Rare Boy Names You Don’t Know (Yet!)

June 30, 2020 Emma Waterhouse

Lovers of unknown boy names – today it’s your turn!

Yesterday, we brought you a list of 100+ rare girl names that feel unique but highly usable, and today we bring you the boys’ list. The rules are the same: none of these names was given to more than 10 baby boys in 2018 (the most recent year for which the SSA has released data) – and many are truly one of a kind.

These names hail from languages and cultures from all over the world, and include traditional choices as well as under-the-radar surname and word names. The one thing they have in common? You’ve probably never heard of them.

(Go on – let us know in the comments section how many were really new to you!)

Without further ado, here’s our A to Z roundup of the 100+ best rare boy names you’ve never heard of.

Unknown Boy Names: an A-Z

A

Agni
Aneirin
Arend
Ashbel
Asketill
Atwood
Aubert
Auley
Avihu

B

Bardou
Bedo
Berian
Brioc
Bristow

C

Cadfael
Caian
Caradoc
Caruso
Cezanne
Corcan
Cybi

D

Dacre
Dalziel
Diallo
Dorsey
Dougray
Drystan
Durai

E

Eldred
Elidor
Eliphelet
Elouan
Esca
Esker

F

Fairfax
Faro
Finnur

G

Gabin
Geneo
Gwenael

H

Haimo
Halldor
Hampson
Hendry
Heriot

I

Ianto
Imtiaz
Indra
Ingvar
Innes
Irvine
Iskandar
Issey

J

Jaco
Jaques
Johani
Jospin
Judoc

K

Kabelo
Kees
Kenelm
Kobus

L

Lachie
Lemmitty
Leolin
Lowry

M

Mabon
Majdi
Malo
Mathurin

N

Nandor
Narvi
Ninian
Nye

O

Oshin
Osier

P

Padgett
Parvan
Pasco
Piran

Q

Qismat
Quiller
Quirin

R

Ravello
Raza
Rhisiart
Riaz
Roch
Runar

V

Valtin

W

Whistler
Wyre
Wystan

X

Xurxo

Y

Yannou
Yngvi
Yohane

Z

Ziri
Zindelo
Zoravar
Zuko

What would you name a son today, using only this list? Have you heard any unknown boy names you think deserve more love? Share them below!

About the author

Emma Waterhouse

Emma Waterhouse — better known as @katinka around these parts — joined the team in 2017, writing about everything from pregnancy and birth to unique baby names from fiction and fantasy. As Nameberry's head moderator, she also helps to keep our active Forums community ticking. A linguist by background, Emma speaks six languages and lives in England's smallest county with her husband and three young children. You can reach her at emma@nameberry.com.

View all of Emma Waterhouse's articles