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One-of-a-Kind Names for Boys

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Thu Feb 01 2024
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. Acacius

    • 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. Pascoe

    • Origin:

      Cornish variation of Pascal

    • Meaning:

      "Easter"

    • Description:

      Pascoe was popular in medieval times and is definitely deserving of revival, especially for a child born in the Easter season. Other spellings are Pasco and Pascow.
  3. Tarquin

    • 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. Django

    • 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.
  5. Jem

    • 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.
  6. Tolliver

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish 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.
  7. Mingus

    • 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.
  8. Cassio

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Cassius

    • Meaning:

      "hollow"

    • Description:

      Cassio is a notable Shakespearean name that's a member of the ever-more-popular Cassius family of names. Cassio was Othello's young, good-looking, and flirtatious lieutenant.
  9. Septimus

    • 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.
  10. Cadmus

    • 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.
  11. Corentin

    • 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.
  12. Bramwell

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "well where the gorse grows; bramble well"

    • Description:

      An unexpected route to nicknames Bram or Wells, this English surname derives from a historical hamlet in England, whose exact location has been lost to time. It comes from the Old English word for "bramble bush", giving it a connection to the natural world.
  13. Finlo

    • 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.
  14. Gawain

    • 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.
  15. Tarian

    • 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.
  16. Romilly

    • 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.
  17. Gulliver

    • 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.
  18. Tibor

    • Origin:

      Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Slovene

    • Meaning:

      "of Tibur (Tivoli)"

    • Description:

      Commonly heard in Hungary and some Slavic countries, Tibor has a large measure of continental dash. The name derives from the Roman town of Tibur, now called Tivoli. It is a Top 100 pick for baby boys in its native Hungary.
  19. Auberon

    • Origin:

      English, French, German

    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler, bright elf; noble bear"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.
  20. Rodion

    • Origin:

      Russian from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "song of the hero"

    • Description:

      Well used in Russia, this is a distinctive and undiscovered choice here. Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is the fictional protagonist of Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoyevsky.