Boy Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 19 pages
of 19
Variation of Varius, Roman, Latin
"versatile"
Ultimately derived from the Roman family name, Varius, this name is versatile as its meaning suggests. Both ancient and modern in feel, rugged yet regal, it may appeal to those who like Adrian,…
Scottish
"slope of a hill"
A Scottish word name and a short form of Brayden, Brae has a gentle but solid feel to it. However, a 'bray' is also the sound a donkey makes.
American invented name or Judeo-Italian
"kosher, correct"
In its modern form, Casher is a hybrid of Cash and Asher that debuted in 2019. Historically, Casher — pronounced kah-SHARE — was used among Italian Jews.
Invented name
Though it's a new name, sounds almost as dated as GARY and DARREN.
Japanese variation of l'Ollonais, French surname
"from Les Sables-d'Olonne"
Roronoa was created for the pirate-themed anime series One Piece . Roronoa is the Japanese pronunciation of l'Ollonais, the name of notable pirate Francois l'Ollonais. The historical pirate was born…
Modern invented name
If you're tired of Kevin and Devin, you might consider the newly coined Brevin.
A modern creation — likely a hybrid of James and the on-trend -iah suffix.
Literary invented name
Invented in 1939 as the name of Marvel Comics character Namor the Sub-Mariner. Bill Everett, the creator, decided on Namor after writing noble, dignified names in reverse—Namor is Roman spelled…
Variation of Sohan, French
Soan is a variation of Sohan, an invented French name that may be related to the masculine Jean. Both names rank in France’s Top 100, with the original Sohan pulling slightly ahead. The Soan version…
A seldom-used Game of Thrones name, perhaps because its main originator, Tywin Lannister, is as ruthless as any character in the show. Yet the "ty-" beginning is so ubiquitous and popular that Tywin…
The Westerosi equivalent of Benjamin -- meaning it's a "Game of Thrones" name, for non-fans -- is most prominently borne in George R.R. Martin's novels by Benjen Stark, younger brother of Eddard…
Dalton with a B. The original is better.
The name of a minor character in Game of Thrones , Balon Greyjoy, the ancient lord of the Iron Islands and father to lead character Theon Greyjoy.
Literary name
"tiger"
Rudyard Kipling created the name Bagheera for the black panther character in his classic collection The Jungle Book . It was derived from the Hindi word bagh , meaning "tiger." Today, Bagheera is a…
Zee-ifying Bailey.
"star lover"
Invented by 16th-century English poet Sir Philip Sidney for the hero of his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella , this name is derived from the Greek elements aster "star" and philos "lover".…
We can't believe we're saying this, but we'd even prefer Arnie or Barney.
On the other hand, Zarren is an improvement on Darren.
The European-sounding name of the husband of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder actually arose as an Anglicisation of an Arabic name: "Way back in the time of the crusades there…
Italian invented name
A clear reference to the Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, known for his adaptations of Shakespearean plays such as The Taming of the Shrew , Romeo and Juliet , and Hamlet . Zeffirelli was…
