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Whoa, Nelly! Western baby names are having a moment right now, giving new meaning to the popular lyrics “Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.” In fact, the popularity of cowboy names (and cowgirl names!) has risen considerably, according to the name trackers at sites including the Everymom, Nameberry and BabyCenter, who’ve identified dozens of Western names that are trending in 2025.

Whether you’re poring over baby names for an impending arrival or just because it’s fun (our guilty pleasure over here!), you’re in the right place. Read on to find out why these Wild West names are white-hot right now and get an array of Western baby names ranging from cool to cute for wee ranchers about to ride into town.

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Why are Western baby names trending right now?

Much of our country’s roots are firmly based in the Old West, which makes Western baby names as American as apple pie. But country music’s growing crossover appeal is what’s causing these names to surge right now. “Just look at Psy’s comeback hit ‘That That,’ Post Malone’s country-music pivot and Jelly Roll featuring on nearly every radio song,” says Rebekah Wahlberg, a specialist in baby-name trends at BabyCenter. And of course, let’s not forget what’s probably the biggest influence of all: Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, which won Album of the Year at this year’s Grammys.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg—er, prairie. On TV, you’ll find shows like Yellowstone, 1883, American Primeval and Justified. And in the fashion world, major design labels are producing Western-themed collections, such as Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton, and Isabel Marant. Queen Bey has also been sporting a classic Stetson as of late. Even if you don’t want to spend a bundle looking humble, you can find all sorts of affordable denim, colorful bandannas, cowboy boots and fringed accessories just about anywhere.

What’s different about 2025’s Western names?

While you’ll still find country classics and vintage names—like Dolly and Lucille for girls and Clint and Walker for boys—on 2025’s list, there will also be plenty of modern names that draw inspiration from this genre. For example, some might be more about nature (think: Honey, Pearl and River for girls), while others might be city-themed Wild West names for boys (Cody, Denver and Jackson) or girls (Cheyenne and Sierra). Yet others come directly from the world of country music, like Cash, Conway and Travis.

According to data from BabyCenter, a few Western names have risen steadily over the past year. For example, Winona jumped 291 spots in 2024, says Wahlberg, and Houston (for boys) climbed 136 spots.

Have any Western baby names cracked the top 100?

Some old-school Western monikers—like Levi, which holds the No. 7 slot in the top male names of 2024—continue to rise in popularity. There’s also Emmylou, a country version of Emma, which came in at No. 3 on Everymom’s list. BabyCenter has also seen Western names crack the top 100, according to Wahlberg.

“This trend is more popular for boys, but there are a handful of Western-themed girl names in the top 100 too,” she explains. “On the boys’ side, we have Colton, Walker, Jeremiah, Silas, Micah, Weston, Ezekiel, Josiah, Wyatt and Maverick. For girls, there’s Sadie, Lucy, Delilah, Abigail and Oakley.”

Western boy names

• Abner
• Beau
• Bowen
• Colby
• Colter
• Crockett
• Dakota
• Hayes
• Hiram
• Huck
• Jethro
• Jones
• Lawson
• Lyle
• Maverick
• Merle
• Nash
• Wade
• Wyatt
• Zane

Western girl names

• Abilene
• Clara
• Clover
• Dottie
• Elsa
• Faith
• Hattie
• Jo
• Lainey
• Lou
• Lucille
• Mabel
• Opal
• Paisley
• Patsy
• Polly
• Reba
• Susannah
• Tanya
• Tillie

What kind of middle name goes well with a Western name?

The first rule? It has to sound good between the first and last name. A middle name that honors a family tradition, such as using a grandparent’s name or a family surname, can also work well here. Or you can lean into the theme—either going all in with a fully Western middle name or something a little more subtle.

“You may find a good fit with a nature name—think: Abigail Sage or Colton Forrest,” Wahlberg says. “And many Western names have biblical roots, so you could also opt for one like Walker Jude or Sadie Hannah.”

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Sources:

• The Everymom: “Trending for 2025: 80 Western baby names for your little cowboy or cowgirl”
• Nameberry: “Baby name trends 2025”
• New York Post: “Year of Yeehaw: Why cowboy-core is much deeper than fashion’s flavor of the month”
• Cosmopolitan: “Western fashion wants to take over your fall style and you should let it”
• Rebekah Wahlberg, specialist in baby-name trends at BabyCenter; email interview, Feb. 6, 2025

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