"Are you stuck on trying to figure out a boy name for your little one on the way? There’s something special about a name that has meaning behind it. It doesn’t have to be tied to a family name—sometimes that comes with pressure—but what if your baby’s name is specifically nostalgic to you? I’m talking about celebrity boy names inspired by teen stars you grew up with.
Yes—I said it—the celebrity heartthrobs you taped up on your wall and tore out of your J-14 magazines. There are the teen heartthrobs who you grew up with and the classics who never went away. If you named your son Elvis, most likely, people know who that is.
The question is, were you a ’90s, 2000s, or 2010s girly? I may be a ’90s girl, but celebrity names like Harrison and Lennon will never be outdated. Here’s a list of celebrity boy names that will surely leave you feeling nostalgic.
Boy Names Inspired by ’80s and ’90s Teen Heartthrobs
If you’re a millennial, some of the teen heartthrobs you’ve grown up with have become parents themselves. One day, you’re solving your problems alongside them, and the next, they’re posting on how they’ve navigated through their own journey through fatherhood. From stealing our hearts to softening them—here are throwback names that are namesake-worthy for boys.
Benny
The fictional character from the coming-of-age ’90s movie The Sandlot, played by Mike Vitar, was the first crush for many millennial girlies.
Breckin
Your kids may know Breckin Meyer as Jon Arbuckle in Garfield the Movie, but we know him from Clueless and Kate & Leopold.
Brendan
In the early ’90s, Brendan Fraser starred as a thawed-out caveman in Encino Man, which put him on the road to stardom with other ’90s movie favorites like School Ties, Airheads, Now and Then, and The Mummy. He’s been described as a charismatic person. The name Brendan does sound like a likable celebrity boy name, right?
Brad
Brad Pitt—his swoon-worthy looks have been compared to Robert Redford. He also knows how to speak French. For our girls who love the French vibe, add ‘Brad’ to the celebrity boy name lineup.
Carter
Nick and Aaron Carter were not only brothers, but they were pop sensations, too. Nick was a member of the popular ’90s boy band, Backstreet Boys. Popular songs by the band include Quit Playing Games and I Want It That Way. The younger of the two, Aaron, even won the heart of Hilary Duff when he sang his version of I Want Candy on Disney’s Lizzie McGuire. While it may be hard to decide between the two names, you don’t have to. Their surname, Carter, is a great name for a boy!
Chris
Chris O’Donnell may have starred as the wingman to Batman in Batman Forever, but we all know he was the main guy in our hearts. Especially when he played Minnie Driver’s love interest in the ’90s drama Circle of Friends.
Damon
In the ’90s, Damon Wayans made us laugh on In Living Color, and Harvard attendee Matt Damon was co-writing Good Will Hunting with fellow teen heartthrob Ben Affleck. So, does Damon mean a guy who is funny and smart? He just might be.
Dawson
James Van Der Beek was literally the boy next door in his role as Dawson in Dawson’s Creek.
Dermot
Dermot Mulroney has starred alongside Julia Roberts, the queen of ’90s rom-coms. Popular rom-com movies of his include My Best Friends Wedding, The Wedding Date, The Family Stone, and most recently, Anyone But You.
Devon
Charming heartthrob Devon Sawa was a sweetheart, starring as Casper, the friendliest ghost. Have a love for spooky things but want an angelic name, too? It’ll have you staring into your little guy’s eyes, saying, Can I keep you?
Emilio
Actor Emilio Estevez was part of the ‘Brat Pack’ of the ’80s. He starred in The Outsiders and The Breakfast Club. I can’t fail to mention that he was also Coach Bombay in ’90s movie The Mighty Ducks. Emilio’s theme for his name here sounds like he’s a team player.
Freddie
Freddie Prince Jr. was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in 2000. While he may have been a teen heartthrob, what really has us swooning is how he published a cookbook in 2016 titled Back to the Kitchen.
Heath
The beloved late teen heartthrob Heath Ledger acted in his very first movie in 1999 called 10 Things I Hate About You alongside actress Julia Stiles. Fun fact—Ledger was also named after a movie character—Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights.
