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Cool Unusual Boy Names

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Sat Apr 19 2025
Cool Unusual Boy Names

The cool unusual boy names on this list are the ones we believe have the most potential. These rare boy names have genuine roots, are attractive, and work in the modern world. It might surprise you that parents aren’t using names such as Stellan and Cashel in droves, yet they rank well outside of the Top 1000.

Along with Stellan and Cashel, other unique boy names worth considering include Barnaby, Cassian, Fielding, Grover, Hart, Lorcan, Orson, and Ward. Many names that are popular internationally are unusual in the US, such as Hamish, Laszlo, Linus, and Stanislav.

Cute unusual boy names include Ivo, Kit, Clancy, and Guthrie.

These names may be unusual in popularity, but they don’t skimp on style. If you're looking for boy names that are so rare that your son is sure to be the only one with his name in his classroom — or maybe even his state! — check out the selections here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

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  1. Cassian

    • Origin:

      Latin, variation of Cassius

    • Meaning:

      "hollow"

    • Description:

      Rugged but gentle at the same time, Cassian is a saintly and stylish choice that was derived from the name Cassius. Before 2017, it was an obscure choice, given to a tiny handful of boys each year. As of 2023, however, it's become one of the top ten fastest-rising names in the US, more than doubling in usage since 2022 and edging closer towards the Top 500.
  2. Kit

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Christopher

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of Christ"

    • Description:

      Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son back in the 2000s, while actor Kit Connor of Heartstopper fame may have introduced it to a wider audience.
  3. Cassius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "hollow"

    • Description:

      Cassius, a Shakespearean name rooted in antiquity, is trending in a major way. It's one of a raft of Cas-starting names for both boys and girls, including Caspian, Cassian, and Cassia, that are enjoying a new moiment in the sun.
  4. Ozias

    • Origin:

      Greek, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "my strength is God"

    • Description:

      A cool Biblical option that entered the US Top 1000 in 2024, Ozias gets extra points for its user-friendly nicknames Oz and Ozzie. Given to around 280 boys in 2024, it is five times more popular than it was in 2014.

      Deriving from the Hebrew Uzziah, Ozias is the name of several minor figures in the Greek and Latin Bible, most notably the king of the ancient Kingdom of Judah. It also has a literary connection in the form of the wonderfully named Ozias Midwinter from Wilkie Collins' 19th century sensationalist novel Armadale. Several characters in the novel describe the name as "horrible", claiming that "no sane human being would assume such a name as Ozias", but we — and a growing number of parents —would disagree.
  5. Aurelius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "the golden one"

    • Description:

      Since Aurelius was given the supermodel seal of approval by Elle Macpherson, it has joined Augustus as an ancient Roman name that feels usable today. Slightly mystical and magical, Aurelius is grounded by its similarity to rising stars Aurora, Aurelia, and Atticus, and its golden aura is certainly appealing.
  6. Stellan

    • Origin:

      Swedish, meaning unknown, possibly "calm"

    • Meaning:

      "calm"

    • Description:

      Stellan is a strong, attractive, Scandinavian possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard, and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. Its trendy 'an' ending and the similarity in sound to the popular Kellen/Kellan make it all the more accessible.
  7. Linus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "flax"

    • Description:

      Can Linus lose its metaphorical security blanket and move from the Peanuts page onto the birth certificate? We think it has enough charm and other positive elements going for it for the answer to be yes.
  8. Lorcan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little, fierce"

    • Description:

      Lorcan is a name rich in Irish history as belonging to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. Lorcan O'Toole, known in English as Laurence O'Toole, is the patron saint of Dublin, so it's not too surprising that Irish-born actor Peter O'Toole named his son Lorcan.
  9. Ivo

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "yew wood, archer"

    • Description:

      Ivo is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'. Hardly heard in the U.S., it is used a bit more frequently in England, as is the related Ivor, a favorite of such novelists as Evelyn Waugh and P.G. Wodehouse. Ivo is currently most popular in the Netherlands.
  10. Torin

    • Origin:

      Irish, Spanish, French

    • Meaning:

      "little chief, little hill, mound; holding fast; bull"

    • Description:

      Though it has a Scandinavian ring (a la Thorfinn), Torin is in fact a multicultural choice, an occasional feature in the UK Top 1000, and given to around 150 boys in the US each year. Connected to nature, power, and astrology, it is a distinctive yet trendy sounding choice.
  11. Quincy

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "estate of the fifth son"

    • Description:

      Quirky in the way that all Q names are quirky, Quincy was once a buttoned-up, patrician New England name, an image countered in recent years by the talented and ultracool musician Quincy Jones (middle name: Delight; nickname: Q).
  12. Calix

    • Origin:

      Male variation of Calixta or Latin

    • Meaning:

      "chalice"

    • Description:

      Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 47 baby boys were named Calix in 2023. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.
  13. Hamish

    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of James

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out to Laird and Ewan territory, this may be worth consideration. It also sounds just like the Yiddish word for homey.
  14. Virgil

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "staff bearer"

    • Description:

      The name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who believed the earth was round, Virgil is heard most notably today as the name of designer Virgil Abloh of Off-White.
  15. Orson

    • Origin:

      Latin and English

    • Meaning:

      "bear cub"

    • Description:

      In the past, Orson has felt like a one-person moniker, tied to film director Orson Welles, who dropped his given name of George in favor of his more distinctive middle. While the Citizen Kane creator seemed to own the name during his lifetime, it's now an interesting possibility for any parent seeking an unusual yet solid name. It's started to appear to the celeb set too -- both Paz Vega and Lauren Ambrose have little Orsons.
  16. Oberon

    • Origin:

      Variation of Auberon

    • Meaning:

      "elf king; noble bear"

    • Description:

      The Shakespearean character Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream is King of the Fairies, but the name, with its bold 'O' beginning has plenty of strength alongside its magical qualities.
  17. Cosmo

    • Origin:

      Italian, English, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "order, beauty, universe"

    • Description:

      With a touch of celestial power, a hint of clunky charm, and the totally cool -o ending, Cosmo may well be finally shaking itself free of both the Seinfeld association (which made it a punchline of a joke) and the cartoon fairy association from The Fairly OddParents. In fact, it is in the Top 1000 in the UK and a favorite on Nameberry.
  18. Percival

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "one who pierces the valley"

    • Description:

      There are several Percivals scattered through the Harry Potter series, which might help transform the old-fangled, fussy image it has accrued. Actually, the original Percival was the one perfectly pure Knight of the Round Table, a worthy hero. The name was invented in the twelfth century by a poet named Chretien de Troyes, for his ideal knight in the poem Percevale, a Knight of King Arthur.
  19. Casimir

    • Origin:

      English; French, from Polish

    • Meaning:

      "destroyer of peace"

    • Description:

      Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering if you've got an adventurous streak — and bet your son will too.
  20. Barnaby

    • Origin:

      English variation of Barnabas, Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "son of consolation"

    • Description:

      Barnaby, a genial and energetic name with an Irish-sounding three-syllable lilt, is an ancient appellation that manages to be both unusual and highly attractive and deserves to be used more than it is. A sweet-spot name that's a real winner.