Many NBA greats share their first name with others who played in the league. A close look at the league’s history reveals that certain first names have been used repeatedly.
Last season, a song about the rise in players named Jalen went viral. This reinforced the belief that Jalen has been a popular first name in the NBA over the last few years.
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In this article, we look at the most common first names in the NBA.
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#1 Jalen (Jaylen, Jaylin and Jaylon)
According to USA Today’s Bryan Kalbrosky, 14 current NBA players are named Jalen. The most prominent among them is Jalen Brunson, the 2026 NBA Finals MVP who led the New York Knicks to their first championship in 53 years.
Aside from Brunson, three other players with different spellings of Jalen played in the 2026 All-Star Game: the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren, the Atlanta Hawks’ Jalen Johnson and the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown.
Kalbrosky listed a total of 14 players that include spelling variations of Jaylen, Jaylin and Jaylon: Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic), Jalen Williams (OKC Thunder), Jalen Smith (Chicago Bulls), Jaylin Williams (Thunder), Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies), Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jaylen Clark (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jalen Pickett (LA Clippers) and Jalen Wilson (Hawks).
In 2025, NBA.com’s Jonathan Hartzell also noted that Jalen has become the most popular first name in the NBA, listing 28 players with the same name in league history.
Kalbrosky’s list does not include Jaylen Martin, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract on Wednesday and is part of the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2026-27 training camp.
#2 Isaiah
Kalbrosky listed nine NBA players named Isaiah, including a 2026 draft pick. The most prominent are 2025 champion Isaiah Hartenstein of the Thunder and center Isaiah Stewart, who was traded from Detroit to Memphis this offseason.
The other players named Isaiah are: Isaiah Joe (Pistons), Isaiah Jackson (Clippers), Isaiah Crawford (Houston Rockets), Isaiah Collier (Utah Jazz), Isaiah Stevens (Bulls) and Minnesota’s 2026 second-round pick at No. 33, Isaiah Evans.
Isaiah Livers, who was part of Kalbrosky’s list in March, is currently an unrestricted free agent after his one-year contract with Phoenix expired.
#3 Jordan
The most popular NBA players named Jordan are New Orleans’ Jordan Poole and New York’s Jordan Clarkson. Poole, who won a title with the Golden State Warriors in 2022, will enter his second season with the Pelicans. Clarkson, meanwhile, played a key bench role for the 2026 champions.
Other players with a Jordan first name are: Jordan Goodwin (Suns), Jordan Walsh (Celtics), Jordan Miller (Clippers), Jordan McLaughlin (Spurs) and Jordan Hawkins (Grizzlies).
#4 Tre (Trae and Trey)
According to Kalbrosky, Tre and its spelling variations, Trae and Trey, totaled seven NBA players. In addition to All-Star guard Trae Young, the list includes Trey Murphy III (Pelicans), Tre Jones (Bulls), Tre Johnson (Bulls), Tre Mann (Wizards), Trey Alexander (Jazz) and Trey Jemison III (Raptors).
Kalbrosky’s list did not include Tre Lyles, who signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with Minnesota this season, and Tre Donaldson, who signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat after going unpicked in the 2026 NBA draft.
#5 Cameron (Cam)
Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson is among the six NBA players with a Cameron or Cam first name listed by Kalbrosky. The others were Cam Spencer (Grizzlies), Cameron Payne, Cam Thomas, Cam Whitmore (Nuggets) and Cam Christie (Clippers). Payne and Thomas remain free agents heading into the 2026-27 season.
2026 NBA draft prospects named Cameron are No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer (Memphis) and No. 24 pick Cameron Carr (LA Lakers). Another is Hawks forward Cameron Corhen, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal on Monday.
#6 Brandon (Brandin and Branden)
Brandon Ingram, named an All-Star in his lone season with Toronto in 2025-26, will suit up for the Clippers. He was part of the blockbuster Kawhi Leonard trade, which was delayed due to the NBA’s investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention.
Ingram was among the six players named Brandon, Brandin or Branden. The list also includes Brandon Miller (Hornets), Brandin Podziemski (Warriors), Brandon Clarke (Grizzlies), Brandon Williams (Warriors) and Branden Carlson (Trail Blazers).
#7 Kevin (Kevon)
Kalbrosky listed six NBA players named Kevin, including the Pelicans’ Kevon Looney. The most popular on the list is Looney’s former Warriors teammate Kevin Durant. They played together for three seasons from 2016-17 through 2018-19, winning two championships in 2017 and 2018.
The other players named Kevin are Kevin Porter Jr. (Bucks), Kevin Huerter (Pistons), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Knicks) and one-time NBA champion Kevin Love, who is currently an unrestricted free agent.
#8 Josh
In Kalbrosky’s list in March, he identified five current NBA players with the first name Josh. The most recognizable among them are the Knicks’ Josh Hart and the Bulls’ Josh Giddey. Hart helped New York secure the 2026 championship and will be significant in its title defense.
Meanwhile, Giddey will be entering his third season with Chicago. Many describe him as a future NBA All-Star. In 54 games last season, he averaged 17.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.3 rebounds.
The other players Kalbrosky listed were Brooklyn’s Josh Minott and Utah’s Josh Green and Josh Okogie.
#9 Chris
The most popular player named Chris is Chris Paul, who retired in February. Paul is part of the 2008 US Olympic “Redeem Team,” which was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. The former NBA star is widely expected to receive HoF recognition for his individual career in the future.
The other players listed as Chris are Chris Youngblood (Trail Blazers), Chris Livingston (Wizards), Chris Manon (Lakers) and Chris Boucher (free agent). Kalbrosky also noted Boston’s Chris Cenac Jr., the No. 27 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
#10 John (Johnny)
John Collins, who spent last season with the Clippers, signed a three-year, $51 million contract with Detroit in July. He is among the five NBA players named John or Johnny, according to Kalbrosky’s article.
The others are John Tonje (Trail Blazers), Johnny Furphy (Pacers), Johnny Juzang and John Konchar. Juzang appeared in 21 games for Minnesota in 2025-26, while the Knicks waived Konchar on Wednesday after they signed him on Sept. 16.
Edited by R. Elahi
