Islands evoke images of ultimate escape and profound relaxation. With their stunning 360-degree coastlines, they gift us with unparalleled sunrises and sunsets. It’s no wonder that island-inspired boys’ names resonate deeply, forever linked to these idyllic locations. Parents are drawn to their laid-back vibes, their connection to heritage, or simply their inherent beauty. Whatever the reason, island-inspired names offer a unique and evocative choice for your little one. Let’s explore this captivating category and discover some standout names.
Island boys names often capture the spirit of specific island cultures. For example, Kai (sea), Keanu (the breeze), and Nakoa (brave) embody the essence of Polynesia.
- Kai: A short, sweet, and strong Polynesian name meaning "sea." It’s also found in other cultures with different meanings, adding to its versatility.
- Keanu: This Hawaiian name, popularized by actor Keanu Reeves, brings a gentle and breezy feel.
- Nakoa: Evokes a sense of courage and strength, reflecting the spirit of Polynesian warriors.
Caribbean influences shine through in names like Kingston, Domingo, and Santiago, reminiscent of vibrant island cities.
- Kingston: The capital of Jamaica, this name suggests royalty and strength.
- Domingo: Meaning "Lord," this Latin name has Spanish roots and is associated with Sunday.
- Santiago: Spanish for "Saint James," this name exudes a classic and sophisticated charm.
Discover the serene energy of Japan with Kenzo (healthy and wise), Ren (lotus), or Ryu (dragon).
- Kenzo: This popular Japanese name embodies health and intelligence, offering a positive and aspirational meaning.
- Ren: A simple yet elegant name meaning "lotus," symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
- Ryu: Meaning "dragon," this powerful name is steeped in Japanese mythology and represents strength and good fortune.
Explore the Filipino spirit with Bayani (hero) and Enteng (variant of Vicente), reflecting bravery and leadership.
- Bayani: Meaning "hero" in Tagalog, this name embodies courage and selflessness.
- Enteng: A playful and endearing nickname for Vicente, signifying conquest and victory.
Don’t overlook the timeless appeal of Greek names like Evander (good man) and Nicholas (victory of the people).
- Evander: This classic Greek name signifies goodness and strength of character.
- Nicholas: Meaning "victory of the people," this name has a rich history and exudes a sense of triumph.
Literally "Island": A Special Category
Some island boys names directly translate to "island," providing an undeniable connection to the theme. Inness, a Scottish name, simply means "island," as does Lyle, which hails from France.
- Inness: A charming Scottish name, short and sweet, perfect for those who love the simplicity of nature.
- Lyle: With French origins, Lyle offers a sophisticated and understated option.
Ramsey’s "garlic island" and Pitney’s "island of the stubborn one" offer more unique and quirky meanings.
- Ramsey: An English name meaning "garlic island."
- Pitney: An English name meaning "island of the stubborn one."
Eton, an English name meaning "island settlement," is another favorite. Beirney, Birkee, Blakeney, Bureig, Burney also mean Island.
Island Names Around the World
Some island boys names are actual island locations around the globe, lending a sense of adventure and wanderlust. Capri, a stunning Italian island, and Java, found in Indonesia, are excellent examples.
- Capri: This Italian island name evokes images of beauty, luxury, and stunning coastal landscapes.
- Java: Connected to the Indonesian island, this name suggests warmth, spice, and exotic adventures.
Consider Ithaca, Milos, and Rhodes for a touch of Greece, or Aman for a Malaysian connection.
- Ithaca: The legendary home of Odysseus, this Greek island name symbolizes adventure, resilience, and homecoming.
- Milos: A Greek island known for its stunning beaches and volcanic landscapes, this name suggests beauty and natural wonder.
- Rhodes: This Greek island name evokes images of roses and sunshine.
Kodiak, associated with the wild Alaskan island, means "island" in the Alutiiq language and offers the cute nickname Kodi.
- Kodiak: Connected to the wild Alaskan island.
Skye, off the Scottish coast, or Hawaiian options like Maui and Kauai can transport you to tropical paradises.
- Skye: This Scottish island name evokes misty landscapes and dramatic beauty.
- Maui: This Hawaiian island name conjures images of golden beaches, lush rainforests, and volcanic peaks.
- Kauai: Known as the "Garden Isle," this Hawaiian island name suggests lush landscapes and natural beauty.
