We’ve put together a comprehensive look into the origins, meanings, and symbolism behind the letter A. Plus, you’ll find a long list of boy names that begin with A.
A Names & Meanings | Interpretations | Personality Traits
Boy Names That Start With The Letter A
Baby boy names that start with “A,” the first letter of the alphabet, bring to mind the first human male in the Bible – Adam, who was fashioned from the earth on the sixth day of creation.
That name is popular enough to have variations in many languages and cultures and embodies characteristics associated with “A” names. Boys with “A” names are seen as adventurous, strong and bold, and self-confident leaders.
They are also hardworking straight shooters with an entrepreneurial flair. Not only believers in their success, but they are also optimistic about the world and fun to be around.
Aside from “Adam,” other popular boys’ names that start with A include Alexander, (man’s defender), Archie, (brave and bold), Andrew, (warrior), Aiden (fire, from the Celtic god of sun and fire), Austin, (a derivative of Augustine, which means great or magnificent.) The charming aspect of the name is not only seen in Austin but in names such as Avery (elf) and Anthony, (priceless one.)
Famous men with A names include Alexander Hamilton, Alec Baldwin, Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Hopkins, Adam Levine, Adam Sandler, Adrian Brody, Arlo Guthrie, Prince Harry’s son Archie Sussex, and Anderson Cooper.
The Letter A
The letter A is from the Phoenician word aleph, which means the beast of burden.
It can be traced back to the Bronze Age, and it can be found in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph.
Some linguists believe that the aleph was first used to honor an animal with muscle power. However, this theory has been contested.
The letter A is the third most commonly used in the English alphabet. It has three distinct phonemes: the, which is a near-open front unrounded vowel, the, which is an orthographic vowel, and the a, which is a long sound.
Next, let’s review some of the symbolism, numerology, and esoteric beliefs that surround the letter A.
The Beginning
The letter A has also been associated with beginnings. It is believed that the universe is a structure similar to the letter A and represents the beginning of everything.
Number One
Numbers have symbolic significance, and in arithmomancy, the letter A has a value of 1. This makes it associated with the number 1, which is also the origin of all things.
Unity
In some cultures, the letter A symbolizes unity, as it is associated with the number 1.
Balance & Stability
It’s believed that the letter A has a sense of stability due to its graphical representation. In addition, its middle bar has a solid and steady tone.
The letter A’s middle bar is also shaped like a triangle, which indicates that it is balanced and has a reason for ancient Greeks.
Rising Above The Rest
The Greek letter alpha gained a mystical meaning due to its shape. It’s believed that the letter rises from the Earth to the heavens.
Excellence
The letter A is also regarded as the strongest card in the deck. It shows that a person performed well on a test in academic terms. Some even interpret it as a symbol of one’s desire to achieve success.
Other Interpretations
- In a mystical interpretation, the letter A corresponds to the figures on the tarot cards.
- When enclosed in a circle, the letter A symbolizes anarchy, which opposes the government and promotes complete freedom.
- It’s also believed that having the letter A in your name indicates that you have dreams and aspirations. It also describes a person with a strong personality and courage.
- In astrology, the letter A or Hebrew letter aleph means oxhead, which associates it with the astrological sign Taurus.
Personality Traits Of People With A Names
People with A names are ambitious and think freely. They are often in charge but need to be flexible in order to be successful.
“A” names are often aggressive but they do not hurt others. They’re driven by their goals and are ready to take on anything that comes their way. They even have the ability to develop their own creative ideas to solve problems.
If there are 3 A’s in this person’s name, it could be interpreted as a pioneer, though this person would most likely be selfish.
These individuals may often criticize others for being better than them.
Famous Men With Names That Start With “A”
Famous men with “A” names include Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln, Ansel Adams, Albert Einstein, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Andy Warhol, Alexander Skarsgard, Alec Baldwin, Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Hopkins, Adam Levine, Adam Sandler, Adrian Brody, Arlo Guthrie, Arthur Miller, Prince Harry’s son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, and Anderson Cooper.
