Boy Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
Unique, Rare, and Uncommon Boy Names (with Meanings and Origins)
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Sorin
Romanian
"sun"
As opposed to the Scandinavian Soren, Sorin derives from the Romanian word for "sun", and is quite common in its native land. For literary cred, Sorin is a character in Chekhov's "The Seagull."
Sorrel
Botanical name and French
"reddish brown"
Sorrel is a gentle, amber-hued herbal and autumnal name that's used most often to describe the color of a horse. Sorrell is a variant spelling. Both make excellent names for autumn babies and can be…
Spalding
English and Scottish
"divided field"
Has diverse links to a Groucho Marx character, a bouncing ball, and late performance artist Spalding Gray.
Spence
Short form of Spencer
Spence is occasionally used as a name all on its own and it has more of a sense of completeness than many nickname-names.
Spike
English word name
"a very large nail"
Spike is part mid-century nickname-name, ala Buster or Buck, and part word name, with an all-over cool creative dude feel thanks to directors Spike Lee and Spike Jonze. Mike Myers named his son…
Springer
English surname
"jumper, leaper"
This lively, springy, rarely used surname name has an interesting history. For the English, German, Dutch and Ashkenazic Jews it was a nickname for a lively person or traveling entertainer, deriving…
Spruce
Tree name
A handsome, spruced-up post-Bruce tree name.
Steele
English
"steel"
This steely surname has a macho image that might feel more appropriate for a romance novel than a baby. But on the upside, it's also sleek and modern, familiar yet unusual, given to only around 100…
Stellan
Swedish, meaning unknown, possibly "calm"
"calm"
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…
Stig
Swedish
"wanderer"
Like Stian, a more manageable short form of the unwieldy Srigandr, but with a less euphonic sound. Stig Larsson is a successful Swedish novelist, not to be confused with the even more successful late…
Storm
Word name
Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the…
Story
English word name
"an account of incidents or events"
A new unisex word name with a lot of charm, especially appropriate for the child of writers. Soleil Moon Frye named her second baby boy Story and Jenna Elfman called her son Story Elias.
Stuart
Scottish
"steward"
This ancient royal Scottish name had a brief vogue in midcentury America, but it would be far from a fresh choice for a baby boy now.
Sufyan
Arabic
"slender"
A common Islamic name, borne by Abu Sufyan, a figure from early Islamic history.
Sulien
Welsh
"sun born"
Said to be the name of the most learned man in ancient Wales, in this country it would be open to mispronunciation, making it rhyme with Julien.
Sully
French or English
"stain or from the south meadow"
A jaunty offshoot of Sullivan, Sully will be associated by kids with the beloved character in the Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc . Some notable real-life namesakes are French poet and essayist…
Summit
English word name
"highest point of a mountain"
An especially adventurous word name that conjures up mountain expeditions. As names like Everest and Zenith continue to climb, so too should Summit.
Sunny
Nickname name
Upbeat nickname-name that can't help but make you smile, along with its soundalike Sonny. Sunny Pawar, the five-year-old star of the 2016 smash-hit movie Lion , was cast from among thousands of young…
Sylvan
Latin
"wood, forest"
One of the many variations of Silvanus, the name of the Roman forest god, and a little-used member of the freshly stylish Sylv- family of names. Silvan is the sleek German and Dutch form. Given to…
Tab
Modern invented name
A Hollywood agent created the name Tab Hunter and poof -- the former Arthur Gelien became a fifties teen idol. We don't advise trying this at home.