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One-of-a-Kind Names for Boys

One-of-a-Kind Names for Boys

One-of-a-kind names for boys that nobody — and by nobody, we mean zero people in the US the last year counted — is using in the US include the following fascinating and rare boy names.

Some of the coolest rare boy names are international favorites such as Pim, Ngozi, Maxence, and Jadson. Other totally unique boy names include stylish surnames Osgood, Seaton, and Tolliver, and groundbreaking word names Drummer, Quartz, and Traveler.

On this list are many unusual yet classic boys' names as well as fresh, creative choices. If you are looking for truly rare names for your baby boy, any of these would be excellent choices, ordered by their popularity on Nameberry.

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Boy Names

Unique Names

  1. AcaciusHeart
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "thorny; or, innocent, not evil"
    • Description:

      Acacius is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Akakios and can be interpreted to relate to the same root as the name Acacia, for the thorn bush, or Akakios which means "not evil." With the modern taste for ancient names that end in "us," this obscure but attractive choice may have a chance of new life. Acacius is the name of three early saints.
  2. AuberonHeart
    • Origin:

      English from German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, bearlike"
    • Description:

      Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. Possibly starting as a pet form of Aubrey, it was also infuenced by Oberon, the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
  3. TarquinHeart
    • Origin:

      Latin, Roman clan name
    • Description:

      One of the few ancient Roman names that doesn't end in us, the rarely heard Tarquin has a decidedly creative, even dramatic flair, which could appeal to the parent looking for a strikingly original name. Sir Laurence Olivier used it for his oldest child, who was named Simon Tarquin but called by his middle name.
  4. SeptimusHeart
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "the seventh son"
    • Description:

      Septimus is one of the more dashing of the birth-order Latin number names that were revived by the Victorians. So even if you don't anticipate son number 7, you might be bold enough to consider this relic, certainly preferable to sixth-son name Sextus.
  5. CadmusHeart
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "one who excels"
    • Description:

      Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents — especially since Cadmus Peverell is a human Harry Potter character, one of the three original owners of the Deathly Hallows.
  6. KehindeHeart
    • Origin:

      Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "second-born of twins or one who falls behind"
    • Description:

      This African name, which derives from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, is used for both girls and boys -- but in the US, its most notable bearer is (male) artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley, who paints brown- and black-skinned people in the style of European Old Masters, was born in Los Angeles of an African-American mother and a Yoruba father and was also a twin, thus his name. An attractive and creative choice for either gender.
  7. DjangoHeart
    • Origin:

      Romani
    • Meaning:

      "I awake"
    • Description:

      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 any jazz aficionado. Reinhardt's nickname "Django" is Romani for "I awake." The name has become more familiar with the release of and acclaim for the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained.
  8. CorentinHeart
    • Origin:

      French, Breton
    • Meaning:

      "tempest, hurricane"
    • Description:

      Corentin is an intriguing saint's name fashionable in France but virtually unknown here-- which you may consider a big plus. St. Corentin possessed a magical fish that regenerated itself each night, feeding himself and his lucky visitors in perpetuity.
  9. MingusHeart
    • Origin:

      Scottish, variation of Menzies
    • Meaning:

      "tenants of a manor"
    • Description:

      Supermodel Helena Christensen named her son in honor of jazz great Charles Mingus, opening up a whole category of jazzy possibilities: Kenton, Calloway, Ellington, Gillespie, Mulligan, Tatum, and Thelonius.
  10. FinloHeart
    • Origin:

      Manx
    • Meaning:

      "fair Lugh"
    • Description:

      Finlo is a name from the Isle of Man, deriving from that island's pagan sun god, Lugh. Given the popularity of all Finn names right now, Finlo could be a great alternative for people who love the "Fin" sound but want a more unusual name.
  11. JemHeart
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
    • Description:

      This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
  12. GulliverHeart
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "glutton"
    • Description:

      Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors Damian Lewis, of Homeland, and Helen McCrory also have a son named Gulliver.
  13. FinbarHeart
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fair-haired"
    • Description:

      This is an ancient saints' name well used in Ireland but a rarity here and unlikely to ever reach the popularity of other Finn-ish names. St. Finbarr (the more common spelling) is the patron saint of Cork and in Irish folklore, Finbarr was king of the fairies.
  14. AubinHeart
    • Origin:

      French form of Alban
    • Meaning:

      "white, blond"
    • Description:

      More appealing than the English version, Aubin might be seen as a fresher and more decidedly masculine twist on Aubrey. This handsome discovery is now ranked at Number 311 in its native France.
  15. TolliverHeart
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "metalworker"
    • Description:

      If you're tired of Oliver, you might consider this energetic three-syllable surname instead, so you could have a little Tolly instead of an Ollie.
  16. GawainHeart
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "May hawk"
    • Description:

      This name of the courteous Knight of the Round Table, the nephew of King Arthur, has long been superseded by its Scottish form, Gavin.
  17. TarianHeart
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "shield"
    • Description:

      Country singer Travis Tritt is partial to the letter T for his children's names: he has a Tyler, a Tristan, and a son named Tarian. Tarian is a unisex Welsh name which, though used more for girls in Wales, would be perfectly acceptable here for a boy.
  18. AragonHeart
    • Origin:

      Spanish place name
    • Description:

      Equally strong, dramatic and romantic, this name of an old kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula and a modern Spanish community as well, would give a boy an instant pedigree.
  19. RomillyHeart
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "man of Rome"
    • Description:

      Originally a surname deriving from the Roman twin Romulus, this attractive name was introduced to the English-speaking world by painter Augustus John who used it for his son. Romilly John became Admiral of the Fleet in England. Now used for both sexes but highly unusual for either, Romilly was given to a dozen girls in the US last year and no boys.
  20. CathalHeart
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "battle rule"
    • Description:

      The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to our shores. The t is not pronounced.