George
Perhaps the original McDreamy doctor, the ’90s TV show E.R. brought us George Clooney, who has twice been named People Magazine‘s Sexiest Man Alive. George is a timeless name with Greek roots and means “earth worker.”
James
James Marsden became a teen heartthrob after starring in the short-lived series, Second Noah. While he seems to play characters that don’t ‘get the girl,’ like in The Notebook or Enchanted, he finally falls in love unexpectedly in 27 Dresses. His characters always seem to deal with situations with understanding and class. This makes sense given that he’s a Virgo. If you’re having a Virgo baby, James is a cute name for a little one.
Jared
Jared Leto became a famous heartthrob for being Jordan Catalano in My So-Called Life. He’s also a musician and has won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
Jason
Beverly Hills 90210 teen heartthrob Jason Priestley has a Pilates studio, loves hockey, and is noted to celebrate women, like Roberta Bondar for being the first female astronaut and neurologist to be in space. We love a celebrity boy name that celebrates women.
Joey
Known for his performance in Blossom, Joey Lawrence also starred alongside his real-life brothers in the Disney show Brotherly Love. And who could forget the guy who always made us laugh as the Friends character Joey Tribbiani? Joey is an adorable name if you’re welcoming a new sibling into the mix!
John
So many Johns. There’s John Cusack, who starred in 1989’s Say Anything, where he held the iconic boombox outside Diane’s window. John Stamos became a teen heartthrob from his role on the soap opera General Hospital, but he’s also remembered as the very handsome and cool Uncle Jesse on Full House. You can’t go wrong with the name John for a celebrity boy name pick.
Johnny
Teen Johnny Deep starred as Tommy Hanson as an undercover cop in the 1987 version of 21 Jump Street.
Jordan
We already covered the fictional character Jordan Catalano, but let’s not forget Jordan Knight of the original boy band from the ’80s and early ’90s, New Kids on the Block.
Joshua
Joshua Jackson has literally starred in so many fan favorites—as Pacey in Dawson’s Creek, as Charlie Conway in Mighty Ducks, and recently in The Odyssey as Dr. Max Bankman. ‘I don’t want to wait for [Joshua Jackson] to be over’ because I don’t think we’ll ever get over him.
Justin
Singer-songwriter and *NSYNC’s leading star, Justin Timberlake, was first noticed as a Mousketeer on The All New Mickey Mouse Club.
Keaton
Whether you’re inspired by Michael Keaton’s Batman or the fictional character Alex P. Keaton, made famous by ’80s heartthrob Michael J. Fox, this surname baby name could be a unique pick.
Keegan
While actor Andrew Keegan may have played a narcissist in 10 Things I Hate About You, he also played sweet and aspiring magician, Magic Joel, in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Now a father to two girls, Keegan describes himself as “Papa 🐻 Actor 🎭 Surfer 🏄♂️” on his social media.
Leonardo
Leonardo captured our hearts as Romeo in the modern portrayal of Romeo + Juliet. He then took on the role of Jack Dawson in one of the greatest romances ever known, Titanic. The celebrity boy name Leo is one of the top 10 names of the year.
Luke
Beverly Hills 90210 star Luke Perry played Dylan McKay on the set. People have described the late star as “nice” and “humble.” The name Luke translates to “light-giving.”
Mario
Actor Mario Lopez starred as the troubled boy turned sweetheart A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell. He was noted to have great dance moves back then and most recently placed second in Dancing with the Stars.
Matthew (Matt)
Actor Matt Dillon has been compared to being the “James Dean” of the ’80s. He played the complex bad-boy Greaser, Dallas Winston, in The Outsiders. Fitting as he’s an Aquarius. Actor Matthew Lawrence acted in some fan faves, from Mrs. Doubtfire to Boy Meets World to Brotherly Love. And we couldn’t forget the rom-com king from the 2000s, Matthew McConaughey, who won accolades for his role in 1995’s A Time to Kill.
