You know, naming a child is a big responsibility, and honestly, it feels like raising a boy right now is, too. There is more discussion than ever about toxic masculinity and how we parents must focus on instilling emotional intelligence in our boys from day one, lest they never have healthy feelings again. Maybe you’re both on board – more power to you – or maybe you just like the way they sound, but pastel baby boy names feel like a really beautiful way to honor your baby boy’s tenderness.
Over the past few years, the most popular baby names in America have been old-school, classic names—like Oliver, Theodore, and William. Then there are naming trends, such as Western names—think Axel, Dutton, Buck—that may feel too difficult for little ones. Soft baby boy names feel timeless, like they could belong to a sensitive, artsy boy in any decade’s class. Often, we associate names with many sounds with softness – Rs, Ls, Ss, long Os – all derived from Hebrew, so even if you don’t find the perfect name here, maybe more Studying Hebrew names can unearth the correct one. But for now, here are 16 ideas to get you started.
01river
What could be a more tender thought than a meandering river? For parents who are leaning toward water names anyway, River should also be at the top of your list of gentle name choices. Oceans and bays also come to mind.
02ila
The name Ella can be found in the Torah and the Bible. It means “vigilance”, “wind”, “peace” and “tranquility”. It’s perfect for babies who don’t cry when they’re born, have eyes wide open, and have accepted everything.
03Milo
The German name Milo means “merciful” and is derived from the Latin “miles” meaning “soldier”. Milo was quite popular in the early 1900s, has experienced a resurgence in popularity since the early 2000s, and is currently one of the more popular boys’ names in the United States, but it remains one of the sweetest, softest baby boy names.
04Asa
Asa is a unisex name of Hebrew origin meaning “healer.” It also has connections to the Old Testament, so it may have special appeal to religious parents.
05Remy
Remy is a French name meaning “oarsman” or “rower”. If you prioritize being a team player or being around the water is special to you, this is a great nod to your family virtues.
06Finn
Finn means “blessed” in Scandinavian and can be an abbreviation of Finley or stand on its own as a monosyllabic boy’s name. Thanks to Huckleberry Finn, the name feels closely associated with childhood adventures and good-natured mischief.
07Shiloh
Shiloh also has biblical connections: it is the name of a biblical city mentioned in Genesis. It is also Hebrew and has some special meanings, such as “tranquility,” “peace,” or “a gift from God.”
08Noah
A baby name that means “rest” or “rest” may seem like wishful thinking for a newborn, but I’m sure it will make sense to your little boy as he gets older. Note that if you like unique names, Noah is currently the second most popular boy’s name in the United States, so it should be avoided.
09stop
Quinn sounded like a relaxed sigh, very gentle. It also has many lovely meanings: “bright spirit”, “heart” and “mind”. It’s a beautiful name for a baby boy and will last for years to come throughout your son’s life.
10Rory
gilmore girls Associations aside, Rory is a very cute name for a little boy and very charming for an adult man. It’s a derivative of the ancient Irish name meaning “Red King,” so it’s a fun choice if your baby happens to have copper-colored hair.
11teddy
Theo gets a lot of hype these days as Theodore’s “it” nickname, but let’s be honest, there’s no softer name than Teddy. The image of a little stuffed bear it evokes is too sweet to pass on.
12Joel
This one-syllable name is classic and easily recognizable, but not overused. This is another Hebrew name, this time meaning “Jehovah is God.” If you like names starting with N, Noel is a good choice.
13Eliot
Eliot also happens to mean “The Lord is my God,” which is a cool-sounding name for a boy or girl. All the consonants in it still sound soft and really roll off the tongue.
14Patsy
A meaning like “one who penetrates the valley” is obviously not gentle, but the name Percy still has the feel of a gentle boy’s name. It has French origins and is probably most famous thanks to the Percy Jackson book series, giving the name a touch of magic.
15Elias
This is another Hebrew name – a derivative of Elijah – which also means “The Lord is my God.” Currently, it’s the 35th most popular baby boy name in the United States, so it won’t win any originality contests, but if you really like it, you won’t regret choosing this name.
16Emery
This British name has connotations such as “ruler”, “diligence” and “power”, which contrasts with its soft sound. It was originally a surname and later became popular as a name for baby girls, but it is equally suitable for little boys.
So, what kind of cute boy name is suitable for you?