100+ Boy Names That Start With A
| A | A Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aaron | Aaron is a Hebrew name typically given to boys. It means “exalted” or “strong.” It has also been interpreted to mean “teacher” or “mountain of strength.” While it's spelled Aharon in Hebrew, the “h” is dropped in the Greek variation. ... In the Quran, Bible, and the Torah, it's the name given to the brother of Moses |
| Abbott | Abbot was an occupational name for someone employed in the household of or on the lands of an abbot, and perhaps also a nickname for a sanctimonious person thought to resemble an abbot. |
| Abdullah | Abdullah was the name of the father of the Prophet Muhammad, who died before Muhammad was born. |
| Abel | Abel in Hebrew form is Hevel, from a vocabulary word meaning ‘breath’. In German from the personal name Abel, a pet form of Albrecht. In the Bible Abel is a son of Adam, where he(Abel) is regarded as representative of suffering innocence. |
| Abner | Abner is from a Biblical personal name, meaning in Hebrew ‘God is (my) light’, which was popular among the Puritans, especially among early settlers in New England, but also in the southern states. In the Bible, Abner is Saul’s uncle and the commander of his army. |
| Abraham | Abraham is a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “father of many.” From Bible Abraham is first the patriarch, father of Isaac, and traditional founder of the ancient Hebrew nation: considered by Muslims an ancestor of the Arab peoples through his son Ishmael. |
| Abram | Abram is from a Hebrew word meaning “exalted father.” |
| Ace | Ace is of Latin origin and means "one, unity." It was once more common as a nickname, but has now gained popularity as a given name. |
| Achilles | Achilles is primarily a male name of Greek origin that means Pain. May be from the Greek word 'achos' which means "pain" or from the name of the Achelous River. Greek legend character from Homer's 'Iliad,' killed by an arrow to the heel. |
| Acton | Acton is an English habitational name from any of several places, especially in Shropshire and adjacent counties, named Acton. Generally, these are from Old English ac ‘oak’ + tun ‘settlement’. |
| Adair | Adair in Gaelic means "happy spear" or "ford of the oaks" Region of origin. England, Scotland, Ulster. |
| Adam | Adam is a Hebrew name meaning "son of the red Earth." In the Bible Adam is the first man God ever created. |
| Aden | Aden is an Irish name that means Little Fire. Aiden is the anglicized version of Aodhan, whose fiery meaning comes from Aodh, the Celtic god of sun and fire. |
| Adler | Adler in German means eagle, denoting someone living in a house identified by the sign of an eagle. The German noun is from Middle High German adelar, itself a compound of adel ‘noble’ + ar ‘eagle’. In Jewish Adler is an ornamental name meaning ‘eagle’. |
| Adolf | Adolf is from Germanic words meaning “noble” and “wolf.” |
| Adolfo | Adolfo is of Old German origin meaning "noble or majestic wolf". |
| Adonis | Adonis is from the Greek adon, meaning "Lord". In Greek mythology, Adonis was a handsome man who was the lover of the goddess Aphrodite.The Adonis Blue is a type of butterfly. |
| Adrian | Adrian is Latin and means "son of Adria." It is a form of the name Adrianus (or Hadrianus), a Roman family name meaning "from Hadria." Hadria was a town in northern Italy near the Adriatic Sea. |
| Afton | Afton is primarily a gender-neutral name of English origin that means From Affa's Settlement. |
| Ahmad | Ahmad is from the Arabic(Islam) personal name A?hmad ‘the most praised’, elative adjective from ?hamid (see Hamid). This is an epithet of the Prophet Muhammad. |
| Ahmet | Ahmet is a boy's name of Arabic origin meaning "highly praised or one who constantly thanks God". |
| Aiden/ Aiden | Aiden, meaning "little fire," has roots in Irish mythology. In the Gaelic language, Aodh is the name of the Celtic god of sun and fire. |
| Aiman | Aiman is an Arabic language given name. It is an alternative Latin alphabet spelling of the name Ayman. Aiman is derived from the Arabic Semitic root for right, and literally means righteous, he who is on the right, right-handed, blessed or lucky |
| Ajax | Ajax means eagle’. It is a name typically given to boys and is of Greek origin. Ajax was a Greek mythological figure known for being courageous and sturdy. He was known as Ajax the Great and was the grandson of Zeus and son of Telamon. |
| Ajay | Ajay is primarily a male name of Indian origin that means Unconquerable. |
| Alan | Alan is primarily a male name of English origin that means Little Rock. |
| Alastair | Alastair is primarily a male name of Scottish origin that means Defender Of The People. |
