European boy names offer a rich tapestry of history, meaning, and cultural significance, making them a fantastic choice for parents seeking a moniker with depth and character. From the romantic flair of French names to the strength and resilience embodied by Slavic choices, European names present a diverse and handsome collection. If you envision your son as a future globetrotter, consider one of these captivating selections.
Our exploration of European boy names begins in Spain, a country renowned for its passionate culture and vibrant language. Spain has gifted the world with many timeless names. Mateo, meaning "gift of God," has experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in the United States, making it a wonderful choice for families seeking a name that transcends linguistic boundaries. Luis, meaning "famous warrior," exudes strength and leadership, while Rafael, signifying "God heals," carries a spiritual connection. Joaquin, meaning "lifted by God," is another name resonating with faith and devotion. For parents prioritizing strength of character, Eduardo ("brave ruler") is a solid choice. If gentle spirits are more your preference, Damario ("gentle") offers a touch of softness.
Next, we venture to France, a nation synonymous with elegance and sophistication. Although many French names are familiar, some are underappreciated gems. Beau, meaning "handsome," is a simple yet charming option. Louis, meaning "famous warrior," has graced royalty and remains a classic. Modern-sounding choices like Cade (meaning "round, lumpish; cask") and Dax (a place name) offer a contemporary twist, while Andre ("manly") embodies traditional masculinity.
Italy, with its rich artistic heritage and melodic language, offers some of the most captivating European boy names. Leonardo, meaning "brave lion," conjures images of the Renaissance genius and embodies courage and creativity. Giovanni, the Italian variant of John, signifies "God is gracious." Lorenzo, meaning "laurel," evokes images of victory and honor, as laurel wreaths were historically awarded to victors. For a melodic name with a competitive edge, consider Emiliano or its shorter form, Emilio, both meaning "to rival."
Europe boasts a plethora of countries, each with its unique linguistic and cultural heritage. In Portugal, Amancio, meaning "loving," stands out for its warmth and affection. Scotland offers Fergus, a name signifying "supreme man" or "highest choice," reflecting strength and leadership. From Slavic nations, we find Janek and Branko, meaning "God is gracious" and "glorious defender" respectively. Wales, currently experiencing a surge in popularity in the United States, presents names such as Owen ("noble born"), Dylan ("great tide"), and Evan ("God is gracious"). For parents seeking less common choices, Scandinavia offers treasures such as Bartram ("bright raven"), Osmund ("God’s protection"), and Rolf (a short form of Rudolph or Randolph, meaning "famous wolf" or "wise counsel wolf").
Here’s a broader list to spark your imagination:
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adler | Eagle | German | |
| Ado | Awe-inspiring; noble | European | Yes |
| Adonis | Lord | Greek | |
| Adrian | From Hadria | Latin | Yes |
| Aiden | Little fire | Irish | |
| Akos | Falcon | Hungarian | |
| Alaric | Noble, regal ruler | German | |
| Albert | Noble, bright, famous | German | |
| Alejandro | Defender of man | Spanish | |
| Alexander | Defender of man | Greek | |
