530 Timeless Southern Boy Names (With Origins And Meanings)
Southern boy names are a popular choice for parents looking for a charming, country-sounding name for their little guy.
Whether you’re from the South, live in the country, or love country music, this list is filled with names for boys that bring those hometown feelings.
Kick up your boots and explore over 500 southern and country boy names, from unique and charming to popular or old school.
Plus, don’t miss our lists inspired by celebrities, the Bible, and southern cities!
(Originally published: Dec 27, 2021 | Updated: Jan 29, 2025)
Popular Southern Boy Names
Including (origins) and “meanings”
We’ve researched these names by using websites like BabyCenter to find their origins and meanings, just remember that some names can mean different things in other languages.
Ashton (English) “ash tree”
Bentley (English) “meadow with coarse grass”
Bradley (English) “broad meadow”
Brantley (English) “sword; fiery torch”
Brayden (Irish) “brave”
Bryson (English) “son of Brice; son of a nobleman” - Bryson is also on our list of boy names with cool nicknames
Cameron (Scottish) “crooked nose”
Carter (English) “transporter of goods by cart or wagon”
Casey (Irish) “vigilant”
Cason (English) “settlement; town”
Chad (English) “protector; defender” - Chad is also on our list of protector names
Clayton (English) “from the town on clay land” - Clayton is also on our list of black baby boy names
Cody (English) “helpful”
Cole (English) “swarthy; charcoal”
Colton (English) “from the coal or dark town”
Connor (Scottish) “wise”
Conroy (Irish) “wise advisor”
Copeland (English) “bought land”
Corbin (English) “raven; crow”
Corey (Irish) “hollow”
Corliss (English) “carefree person”
Crawford (English) “from the crow ford”
Curtis (English, French) “courteous; polite”
Declan (Irish) “full of goodness”
Dylan (Welsh) “son of the sea”
Emerson (English) “Emery’s son”
Emmett (English, German, Hebrew) “universal; powerful; truth”
Everett (English, German) “brave; strong boar”
Graham (English) “gravelly homestead”
Grant (English) “large; great”
Harper (English) “harp player”
Harrison (English) “son of Harry”
Henry (German) “ruler of the home”
Jake (Hebrew) “supplanter”
James (Hebrew) “supplanter”
Jameson (English) “son of James”
Jason (Greek) “healer”
Julian (Latin) “young at heart”
Kennedy (Irish, Scottish) “helmeted chief”
Kenneth (Scottish) “handsome”
Lance (English) “land”
Leon (Greek) “lion”
Leroy (French) “the king”
Liam (Irish) “helmet of will; guardian”
RELATED: Middle Names For Liam
Logan (Scottish) “little hollow”
Maddox (English) “son of Madoc”
Marcus (Latin) “dedicated to Mars”
Martin (Latin) “God of war”
Mason (English) “worker in stone”
Maxwell (Scottish) “great stream” - Maxwell is also on our list of names that mean water
Miller (English) “one who grinds grain”
Mitchell (Hebrew) “gift from God” - Mitchell is also on our gift of God name list
Neil (Irish) “champion; cloud” - Neil is also on our list of names that mean cloud
Oliver (Latin) “olive tree”
RELATED: Oliver Middle Names
Peyton (English) “fighting man’s estate”
Pierce (English) “son of Piers”
Riley (English) “wood clearing”
Ryan (Irish) “descendent of the king”
Sawyer (English) “woodcutter”
Sebastian (Greek) “venerable”
Shane (Irish) “God is gracious”