| Alban | Alban is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Alban is "from Alba". From the Latin name Albanus, probably an ethnic name from a city in the Roman Empire called Alba "white", |
| Albeet | Albeet from numerology mean nine. |
| Alden | Alden is from a Middle English personal name. This is either Aldan, a variant of Healfdane, or Aldine, Old English Ealdwine, literally ‘old friend’, but probably to be interpreted as ‘friend of the past’. |
| Alec | Alec is of Scottish origin sourced from the name Alexander meanin defender of mankind. |
| Alejabdro | Alejandro is a boy's name pronounced al-ay-HAHN-droh. It is of Spanish and Greek origin, and the meaning of Alejandro is "man's defender, warrior". |
| Alessandro | Alessandro is a masculine name of Italian origin meaning "Savior" and "protector of people" |
| Alexander | Alexander is the Latin variant of the Greek name Alexandros, meaning "defender of men." |
| Alexis | Alexis is from the French personal name Alexis, ultimately from Greek alexios ‘helping’, ‘defending’. |
| Alfie | Alfie is form of Alfred, from the Old English Aelfraed, which is from the old English aelf, meaning "'elf" and raed, meaning "counsel" and taken to mean "wise". |
| Alfonso | Alfonso is a Spanish and southern Italian personal name. The name of a number of Spanish and Portuguese kings. It derives from the Visigothic personal name Adelfonsus, composed of the elements hathu ‘war’ + funs ‘ready’. |
| Alfred | Alfred means elf counsel from Old English. |
| Ali | Ali is a name from Arabic origin that means Noble, Exalted. |
| Alistair | Alistair is a boy's name of Scottish, Scottish Gaelic origin meaning "defending men". |
| Allen | Allen is primarily a male name of English origin that means Little Rock. |
| Alonzo | Variation of Alfonso, From the Old German Alfuns, adal, meaning "noble" and funs, meaning "ready". |
| Aloysius | Aloysius is a male given name from a Germanic word meaning “famous warrior.” |
| Alvin | Alvin is from the Middle English personal name Alvin or Alfwin, Old English Ælfwine ‘elf friend’. |
| Amadeus | Amadeus comes from the third of his long line of middle names, Theophilus: a Greek name meaning ‘lover of God’ or ‘loved by God’. In its German form, it translates as ‘Gottlieb’ while in Latin, it becomes ‘Amadeus’. |
| Amal | Amal as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Amal) is of Arabic origin, and the meaning of Amal is "hope". Amal is a variant of the Arabic name Amala. |
| Amani | Amani is the Swahili meaning "peace". Also meaning "wishes" in Arabic. |
| Amar | Amar is primarily a male name of Arabic origin that means Long Life. |
| Ambrose | Ambrose is from the English form of the medieval personal name, Latin Ambrosius, from Greek ambrosios ‘immortal’, which was popular throughout Christendom in medieval Europe. |
| Amir | Amir is from a personal name based on Arabic amir meaning ‘prince’, ‘commander’, ‘master’. Amri-al-Mu’minin ‘commander of the faithful’ was a title of Muslim khalifs. |
| Amory | Amory is primarily a gender-neutral name of English origin that means Home Ruler. |
| Amos | Amos is from the Hebrew personal name Amos, of uncertain origin, in some traditions connected with the Hebrew verb amos ‘to carry’, and assigned the meaning ‘borne by God’. |
| Anani | Anani means a cloud, prophecy or divine from the Biblical origin |
| Anders | Anders is a boy's name of Scandinavian origin meaning "strong and manly". |
| Anderson | Anderson's etymology is clear-cut: Anderson means “son of Anders or Andrew.” |
| Andre | Andre is the French form of the anglicized Andrew translates to “man, warrior.” |
| Andreas | Andreas is Etymologically, from Greek andreios meaning ‘manly’, from aner ‘man’, ‘male’ (genitive andros). |
| Andrew | Andrew is a Greek name meaning "strong and manly." |
| Andrus | Andrus is derived from the baptismal name Andrew which in Greek means manly. |
| Angel | “Angel” comes from the Greek word for the heavenly being, Angelos, which means “messenger.” |
| Angelo | Angelo is from a popular medieval personal name, Angelo, Latin Angelus, from Greek angelos ‘messenger’, ‘angel’ (considered as a messenger sent from God). |
| Angus | Angus is a boy's name of Scottish, Scottish Gaelic origin meaning "one strength". |
| Ansel | Ansel is of Old French origin, and the meaning of Ansel is "follower of a nobleman". |
| Anson | Anson is of English origin. Possibly means "son of Ann" or "son of the divine". |
| Anthony | In Basque, Anthony means "he who adds, and it can mean both “of the Antonius family” in Latin and “priceless one” in ancient Greek. |
| Anton | Anton is German, Russian, Scandinavian and Slav form of Anthony which is either from the Latin antonius which is of unknown origin but was a Roman family name thought to mean "priceless", or from the Greek anthos, meaning "flower". |
