is with us,’ Emanuel prides itself on its deep biblical roots. It’s graceful, strong, and used widely across Europe.

18. Emiliano

Popular in Italy and Spain, Emiliano comes from the Latin word ‘aemulus,’ which means ‘rival.’ It has a romantic, melodic tone with inner strength.

19. Enrique

A Spanish form of Henry, Enrique, means ‘ruler of the home.’ It carries a royal touch and a commanding presence. One of the famous celebrities bearing the name is Enrique Iglesias, who is known for his record-breaking Spanish and English hits.

20. Gennady

Of Slavic origin, Gennady means “noble” or “generous.” It’s rare, dignified, and full of weight.

21. Hardwin

An old English name meaning ‘brave friend.’ It has a rugged charm that speaks of loyalty and strength.

22. Iago

The Spanish and Portuguese form of Jacob, Iago, means ‘supplanter.’ It’s dramatic, rich in history, and carries a bold character.

23. Ingmar

From Old Norse roots, Ingmar means ‘famous son of Ing, linking it to mythology. It feels powerful and rooted in tradition.

24. King

Straightforward and regal, King reflects leadership and nobility. It carries a sense of respect and admiration.

25. Leo

Derived from the Latin word for ‘lion,’ Leo is fierce yet warm. It’s ageless and has been cherished across Europe for centuries.

26. Striker

A modern-sounding name with an old warrior edge. Striker suggests force, energy, and someone who goes straight to the point.

27. Talon

Inspired by the sharp claws of a bird of prey, Talon conveys precision and strength. The name is absolutely sleek and powerful.

28. Thor

From Norse mythology, Thor is the god of thunder and strength. The name echoes raw power and bravery. The name became global after the release of the Marvel Universe’s Avengers.

29. Tyson

Meaning ‘son of Ty,’ this name carries a punchy strength. It feels both modern and deeply rooted in heritage.

30. Zane

Zane is a marvellous moniker for boys of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘gift from God.’ Its popularity in Europe gives it a stylish, adventurous touch.

FAQs

1. Can European boy names easily adapt to different cultures and languages?

Yes, many European boy names adapt well because they have Latin, Greek, or biblical roots that are familiar worldwide. Names like Leo, Carlo, or Enrique easily cross borders while still holding their cultural flavour.

2. Do European boy names reflect diversity in terms of sounds and origins across the continent?

Absolutely. From the sharp strength of Norse names like Thor and Ingmar to the elegance of Italian names like Dario and Emiliano, European names reflect centuries of linguistic diversity. Each region adds its own rhythm and history to the naming tradition.

These unique names are sure to suit your little baby boy. Choosing your baby’s name will always be a part of the happiness of waiting for your little boy. Use this list to pick out a good, strong name for your precious little one!

Also Read:

Italian Boy Names
Russian Names for Boys
Australian Names for Boys
Mexican Boy Names with Meanings

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