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Unusual boys' names (mainly Irish)

  1. Lars

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian from Latin Laurentius

    • Meaning:

      "crowned with laurel"

    • Description:

      Lars is a perfect candidate for a cross-cultural passport: it has been heard often enough here to sound familiar and friendly, yet retains the charisma of a charming foreigner.
  2. Malachy

    • Origin:

      Irish version of Malachi, Hebrew, or Secundus, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "my messenger; second"

    • Description:

      This spelling, which came to the attention of readers of the best-selling Angela's Ashes as the name of author Frank McCourt's father and brother, the latter of whom wrote a bestseller of his own, lends the biblical name a more expansive, almost boisterous image. Malachy is one of the Irish baby names that manages to strike the golden mean between familiarity and distinctiveness.
  3. Corin

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "spear"

    • Description:

      Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.
  4. Andreas

    • Origin:

      Original New Testament Greek variation of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Andreas is a beautiful name, with the patina of an Old Master painting, one that could make a dashing namesake for an Uncle Andrew.
  5. Senan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little old one"

    • Description:

      St. Senán was a famed 6th-century monk, who founded a monastery on Inis Cathaigh whose ruins can still be seen today. Legend has it that before he could found the monastery, he had to banish a great monster. Typically spelled as Senán, this name is popular in Ireland and Northern Ireland where it ranks in the Top 100.
  6. Piers

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "rock"

    • Description:

      Piers was the first version of Peter to reach the English-speaking world, via the Normans, but it's never made it in the US, despite its large measure of understated panache. This might change due to the high visibility of TV personality and former news editor Piers Morgan.
  7. Auberon

    • Origin:

      English, French, German

    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler, bright elf; noble bear"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.
  8. Ruadhan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"

    • Description:

      Ruadhan (sometimes spelt with a fada: Ruadhán) is a fashionable name in its native Ireland. Borne one of the Twelve Irish Apostles, it originated as a diminutive of Ruadh, meaning "red-haired". It has sometimes been Anglicized as Rowan.
  9. Roald

    • Origin:

      Norwegian

    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"

    • Description:

      This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can honor an ancestral Ronald just by dropping that middle 'n'.
  10. Llyr

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "the sea"

    • Description:

      Llyr is a name with a great meaning and a lovely sound, but that sound is going to be next to impossible to get non-Welsh speaking people to pronounce (google the double L sound in Welsh). If you are outside Wales, you may wish to consider the Irish alternative Lir, which has the same meaning and an easier sound.
  11. Finian

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fair"

    • Description:

      This lilting Irish saint's name shone in neon lights on Broadway for the classical 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan, and there was also a character on "General Hospital" named Finian O'Toole. With the growing popularity of Finn and Finlay/Finley--and boys' names ending in 'an'--Finian, which can also be spelled Finnian, seems like a sure-fire winner.
  12. Phelan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "wolf"

    • Description:

      Phelan, pronounced FAY-lan or FEE-lan, is an appealing Irish surname name, with a rich history in Irish myth and religious and secular life. One bearer was a fiercely loyal follower of the legendary warrior Finn MacCool, another was a missionary saint.
  13. Odhran

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little pale green one"

    • Description:

      Odhran, Anglicized as Oran, was the name of an ancient saint. Today, Odhran is among the Top 100 Irish names for boys in Ireland.
  14. Manus

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Magnus

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      This is an old Irish name associated with such heroes as the seventeenth century chieftain, scholar and poet Manus O'Donnell. It is likely a variation of Magnus, itself derived from the Latin word for "greatest", though the literal Latin translation of manus connects it to the hand, and more figuratively to work, fighting, violence, writing, and a group of soldiers.
  15. Ruari

    • Description:

      Ruari is a masculine name of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin, derived from 'Ruaidhrí' or 'Rúadhraí,' meaning 'red king' or 'red-haired king.' The elements come from 'ruadh' (red) and 'rí' (king). This name has been borne by several historical Irish high kings and Scottish clan leaders, giving it strong Celtic roots and a noble heritage. While Ruari remains less common outside Celtic regions, it has experienced modest growth as parents increasingly look to heritage names. The name carries a distinctive sound that's both strong and melodic, with its rolling 'r' and open ending. Its compact form balances uniqueness with relative ease of pronunciation, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Celtic character.

  16. Piran

    • Origin:

      Cornish

    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"

    • Description:

      It may be a longshot – especially since it was given to less than 5 boys in the US in 2021 – but Piran could conceivably be a future Kieran, which is shaping up to being the next Kevin. Piran is the patron saint of miners and of Cornwall.
  17. Aubin

    • Origin:

      French form of Albinus, Ancient Roman

    • Meaning:

      "white, blond, bright"

    • Description:

      Aubin might be seen as a fresher and more decidedly masculine twist on Aubrey, though the two are not related. This stylish French choice derives from the Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning "white, bright" or sometimes "blonde". Pronounced with a strong O sound and with a barely there 'n', the name ranked just outside the Top 200 in its native France in a recent year.
  18. Conlan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "hero"

    • Description:

      An undiscovered Irish surname with a cool meaning. It could work as an alternative to Connor and Lachlan.
  19. Nairn

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "river with alder trees"

    • Description:

      Scottish nature name that could prove a tongue- twister for the younger set.
  20. Benen

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "mild"

    • Description:

      This name of an ancient Irish saint -- a favorite disciple of Saint Patrick -- could be an option for parents in search of a more distinctive alternative to Brendan or Aidan.