80s names for baby boys: photos

Written by Charlotte McClure
A lot of people rave about the 80s being the best years, so why not pick a popular name from that time period for your little boy?
Whether you like to be different with your name choices, or you like timeless classics, there are plenty of names in this list to choose from:
Whether you like to be different with your name choices, or you like timeless classics, there are plenty of names in this list to choose from:
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Christopher
Christopher was derived from the Greek name Khristophorus, which is formed from the words khristos, meaning "christ" and pherein, "to bear".
Photo credit: Thinkstock
James
A Scottish and English name derived from the Latin word lacomus, meaning "heel" or "supplanter". If you'd like a biblical name, James is a good choice.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
David
David hails from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning "beloved," or "favourite". David is a biblical name, making it a good choice if you'd like to pick a name linked with faith.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Daniel
Daniel is derived from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, meaning "God is my judge". Daniel remains popular around the world, making it into the top 10 baby names of 2013 in Malaysia, Russia, and the US.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Michael
Michael is a Hebrew name and means, "who is like God". Michael has remained a popular choice and was a non-mover between 2012 and 2013 in the top baby names for boys.
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Matthew
Matthew is also derived from a Hebrew name and means, "gift of God". A strong, biblical name for a baby boy.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Andrew
The English and Scottish form of the Greek word andreios, meaning "manly". If you're a fan of tennis, why not name your boy after Britain's sporting hero, Andrew Murray?
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Richard
Richard is a Norman name and means "strong, brave" and "hard". Shakespeare liked the name Richard, using it several times for characters in his plays, making it a great choice for those who love literature.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Paul
From the Latin paulos, meaning "small" or "humble". Paul was ranked as the 4th most popular baby name in Germany in 2013 and is a lovely, traditional name for a boy.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Mark
Mark is the English form of Marcus, and the name is probably related to Mars. Mark was a particularly popular name in 1974 and is bound to make a comeback in the naming charts.
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Thomas
Thomas is the Greek form of the Aramaic name Teoma, meaning "twin". The name was popular in the 80s and it remains popular today, making it into the top 10 boys' names of 2013.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Adam
Derived from the Hebrew adama, meaning "birth" and a generic term for "man". Have a look at more biblical names for boys.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Robert
The name Robert means "bright" or "famous". If you like traditional names with a modern touch, why not shorten Robert to Bobbie?
Photo credit: Thinkstock
John
The name John hails from Hebrew Yochanan meaning "God is gracious". The biblical reference to John means it has always been a popular name. It was the most popular name for boys in Britain between the years of 1914 and 1953, but it slipped to the second most popular spot in 1954.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Lee
Derived from the old English name Leah, meaning "meadow" or "clearing". A short and simple name, perfect if you don't want your baby's name to be shortened at school!
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Anne Green-Armytage for BabyCenter
Stephen
The name Stephen is derived from the Greek word stephanos, meaning "garland" or "crown". This name could be shortened to Steve, or even Stevie.
Photo credit: Corbis/VCG / Corbis via Getty Images
Craig
Taken from the Scottish surname, which was originally from the Scottish Gaelic craeg meaning "rock". A nice choice if you'd like a strong, solid name for your boy.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Simon
Simon originates in Hebrew and means "harkening" or "listening". Why not start a new trend by picking a baby name that was popular in the past? Simon is a name that's bound to become popular again in the near future.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Nicholas
Hails from the Greek name Nikolaos. The name is combined of two elements, nike, meaning "victory", and laos, meaning "people". The name has recently made its way back into the top 100 names.
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Peter
Peter originates in Greece from the word petros, and means "stone" or "rock". Peter Parker is famously known as the comic superhero Spiderman.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Anthony
Derived from the Latin antonius, Anthony was a Roman family name thought to mean "priceless".
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Alexander
Alexander is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, composed of alexo, meaning "defend", and aner, meaning "man".
Photo credit: iStock.com
Ian
The name Ian is the Scottish version of the name John, meaning "God is gracious". A perfect choice of name, especially if your baby boy will have Scottish roots.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Gary
From the Germanic element gar, meaning "spear", Gary could be a short version of Gareth. This boys' name may well come back into fashion in the future.