Sloan (Irish) “expedition; invasion”
Sullivan (Irish) “dark-eyed”
Tate (Norse) “cheerful”
Taylor (English) “tailor”
Theodore (Greek) “gift of God”
Tim (English) “to honor God”
Todd (English) “fox”
Trent (English) “the flooder”
Trevor (Welsh) “from the large village”
Victor (Latin) “conqueror”
Walter (German) “army ruler”
RELATED: Southern And Western Girl Names
Old-Fashioned Southern Boy Names
Abbott (English) “father; priest”
Albert (German) “noble; bright”
Alfred (English) “elf ruler; wise counselor”
Alonzo (Spanish) “ready for battle”
Alvin (English) “noble friend; friend of the elves” - Alvin is also on our list of names that mean friend
Archibald (German) “genuine; bold”
Arthur (Celtic) “bear”
Augustus (Latin) “great; magnificent”
Baron (English) “noble man”
Barton (English) “from the barley town”
Bates (English) “son of Bartholomew”
Baxter (English) “baker”
Bernard (German) “strong; brave as a bear” - Bernard is also on our list of strong male names
Bradford (English) “from the broad ford”
Brenner (English) “to burn”
Brent (English) “hill; mount”
Brett (English) “breton”
Brock (English, Celtic) “badger-like”
Bryan (English) “high; noble”
Burke (Irish) “fortified hill”
Butch (American) “manly”
Byron (English) “barn for cows”
Calvin (Latin) “bald”
Campbell (Scottish) “crooked mouth”
Chambers (English) “of the chamber”
Charleston (English) “free peasant’s settlement”
Chester (English) “fortress or camp”
Clarence (Latin) “bright; clear”
Clement (Latin) “mild; merciful”
Clifford (English) “ford by a cliff”
Clyde (Scottish) “from the riverbank”
Colin (Scottish, Greek) “people of victory”
Dakota (Native American) “friendly”
Dale (English) “valley” - Dale is also on our list of 4 letter baby names
Damian (Greek) “to tame”
Damon (Greek) “gentle; to tame”
Dane ((English) “from Denmark; brook”
Darren (English) “great”
Davis (Welsh) “son of David”
Dean (English) “from the valley”
Donald (English) “world leader”
Drew (Greek) “strong and manly”
Duncan (Scottish) “dark warrior”
Earl (English) “warrior; nobleman”
Edison (English) “son of Edward”
Edmund (English) “fortunate protector”
Edward (English) “wealth; prosperity”
Elmer (English) “noble; famous”
Ernest (English) “serious; resolute”
Eugene (Greek) “well-born; noble”
Francis (Latin) “Frenchman”
Frederick (English) “peaceful ruler”
Gilbert (German) “shining pledge”
Giles (English) “pledge; young goat”
Harris (English) "son of Harry”
Hartley (English) "stag meadow”
Hastings (English) "son of the austere man”
Holt (English) "son of the unspoiled forests”
Homer (Greek) “security; pledge”
Hutton (English) "settlement on the bluff”
Hyde (English) "hide”
Irving (Scottish) “green river; sea friend”
Lee (English) “clearing; meadow”
Malcolm (Scottish) “follower of St. Columba”
Nelson (English) “son of Neil”
Oakley (English) “from the oak tree field”
Raiden (Japanese) “thunder and lightning” - Raiden is also on our list of names related to storms, lightning, or thunder
Rawlins (English) “son of Raul”
Reagan (Irish) “little ruler”
Redmond (Irish) “wise protector”
Reeves (English) “servant or child of the steward”
Saylor (German) “boatman”
Sellers (English) “marshland dweller”
Trey (Italian) “three” - Trey is also on our list of short cool names for boys
Ulysses (Greek) “wrathful”
