Choosing the right name for a boy can be a fun yet challenging task. Names often hold special meanings, and some parents look for names that symbolize traits they admire. Cunning is a fascinating quality often associated with intelligence, cleverness, and resourcefulness. Finding a name that captures this essence can inspire a child throughout their life.
Today, we’ll share a selection of boy names that mean cunning. These names not only sound strong and unique, but they also carry a deeper significance. Whether you’re expecting a baby or looking for a character name, these options might just have the perfect blend of charm and cleverness you’re seeking.
Boy Names That Mean Cunning
1. Alaric
Alaric means ‘ruler of all’ and reflects a cunning leader. It’s a strong name for a boy who can think on his feet.
2. Cadman
This name, meaning ‘warrior’ in Old English, signifies one who is clever in challenges.
3. Caden
Caden translates to ‘fighter’, perfect for a boy who feels clever and resourceful.
4. Duncan
Duncan means ‘dark warrior’, suggesting strategic cunning in battles.
5. Hyman
An ancient name meaning ‘life’, symbolizes a vibrant and clever personality.
6. Hugo
Hugo implies ‘intelligent’ or ‘mind’, showcasing the essence of cunning.
7. Knox
This name means ’round hill’, symbolizing a clever mind that can rise above circumstances.
8. Malcolm
Meaning ‘disciple of Saint Columba’, this name suggests a thoughtful and cunning individual.
9. Merrik
Merrik means ‘ruler’ and it also denotes someone clever in leadership.
10. Nial
Nial stands for ‘champion’, embodying the spirit of a cunning strategist in the arena.
11. Phelan
Phelan means ‘wolf’, often associated with a cunning nature in mythology.
12. Quinn
This name means ‘wise’, showcasing an intelligence that’s quintessentially cunning.
13. Rourke
Rourke signifies ‘famous warrior’, suggesting prowess in tactics and cunning.
14. Sage
Representing wisdom, Sage signifies someone who possesses cunning intellect.
15. Sharif
Sharif shows honor and integrity, also suggesting cleverness in navigating life’s complexities.
16. Sinclair
Sinclair means ‘from the slender’, hinting at an agile and clever temperament.
17. Tadhg
Tadhg means ‘poet’ or ‘philosopher’, relating to cleverness in thought and expression.
18. Vance
Vance means ‘by the marsh’, signifying an adaptable and cunning nature in various environments.
19. Wiley
Wiley means ‘crafty’, which captures the essence of cunning perfectly.
20. Zane
Zane means ‘gift from God’, reflecting a cleverness granted by a higher power.
21. Jarek
Jarek means ‘fierce’ and represents a cunning strength in adversity.
22. Orion
Orion, as a hunter in mythology, signifies a smart and cunning approach to challenges.
23. Raoul
Raoul means ‘wolf’ in French, highlighting the clever and cunning instincts associated with wolves.
24. Dario
Dario means ‘possessing goodness’, implying the cleverness to make wise choices.
25. Vaughn
Vaughn means ‘small’, reflecting a cunning yet unassuming nature.
26. Aiken
Aiken means ‘one who is noble’, suggesting a cunning intellect beneath the surface.
27. Caius
Caius means ‘rejoice’, and often the cunning can bring joy through their clever solutions.
28. Joxer
Joxer means ‘to prosper’, embodying a clever way to navigate through life.
29. Lennox
Lennox means ‘with many elm trees’, symbolizing rooted intelligence and cunning.
30. Ronan
Ronan means ‘little seal’, associated with cleverness in the water.
31. Soren
Soren means ‘stern’, implying a thoughtful yet cunning mentality.
32. Theo
Theo means ‘gift of God’, portraying the cunning thoughtfulness given as a gift.
33. Zephyr
Zephyr means ‘west wind’, suggesting a clever ability to navigate through life’s changes.
34. Ashby
Ashby means ‘ash tree’ but is associated with clever endurance.
35. Breccan
Breccan means ‘freckled’, hinting at uniqueness and cunning individuality.
36. Caspian
Caspian, relating to a sea, reflects cunning in navigating vast waters.
37. Darvin
Darvin means ‘dear friend’, but signifies cultivating clever connections.
38. Edric
Edric means ‘rich and powerful’, indicating cunning strength.
39. Fintan
Fintan means ‘white fire’, portraying the burning cleverness in decision-making.
40. Gaius
Gaius means ‘to rejoice and enjoy’, implying a cunning approach to happiness.
41. Ivo
Ivo means ‘yew’, traditionally connected to cleverness and longevity.
42. Jett
Jett means ‘black’, symbolizing stealth and cunning nature.
43. Kyler
Kyler means ‘shelter’, indicating safety through clever decision-making.
44. Leif
Leif means ‘heir’, showcasing cunning as a legacy trait.
