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  3. Our Favorite Double Names for Boys

Our Favorite Double Names for Boys

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated December 29, 2020
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Beau Alexander
Credit: Getty Images

It is not just Jack. It's actually Jack Wyatt. In the South, we take our double names quite seriously.John Dawson. William Russell. John Michael. In the South, when it comes to naming our boys, double names just roll off the tongue. Two names meant to always be together, not just for when he is causing a stir and Mama has to holler at him. When he and Dad are out fishing, it will be Henry Knox sitting at that pond, not Henry. Grandma will always be calling her little peanut by his proper double name. It goes without saying that double names, just like family names, are very popular. Here are a few of our favorite double names for your boys.

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Beau Alexander

Beau Alexander
Credit: Getty Images

Unlike double names for girls, boys' names typically begin with a shorter, one-syllable name. Beau may be one of the most beloved Southern names. Just because it means "beautiful" doesn't mean that it isn't masculine—especially when paired with a name like Alexander, which means "defender of man."

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David Emmett

Toddler Riding Red Bike
Credit: M Swiet Productions/Getty

David means "adored," and Emmett means "entire." Great match.

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David Hollis

Baby Boy Name Southern City: McLean, VA
Credit: Morsa Images/Abel Mitja Varela/Getty Images

This name is ideal for Christmas babies. The Biblical figure of David is connected with the holiday season, and Hollis, or Holly, is a classic holiday symbol.

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Jack Wyatt

Baby Boy Surprised
Credit: Moodboard Stock Photography Ltd./Getty

Wyatt, which means "courageous in battle," is a timeless Southern name.

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John Dale

Baby Boy with Chubby Cheeks
Credit: Moodboard Stock Photography Ltd./Getty

Dale used to refer to someone who lived near a valley, which is just right for a boy born and raised in Southern flat lands.

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John David

Toddler Boy Sleeping in Crib
Credit: baobao ou/Getty

Meaning "adored" and "God's mercy," this name is a classic, through and through.

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John Dawson

Baby Boy Taking Bath in Sink
Credit: Noah Clayton/Getty

John, which traces its origins back to the Bible, is one of the most popular choices. Here, it's followed by Dawson, which means "son of David."

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John Everett

Blonde Toddler Making Funny Face
Credit: Dimitri Otis/Getty

Everett is inspired by the name Everard, which was used in the Middle Ages to mean "brave boar."

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John Hayes

Toddler Walking with Ducks
Credit: iwonapodlasinska/Getty

Quite fitting for a Southern boy, Hayes means "one who lives by the brush."

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John Michael

Toddler Boy on White
Credit: Mike Kemp/Getty

In addition to being one of the most popular double names for boys, the name John Michael is shared with John Michael Bishop, a Noble Peace Prize winning physician.

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John Morgan

Baby Boy Crawling
Credit: Plume Creative/Getty

Here's another very common male double name. Morgan means "great circle."

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John Preston

Baby Boy in Gray
Credit: ZoneCreative S.r.l./Getty

Preston means "from the priest's town."

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John Tyler

Baby Boy in Blue
Credit: Wavebreak Media LTD/Getty

Born in Virginia, John Tyler was the 10th U.S. President.

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Noah Presley

Toddler Licking Spoon
Credit: Getty Images

Noah means "rest and comfort," and Presley can be traced back to years before Elvis (although, that's enough). Presley also means "of the priesthood."

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Robert Mills

Boy Playing with Pots
Credit: Getty Images

Robert means "brilliant fame," which may explain the number of notable Southern Roberts. For example, architect Robert Mills is known for designing the Washington Monument.

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Roy Lee

Boy with Birthday Cake
Credit: Carlo A/Getty

Inspired by the King of Cowboys himself, Roy Rogers (whose birth name was actually Leonard). Roy Lee means "King of the clearing."