Maverick
Tom Cruise has been a celebrity heartthrob for generations, but it all started in the ’80s with the movie Risky Business in 1983, followed by his iconic role as Maverick in 1986’s Top Gun. For an edgy-cool baby boy name, Maverick means “independent-minded person.”
Michael
Known as Molly Ringwald’s love interest, “Jake Ryan” from Sixteen Candles, Michael Schoeffling had a short-lived acting career to be a woodworker. We love a person who isn’t afraid of a pivot in his career.
Patrick
Another heartthrob from The Outsiders, Patrick Swayze is well known for his role in Dirty Dancing. Patrick Dempsey was a teen heartthrob in the ’80s when his ‘nerdy’ and lovable character, Ronald Miller, had a ‘glow up.’ If we learned anything from the 1987 movie Can’t Buy Me Love, looks aren’t everything. It’s the heart that matters. However, his heartthrob trait carried well because he’s now known for being Mr. McDreamy in Grey’s Anatomy.
Paul
Clueless gave us a million new ’90s slang terms, but it also gave us a national treasure: Paul Rudd, who played the kinda dorky, funny, cute former stepbrother/love interest to Cher.
Ralph
Ralph Macchio also starred in The Outsiders, but his most memorable gig was being Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid.
Reeves
You may know Keanu Reeves as Neo from The Matrix and as Sandra Bullock’s love interest in The Lake House. We also know him as the caring Hollywood sweetheart. What is most notable about Reeves is how he lives a quiet life and goes out of his way to care for others. He’s been known for helping people financially and donating his earnings to people on his movie sets.
Rider
Rider Strong was troubled and rebellious Shawn Hunter in the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World. Although troubled, he made sure to surround himself with supportive friends. The name Rider means ‘bravery.’
River
River Phoenix starred in the coming-of-age movie Stand by Me. An edgy name, Phoenix was also born on October 31—a great celebrity boy name if Halloween is your favorite holiday.
Taye
Taye Diggs’ sweetheart smile and singing voice may instantly have you weak at the knees. He was part of the original Broadway cast of Rent and has starred in movies like How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
Walker
Paul Walker was first noticed as a heartthrob as Lance Harbor in the 1999 film Varsity Blues. He also performed all of his stunts in the first film of the Fast & Furious series. He was known for being humble and kind, fitting as the name Paul translates to ‘humble.’
William (Will)
Known as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Will Smith sweet-talked his way through any situation. There’s also actor Will Friedle, who played funny and handsome older brother Eric Matthews in Boy Meets World. Not to mention Prince William, who became a royal teen heartthrob in the late ’90s.
Boy Names Inspired by 2000s Teen Heartthrobs
The 2000s teen heartthrobs have recently been making a comeback, and we’re definitely not complaining about it. From Adam Brody’s Nobody Wants This to Milo Ventimiglia in This Is Us, their resurface to the screen has not been unnoticed. Here are our favorite 2000s-inspired boy names.
Adam
I love that Adam Brody hits the top of our 2000s heartthrobs list. While he acted in minor shows here and there at a young age, he is memorable for his sweet and quirky role as Seth Cohen in the O.C. He recently starred in the new Netflix series Nobody Wants This, proving he’s still a favorite to this day.
Adrian
Adrian Grenier definitely drove all of us crazy in Drive Me Crazy with Melissa Joan Hart.
Chace
Although a teen heartthrob in the 2000s, Chace Crawford has us swooning over him in Gossip Girl time and time again, as the show is a favorite TV rewatch for fans of all ages.
Channing
A unique name, Channing Tatum became a teen heartthrob after showing us his dance moves in Step Up. He also showed us his comedic side in She’s the Man.
Corbin
We love Corbin Bleu, not just for his role in High School Musical, but because of his commitment to diversity and inclusion. He’s also noted for his philanthropies to charities like Make-A-Wish Foundation and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Not only is the name Corbin swoon-worthy, but it is admirable, too.
Evan
Chris Evans’ charm still has us head over heels—as does his surname as a first name. As a teen, popular films of his included Not Another Teen Movie and The Perfect Score.