Virgil (Latin) “flourishing”
Whitfield (English) “from the white field”
Wilbur (English) “willful; bright”
Yates (English) “dweller by a gate”
Cool Country Boy Names
Archer (English) “bowman”
Atlas (Greek) “bearer of the heavens”
Axel (Hebrew) “father is peace”
Banks (English) “someone who lived on the slope of a hillside or by a riverbank”
Beckett (English) “beehive; little brook; bee cottage”
Blade (English) “knife or sword” - Blade is also on our attitude name list
Bodie (German) “messenger”
Booker (English) “small stream”
Braxton (English) “badger”
Briggs (English) “dweller by the bridge”
Brody (Scottish) “broad eye or broad island”
Cade (English) “round; barrel”
Cannon (English) “clergyman”
Carson (Scandinavian) “son of marsh-dwellers”
Chase (French) “to hunt”
Chevy (French) “knight; horseman”
Colt (English) “young horse”
Colton (English) “from the coal or dark town”
Crosby (English) “settlement by the cross”
Cruz (Spanish) “the cross of Christ”
Dash (English) “someone who lived near an ash tree”
Dawson (English) “son of David”
Deacon (Greek) “messenger; servant”
Drake (English) “snake or dragon” - Drake is also on our list of old fashioned male names
Duke (Latin) “leader”
Everest (English) “person from Evreux”
Finn (Irish) “fair or white” - Finn is also on our list of edgy boy names
Flint (English) “born near an outcrop of flint”
Ford (English) “pass or crossing”
Garrett (English) “rules by the spear”
Garrison (English) “son of Garret”
Greer (Scottish) “watchful; guardian”
Greyson (English) “son of the grey-haired man”
Gunner (Scandinavian) “warrior”
Hawk (English) “like the bird”
Hendrix (Dutch, German) “estate ruler”
Holden (English) “the hollow in the valley”
Irving (Scottish) “green river; sea friend”
Jagger (English) “carter”
Jasper (Persian) “treasurer”
Jax (American) “son of Jack”
Jennings (English) "little John”
Jeremy (Hebrew) “God will uplift”
Jett (English) “jet black”
Jones (English) "God is gracious”
Judd (English) "to flow down”
Judson (English) “son of Jordan”
Kane (Irish) “battlefield; warrior”
Kent (English) “county in Southeast England; bright white”
Kingston (English) “the king’s town”
Lander (English) “territory”
Landry (English; French) “ruler”
Lawson (English) “son of Lawrence”
Ledger (English) “speared tribe”
Luther (German) “army people”
Lyle (English) “from the island”
MacGowan (Irish, Scottish) “son of the smith”
Mack (Irish, Scottish) “son of”
Magnus (Latin) “greatest”
Maverick (English) “independent”
Mercer (French) “merchant”
Orson (English) “bear cub”
Orville (French) “gold town”
Onyx (English) “black gemstone”
Phoenix (Greek) “dark red”
Porter (Latin) “gatekeeper”
Ricky (German) “powerful ruler”
River (English) “stream of water that flows to the sea”
Rodney (English) “island near the clearing”
Roscoe (English) “from the deer forest”
Ross (Scottish) “headland”
Roy (French) “king”
Royce (English) “son of the king”
Russell (English) “little red”
Ryder (English) “knight; mounted warrior”
Ryker (German) “rich”
Sheldon (English) “steep valley”
Shepard (English) “sheepherder”
Sherman (English) “cloth cutter”
Smith (English) “blacksmith; skilled worker”
Spencer (English) “house steward”
Steele (English) “like steel”
Tanner (English) “leather worker”
Thatcher (English) “roof maker”
Vaughn (Welsh) “small”