| Antonio | Antonio is the short version of Anthony which is either from the Latin antonius which is of unknown origin but was a Roman family name thought to mean "priceless", or from the Greek anthos, meaning "flower". |
| Anwar | Anwar is from a personal name based on Arabic anwar ‘brighter’, an elative adjective derived from nur ‘light’. Anwar (with a long a) is the plural of nur (see Noor) and means ‘rays (of light)’. |
| Apollo | Apollo derives from the name in classical mythology of the sun god, Apollo, an ancient Indo-European name, found for example in Hittite as Apulana ‘god of the gate’ (from pula ‘gate’, cognate with Greek pyle), therefore ‘protector’, ‘patron’. |
| Arbor | Arbor means "tree" in Latin. |
| Archer | Archer is primarily a male name of English origin that means Bowman, One Who Excels At Archery. |
| Archie | Archie is a shortened version of the name Archibald, which is composed of the Germanic elements ercan, meaning "genuine" and bald, meaning "bold" or "brave". |
| Arden/Ardan/Ardin | Arden is primarily a gender-neutral name of English origin that means From The Eagle Valley. |
| Argo | Argo in scottish (Aberdeen)is of the same Gaelic origin as Argue 2, or a variant of Argyle. In Italia it is either a variant of Agró, from Greek agros ‘field’, or a nickname from Greek argos ‘lazy’, ‘slothful’. |
| Argus | Argus is primarily a male name of Greek origin that means Bright. |
| Aries | Aries is 'the ram'. It is of Latin origin. Aries is an astrological sign in the Zodiac that, according to Greek mythology, is named ‘the ram’ after the golden ram that saved Phrixos. |
| Aristotle | Aristotle is a boy's name from Greek origin, and the meaning of Aristotle is "the best of all". |
| Arlo | Arlo is derived from Old English or Anglo-Saxon meaning "rock hill" or "fortified hill." |
| Armand | Arnmand is from the personal name Armanor(d) Harman(d), which is of Germanic origin, composed of the elements hardi ‘bold’, ‘hardy’ + man ‘man’, with excrescent -d. This surname is also found in Germany as a Huguenot name. |
| Armstrong | Armstrong is the Middle English nickname for someone who was strong in the arm. The Irish adopted it as an English equivalent of Gaelic Ó Labhradha Tréan ‘strong O’Lavery’ or Mac Thréinfhir, literally ‘son of the strong man’, both from Ulster. |
| Arnold | Arnold is from a very widely used personal name of Germanic origin, composed of the elements arn ‘eagle’ + wald ‘rule’. |
| Arsenio | Arsenio is ‘virile’ or ‘strong’ and the name is of Spanish origin. It is a name typically given to boys derived from the ancient Greek name Arsenios which is composed of the word ‘arsen’, meaning ‘masculine’ or ‘virile’. |
| Artem | Artem is derived from the Greek name Artem, from the goddess Artemis, meaning "unharmed, perfect health" or "dedicated to Artemis". |
| Arthur | Arthur is most probably from an old Celtic word meaning ‘bear’. Compare Gaelic art, Welsh arth, both of which mean ‘bear’. |
| Arturo | Arturo is of Celtic origin meaning noble or courageous. |
| Arvin | Arvin is from German origin meaning people friends. |
| Aryan | Aryan is to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Arya" which means "a person of a noble race". |
| Asa | Asa is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Asa is "doctor, healer". |
| Asad/Asaad | Asad is primarily a male name of Arabic origin that means Lion. |
| Asher | Asher is a Hebrew name meaning "happy" and "blessed." |
| Ashton | Ashton is an Old English origin, and the meaning of Ashton is "ash tree town". |
| Atticus | In Latin, Atticus is an adjective meaning “belonging to Attica”, the region in which Athens is located, or more simply, “Athenian”. As a name, it had connotations of literary sophistication and culture. |
| August | August is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning "great, magnificent". |
| Augustin | Augustine is a boy's name of English origin meaning "great, magnificent". |
| Augustus | Augustus is a Latin name from an adjective meaning ‘venerable’, from augere ‘to increase’. |
| Aurelius | Aurelius means ‘the golden one' according to the Roman anthology. It is derived from the Latin name Aurelius, which was the name of a noble Roman family. |
| Austin | Austin is from the English surname "Austin", which is a shortened form of the Latin Augustus which means "great". |
| Avian | Avian is from French origin, the meaning of Avian is ‘bird-like’. |
| Avery | Avery is an English and French name meaning "ruler of elves." It's derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Alfred and the Ancient Germanic name Alberich. |
| Axel | Axel is from Hebrew origin meaning "father of peace" |
According to the Social Security Administration, Alexander is the top baby name that starts with A.