45. Marcellus
Marcellus stands for ‘little warrior’, hinting at cunning in battle.
46. Niven
Niven means ‘little saint’, suggesting clever morality.
47. Oren
Oren means ‘pine tree’, signifying steadfastness and clever adaptability.
48. Pax
Pax means ‘peace’, but implies cunning negotiation for peace.
49. Rune
Rune signifies ‘secret and lore’, relating to clever knowledge.
50. Silas
Silas means ‘wood’, indicating a clever, grounded nature.
51. Tristian
Tristian implies ‘tumult’, suggesting clever resilience through chaos.
52. Ulysses
Ulysses means ‘wrathful’, reflecting cunning adventure and strategy.
53. Vero
Vero means ‘truth’, suggesting a clever understanding of life.
54. Wilfred
Wilfred means ‘desiring peace’, reflecting a cunning approach to harmony.
55. Xander
Xander is a short form of Alexander, meaning ‘defender of the people’, indicating cunning leadership qualities.
56. Yancy
Yancy means ‘Englishman’, yet suggests a cleverness in culture.
57. Zephyr
Zephyr, meaning ‘gentle breeze’, symbolizes a refreshing and cunning change.
58. Aurelian
Aurelian refers to ‘golden’, reflecting cunning brilliance.
59. Balthazar
Balthazar means ‘Baal protects the King’, hinting at cunning protection.
60. Ciaran
Ciaran means ‘little dark one’, symbolizing a clever persona.
61. Davian
Davian means ‘beloved’, but implies cunning through relationships.
62. Elric
Elric signifies ‘noble ruler’, symbolizing clever governance.
63. Fenwick
Fenwick means ‘hawk clearing’, showcasing cleverness in pursuit.
64. Garret
Garret means ‘spear strength’, suggesting cunning in battle.
65. Halvar
Halvar means ‘rock guardian’, indicating a steadfast and clever protector.
66. Idris
Idris means ‘interpreter’, representing cunning in communication.
67. Jarvis
Jarvis means ‘spear’, signifying strength with a cunning edge.
68. Kellan
Kellan means ‘slender’, reflecting cunning agility.
69. Lorcan
Lorcan means ‘little fierce one’, suggesting a cunning and fierce spirit.
70. Merrick
Merrick means ‘fame, power’, showcasing cunning in rising to greatness.
71. Najee
Najee refers to ‘rescuer’, symbolizing a clever savior.
72. Orson
Orson means ‘bear’, reflecting cunning strength.
73. Page
Page symbolizes a clever servant to nobility.
74. Quinlan
Quinlan means ‘descendant of Caoinlean’, suggesting clever family legacy.
75. Roderick
Roderick means ‘famous ruler’, embodying cunning leadership.
76. Sabin
Sabin means ‘Sabine’, hinting at clever negotiation in allies.
77. Tiberius
Tiberius means ‘of the Tiber’, symbolizing cunning navigation.
78. Upton
Upton means ‘upper town’, reflecting strategic location cunning.
79. Valor
Valor symbolizes courage, tightly linked with cunning in decisions.
80. Wystan
Wystan means ‘battle stone’, suggesting steadfast cunning in conflicts.
81. Xavi
Xavi means ‘bright’, inferring intelligent cunning.
82. Yash
Yash means ‘fame’, symbolizing a clever rise in recognition.
83. Zaire
Zaire means ‘river’, indicating a cunning flow through life.
84. Armand
Armand means ‘soldier’, suggesting strategic cunning in warfare.
85. Boaz
Boaz means ‘swiftness’, embodying the essence of clever action.
86. Corwin
Corwin means ‘friend of the heart’, letting cunning friendships flourish.
87. Declan
Declan means ‘full of goodness’, showcasing cunning morality.
88. Elmo
Elmo means ‘helmet’, representing protective cunning.
89. Flynn
Flynn means ‘son of the red-haired one’, subtly pointing to cunning uniqueness.
90. Gideon
Gideon means ‘feller of trees’, highlighting tactical cunning in maneuver.
91. Halston
Halston means ‘place of the hall’, suggesting clever connection to community.
92. Imre
Imre means ‘strength’, linking to the cunning of resilience.
93. Jerrod
Jerrod means ‘spear warrior’, revealing cunning valor in combat.
94. Kenton
Kenton indicates ‘from the town of Kent’, implying clever networking.
95. Latham
Latham means ‘from the barn’, indicating clever origins.
96. Mosaic
Mosaic signifies variety, hinting at the clever blend of life.
97. Norwood
Norwood suggests ‘north forest’, indicating cunning resourcefulness.
98. Otis
Otis means ‘wealthy’, showcasing the cunning in building prosperity.
99. Paxon
Paxon means ‘peaceful town’, embodying cunning calmness.
100. Quillon
Quillon means ‘sword’, linking to clever combat.