Wade (English) “at the river crossing”
Wagner (German) “wagon maker”
Warner (English) “army guard”
Warrick (English) “leader who defends”
Watson (English) “son of Walter”
Wyatt (English) “brave in war”
Unique Country Boy Names
Ackerley (English) “oak meadow”
Albion (Celtic) “white; rock” - Albion is also on our list of names meaning rock
Alder (English) “from the alder tree” - Alder is also on our list of orange baby names
Ambrose (Greek) “immortal”
Anse (German) “God’s helmet”
Ardy (Latin) “great forest”
Arrow (English) “a projectile fired from a bow”
Atticus (Latin) “from Attica”
Barlow (English) “the bare hillside”
Blaze (English) “flame”
Boden (Scandinavian) “sheltered”
Bridge (English) “bridge”
Bronson (English) “son of the brown-haired one”
Cane (English) “spear; craftsman”
Carden (English) “wood carder”
Champ (English) “warrior”
Coy (English) “quiet; still” - Coy is also on our list of 3 letter boys names
Creed (English, Latin) “belief; guiding principle”
Crew (English) “fort near a slope”
Decker (English) “ditch digger”
Duke (Latin) “leader”
Elroy (French) “the king”
Elwood (English) “elder tree forest”
Emory (German) “home strength”
Ewan (Scottish) “born of the yew tree”
Ewell (English) “law-powerful or winter solstice”
Falcon (English) “a bird; falcon”
Fenton (English) "marsh town”
Fielder (English) “dweller in open country”
Finch (English) “songbird”
Fleming (English) "from Flanders”
Floyd (Welsh) “gray-haired”
Fulton (English) "settlement of the fowl”
Gage (French) “oath; pledge”
Gatlin (English) “fellow; companion”
Gentry (English) “nobility of birth”
Gillespie (Scottish) “son of the bishop’s servant”
Glen (Scottish) “from the wooded valley”
Granger (English) "worker of the granary”
Gray (English) "black mixed with white; a person with gray hair”
Grover (English) “lives near a grove of trees”
Hemingway (English) “way; path”
Huck (American) “short form of Huckleberry”
Judge (English) “decision maker”
Lester (English) “from Leicester”
Lowell (French) “young wolf”
Marvin (Welsh) “sea hill”
Maynard (English) “brave strength”
Ranger (English) “forest protector”
Rex (Latin) “king”
Rhodes (Greek) “rose garden”
Ridge (English) “ridge”
Slate (American) “gray-green rock” - Slate is also on our list of earth names
Sterling (English) “starling; little star”
Stone (English) “dweller by the stone or rocks”
Stratton (English) “from the town on the Roman road”
Sutton (English) “from the southern homestead”
Talon (English) “bird claw”
Tierney (Irish) “Lord”
Tex (American) “from Texas”
Topher (Greek) “bearing Christ”
Townes (English) “from the settlement”
Tripp (American) “the third”
Truett (English) “from the village of Trewhitt”
Vardaman (English) “guardian”
Webb (English) “weaver”
Westbrook (English) “from the western brook”
Whittaker (English) “white field”
Wilder (English) “wild animal”
Woorow (English) “row of houses by a wood”
Wren (English) “small bird”
Yale (Welsh) “fertile upland”
Zeke (Hebrew) “God strengthens”
Charming Country Boy Names
Ace (Latin) “one; unity”
Aden (Irish) “little fire” - Aiden is also on our list of fire names
Arlo (Spanish) “between two hills”
Avery (English) “ruler of elves”
Barrett (German) “bear strength”
Benji (Hebrew) “son of the right hand”
Bennett (Latin) “blessed”
Benson (English) “son of Ben”
Blaine (Scottish) “yellow”
