100+ Best Boy Names Below the Top 1000

Updated Mon May 26 2025

Unconventional and unique boy names have boomed in recent years. In 2024, the proportion of American baby boys receiving a name below the Top 1000 was almost 25%. This serves as proof that parents are increasingly willing to think outside the box when naming their sons.

Boy names have historically been much more stable and conservative than girl names, with sons more likely to receive classic names or handed-down family names than their sisters. But now, the gender gap is closing year on year.

The great news is that there has never been a more exciting time to name a boy! But knowing where to start the search for that perfect cool, unusual choice can be difficult.

In an attempt to simplify the process, today we take a systematic look at a selection of the best boy names ranking below the Top 1000.

In 2024, the #1000 spot went to Stefan, given to 225 baby boys. Other cool choices that just missed out on a place in the charts include Bastian and Beck, Lyle and Wren, Caius and Jethro.

All of the uncommon boy names in the lists below were given to fewer than 200 baby boys in 2024. They are sorted according to number of births in the last year on record, and include options to suit a range of styles and sensibilities.

150-200 Births

Boy names given to between 150 and 200 babies last year are well known and liked, but highly unlikely to repeat in a class or friendship group. The below-the-radar options we love include stylish surname and nature names, as well as cool vintage names beyond the usual candidates.

Ansel

Artful and understated, bringing to mind legendary American photographer Ansel Adams — giving this pick an outdoorsy feel. With its soft sound and creative edge, Ansel is posed as a bohemian alternative to Andrew.

Blaise

A sleek, saintly name with a spark — literally. Blaise sounds modern but has deep roots, tied to a 4th-century martyr and mathematician Blaise Pascal. It strikes a rare balance between bold and smooth, and feels right at home beside rising names like Cassian and Soren.

Cormac

With its easygoing charm and cool nickname Mac, it’s amazing that this jaunty Irish option has remained under the radar for so long. It’s a classic in its native land, borne by legendary kings and heroes, and would make a great alternative to falling favorite Connor.

Edmund

A princely classic that’s long flown under the radar in the US, Edmund is gentle, refined, and quietly strong. Literary and noble, it offers dashing nicknames like Teddy or Ned, and could ride the coattails of popular Theodore.

Ralph

Ralph has charm to spare, mixing midcentury vibes with vintage-cool energy. With literary and artistic ties (think Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Fiennes), it’s stylish and self-assured — ready for revival alongside rising names like Hugo and Arthur.

More names given to 150-200 baby boys in 2024

100-149 Births

Boy names in this category feel truly fresh and unexpected, but in-step with current trends like nature names or surname names. They include some excellent uncommon alternatives to the most fashionable boy names of the moment, as well as interesting international options from a wide range of cultures.

Alder

A calm, tailored nature name with a quiet strength. Alder is rare but accessible, fitting right in with trending tree name Rowan and the rugged Archer. With a surname-y feel and a nature hook, we're all in on Alder.

Stellan

This smart and steely name lags far behind its Scandinavian brother Soren in popularity, but feels equally stylish. Its most famous bearer in the US is Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, and it was also chosen for their son by Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly.

Townes

With its homespun charm and folksy flair, Townes feels like a fresh take on the trending cowboy-cool style. S-ending boy names have never been hotter, placing Townes alongside hot picks like Banks. Chosen by Alexander Ludwig and Hilary Duff for their 2024 babies, this is one to watch!

Valor

A bold, aspirational word name in the style of Maverick and Legend, Valor combines virtue with swagger. This modern pick could serve as an update to the classic Victor. It nods to courage and conviction — big ideas in a compact, wearable package.

Ziggy

Ziggy crackles with charisma. This zippy, retro nickname has musical cred via Ziggy Marley and Ziggy Stardust. This one feels like a natural successor to names like Archie and Rory — quirky, lovable, and full of energy. It’s an offbeat nickname that doesn’t take itself too seriously... which is exactly why we love it.

More names given to 100-149 baby boys in 2024

50-99 Births

With fewer than 100 births in 2024, these names are truly standout choices that you’re unlikely to ever encounter on anyone else. But you might be surprised at what qualifies! As well as some more adventurous choices, there are plenty of simple, stylish, even traditional choices that feel fresh and cool on a baby boy today.

Auden

Auden has quiet style and poetic pedigree. It’s rare but fits right in with soft, gender-neutral favorites like August and Rowan. Meaning “old friend,” this choice carries a quiet warmth and feels both timeless and contemporary.

Cosmo

We love all names related to the outer space and the universe, we love boy names ending in -O, and we love quirky and under-the-radar vintage names. Looks like we love Cosmo! Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost famously chose this name for their son born in 2021, spearheading the cause for Cosmo.

Cy

Short, sharp, and effortlessly cool, Cy packs a lot of personality into just two letters. Jennifer Lawrence agrees, naming her son after artist Cy Twombly. It’s a mini name that packs a major punch!

Ignatius

Associated with saints, scholars, and thinkers, Ignatius is a bold, brainy classic with an undeniably distinctive sound. It has an old-world gravitas balanced by playful nickname options like Iggy, Nash, or even Gus.

Sylvan

With its soft, sylvan (literally!) sound and forested meaning, this rare nature name feels both serene and slightly mysterious. Though rare in the U.S., Sylvan meshes with popular nature names like River while carrying its own literary and woodland charm.

More names given to 50-99 baby boys in 2024

Below 50 Births

If you're looking for something truly unique, these are the names for you! Boy names given to fewer than 50 babies last year are virtually one-of-a-kind. The options below stand out for all the right reasons. They include cool names inspired by nature, history, literature, music and sports, to suit every sensibility.

Dacre

A rare British surname made modern through Stranger Things breakout actor Dacre Montgomery. It's compact with a nature-related meaning of "trickling stream." Perfect for parents who are drawn to brisk, outdoorsy names like Drake and Brooks, but looking for something outside-the-box.

Hart

A nature name with bite and beauty — Hart means “stag,” making it a symbol of strength and gentleness. Minimalistic like Finn or Jude, it’s also romantic and quietly bold, a name that feels simple but never plain.

Isidore

Once a grandpa name, now a vintage revival waiting to happen. Isidore has a rich mythological backstory, and its -dore ending makes it a fantastic alternative to top pick Theodore.

Ivo

Brief but bold, Ivo is a sleek pan-European pick with ancient roots and modern style. It’s appreciated in countries from Croatia to the Netherlands. With its sharp 'V' sound and streamlined form, Ivo feels like the cool cousin to Milo and Arlo.

Winslow

Winslow is a soft-spoken surname with an artistic streak — think painter Winslow Homer. This name's warm, windswept sound feels both brainy and gentle. It fits well alongside trending surname picks like Sawyer or Logan, while encorporating that on trend O-ending. Bonus: Win is an undeniably upbeat nickname.

More names given to under 50 baby boys in 2024

About the Author

Madison Dresler

Madison Dresler joined the Nameberry team in August of 2024 and is better known on the forums as lateaugust. She works on editorial projects and helps run Nameberry's social media channels.

Outside of Nameberry, Madison lives in New England with her cloud-shaped dogs and is a research scientist studying why we get sick. You can reach her at madison@nameberry.com