Drake
Actor Drake Bell is known for his comedic characters in The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh.
Henry
Henry Cavill is really the ‘Man of Steel-ing’ our hearts. He’s known for his roles in Man of Steel as Superman and the drama series The Witcher.
Ian
Named one of Teen People‘s “50 Sexiest Guys Ever,” Ian Somerhalder is well known for his vampire character, Damon Salvatore.
Erik
A cool boy name—Erik von Detten starred in movies like Brink! and The Princess Diaries.
Jesse
Singer Jesse McCartney and actors Jesse Bradford and Jesse Metcalfe made the name “Jesse” a fan favorite in the 2000s.
Josh
Josh Hartnett became well known after his acting gig in the scary movie Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. However, we really swooned over him in 2001’s Pearl Harbor, where he starred alongside fellow heartthrob Ben Affleck.
Jonas
This celebrity-inspired baby boy name encapsulates all three celebrity teen heartthrobs—Joe, Nick, and Kevin—from the famed band, The Jonas Brothers.
Jude
Actor Jude Law captivated us with his sweet, handsome, and thoughtful character in the Nancy Meyers movie, The Holiday. The name Jude may be perfect if the movie is your favorite holiday movie to cozy up to or if you’re expecting a little boy this holiday season.
Mackenzie (Mack)
Ben Mackenzie was named People magazine’s “25 Sexiest Stars under 25.” I know I had a People poster of him hanging in my bedroom as a teen.
Milo
In Slavic languages, the name Milo means “dear” or “beloved.” The beloved Milo Ventimiglia earned his heartthrob ranking as Jesse Mariano in Gilmore Girls. If you’re a Gilmore Girls, This is Us, or you know—just a Milo fan in general—we’re all for naming a boy after him.
Oliver
‘Raise Your Voice’ for the name Oliver. It is one of the most favored and cutest names for boys. Oliver James Hutson starred alongside Hilary Duff in Raise Your Voice. He’s now a psychotherapist who focuses on “abandonment, anxiety, and grief.” No wonder the name is so popular. We love a sensitive man.
Omarion
Omarion had us awing over his voice as the lead singer of B2K. In Arabic, Omarion means ‘eloquent.’ It has become a popular modern name for boys.
Raviv
Raviv, or “Ricky” Ullman, was known as Phil Duffy in Phil of the Future. The name Raviv translates to ‘rain.’ If you love the rain and cozying up with a rom-com novel, Raviv might just make your list.
Riley
The name Riley translates to ‘brave’ and ‘adventurous.’ Riley Smith as Dean Talon in Disney’s Motocrossed, where he was a motocross racer. Foresee an adventurous boy in the family? Riley sounds perfect.
Robert
Robert Pattinson rose to heartthrob status as Edward in the Twilight saga. If you’re an OG—or new—team Edward fan, Robert is also a great choice as a first name.
Ryan
Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling will always hold a special place in our hearts. Reynolds acted in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, and Gosling was in The Notebook. The name Ryan translates to “Little King.” Their versatility in roles in movies shows that they are the kings of films. Gosling in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was perfection.
Shane
The name Shane is known as ‘beautiful.’ Watching Shane West and Mandy Moore fall in love in A Walk to Remember was absolutely beautiful to watch.
Smith
Fitting the trend of using last names for first names, you might be inspired by Samantha’s younger beau in Sex and the City, Jerry ‘Smith’ Jerrod, played by swoon-worthy celeb Jason Lewis.
Taylor
If you’re registered as a ‘Team Jacob’ fan from the Twilight saga, we wouldn’t be surprised if you named your son Taylor. Raise your hand if you owned a Taylor Lautner poster growing up.
Tom
Tom Welling was the 2000s version of Superman. The name Tom means “twin.” I guess Superman did live two lives. If you’re having twins this year, maybe consider the names ‘Tom’ for Tom Welling and ‘Clark’ for Clark Kent.