101. Roshan
Roshan means ‘light’, symbolizing clever enlightenment.
102. Sheldon
Sheldon means ‘valley with steep banks’, showing tactical cunning in positioning.
103. Torin
Torin means ‘chief’, indicating leadership cunning.
104. Urijah
Urijah means ‘my light’, symbolizing cleverness shining bright.
105. Vedant
Vedant implies ‘knowledge’, depicting cunning wisdom.
106. Westley
Westley means ‘western meadow’, suggesting clever adaptability to environments.
107. Xenon
Xenon means ‘foreigner’, linking to cunning exploration.
108. Yosemite
Yosemite means ‘grizzly’, symbolizing a clever and fierce nature.
109. Arnulf
Arnulf symbolizes ‘eagle wolf’, often associated with cunning.
110. Bertram
Bertram means ‘bright raven’, depicting cleverness in intelligence.
111. Casian
Casian means ‘private’, hinting at the clever awareness of discretion.
112. Draven
Draven can imply ‘hunter’, tying to cunning chase strategies.
113. Elmer
Elmer means ‘noble’, suggesting cunning with integrity.
114. Farlan
Farlan means ‘land owner’, indicative of cleverness in resource management.
115. Guerrero
Guerrero means ‘warrior’, implying a sharp cunning in strategy.
116. Hagan
Hagan means ‘little fire’, symbolizing the spark of cunning.
117. Isidore
Isidore means ‘gift of Isis’, reflecting cleverness as a gift.
118. Jericho
Jericho means ‘city of the moon’, symbolizing clever heritage.
119. Kasper
Kasper means ‘treasurer’, linking to cunning resource management.
120. Lennart
Lennart means ‘brave as a lion’, showcasing cunning bravery.
121. Mathis
Mathis means ‘gift of God’, implying a clever gift.
122. Norion
Norion means ‘honor’, tying to cunning integrity.
123. Oren
Oren refers to ‘pine tree’, symbolizing clever, enduring strength.
124. Phineas
Phineas means ‘oracle’, suggesting cunning foresight.
125. Quigley
Quigley means ‘descendant of Ceallach’, suggesting clever lineage.
126. Riven
Riven means ‘to be torn’, indicating a clever understanding of conflict.
127. Salem
Salem means ‘peace’, symbolizing clever negotiation of life’s peace.
128. Tavis
Tavis means ‘twin’, suggesting clever balance.
129. Alvis
Alvis means ‘all wise’, perfectly fitting a cunning persona.
130. Brogan
Brogan means ‘shoe’, but symbolizes a clever step forward.
131. Corin
Corin means ‘spear’, indicating cunning strategies in protection.
132. Drago
Drago means ‘dragon’, aligning with cunning mythology.
133. Elden
Elden means ‘from the old town’, suggesting clever heritage.
134. Fenian
Fenian means ‘warrior’, tying to cunning strategy in conflicts.
135. Galen
Galen means ‘healer’, suggesting cleverness in recovery.
136. Halden
Halden means ‘valley hill’, symbolizing clever positioning.
137. Imran
Imran means ‘prospering’, relating to cunning growth.
138. Jarek
Jarek means ‘strong’, hinting at a powerful and cunning mind.
139. Kiran
Kiran means ‘ray of light’, symbolizing enlightening cleverness.
140. Leandro
Leandro means ‘lion man’, emphasizing clever courage.
141. Merril
Merril means ‘shining sea’, indicating a clever and bright path.
142. Navin
Navin means ‘new’, denoting clever innovation.
143. Orion
Orion means ‘rising in the sky’, symbolizing clever ambition.
144. Paxon
Paxon means ‘peace town’, reflecting clever negotiation of individuality.
145. Quentin
Quentin means ‘fifth’, suggesting clever ranking systems.
146. Ronin
Ronin means ‘masterless samurai’, signifying cunning independence.
147. Sandro
Sandro means ‘defender’, linking to clever protection tactics.
148. Thaddeus
Thaddeus means ‘courageous heart’, indicating cunning bravery.
149. Ulrich
Ulrich means ‘prosperity and power’, implying clever position.
150. Vince
Vince means ‘to conquer’, tying back to cunning victory.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name that reflects the quality of cunning can be a wonderful way to inspire cleverness and resourcefulness in your boy. The names listed above capture the essence of intelligence, strategy, and quick-wittedness. Whether for personal use or character creation, these names carry a rich meaning that can resonate throughout a lifetime.
By looking for a name that resonates with cunning, you could help instill an understanding of being clever and adaptable in various scenarios. Explore more about related themes, such as names that mean cunning or even names implying trickster. Both can offer additional inspiration for finding the perfect name.
Names are powerful, so may the name you choose bring your little one the qualities you hope for!
Also, feel free to explore more topics like names that mean cunning and names that mean trickster to widen your search.