Bo (Slavic) “living”
Bobby (German) “bright fame”
Bowen (Welsh) “son of Owen”
Brady (Irish) “spirited; broad”
Bryce (Scottish) “speckled, freckled”
Bubba (American) “brother; pal”
Buddy (English) “friend”
Callahan (Irish) “bright-headed one”
Cassidy (Irish) “clever; curly-haired”
Cecil (English) “blind to one’s own beauty”
Colby (Old Norse) “swarthy person’s settlement”
Dewey (Welsh) “beloved”
Dex (English, Latin) “one who dyes; right-handed”
Dixon (Scottish) “son of Dick”
Dusty (English) “Thor’s stone; light dirt”
Elliott (English) “the Lord is my God”
Ellis (English, Welsh) “benevolent”
Ellison (English) “son of Elias/Elijah”
Flynn (Irish) “descendant of Flann; son of the red-haired one” - Flynn is also on our list of redhead names
Gavin (Scottish) “white hawk”
Grady (Irish) “noble”
Harlan (English) “dweller by the boundary wood”
Harley (English) “hare”
Hayes (English) “hedge”
Hollis (English) “dweller at the holly trees”
Jayden (Hebrew) “thankful one”
Jebediah (Hebrew) “beloved of the Lord”
Jensen (Scandinavian) “son of Jens”
Jimmy (English) “supplanter”
Jude (Hebrew) “praised”
Keaton (English) “place of hawks”
Kellan (Irish) “slender”
Kit (Greek) “bearing Christ”
Lafe (English) “heir”
Landon (English) “long hill”
Leo (Latin) “lion”
Madden (Irish) “little dog”
Merritt (English) “from the boundary gate”
Miles (English, Latin) “soldier; merciful”
Ned (English) “wealthy guardian”
Nolan (Irish) “champion”
Otis (English) “wealth”
Owen (Welsh) “young warrior; well-born”
Palmer (English) “pilgrim; bearing a palm branch”
Patton (English) “fighter’s town”
Paxton (Latin) “peace town”
Percy (French) “pierce valley”
Pratt (English) “trick”
Price (Welsh) “son of Rhys”
Pax (Latin) “peaceful”
Quinn (Irish) “descendant of Conn”
Quinton (English) “queen’s settlement”
Radley (English) “red meadow”
Ramsey (English) “garlic island”
Reed (English) “red-haired”
Reese (Welsh) “enthusiastic; ardent”
Remy (French) “oarsman”
Rory (Irish) “red-haired king”
Rowan (Scottish, Irish) “little red-head; rowan tree”
Sampson (Hebrew) “sun”
Sonny (English) “son”
Soren (Danish) “stern”
Teddy (English) “divine gift”
Theo (Greek) “divine gift”
Toby (Greek) “God is good”
Truman (English) “faithful man”
Tuck (English) “garment maker”
Vincent (Latin) “victorious”
Wesley (English) “western meadow”
Wylie (Scottish) “from Wylye”
Boy Names Inspired By Famous Country Singers And Actors
Country Music Stars:
Alan (Irish) “handsome” - Alan Jackson
Billy (English) “resolute protection” - Billy Ray Cyrus
Blake (English) “swarthy; dark-haired” - Blake Shelton
Brooks (English) “dweller by the brook; stream” - Brooks & Dunn
Buck (English) “deer; cowboy” - Buck Owens
Cash (English) “maker of chests” - Johnny Cash
Charlie (English) “free man” - Charlie Daniels
Clint (English) “settlement on a hill” - Clint Black
Conway (English) “head smasher; yellow hound” - Conway Twitty
Darius (Persian) “maintains possessions well” - Darius Rucker
Dwight (English) “white or fair one” - Dwight Yoakam
Elvis (Scandinavian) “all wise” - Elvis Presley
RELATED: Elvis is also on our list of names that mean wise
Garth (English) “keeper of the garden” - Garth Brooks
George (Greek) “farmer” - George Strait, George Jones
Hank (German) “home ruler” - Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams Jr.