Zac
Zac Efron had us all singing Get Your Head in the Game growing up. But it wasn’t just his looks that had us swooning; it was his drive and passion, too.
Celebrity-Inspired Boy Names 2010-Now
With Gen Z actors rising to fame, we can’t forget how they’ll have an impact on the next generation of popular names. Will Timothée become the new Liam? I think we’ll learn that Gen Z moms might go against the traditional names we have now, and I’m here for it. For now, here are some of our favorite modern names to consider if you’re having a boy.
Andrew
Before he became Spider-Man. Andrew Garfield became a heartthrob in The Social Network. His endearing vulnerability was recently highlighted when Andrew Garfield and Elmo talked about grief.
Austin
Young Austin Butler played roles in shows like Hannah Montana and Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide. But what’s most notable about him as a heartthrob himself is that he portrayed ’50s teen heartthrob Elvis in the 2022 drama Elvis.
Avan
Avan Jogia starred as Beck Oliver in Victorious. He’s been described as having a “magnetic charm” about him. No wonder fans love him.
Cody
Pop singer and actor Cody Simpson had all the girls googly-eyed in 2010, but did you know he’s also a competitive swimmer?
Cole
The name Cole translates to “the victory of the people.” Cole Sprouse is definitely a favorite, alongside his twin brother Dylan Sprouse. Together, they starred in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Cole later played Jughead Jones in the CW drama Riverdale.
David
David Henrie recently reunited with Selena for Disney’s Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and it made everyone’s love for him resurface.
Dylan
In Welsh, Dylan means “great.” Dylan O’Brien starred in movies like The Maze Runner and Teen Wolf—both favorites in the 2010s. There’s also Dylan Sprouse, actor and twin to Cole Sprouse, who acted in Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. I’d say Dylan is a ‘great’ name for a boy.
Harry
Harry Styles was introduced to the world when he auditioned for the British version of the X Factor. He then became a member of the boy band One Direction. While the name Harry is more popular in England, Ireland, and Scotland, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a surge due to all the Harry Styles fans.
Jacob
Known for his teen role as Noah Flynn in The Kissing Booth, Jacob Elordi is a heartthrob for the Gen-Z generation.
Justin
Singer and pop icon, Justin Bieber is the first person many think of when you hear the name. His first single, One Time, debuted in 2009.
Liam
Liam Hemsworth made everyone fall in love with him when he starred in The Last Song with Miley Cyrus. There’s also the beloved, late Liam Payne, who was part of the famous boy band One Direction.
Noah
Noah Centineo’s breakout role was in To All the Boys I’ve Loved. We love him, too. The baby name Noah was ranked as one of the top names of 2023.
Ross
Austin & Ally’s Ross Lynch portrayed the character Austin Moon, an overnight teen sensation. The name Ross actually means ‘fame’ in Germanic languages.
Shawn
Shawn Mendes has been serenading us since 2012. Popular songs of his include Señorita and Mercy.
Timothée
Where do I even begin with Timothée Chalamet? He’s an American-French actor who we grew to love in the 2019 movie version of Little Women and in the nostalgic movie Wonka and many more. With Chalamet as a namesake—it’s whole name worthy—I wouldn’t even have the urge to call him ‘Tim.’
Tom
Not only do people like Tom Holland for his acting, but we love him because of his charming and lovable personality and his charitable work. Personally, I have to admit that he’s my favorite Spidey.
Tyler
In Teen Wolf, Tyler Posey played a teen who had to keep a deep secret—spoiler alert—he was a werewolf. Maybe that’s where our obsession with Team Jacob came from.
Celebrities With Two First Names
Have you ever heard a name where it just doesn’t sound complete unless there are two first names involved? While I love to refer to Chad Michael Murray as ‘Chad’—like I know him—his whole name flows off the tongue so well. If you’re looking for a name that does the same, here are a few A-list names to inspire you.
Brian Austin Green
Beverly Hills 90210 actor Brian Austin Green is a man of many talents. He knows how to play the piano, guitar, and drums. If you’re a musical family, Brian could be a good option. The name also means “high” or “noble.”