| Alfie | Elf or magical counsel; ready for battle | German | Yes |
| Alfred | Elf or magical counsel | English | |
| Amancio | Loving | Portuguese | |
| Andre | Manly | French | Yes |
| Andrew | Manly and powerful | Greek | |
| Andrin | Ruler of the Home | European | |
| Angelo | Messenger of God | Italian | |
| Angus | One choice | Celtic | |
| Anthony | Unknown meaning | Latin | |
| Antoine | French form of Antony/Anthony | French | |
| Anton | German/Russian form of Antony/Anthony | Slavic | |
| Antonio | Unknown meaning | Italian | |
| Ara | King | Armenian | Yes |
| Archie | Diminutive of Archibald | English | |
| Ares | Ruin | Greek | |
| Arjan | From Adria | Dutch | |
| Armando | Soldier | German | |
| Armani | Son of Armand | Italian | |
| Arnulfo | Eagle wolf | Spanish | |
| Arthur | Bear | Celtic | |
| Arvin | People’s friend | German | |
| Atlas | Enduring | Greek | |
| Atreus | Fearless | Greek | |
| Atticus | From Attica | Latin | |
| August | To increase | Latin | |
| Axel | My father is peace | Scandinavian | |
| Bardric | Axe-ruler | European | |
| Bartram | Bright raven | Scandinavian | |
| Bastijn | Revered | Dutch | |
| Beau | Handsome | French | Yes |
| Bellamy | Handsome friend | French | |
| Bendek | Blessed | Polish | |
| Bernard | Strong, brave bear | German | |
| Boris | Small; battle glory | Slavic | |
| Branko | Glorious defender | Slavic | |
| Breck | Freckled; gap | Gaelic | Yes |
| Brennan | Teardrop | Irish | Yes |
| Brogan | Sturdy shoe | Irish | Yes |
| Bruno | Brown | German | |
| Cade | Round, lumpish; cask | French | Yes |
| Callan | Battle; rock | Scottish | Yes |
| Callum | Dove | Scottish | |
| Cannon | Official of the church | French | |
| Carlo | Free man | Spanish | |
| Carlos | Free man | Spanish | |
| Cassius | "The helmeted warrior" | Latin | |
| Cesar | Thick head of hair | Latin | |
| Chandler | Candle maker, seller | French | Yes |
| Charles | Free man | German | |
| Conley | Pure, chaste, sensible | Gaelic | |
| Connor | Dog lover | Irish | |
| Conrad | Brave, bold ruler or counsel | German | |
| Cosmin | Order | European | |
| Cosmo | Order, organization, beauty | Italian | |
| Craig | Rock, rocky | Scottish | |
| Damario | Gentle; calf | Spanish | |
| Damien | To tame | French | |
| Damon | One who tames, subdues | Greek | |
| Dante | Enduring | Latin | |
| Dariel | Open; from Airelle | French | |
| Dax | Place name | French | |
| Declan | Full of goodness | Irish | |
| Derenik | Monk | Armenian | |
| Desmond | From South Munster | Irish | |
| Dezso | Desired | Hungarian | |
| Diego | Saint James | Spanish | |
| Dirk | Dutch equivalent of Theodoric | Danish | |
| Dominic | Of the Lord | Latin | |
| Donovan | Darkened | Irish | |
| Dorian | Descendant of Dorus; from Doris | Greek | Yes |
| Duncan | Dark warrior; brown fighter | Scottish | |
| Dylan | Great tide | Welsh | Yes |
| Eduardo | Wealthy guard | Spanish | |
| Eduarte | Wealthy Guardian | Portuguese | |
| Eiden | Fire | Gaelic | |
| Elian | Variant of Elijah | Spanish | |
| Emiliano | Rival | Italian | |
| Emilio | To rival | Italian | |
| Emory | Home strength | German | |
| Enrique | Home ruler | Spanish | |
| Enzo | From Laurentum | Italian | |
| Ernesto | Serious; battle to the death | German | |
| Evan | God is gracious | Welsh | Yes |
| Everett | Brave boar | English | |
| Ewan | Born of yew; youth; God is gracious | Welsh | |
| Federico | Peaceful ruler | Spanish | |
| Fergus | Supreme man; highest choice | Scottish | |