Hunter (English) “one who hunts” - Hunter Hayes
Jackson (English) “son of Jack” - Alan Jackson
Jimmie (Hebrew) “supplanter” - Jimmie Rodgers
Johnny (Hebrew) “God is gracious” - Johnny Cash
Josh (Hebrew) “Yahweh is salvation” - Josh Turner
Keith (Scottish) “wood” - Keith Urban
Kenny (Scottish) “helmeted chief” - Kenny Chesney, Kenny Rogers
Luke (Greek) “light giving” - Luke Bryan, Luke Combs
Marty (Latin) “dedicated to Mars” - Marty Robbins
Merle (French) “blackbird” - Merle Haggard
Randy (English) “wolf; protector” - Randy Travis
Rhett (English) “counsel; advice” - Thomas Rhett
Trace (English) “brave” - Trace Adkins
Travis (English) “toll collector, crossroads” - Travis Tritt
Waylon (English) “land by the road” - Waylon Jennings
Willie (German) “resolute protector” – Willie Nelson
Country Names Inspired By Male Actors:
Beau (French) “handsome” - Beau Bridges
Related: Beau is also on our list of aesthetic names for boys
Brad (English) “broad meadow” - Brad Paisley, Brad Pitt
Clint (English) “settlement on a hill” - Clint Eastwood
Cooper (English) “barrel maker” - Bradley Cooper
Denver (English, French) “green valley” - John Denver
Related: Denver is also on our list of names that mean green
Dustin (English) “brave warrior” - Dustin Lynch
George (Greek) “farmer” - George Clooney
Hudson (English) “son of Hudd” - Hudson from Hudson & Rex
Jackson (English) “son of Jack” - Jackson Rathbone
Jefferson (English) “son of Jeffrey” - Jefferson White (Yellowstone)
McCoy (Irish) “fire” - The Real McCoys (TV Show)
Nash (English) “dweller by the ash tree” - Reference to Nashville
Presley (English) “priest’s meadow” - Elvis Presley
Quaid (English) “son of Walter” - Dennis Quaid
Travis (English) “toll collector, crossroads” - Travis Fimmel (Vikings)
Tucker (English) “softener of cloth” - Marshall Tucker Band, Forrest Tucker
Wayne (English) “wagon driver” - John Wayne
Southern Boy Names From The Bible
The following biblical boy names are found in the Bible either as prophets, apostles, or historical figures who played important roles in history. Many were referenced from Behind The Name, which is a reputable source that provides etymology and meanings of names.
Aaron (Hebrew) “high mountain; exalted; strong”
Aaron was Moses’ older brother and was chosen by God to be a prophet. He often spoke for Moses and played a key role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
Abel (Hebrew) “breath”
Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, known for his tragic death at the hands of his brother Cain.
Southern Nickname: Abe
Abner (Hebrew) “father of light” - Abner is also on our list of names meaning light
Abner was the cousin of King Saul and the commander-in-chief of his army. He’s remembered for his role in Israel's early battles.
Asher (Hebrew) “happy; blessed”
Asher was one of Jacob’s twelve sons and the founder of the Tribe of Asher.
Southern Nickname: Ash
Benjamin (Hebrew) “son of the right hand”
Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel.
Southern Nickname: Ben or Benji
Caleb (Hebrew) “faithful; whole-hearted” - Caleb is also on our list of handsome boy names
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan.
Cyrus (Persian) “sun” - Cyrus is also on our list of names meaning sun
Cyrus the Great was the King of Persia who, according to the Bible, allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple after their exile.
Daniel (Hebrew) “God is my judge”
Daniel is known for the prophetic dreams and visions given to him by the lord, documented in the Book of Daniel. He is from the story where God sent an angel to save Daniel from the lions' den.
Elijah (Hebrew) “Jehovah is my God”
RELATED: Middle Names For Elijah
Elijah was a prophet known for his miracles and ascension to heaven in a whirlwind.
Southern Nickname: Eli
Elisha (Hebrew) “God is salvation”
Elisha was a prophet who followed in the footsteps of Elijah. He performed numerous miracles, including parting the Jordan River and healing Naaman's leprosy.
Ezekiel (Hebrew) “God’s strength”
Ezekiel was a prophet and priest who wrote the Book of Ezekiel, sharing visions of the destruction and restoration of Jerusalem.
Southern Nickname: Zeke
Gabriel (Hebrew) “God is my strength”
Gabriel is one of the archangels in the Bible, known for delivering important messages from God, including the announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary.
Southern Nickname: Gabe
Isaac (Hebrew) “he will laugh”
Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah, and father of Jacob and Esau.
