Rare Boy Names You Don’t Know (Yet!)

June 30, 2020 Emma Waterhouse

Lovers of rare 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 unique boy names you’ve never heard of.

Rare Boy Names 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 where to find a cool vintage boy name to why some names become popular memes. 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.

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