Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410. 
 In literature, Alaric was a noble character in P. G. Wodehouse's Blandings Castle novels, the lead character in Alexander Theroux's Darconville's Cat, appeared in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, and was the name of a history teacher on The Vampire Diaries.
 More unusual than Frederic or Roderic, Alaric could make a quaintly quirky path to all the Al and Rick nicknames.

Alaric

This name is a classic example of an underused golden oldie that ticks so many boxes - unusual yet traditional, heaps of cute nicknames, a statement name that exudes retro cool. Aloysius is the Latin form of many more common names like Louis, Luis, Luigi and the uncommon but symphonically familiar Ludwig. Aloysius is familiar to Catholic name seekers as the name of the saint who died treating those afflicted by a pandemic, and is therefore a symbol of selfless caring - a worthy namesake in these somewhat egocentric times. Aloysius was historically common in Ireland, and is occasionally passed down in Irish families today. The feminine form is Aloysia.

Aloysius

A historic name seeing some modern use among French-speaking parents.

Audric

Meaning bard, this is an original choice with poetic and melodic undertones. Bard itself has also come into consideration, both names bringing to mind Shakespeare and other literary lights. 
The Scottish surname Baird's most notable bearer was John Logie Baird, the Scottish engineer and inventor of the televisor, the world's first practical television system in 1926, and also the world's first fully electronic color TV tube two years later. Some might also remember puppeteers Bil and Cora Baird.

Baird

This Irish name of a saint from the Isle of Aran also appears in myth and fantasy fiction, giving it an intriguing, mystical air. 
 Some modern parents are attempting to update the spelling, as in the actor Breckin (middle name Erin) Meyer or the most popular form of the name, Brecken.

Breccan

Related to the word bourgeois; actor Burgess Meredith put this surname in first place. 

Burgess

Cashel is one of the many appealing <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/168/irish-names">Irish names</a> that have not yet emigrated to the US. Cashel was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller for their son. 
 In Ireland, Cashel refers to a circular stone fort. It is the name of a town in Tipperary and the protagonist of the George Bernard Shaw novel Cashel Byron's Profession.
 The Cash sound feels especially contemporary and appealing now, with Cashel joining such stylish brothers as Cassius, Cassian, and Cash.

Cashel

Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever &mdash; full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.
 A literary namesake is Clancy Sigal, author of the autobiographical novel Going Away, and there is also the comical mid-century song, Clancy Lowered the Boom.
 More common as a last name than a first, Clancy has gained fame via the Irish folk music group the Clancy Brothers, and one of the bestselling authors of all time, Tom Clancy, known for his espionage and techno thrillers.

Clancy

This occupational surname could find new life with those wishing to honor someone in their heritage who was connected to the tough-as-nails breed that was the pre-modern coal miner. Coll and Collie are some sweet nickname options to tone down the formality of this name.

Collier

This old short form is more than a little dodgy now. In a recent film, Steve Carell's character is named Dodge, seen by one critic as symbolizing his risk-averse personality.

Dodge

Eamon is one of the traditional <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/168/irish-names">Irish names</a> that has not yet emigrated to the US. This Irish name pronounced ay-mon was popularized by early president of the independent republic Eamon de Valera (birth name George), who was born in the United States to an Irish mother and a Cuban father. Eamon definitely has possibilities as a successor to the epidemically popular Aidan/Aiden.
 Though it may be an older generation name in Ireland, it would sound fresh elsewhere.
 The original spelling of the name is Eamonn.

Eamon

Formerly in style limbo, Edric has recently started to see more use by parents. It could be because it sounds medieval yet accessible - which George R. R. Martin took advantage of for several characters - or because it's an offbeat alternative to the more popular Ed-names.

Edric

A slight elaboration on Forrest, with the same woodsy charm.

Forrester

A rarely used last-name-first-name, never as popular as cousins Garrett or Derek. 

Garrick

Gibson is an undiscovered patronymic surname, with some appealing nicknames. It also brings to mind the popular brand of guitars.
 Though rarely heard in front place, Gibson is a popular surname that has been dotted across popular culture—think actors Mel and Thomas, buckaroo Hoot, tennis champ Althea, baseball stars Josh and Kirk, and the illustrator famed as the "Gibson Girl" creator, Charles Dana Gibson.

