Boy Names Starting with B

The Names at a Glance

• Baldur: This name originates from Old Norse. The frequently cited translation "the lord" or "the prince" is an interpretation; what is certain is that in Norse mythology, Baldur is the god of light.
• Balthasar: This name traces back to Akkadian. The documented meaning is "Bel protect the king." Bel was a Babylonian deity.
• Barnabas: A name of Aramaic origin. It is widely translated as "son of encouragement" or "son of consolation," though this is regarded as an interpretation and is not definitively established in onomastic research.
• Bastian: Documented as a short form of Sebastian. The Greek linguistic base means "the venerable" or "person from Sebaste."
• Bela: A name of uncertain origin, widely used primarily in Hungarian- and Slavic-speaking regions. It is often linked to the Slavic word for "white," though this is only one of several interpretations.
• Ben: Very frequently chosen as an independent short form of Benjamin or Benedikt.
• Bence: The Hungarian form, historically documented as a variant of Benedikt or Vinzenz.
• Benedikt: Traces back to the Latin name Benedictus. The established linguistic meaning is "the blessed one."
• Benjamin: A biblical name of Hebrew origin. The documented meaning is "son of the right hand" or "son of the south."
• Bennet: The English evolution of the name Benedikt. It shares with it the Latin meaning "the blessed one."
• Benno: Documented as an old German short form for names beginning with "Bern-", such as Bernhard. The Old High German word base stands for "bear."
• Birk: A Scandinavian short form primarily tracing back to the name Burkhard.
• Bjarne: A Scandinavian name documented to trace back to the Old Norse word for "bear."
• Björn: The Swedish and Icelandic form, which, like Bjarne, directly means the word for "bear."
• Bo: This short name has various origins and meanings. In Scandinavia, it is a short form of names containing the element "búa" (to dwell, to live). The name also exists in Chinese, where it is often interpreted as "wave."
• Bodo: An old German name. The Old Saxon word root definitively means "messenger."
• Boris: The origin of this name is not definitively resolved. It is often interpreted as a Slavic short form of Borislav ("glorious in battle"), but it could also trace back to a Turkic word for "wolf" or "snow leopard."
• Bosse: Documented as a Swedish diminutive of the name Bo.
• Brian: A name from the Celtic linguistic area. The older word meaning is not definitively confirmed; it is widely interpreted as "high" or "noble."
• Bruno: An Old High German name. The documented meaning is "the brown one" or also "the bear."

Pronunciation and Combining with the Last Name

The letter B is a voiced plosive. In contrast to the voiceless P, it is spoken with less air pressure. This has practical effects on the sound of the full name. If the first name ends with a vowel (as with Bela or Benno), it creates a very smooth transition to the last name.

When pairing it with your last name, pay attention to alliteration. When the first and last name both begin with B (for example, "Ben Becker"), it can sound very memorable. However, some parents find it too dominant. It is best to say the full name out loud a few times. Also check the initials: combinations like B. S. or B. M. are completely unproblematic, whereas other letter combinations might bring up unintended associations in everyday life.

How to Narrow Down Your Selection

If you like several names starting with B, taking a systematic approach helps. Consider whether you are looking for a short form that leaves no room for a nickname, or a longer name that you can shorten later on. In the HeyName app, you can rate names independently of each other as a favorite, maybe, or not a match. Names that both of you have marked as a favorite will then appear as mutual matches. This allows you to quickly see which B names you already agree on and discuss this shortlist together.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

Back to this topic: Boy names