Boy Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
Unique, Rare, and Uncommon Boy Names (with Meanings and Origins)
Across 50 pages
of 50
Aurian
Latin
"gold"
A handsome alternative to Adrian or Dorian, derived from the Latin word aurum "gold".
Auric
Literary name
Auric is an Ian Fleming anti-hero, better known as Goldfinger. Better to go with James. Or even Bond.
Autry
French surname
"noble strength"
Loose, lean, and lanky cowboy-sounding names have become a recent trend, but how about the name of a real one--the Singing Cowboy Gene. Autry might be thought of as a masculine spin on the…
Avedon
English surname, meaning unknown
Photographer Richard Avedon's unique surname would make a stylish, one-of-a-kind first name for a baby of either sex.
Aveer
Hindi
"strong, brave"
A strong and handsome Indian boy name with a fitting meaning, Aveer derives from the Sanskrit virah and Hindi veer , meaning "brave, valiant, daring, heroic". Other forms of the name include Vir,…
Averill
English
"boar battle"
Averill is an ancient name, most properly spelled Averil, that has a Boston Brahmin air – probably due to the image of statesman Averill Harriman. It's of the rare English surname names that…
Ark
English word name
"(in the Bible) the ship built by Noah to save his family and every animal from the Flood"
A spiritual word name — as in Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant — that also fits the trend for short, punchy words like Oak and Ace. It's rare (used for 7 boys in 2020) but could sail far.
Alexios
Greek
"defending men"
Very popular on its native turf, foreign-sounding here.
Aristotle
Greek
"superior; the best purpose"
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris,…
Arjan
Dutch, Punjabi, Albanian
"from Hadria; gaining; golden life"
There's something particularly attractive about names with an interior " j " and Arjan is a prime example. The Punjabi version is pronounced with a conventional j as in jar; the Dutch Arjan, which is…
Aleph
First letter of the Hebrew alphabet and Hebrew
"chief, number one"
Aleph came into the spotlight when chosen by Israel-born Natalie Portman for her son. Alef is a more common spelling of these related Hebrew baby names . In the Kabbalah, Aleph/Alef relates to the…
Aero
Aero is a distinctive masculine name with modern appeal, derived from the Greek word 'aer' meaning 'air' or 'atmosphere.' This contemporary name evokes associations with flight, freedom, and the…
Abraxas
Persian mythology name
Abraxas is a sci-fi-sounding name with earthly possibilities, but some playground challenges. Abraxas has a long and convoluted history, dating back to ancient Egyptian mythology and the Gnostics who…
Aristeo
Aristeo is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from 'aristos' meaning 'best' or 'excellent.' It shares roots with the name Aristotle and connects to ancient Greek traditions of honor and…
Ario
Variation of Arrius, Roman family name
Ario was derived from the Roman family name Arrius, although it bears closer resemblance to Aria, the Italian name meaning "song."
Alek
Polish, Armenian, Serbian, and Russian form of Alex, Greek, Greenlandic
"defending men; harpoon line"
A variation of Alex used in a number of languages, Alek has the cool, solid feel of Erik and Axel. It can also be a name of Greenlandic origin, meaning "harpoon line".
Arden
English
"valley of the eagle; high"
Arden is a gender-neutral name that's sleek and stylish but always seems to bob just below the surface of popularity, despite ticking all the boxes with its fashionable two-syllable, N-ending shape…
Archibald
Scottish from German
"truly brave"
The short form Archie is so open and friendly --and very trendy in the British Isles--that some parents are now beginning to consider the formerly fusty Archibald as well. SNL comedians Amy Poehler…
Aled
Welsh geographical name
This simple, solid Welsh name enjoyed moderate popularity in England and Wales in the '80s and '90s, after the success of choirboy Aled Jones.
Adria
Adria as a masculine name derives from the Latin 'Hadrianus,' meaning 'from Hadria,' an ancient city that gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. While more commonly used as a feminine name in many…