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Ryan
Ryan originates in Ireland and means "king". Ryan is a name that has stayed in the most popular names chart for years.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Luke
Luke is the English version of the Greek name Loukas. A direct translation of Luke is "light giving". A short and sweet name for your little bundle.
Photo credit: Veer
Jamie
Jamie is a gender-neutral name and is another version of James, meaning "supplanter".
Photo credit: Veer
Stuart
From the old English surname Steward: stig means "house" and weard means "guard".
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Philip
Philip is an anglicised version of the name Philippos, taken from the words philos, meaning "friend", and hippos, meaning "horse".
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Jennifer Harrington for BabyCenter
Darren
The name Darren originates in English and in Irish. A lovely name for a boy, particularly if you're looking for a name with a shared heritage.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
William
William hails from the German name Wilahelm, Wil meaning "desire", and helm meaning "helmet protector". William is a name that never goes out of fashion, sitting just outside of the top 10 boys' names of 2013.
Photo credit: iStock.com / Marilyn Nieves
Gareth
Taken from Middle English, meaning "enclosure". This is a great choice for your boy if you'd like a name that isn't too popular.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Martin
The name Martin is derived from the Roman name Martinus, and the Latin martis, meaning "Mars", the Roman God of War. A classic name with a special link to the planets.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Kevin
Kevin is derived from the Irish name Caoimhin, which is from the Irish Gaelic coem, meaning "handsome", and gein, meaning "birth".
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Scott
The name Scott means "Scottish". If you're a fan of literature, why not name your baby after F Scott Fitzgerald, author of the novel The Great Gatsby?
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Dean
The name Dean was originally taken from the Old English word denu, meaning "valley". If you're a fan of traditional names, Dean is a brilliant choice.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Joseph
Joseph hails from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will give". Joseph features in the Bible as Mary's husband, making it a great choice for a winter baby.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Jason
Jason originates in Greece. It is derived from the name Lasen, which is adapted from the word iasthai, meaning "to heal". Jason is famous in Greek mythology for his search for the Golden Fleece.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Neil
Taken from the Irish Gaelic name, Niall, Neil potentially means "cloud", "passionate", or "champion". If unusual names interest you, this could be the name for your baby boy.
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Samuel
The name Samuel hails from the biblical name Shemu'el, meaning "God has heard". Samuel can be shortened to Sam for a more modern touch. Names with religious links have always been popular.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Carl
The name Carl is derived from the German and Scandinavian name Karl. The name was taken from the name Charles, and means "free man".
Photo credit: iStock.com / elenaleonova
Ben
A shorter form of the name Benjamin. Shortened versions of names were becoming popular in the 80s and are now commonplace in the 21st century.
Photo credit: Sam Edwards / OJO Images via Getty Images
Sean
The name Sean is the Irish version of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Timothy
A variant of the Greek name Timotheus, meaning "honouring God". Timothy can be shortened to Tim or Timmy.
Advertisement | page continues below
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Oliver
Taken from the Latin word olivius, meaning "olive tree". Oliver remains in the top baby names for boys and was the most popular name choice in 2013. Ollie, a shortened version of the name, was a new entry in the top 100 names of 2013.
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Ashley
Ashley is a gender-neutral name. It comes from the old English words aesc, meaning "Ash", and leah, meaning "wood".
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Wayne
Wayne is traditionally an English name, and used to refer to a cart driver. The name is derived from the word waegen meaning "wagon," or "cart".
Photo credit: iStock.com / AtomicSparkle
Edward
Edward is derived from the Old English words ead and wear, which together form "prosperous protector". Eight English kings have been called Edward, making it a great name if you'd like your baby's name to have a touch of royalty.
Photo credit: Anne Green-Armytage for BabyCenter
Aaron
From the Hebrew har-on, meaning "mountain of strength". In the Bible, Aaron was the older brother of Moses. Have a look at other timeless biblical names.
Not sure whether you're having a boy or a girl? Check out our video of unisex names.
See all names
Not sure whether you're having a boy or a girl? Check out our video of unisex names.
See all names
Advertisement | page continues below
Was this article helpful?
Yes
No
Track your pregnancy on our free #1 pregnancy & baby app
Advertisement | page continues below