Isaiah (Hebrew) “God saves”
The Hebrew name Isaiah comes from one of the most well-known prophets in the Bible. He prophesized the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ and was the Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named.
Ira (Hebrew) “watchful one”
Ira was one of King David’s mighty warriors and served as a royal official in his court.
Jacob (Hebrew) “supplanter”
Jacob, later named Israel, was a patriarch of the Israelites.
Southern Nickname: Jake
Jedidiah (Hebrew) “beloved of the Lord”
Jedidiah was the name given to King Solomon by the prophet Nathan.
Southern Nickname: Jed
Jeremiah (Hebrew) “God will uplift” - Jeremiah is also on our list of biblical boy names
Jeremiah was a major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.
Jesse (Hebrew) “the Lord exists”
Jesse was the father of King David.
Jethro (Hebrew) “overflow”
Jethro was the father-in-law of Moses and a priest of Midian who advised Moses on how to delegate leadership responsibilities.
John (Hebrew) “God is gracious”
John the Baptist was a key figure in the New Testament of the Bible. He baptized people, including Jesus, in the Jordan River. John told everyone that someone very important was coming soon. He was eventually imprisoned and beheaded by King Herod because of his teachings. He helped prepare the way for Jesus.
Jonah (Hebrew) “dove”
Jonah was a prophet in the Old Testament who was swallowed by a great fish after trying to flee from God’s command to preach in Nineveh.
Joshua (Hebrew) “Yahweh is salvation”
Joshua was Moses’ successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land after the Exodus.
Southern Nickname: Josh
Josiah (Hebrew) “God supports and heals”
Josiah was a righteous king of Judah who initiated major religious reforms and restored the worship of Yahweh.
Jude (Hebrew) “praised”
Jude was one of Jesus’ apostles, also known as Judas Thaddeus, and is the traditional author of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament.
Levi (Hebrew) “joined; attached”
Levi was one of Jacob’s sons and the ancestor of the Levite tribe.
Lucas (Latin) “bringer of light”
RELATED: Middle Names For Lucas
Lucas is derived from Luke, one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament and a companion of the Apostle Paul.
Southern Nickname: Luke
Luke (Greek) “light giving”
Luke was a physician and disciple of Paul, traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts in the New Testament.
Micah (Hebrew) “who is like God?”
Micah was a prophet in the Old Testament, known for foretelling the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.
Nathan (Hebrew) “gift of God”
Nathan was a prophet in the Old Testament who advised King David and played a key role in the story of David and Bathsheba.
Nathaniel (Hebrew) “gift of God”
Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew, was one of Jesus’s apostles.
Southern Nickname: Nate
Noah (Hebrew) “rest; repose”
RELATED: Middle Names For Noah
Noah was a righteous man chosen by God to build the ark and survive the Great Flood, ensuring the continuation of life on Earth.
Rufus (Latin) “red-head”
Rufus is mentioned in the New Testament as a believer greeted by Paul in Romans 16:13. Some scholars believe he may have been the son of Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross.
Samson (Hebrew) “of the sun”
Samson was a judge of Israel in the Old Testament, known for his incredible strength, which came from his uncut hair as part of a vow to God.
Samuel (Hebrew) “God has heard”
Samuel was a prophet and the last judge of Israel.
Southern Nickname: Sam
Silas (English, Latin) “wood forest”
Silas was a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys.
Simon (Hebrew) “flat-nosed”
Simon Peter was one of Jesus’s apostles.
Thaddeus (Aramaic) “gift of God”
Thaddeus was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, also known as Judas Thaddeus, and is traditionally considered the author of the Epistle of Jude in the New Testament.
Thomas (Aramaic) “twin”
Thomas was one of the twelve apostles, often referred to as “Doubting Thomas.”
Southern Nickname: Tom
Tobias (Hebrew, Greek) “God is good”
Tobias appears in the Book of Tobit, a deuterocanonical book, as the son of Tobit. He is guided by the archangel Raphael on a journey that leads to healing and restoration.
