Boy Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
Unique, Rare, and Uncommon Boy Names (with Meanings and Origins)
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Rolf
Abbreviated form of Rudolf, German
"famous wolf"
Like Papa name Rudolf, Rolf never quite emigrated from the Bavarian Alps. You might want to move on to Rollo or Wolf.
Rollins
French and German surname
"famous throughout the land"
Rollins is primarily a surname derived from the Germanic personal name Hrodland (composed of 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'land' meaning 'territory'), which evolved into Roland in French. As a first…
Rollo
Latin form of Rolf
"wolf"
Rollo is a livelier, roly-poly, o-ending version of Roland. Although it sounds modern, Rollo actually was seen regularly on Latin documents in the Middle Ages, though not heard in everyday speech.…
Romaric
German
"famously strong"
Romaric was derived from the German elements hrôm , meaning "fame," and rîcja , "strong." It's the name of an obscure Frankish saint who left his life as a courtier to become a monk.
Romero
Spanish, Portuguese
"pilgrim to Rome; rosemary"
Romero is one of the less common variations of the stylish family of Rome-related names. Only 42 baby boys were named Romero in the US last year, versus more than 6000 named Roman and 1100 named…
Romulus
Latin
"citizen of Rome"
He was the original Roman, Remus's twin and a founder of Rome. But parents attracted to this name are advised to read the legend first. Romulus does have some less than savory characteristics,…
Roscoe
English, Norse
"deer forest"
Fairly popular a hundred years ago but out of the US charts since 1978, the quirky yet edgy Roscoe feels very much in step with the trending o-ending boy names popular now, such as Milo, Hugo, and…
Ruadh
Irish
"red"
Also spelt Rua, Ruadh is a strong and simple Irish name with a fiery meaning. Ruadhan is a popular related name.
Rudd
English surname
"red or ruddy"
The surname Rudd, made most famous by Antman actor Paul, derives from the words ruddy or red and may have originally been given to someone with a reddish complexion. While this name can theoretically…
Rudyard
English
"red enclosure"
Often thought of as a one-peson name because of Jungle Book writer Kipling, this was actually his middle name. He was middle-named for Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, the beauty of which inspired his…
Ruffin
Surname name
Soul fans may wish to use this unusual name as a reference to singer Jimmy Ruffin and his younger brother David, one of the lead members of The Temptations.
Rufus
Latin
"red-head"
Rufus is a rumpled, redheaded (it was the nickname for red-haired King William) ancient Roman name popular with saints and singers (e.g. Rufus Wainwright); now, Rufus is on the cutting edge of cool.…
Rugby
English
"rook fortress"
Rough and sporty, but too specific.
Rule
Word name
Stricter than Peace or Justice.
Rune
German and Swedish
"secret"
Name with connotations both mystical and tragic, newly popular in Europe. For English speakers, though, this name might be ruined by its homonym ruin.
Runyon
Irish
"son of a champion"
Runyon is an Irish surname with considerable flair; some will connect it with Guys and Dolls writer Damon Runyon.
Rupert
German variation of Robert
"bright fame"
Rupert is a charming-yet-manly name long more popular in Britain (where it's attached to a beloved cartoon bear) than in the U.S. Yet we can see Rupert as a more stylish, modern way to honor an…
Rupin
Sanskrit
"handsome"
Rupin is one of those names that is virtually unknown in the Western world and yet is easily translated because it feels so familiar -- parts Rupert, Robin, and Reuben. A handsome choice.
Rush
English
"basket weaver"
Might suggest speed, excitement, even danger, were it not for its best-known bearer, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.
Ruskin
Scottish
"from a family of tanners"
British-sounding literary surname choice.