| Finn | Fair | Irish | |
| Florian | Flower | Slavic | |
| Francisco | From France | Spanish | |
| Gian | God is gracious | Italian | |
| Giovanni | God is gracious | Italian | |
| Gonzalo | Battle | Spanish | |
| Govert | God peace | Dutch | |
| Gunnar | Battler, warrior | German | |
| Hadley | Heather meadow | English | Yes |
| Hansen | Son of Hans | Scandinavian | |
| Henrik | Home ruler | German | |
| Henry | Home ruler | English | |
| Horacio | Timekeeper | Latin, Spanish | |
| Hovan | Form of John | Armenian | |
| Ian | God is gracious | Scottish | |
| Iason | Healer | Greek | |
| Icarus | Follower | Greek | |
| Ignacio | Spanish/Portuguese form of Ignatius | Portuguese, Spanish | |
| Irving | Green or fresh water | Gaelic | |
| Irwin | Boar friend | English | |
| Ivano | God is gracious | Slavic | |
| Jairo | He shines | Spanish | |
| James | Supplanter | English | Yes |
| Janek | God is gracious | Slavic | |
| Jano | God is gracious | Slavic | |
| Javier | New house | Spanish | |
| Jedrick | A strong man | Polish | |
| Joaquin | Lifted by God | Spanish | |
| Jorge | Farmer | Spanish | |
| Jose | Jehovah will increase | Spanish | |
| Juan | God is gracious | Spanish | |
| Julius | Youthful and downy | Greek | |
| Kaiser | Emperor | German | |
| Kasimir | Famous destroyer (of peace) | Slavic | |
| Kazimierz | Famous destroyer (of peace) | Slavic | |
| Keegan | Descendant of Aodhagan | Irish | |
| Keller | Cellar | German | |
| Kevork | Farmer | Armenian | |
| Kian | Ancient; God is gracious | Irish | |
| Kirkan | Watchful | Armenian | |
| Klaus | Victory of the people | German | |
| Klein | Small | German | |
| Knoz | Bold advisor | Polish | |
| Kosta | Constant, Steadfast | Bulgarian | |
| Kostya | Constant | Slavic | |
| Lachlan | From the land of lakes | Irish | |
| Ladislaus | Glorious rule | Slavic | |
| Lazlo | Glorious rule | Slavic | |
| Leandro | Lion man | Greek | |
| Leo | Lion | Latin | |
| Leon | Lion | Greek | |
| Leonard | Lion strength | German | |
| Leonardo | Brave lion | Italian | |
| Leopold | Brave people | German | |
| Lewis | Variant of Louis | German | |
| Lolek | Free Man | Polish | |
| Lorenzo | Laurel | Italian | |
| Louis | Famous warrior | French | |
| Luca | From Lucania | Italian | |
| Lucius | From Lucanus | Greek | |
| Lukas | From Lucania | German | |
| Lyuben | Loved | Bulgarian | |
| Maddox | Son of Madoc | Welsh | |
| Magar | Lucky | Armenian | |
| Magnus | Great | Latin | |
| Malcolm | Devotee of Saint Columba | Scottish | |
| Manuel | God is with us | Spanish | |
| Marcel | Belonging to Mars | French | |
| Marcus | Dedicated to Mars | Latin | |
| Mariano | Manly | Spanish | |
| Marquis | Nobleman; lord of the borderlands | French | |
| Mateo | Gift of God | Spanish | |
| Matias | Gift of God | Portuguese | |
| Maximiliano | Greatest | Spanish | |
| Maximus | Greatest | Latin | |
| Miguel | Who is Like God? | Spanish | |
| Milo | Soldier | German | |
| Mirko | Peaceful glory | Slavic | |
| Neil | Champion | Scottish | |
| Nicholas | Victory of the people | Greek | |
| Nico | People of victory | Greek | Yes |
| Nikolai | People of victory | Greek | |
| Nikolaj | Victory of the people | Danish | |
| Nishan | Sign | Armenian | |
| Noel | Christmas | French | Yes |
| Nolan | Child of nobility | Irish | Yes |
| Oisin | Small deer | Gaelic | |
| Oliver | Olive tree | English | |
| Orlando | "The fame of the land" | Spanish | |
| Osmund | God’s protection | Scandinavian | |
