Now on iOS & AndroidSwipe baby names with your partner — match on names you both love.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Nameberry Logo

Extra Unusual Boys Names

A list of unusual boy names I found throughout the web and various name books.
  1. Adlai
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is just"
    • Description:

      Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.
  2. Beecher
    • Description:

      Beecher is a masculine name derived from an English occupational surname that originally referred to someone who kept bees or was a beekeeper. With roots in Middle English and Old English, the name carries a strong connection to nature and traditional craftsmanship. Beecher gained some recognition through association with notable historical figures, particularly Harriet Beecher Stowe, the influential American author. As a first name, Beecher remains uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking names with historical depth and unusual character. The name has a crisp, professional sound with its two syllables and strong consonants, often evoking images of industriousness and reliability. Beecher combines traditional English heritage with a contemporary feel that works well in modern contexts.

  3. Buell
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "dwelling"
    • Description:

      The Dutch meaning (Buell is the Dutch occupational name for a hangman) is enough to keep most people away.
  4. Burgess
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "inhabitant of a fortified town"
    • Description:

      Related to the word bourgeois; actor Burgess Meredith put this surname in first place.
  5. Abbott
    • Origin:

      English, Hebrew, Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "priest; father"
    • Description:

      Abbott is a neglected masculine surname with religious overtones, used to describe the head of a monastery or a prominent church figure, such as a priest. Though the feminine nickname Abby could be seen as a slight drawback, that's hardly stopped Abner or Abraham rising up the charts, and besides, there's nothing wrong with a gentler boy name.
  6. Audley
    • Description:

      Audley is a masculine name of English origin, primarily derived from an Old English place name and surname meaning 'Ealdgyth's meadow' or 'old meadow.' With aristocratic connections in British history, including the noble Audley family who played significant roles during medieval times, the name carries a distinguished, refined quality. As a first name, Audley has remained relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive appeal. It shares sound elements with more popular names like Audrey while maintaining its unique character. Particularly appreciated in English-speaking countries with strong British cultural ties, Audley suggests heritage, stability, and a connection to the English countryside.

  7. Almer
    • Description:

      Almer is a masculine name with Germanic origins, likely derived from the elements "al" meaning "all" or "completely" and "mari" meaning "famous" or "renowned." This ancient name can be found in historical records across various Germanic regions, though it has remained relatively uncommon throughout its history. Almer also appears as a surname in several European countries. The name has a dignified, somewhat formal quality with its balanced structure and traditional roots. In the United States, Almer saw modest usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since become quite rare. The name's simplicity and strong consonant sounds give it a masculine character without excessive complexity. For contemporary parents, Almer might appeal as an unusual yet accessible option with authentic historical roots, offering distinctiveness without seeming invented or trendy.

  8. Colvin
    • Origin:

      English surname name
    • Description:

      Colvin is an English surname with a distinguished history; the Colvins were one of the leading colonial families of early British India, and Shawn Colvin is a popular American singer. We suspect, however, that most of the 18 parents who used Colvin as a boys' name in 2016 were thinking of it as a less popular alternative to other "Col-" names, like Colin and Colton.
  9. Arlington
    • Origin:

      English habitational surname, place name
    • Meaning:

      "the noble's town"
    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Arlo, Remington, and Arthur, this surname style and place name could make a patriotic choice in the US, with its connections to Arlington National Cemetery. Given to 7 girls and 22 boys in a recent year, it is making moves up the charts, albeit small ones.
  10. Adley
    • Origin:

      Variation of Adlai or Hadley
    • Description:

      Adley is one of those rare unisex names that probably developed via different paths on the girls' and boys' sides, with the male Adley a phonetic spelling of the Hebrew Adlai, while the girls' version, which briefly made the Top 1000 in 2012, is an abbreviation of the trendy Hadley, an English place name and surname.
  11. Aegis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "young goat"
    • Description:

      Often found as a brand name in the hi-tech and industrial worlds.
  12. Altair
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "falcon"
    • Description:

      The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
  13. Amory
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "industrious"
    • Description:

      Amory is the kind of executive-sounding surname name that became popular in the 1990s. Amory Blaine is the protagonist of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, This Side of Paradise.
  14. Anduin
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Anduin is the Sindarin name for the Great River of Wilderland in Tolkien’s fictional Middle-earth. The word means "long river" or "great river".
  15. Aaorn
    • Aaven
      • Abacuc
        • Abeldain
          • Aceland
            • Acorion

              The Nameberry App Is Live

              Nameberry app screenshot
              Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
              • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
              • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
              • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
              • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
              • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
              Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
              Nameberry app screenshot