Chad Michael Murray
The name Chad means “protector,” and Chad Michael Murray was a protector of our hearts in One Tree Hill and Cinderella Story. Millennial moms, get excited for his return in the 2024 Netflix holiday rom-com The Merry Gentlemen and the Freaky Friday sequel, Freakier Friday, coming in 2025.
Curtis James Jackson III
If bad boys were more your vibe in the early 2000s, try looking for name inspiration in the given name of rapper 50 Cent.
Daniel Dae Kim
Lost brought viewers so many amazing characters and plot twists in the early 2000s. Not to mention introducing a new heartthrob in Kim as Jin-Soo Kwon.
Jeremy Allen White
For our foodie moms, you may know Jeremy Allen White from The Bear. The show is about a young chef and his experience in the fine dining world. Its 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes is promising that his name is also highly rated.
Jonathon Taylor Thomas
We can’t forget Jonathan Taylor Thomas from the TGIF sitcom Home Improvement and the ‘90s film Tom and Huck. While Thomas’ acting career was short-lived, it was by choice. He took a step back to lay low and live a quiet life. His IMDB bio says he “doesn’t use products that are tested on animals because he believes that it is wrong to hurt them”—the name sounds cute for a future animal advocate.
Joseph Gordon Levitt
Who isn’t a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt? He starred in 10 Things I Hate About You and a favorite rom-com, 500 Days of Summer. His smile alone can move mountains.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Saved by the Bell introduced Zack Morris, played by teen heartthrob Mark-Paul Gosselaar, in the late ’80s. His charm, wit, acid-wash jeans, and large cell phone were a trademark for the character.
Sean Patrick Thomas
I imagined that Sean Patrick Thomas was saving the last dance—for me—in Save the Last Dance. Sean Faris in Sleepover was the sweet, popular guy and love interest to Alexa PenVega in Sleepover.
Thomas Ian Nicholas
Another celebrity with three boy names in one! ‘90s kids probably remember him as Henry Rowengartner in 1993’s Rookie of the Year before he became Vicky’s questionable boyfriend in 1999’s American Pie.
The Original Teen Heartthrobs from the 1950s-1970s
If we want to really get nostalgic, the classic and vintage names from the baby boomer and Gen X generations are ones that we grew up watching or listening to because of our own parents or grandparents. Elvis will always be a heartthrob, no matter what generation you come from. These names forever made a mark in everyone’s hearts. Here are some vintage and classic baby names.
Barry
Before Barry Watson came along for the millennials on 7th Heaven, Barry Williams was best known as Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch, which aired from 1969 to 1974. Portraying the eldest brother of the bunch, this celebrity boy’s name may be fitting for a firstborn son of the fam.
Dean
James Dean was a teen heartthrob in the 1950s. He starred in films like Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden. While crooner Dean Martin was a member of the Rat Pack, with other heartthrobs of the time like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.
Elvis
Elvis Presley, known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, stole the hearts of teens across the world for shaking his hips on stage—scandalous—and singing his famous songs like Can’t Help Falling in Love. Plus, with a meaning like “all-wise,” it could be another reason to consider this celebrity boy name.
Frank
Singer Frank Sinatra’s voice still swoons our hearts to this day. Famous songs of his include Come Fly With Me and I’ve Got the World on a String—more like our hearts on a string.
Harrison
Successful actor Harrison Ford was originally a carpenter but made some of the most renowned ’70s and ’80s films playing characters like Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
Keith
I think I love you, said so many Boomers about David Cassidy, who played Keith Partridge in the musical ’70s sitcom The Partridge Family.
Lennon
John, Paul, George, and Ringo took teen girls by storm in the 1960s as The Beatles. Obviously, this celebrity boy pays name homage to the late, great John Lennon.
Scott
Scott Baio played the character Chachi in the ’70s sitcom Happy Days and Charles as the heartthrob nanny in the ‘80s TV series Charles in Charge. He was also ranked #18 in VH1’s 100 Greatest Teen Stars.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern
As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.