Gibson

Unless it runs in your family, or Alexander Hamilton is your particular hero, you might consider something less imposing -- and without the teasable nickname Ham. 

Hamilton

Names of classy places -- Aspen, Paris, and yes, Hampton -- are in favor with aspiring parents, though they don't always have the intended effect. 

Hampton

While everyone may think you said "Harold," this name sounds more up-to-date. And if you get tired of explaining, you can always call him Harry. 

Harrell

An original way to honor an ancestral Robert.   Hobson is outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for boys.

Hobson

Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the playground.

Hughes

Hawkins

Ibsen is a literary hero name possibility, after the great Norwegian dramatist, Henrik I.  The name Ib is a short form of Jacob, so you might consider Ibsen as an honorific for or a twin of a Jacob.

Ibsen

The great African-American Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes put this one on the map; actor Laurence Fishburne adopted it for his now grown son, born in 1987. Despite these popular associations, the name didn't make it into the US Top 1000 until 2013. This name is even less used in England or Wales, where as recently as 2014 no births were registered using this name.
 Hughes was born James Mercer Langston Hughes, Langston being his mother's maiden name.
 Some similar choices are Lanford, Landon, Langford and Langley.

Langston

Ledger, another surname-turned-first name, carries associations of the great and late Australian actor Heath Ledger. It appeared on the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2017, perhaps bolstered by the potential of Lej and Edge as nicknames.
 Ledger is also the main character in Ingrid Law's novel Scumble.

Ledger

Macsen may sound like a modern invention, cousin to Jackson and Maxon, but it's a longtime Welsh variation of Maximus with evocative roots in legend.  Macsen Wledig is another name for the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus, was played an important role in Welsh history and was further immortalized in a poem celebrating his dream about his lover Elen.  Macsen also appears in Arthurian legend.

Macsen

Maddock

Meade

Favored by first-generation Jewish families from the affluent Guggenheims to criminal-producing Lanskys; now Meyer is pretty much relegated to poolside gin games in Boca. 

Meyer

Maclin

Mayes

The final s turns a nature name into a Waspy surname. 

Raines

Unusual surname occasionally used as a first.

Rennon

Rhett has been more tied to Gone with the Wind than even Scarlett, but now we're hearing rumblings of its finding new and independent favor among parents, perhaps emboldened by the growing popularity of Scarlett. 
 In addition to being a powerful storyteller, author Margaret Mitchell was a great character namer as well—think Scarlett, Melanie, Ashley, and even the mansion Tara. Rhett emerged from the story as one of the ultimate dashing, romantic names—so much so that parents of the past didn't fully embrace it.
 Rhett is a South Carolina surname, brought to North America in 1694, and borne by a noted politician during the Civil War period, which may have inspired the author.

Rhett

Roarke

Ryson

Most known as a popular brand of Western hats, this surname has a brief history as a given name. It charted in the US Top 1000 in 1989 and 1991-95. It has been experiencing renewed interest in the last few years, having reentered the popularity charts in 2013 and now ranking its highest ever at Number 709.
 While the etymology of the name is ambiguous, Stetson most likely stems from the Anglo-Saxon Stytt—a nickname for a boxer or fighter—or the Old English Stot/Stott—a nickname for a cattle dealer or a wild, young person.
 Stetson also has an academic link to Stetson University, a private university in DeLand, Florida.

Stetson

Schaefer

This early Scottish title -- known to us via Shakespeare's Macbeth -- has recently surfaced as a baby name possibility, familiar sounding through its similarity to names like Zane and Wayne.

Thane

A familiar name in the Nordic countries that hasn't yet gained popularity in the English speaking world. But it could, now that Old Norse names like Thor and Odin are on the rise. It derives from Torbjörrn, which seems less likely to translate outside Scandinavia. But if you're looking for <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/194/danish-names">Danish names</a> for a baby boy, Torben could be a choice that's both accessible and unusual.

Torben

migawa's list "Cool and Unusual Gents" of 39 great name ideas: Alaric - Torben!

Cool and Unusual Gents

I don't always come across guy names that make me go "WOW!" But when I do, I add them to this list. :-)