Boy Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
Unique, Rare, and Uncommon Boy Names (with Meanings and Origins)
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Deccan
Place-name
The vast plateau in central India makes an intriguing first name, similar to the better-known Irish Declan.
Dennison
English
"son of Dennis"
A case in which the son is now more attractive than the father. There have been Colonial settlers surnamed Dennison on this side of the Atlantic since 1623.
Denzel
Cornish
"from the high stronghold"
This old Cornish name took on a whole new identity via Denzel Washington, who has inspired several thousand namesakes. The actor was named after his father, who was named for a Dr. Denzel, who…
Dermot
Irish, Anglicization of Diarmaid
"free from envy"
Dermot is an appealing, relatively undiscovered Irish mythological hero's name long popular in the Old Country, and imported into the American consciousness by actor Dermot Mulroney. We see it in the…
Destin
Latin
"destiny"
Synthesized name in the Justin/Dustin mold, but has an unpleasant similarity to the diaper rash ointment called Desitin.
Destry
French
"war horse"
Destry rides again, this time as a Western flavored baby name. Derived from the French surname Destrier, from an Anglo-Norman word meaning "warhorse", this rugged name was popularized by the 1930…
Azarel
Hebrew
"God has helped"
A name mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament.
Dewey
Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd
"beloved"
Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation…
Didier
French
"desired, beloved"
Didier is kind of a Desiree for boy--a lively, confident name that's widely used in France and has definite possibilities here. It's the name of an early French saint.
Diem
Latin
"day"
A modern name likely inspired by the Latin phrase carpe diem meaning "seize the day".
Digby
English, Norse
"town by the ditch"
Digby is a place-name in Lincolnshire turned surname turned quirky first name that is starting to get some attention. In fact, it ranked in the UK Top 1000 in a recent year where it fits in with the…
Diggory
French
"Lost one"
This buoyant name has the same bouncy rhythm as Rafferty and Barnaby, but is virtually unused. It has plenty of literary cred, too: characters in The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Thomas…
Diodor
Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian variation of Diodorus, Latin from Greek
"gift of Zeus"
This Theodore sound-alike derives from the name Diodorus, associated with the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus.
Dion
Diminutive of Dionysius, Greek
"child of heaven and earth; of Zeus"
A variation of Greek Dionysius, itself derived from the name of the god of wine, revelry, and dance, Dion gives a nod to mythology while also having historical ties to a student of Plato, to a Greek…
Divine
English word name
"like God"
A generation or two ago it may have been unthinkable to name your child something as bold as Divine. But with names like Messiah and Saint in the mainstream, almost anything is fair game.
Django
Romani
"I awake"
Django — the D is silent as most everyone now knows — the nickname of the great Belgian-born jazz guitarist Django (originally Jean Baptiste) Reinhardt, makes a dynamic musical choice for…
Dodge
English, diminutive of Roger, German
"famous warrior"
This old short form might be seen as a little dubious by some, though it could make for a fun pet name, honor name, on update on the still-stodgy Roger. In a recent film, Seeking a Friend for the End…
Dodger
English
"one who avoids"
A common pet name, usually inspired by the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, Dodger was used as a given name for 6 boys in a recent year. Fiction writer Terry Pratchett used Dodger as a character…
Domenico
Spanish, Italian variation of Dominic, Latin
"belonging to the Lord"
Romantic and artistic Domenico is ripe for the picking as a relatively rare name that fits in with current favorites such as Leonardo and Emiliano. Domenico is the name of many great creatives…
Dayo
Yoruba
"joy arrives"
A joyful Yoruba name which would be perfect for a long-awaited baby.