Banks and Devon, connected to islands in Canada, offer a more subtle nod to the theme. Howe, Ireland, and Breton offer even more options.
- Banks: An English name meaning "Edge of the River."
- Devon: An English name meaning "Deep valley dweller."
- Hawaii: Polynesian name meaning "U.S. State."
- Jersey: An English name meaning "Grassy island."
A-Z List of Island Boys Names
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abner | Father of light | Hebrew | |
| Adney | The noble’s island | English | |
| Akamu | Of the earth | Polynesian | |
| Alexander | Defender of man | Greek | |
| Aloha | Love; greeting; family | Polynesian | Yes |
| Aman | Honest, faithful, trustworthy | Arabic | |
| Andros | Man, warrior | Greek | |
| Asai | Shallow well | Japanese | |
| Asmara | Love | Indonesian | Yes |
| Atlantis | Island of Atlas | Greek | |
| Atlas | Enduring | Greek | |
| Atwood | At the wood | English | |
| Avalon | Apple Island | Welsh | |
| Axel | My father is peace | Scandinavian | |
| Banks | Edge of the River | English | Yes |
| Bayani | Hero | Asian | |
| Bear | Strong, brave bear | German | |
| Beirney | Island of the brook | English | |
| Bimo | Brave | Indonesian | |
| Birkee | Island of birch trees | English | |
| Blakeney | Dark island; white island | English | |
| Breton | From Britanny or Britain | Latin | |
| Bureig | Lives on the brook island | English | |
| Burney | Island of the brook | English | |
| Cahya | The Light | Indonesian | Yes |
| Cameron | Crooked nose | Scottish | Yes |
| Capri | Italian Island | Italian | |
| Carey | A variant form of Caradoc | ||
| Carney | The winner | Irish | |
| Charles | Free man | German | |
| Clarence | One who lives near the River Clare | Latin | |
| Copper | Copper | English | |
| Cornwallis | Man from Cornwall | English | |
| Cristobal | Bearing Christ | Greek | |
| Cuba | Where fertile land is abundant | Ancient | |
| Cyprus | Type of tree | English | Yes |
| Damian | To tame | Greek | Yes |
| Dawson | Son of David | English | |
| Devon | Deep valley dweller | English | Yes |
| Domingo | Lord | Latin | |
| Dylan | Great tide | Welsh | Yes |
| Emong | Variant of Guillermo | Asian | |
| Enteng | Variant of Vicente | Asian | |
| Eton | Island settlement | English | |
| Evander | Good man | Greek | |
| Eyton | Island settlement | English | |
| Fraser | Of the forest men | Scottish | |
| Gardner | Keeper of the garden | English | Yes |
| Graham | Gravelled homestead | English | |
| Haaheo | Cherished with pride | Polynesian | |
| Halia | Memorial | Polynesian | |
| Halsey | Hal’s island | English | |
| Hanale | Variant of Henry | Polynesian | |
| Harris | Son of Harry | English | |
| Harto | Treasure | Indonesian | |
| Hawaii | U.S. State | Polynesian | Yes |
| Hawes | Hedged area | English | |
| Hilo | Hawaiian place name; "to twist" | Polynesian | |
| Hiroshi | Generous | Japanese | |
| Hisashi | Always, Ambition | Japanese | |
| Hockney | High island | English | |
| Hoffman | Courtier | German | |
| Holmes | Holly; islands in the river | English | |
| Howe | Lofty one; hill | German | |
| Ikaika | Strong | Polynesian | |
| Inggo | Variant of Domingo | Asian | |
| Inness | Island | Scottish | |
| Inys | From the river island | Irish | |
| Ioane | Variant of John | Polynesian | |
| Iokepa | Variant of Joseph | Polynesian | |
| Iolani | To fly like a hawk | Polynesian | |
| Ipo | Sweetheart, lover | Polynesian | Yes |
| Ireland | Homage to Ireland | American | |
| Isagani | Bountiful harvest | Asian | |
| Itamar | Palm island | Hebrew | |
| Ithaca | Home of Ulysses | Greek | Yes |
| James | Supplanter | English | Yes |
| Java | Island in Indonesia | Arabic | Yes |
| Jepoy | Form of Jeffrey | Asian | |
| Jersey | Grassy island | English | Yes |
| Jiraiya | Young thunder | Japanese | |
| Kai | Sea | Polynesian | Yes |
