Throwback baby names are more popular than ever, but we think it's time to throw it way back — back to a time before the West was won. If you want to capture that rugged Wild West spirit in your little dude, you'll likely get a kick out of these Western names inspired by famous outlaws and icons.
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Origins of Western names
Western-sounding baby names can come from many different sources. A lot of the famous names from the American Old West or Wild West (the second half of the 19th century) are the names of famous or infamous outlaws and the sheriffs who sought them. On this list you’ll find the names (first and last) of outlaw brothers Frank and Jesse James as well as the Earp brothers (Morgan, Wyatt and Virgil), legendary lawmen of the Old West.
Other names here come from Western tales in radio, film and literature — from popular actors such as John Wayne and Gary Cooper to authors such as Louis L’Amour to fictional characters such as Ranger Reid, aka The Lone Ranger.
So hop on your horse, don those boots and pop on your cowboy hat; you’re in for a fun ride with these names.
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Western baby names & their meanings
- Alonzo: Eager for battle
- Austin: Majestic, venerable
- Bart: From the barley farm
- Bill: Resolute protector
- Boone: Good, a blessing
- Butch: Butcher
- Carson: Son who lives in the swamp
- Cassidy: Clever
- Clay: Clay maker, mortal
- Clayton: Settlement, place name, clay town
- Cole: Victory, of a triumphant people
- Coleman: Dove
- Colt: From the dark town
- Cooper: Barrel maker
- Dallas: Wise, dwells by the waterfall
- Earle: Noble leader, chief
- Flynn: Son of a red-haired man
- Frank: Frenchman or free one
- Gary: Spear, modest and brave
- Harry: Home protector
- Henry: Home ruler
- Holt: By the forest
- Ike: Laughter
- Lawrence: Fierce
- Levi: Attached or pledged, associated with him
- Logan: Finnian's servant
- Louis: Famous fighter, famous in Washington
- James: Supplanter
- Jesse: Gift
- John: The grace or mercy of the Lord
- Morgan: Dwells near the sea
- Porter: Gatekeeper
- Reid: Red-haired
- Reuben: The vision of the son
- Sam: Sun child
- Tom: Twin
- Virgil: Flourishing
- Wayne: Craftsman, wagon driver
- Wesley: From the west meadow
- Wyatt: Guide
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A version of this article was originally published in January 2013.