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Russell Davis

Toddler Walking in Rain
Credit: Redheadpictures/Getty

Davis is a name that will always be associated with the South, but its roots are actually much older. Derived from the Bible, it means "adored."

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Sawyer Ford

Baby Boy Laying on Tummy
Credit: Resolution Productions/Blend Images/Getty

There are boys who share a name with a few notables like Harrison Ford, Henry Ford, and Mark Twain's well-loved Missouri mischief-maker, Tom Sawyer.

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William Henry

Southern Baby Name Southern City: Franklin, TN
Credit: Sarah Wolfe Photography/Getty Images

William is another popular choice, which means "strong minded and protecting." Henry means "ruling," and that's quite appropriate because William Henry was the 9th president of the USA.

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William Jennings

Toddler Boy Being Funny
Credit: Getty Images

This one is longer, but one of our favorites. Jennings is derived from John, which means "God is merciful."

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William Russell

Toddler Doing Headstand
Credit: Yuji Kotani/Getty

A lively name for a lively boy. Traditionally, the name Russell meant red-headed, however there are plenty of males with that name bearing hair of different hues. Combined with William, which means "strong-minded," you may have yourself a hot-headed fellow. Consider yourself warned.

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William West

Boy Playing Drum with Pot
Credit: Getty Images

William Westmoreland was a U.S. Army General who made a name for himself as commander of American troops in Vietnam.

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Bobby Jack

Bobby Jack
Credit: d3sign/Getty Images

If your family already has a Robert Sr., Robert Jr., and so on, switch it up with a double name that starts with "Bobby."

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Jack David

Jack David
Credit: Carolyn Brandt/Getty Images

Even though double names feel inherently formal, Jack is a laidback way to start one. A popular name from the Bible, David means "beloved."

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James Avery

James Avery
Credit: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images

We love this pairing of an old-school name and a modern name.

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John Henry

John Henry
Credit: Tatiana Dyuvbanova/Getty Images

This combination of two old-fashioned names rolls right off the tongue.

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John Mark

John Mark
Credit: Catherine Delaaye/Getty Images

This double name combines two Biblical names, and it's only two syllables, which makes it easier to say.

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John Paul

John Paul
Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images

Catholic parents-to-be recall this name from two past popes, but it's also an English version of Jean-Paul, a popular French name.

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Matthew David

Matthew David
Credit: FamVeld/Getty Images

A combination of two biblical names, this double name is as traditional as it gets.

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Thomas Owen

Thomas Owen
Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images

Apparently, Owen comes from a word that means "young warrior" and "well-born," and those meanings seem like good omens for a strong, confident young man.

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Tyler James

Tyler James
Credit: MonicaNinker/Getty Images

Even though Tyler is one of our favorite gender-neutral names, it's decidedly masculine when paired with a classic boy name like James.

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Walker James

Walker James
Credit: ljubaphoto/Getty Images

Fun fact: Both former president Bush's middle names are Walker.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 32 Beau Alexander
    2 of 32 David Emmett
    3 of 32 David Hollis
    4 of 32 Jack Wyatt
    5 of 32 John Dale
    6 of 32 John David
    7 of 32 John Dawson
    8 of 32 John Everett
    9 of 32 John Hayes
    10 of 32 John Michael
    11 of 32 John Morgan
    12 of 32 John Preston
    13 of 32 John Tyler
    14 of 32 Noah Presley
    15 of 32 Robert Mills
    16 of 32 Roy Lee
    17 of 32 Russell Davis
    18 of 32 Sawyer Ford
    19 of 32 William Henry
    20 of 32 William Jennings
    21 of 32 William Russell
    22 of 32 William West
    23 of 32 Bobby Jack
    24 of 32 Jack David
    25 of 32 James Avery
    26 of 32 John Henry
    27 of 32 John Mark
    28 of 32 John Paul
    29 of 32 Matthew David
    30 of 32 Thomas Owen
    31 of 32 Tyler James
    32 of 32 Walker James

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