Southern Nickname: Toby
Zachariah (Hebrew) “the Lord has remembered”
Zachariah was a prophet in the Old Testament and the father of John the Baptist in the New Testament.
Southern Nickname: Zack
Country Boy Names Inspired By Southern Places
Austin (English) “great; magnificent” - Capital of Texas
RELATED: Austin is also on our list of two syllable boys names
Benton (English) “town in the bent grass” - Cities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky
Boone (English) “good” - Boone, North Carolina
Branson (English) “son of the raven” - Branson, Missouri
Buford (English) “hill by the river crossing” - Cities in Georgia and South Carolina
Calhoun (Scottish, Irish) “from the narrow woods; nook” - Cities in Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana
Camden (Scottish) “winding valley” - Cities in South Carolina and Alabama
Carlisle (English) “from the walled city” - Towns in Kentucky and Arkansas
Charleston (English) “free peasant’s settlement” - Charleston, South Carolina
Clinton (English) “town on a hill” - Cities in Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina
Dallas (Irish) “skilled” - Dallas, Texas
Dalton (English) “from the valley town” - Dalton, Georgia
Dayton (English) “bright and sunny town” - Cities in Tennessee and Texas
Ellington (English) “Ellis’ town” - Town in Florida
Forrest (English) "dweller near the woods” - Forrest City, Arkansas
Franklin (English) "free man” - Cities in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Kentucky
Garland (English) "wreath of flowers or leaves” - Garland, Texas
Guthrie (Scottish) “windy place” - Guthrie, Kentucky
RELATED: Guthrie is also on our list of names that mean wind
Hamilton (English) "flat-topped hill” - Hamilton, Alabama
Hartford (English) "stag ford” - Towns in Alabama and Arkansas
Hayden (English) "hay field” - Hayden, Alabama
Houston (Scottish) “Hugh’s town” - Houston, Texas
Jackson (English) “son of Jack” - Jackson, Mississippi, Jackson, Tennessee
Jefferson (English) “son of Jeffrey” - Cities in Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana
Knox (Scottish) “round hill” - Knoxville, Tennessee
Lincoln (English) “from the lake settlement” - Lincoln County, Tennessee
Livingston (English) “dear friend’s place” - Livingston, Texas
Macon (French) “mason” - Macon, Georgia
Marshall (French) “one who looks after horses - Marshall, Texas
Memphis (Greek) “established and beautiful” - Memphis, Tennessee
Monroe (Scottish) “from the mouth of the river” - Monroe, Louisiana
Montgomery (English) “from the hill of the powerful man” - Montgomery, Alabama
Parker (English) “park keeper” - Parker, Texas (near Dallas)
RELATED: Parker is also on our list of plant names for babies
Prescott (English) “from the Priest’s cottage” - Prescott, Arkansas
Preston (English) “priest’s estate” - Towns in Georgia and Texas
Remington (English) “place on a riverbank” - Remington, Virginia
Shelby (English) “estate on the lege” - Shelby, North Carolina (also a county in Tennessee)
Tennessee (Native American) “gathering place” - Named after the state
Trenton (English) “Trent’s town” - Trenton, Georgia
Troy (Irish) “descendant of foot soldier” - Troy, Alabama
Tyler (English) “maker of tiles” - Tyler, Texas
Vernon (English) “alder tree” - Vernon, Texas
Walker (English) “fuller of cloth” - Walker County, Georgia and Alabama
Wells (English) “from the well or spring” - Wells, Texas
Weston (English) “from the western town” - Weston, Florida
Wilson (English) “son of Will” - Wilson, North Carolina
Winston (English) “wine’s town” - Winston-Salem, North Carolina
We’d love to hear if you have any favorite country names from our list. Or maybe you’ve got a name suggestion that you’d like added?
Either way, leave a comment and let us know!