| Kainalu | Wavy sea | Polynesian | |
| Kaito | Sea, ocean; soar, fly | Japanese | |
| Kalani | The heavens, sky; royal one | Polynesian | Yes |
| Kardo | Variant of Ricardo | Asian | |
| Kasai | Fire | Japanese | |
| Kauai | Garden island | Polynesian | |
| Kealii | Chief | Polynesian | Yes |
| Keanu | The breeze | Polynesian | |
| Kenji | Intelligent second son; strong, vigorous | Japanese | |
| Kenzo | Healthy and wise | Japanese | |
| Keoni | God is gracious | Polynesian | |
| Kingston | King’s town | English | |
| Kitt | Bearing Christ | Greek | |
| Kodiak | Island | Native American | |
| Kokoy | Form of Francis | Asian | |
| Kona | Leeward | Polynesian | |
| Konala | World ruler | Polynesian | |
| Kulon | The West | Indonesian | |
| Lakalo | Form of Lazarus | Polynesian | |
| Lewis | A variant form of Louis | German | |
| Lindsay | Lincoln’s marsh; island of linden trees | English | Yes |
| Lulani | Highest Heaven | Polynesian | |
| Lundie | From the island grove | Scottish | |
| Lyle | The island | French | |
| Maarten | Variant of Martin | Dutch | |
| Mackenzie | Son of the wise ruler | Irish | Yes |
| Makoa | Bold one | Polynesian | |
| Manu | Bird | Polynesian | |
| Martin | Of Mars | Latin | |
| Maui | Trickster god | Polynesian | |
| Melville | Bad settlement | French | |
| Mentari | The Sun | Indonesian | Yes |
| Milos | Lover of glory; gracious and dear | Greek, Slavic | |
| Nakoa | Brave | Polynesian | |
| Nelson | “The son of Nell or Neal,” from Nell or Neal and son | English | |
| Nicholas | Victory of the people | Greek | |
| Niko | People of victory | Greek | Yes |
| Nohea | Handsome | Polynesian | |
| Ocean | Sea | Greek | |
| Palila | Bird | Polynesian | Yes |
| Patrick | Nobleman | Latin | |
| Pitney | Island of the stubborn one | English | |
| Ramsey | Garlic island | English | Yes |
| Ramzi | Garlic island | English | |
| Rangey | From raven’s island | English | |
| Ren | Lotus | Japanese | |
| Rhodes | Where roses grow | German | |
| Rico | Home ruler | Italian | |
| Riku | Land, Continent | Japanese | |
| Rimba | Jungle | Indonesian | Yes |
| Rodney | Roda’s island; island near the clearing | German | |
| Roosevelt | Rose field | Danish | |
| Rosario | Rosary | Latin | Yes |
| Ross | Headland, cape | Scottish | Yes |
| Rowley | Roughly cleared meadow | English | |
| Royal | Royal | English | |
| Ryu | Dragon | Japanese | |
| Samar | Evening conversations | Arabic | |
| Sampson | Sun | Hebrew | |
| Santiago | Saint James | Spanish | |
| Sebastian | Venerable or honorable | Greek | |
| Senen | Monday | Indonesian | |
| Shannon | Old, ancient | Gaelic | Yes |
| Sicily | Place name; scythe | Latin | Yes |
| Skye | Place name; island of clouds | English | Yes |
| Somerset | Summer settlement | English | |
| Sora | Sky | Japanese | Yes |
| Southerland | Southern island | ||
| Thurston | Thor’s stone | English | |
| Uilama | Form of William | Polynesian | |
| Vernon | Alder grove | French | |
| Vincent | Conquer | Latin | |
| Walker | Fuller of cloth | English | Yes |
| Wellington | “From the village having the spring,” based on the Anglo-Saxon wella (spring, well) and tun (village) | English | |
| Whitney | White island | English | Yes |
| Xandro | Defender of man | Greek | |
| Yama | Mountain | Japanese | |
| York | Boar settlement; yew settlement | English | |
| Yuda | War | Indonesian | |
| Zealand | From the Sea Land | Scandinavian | Yes |
With a diverse range of origins, meanings, and styles, island boys names offer a treasure trove of inspiration for your little one. From the tranquility of Polynesian breezes to the strength of Greek warriors, these names evoke a sense of adventure, relaxation, and connection to the natural world. Embrace the relaxed vibes and find the perfect island-inspired name for your son.