| Otto | Wealth | German | |
| Ovidio | Sheep Herder | Spanish | |
| Owen | Noble born | Welsh | |
| Phillip | Horse lover | Greek | |
| Quade | Son of Uaid | Gaelic | |
| Quennel | Small oak | French | |
| Quentin | Fifth | Latin | |
| Quillan | Cub | Irish | |
| Quincy | Estate of the fifth son | French | Yes |
| Radko | Care, Joy | Bulgarian | |
| Ramon | Spanish form of Raymond | Spanish | |
| Randall | Wolf shield | German | |
| Raul | Wolf counsel | Spanish | |
| Remy | From Rheims | French | Yes |
| Rhys | Enthusiasm | Welsh | |
| Ricardo | Brave ruler | Spanish | |
| Roan | Little red-head | Gaelic | |
| Roark | Champion | Gaelic | |
| Roberto | Bright fame | Italian | Yes |
| Rocco | Rest | Italian | |
| Rogan | Red-headed | Irish | |
| Rolando | Renowned land | Spanish | |
| Rolf | Short form of Rudolph/Randolph | Scandinavian | |
| Romeo | Man from Rome | Italian | |
| Romero | Roman | Italian | |
| Ronan | Little seal | Irish | |
| Rory | Red king | Irish | Yes |
| Rosendo | Famous path; victory road | Portuguese, Spanish | |
| Santiago | Saint James | Spanish | |
| Santino | The saints | Spanish | |
| Sebastian | Venerable or honorable | Greek | |
| Sergio | Servant | Italian | |
| Shea | Admirable | Gaelic | Yes |
| Slavomir | Renowned glory | European | |
| Soren | Stern | Danish | |
| Sullivan | Dark eyed | Irish | |
| Tadeo | Spanish form of Thaddeus | Spanish | |
| Tesla | Of the axe | Slavic | Yes |
| Theo | God’s gift | Greek | Yes |
| Thiago | Supplanter | Portuguese | |
| Tomir | Taming | Slavic | |
| Torben | Thunder bearer | Danish | |
| Torin | Chief | Gaelic | |
| Travis | To cross over | French | |
| Udale | Yew-tree valley | English | |
| Udolf | Wolf-wealth | English | |
| Ulberto | Bright or shining intellect | German | |
| Ulf | Wolf | German | |
| Ullric | Power of the wolf; power of the home | German | |
| Valko | Wolf | Bulgarian | |
| Vasska | Royal, Kingly | Slavic | |
| Vaughn | Little | Welsh | |
| Vidal | Life-giving | Spanish | |
| Vincent | Conquer | Latin | |
| Vincenzo | Prevailing | Latin | |
| Viturin | Winner, conqueror | European | |
| Vladimir | Renowned prince | Slavic | |
| Wesley | Western meadow | English | |
| William | A willing protector | German | |
| Wilmer | Strong desire | German | |
| Wolfgang | Traveling wolf | German | |
| Xandros | Form of Alexander | Hungarian | |
| Xanti | Short form of Xantiago | Portuguese | Yes |
| Xavi | New house | Spanish | |
| Xavier | New house | Spanish | |
| Yago | He who supplants | Welsh | |
| Yahir | Handsome | Spanish | |
| Yale | Heights, upland; fertile moor | Welsh | |
| Yardley | Fenced meadow | English | |
| Yasen | Ash Tree | Bulgarian | |
| Yorik | Farmer | Greek | |
| York | Boar settlement; yew settlement | English | |
| Yule | Winter solstice | English | |
| Yves | Yew | French | |
| Zajac | Rabbit | Polish | Yes |
| Zareh | Tears | Armenian | |
| Zeger | Victorious | Dutch | |
| Zelimir | Desire for Peace | Slavic | |
| Zeroun | Respected, Wise | Armenian | |
| Zoltan | Life | Hungarian | |
| Zoren | Happiness | European | |
| Zorion | Happy | Portuguese |
Selecting a name is an important decision, and exploring the world of European boy names offers a chance to find a unique and meaningful choice for your son. Consider the sounds, meanings, and cultural origins to discover a name that resonates with your family’s values and aspirations. These European Boy Names for Your Globetrotter are sure to make a splash.
