One-of-a-Kind Names for Boys

Cadmus

Greek

"one who excels"

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…

Cassio

Italian variation of Cassius

"hollow"

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.

Cathal

Irish

"battle rule"

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…

Cedro

Cedro is a masculine name with Latin origins, deriving from 'cedrus', meaning 'cedar tree'. The cedar has long symbolized strength, dignity, and immortality across many cultures. As a name, Cedro…

Ciprian

Romanian, from Greek

"man of Cyprus"

Clem

, English, diminutive of Clement

Laid-back and humble, with a distinctive down-home charm.

Cleve

Diminutive of Cleveland

Appealing short form of the stuffy Cleveland, occasionally used on its own.

Conran

Irish, anglicization of O'conarain

"descendant of Conaran"

Associated with iconic British designer and retailer Terence Conran, who had an international impact on household design. Makes a nice variation on Conrad.

Corentin

French, Breton

"tempest, hurricane"

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,…

Cousteau

French surname

"coast dweller"

Charismatic surname name borne by French explorer, conservationist, scientist, inventor and author Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who devoted his life to the study of the sea and all forms of life in water.

Crusoe

Literary surname

Crusoe, as in castaway hero Robinson, is a literary invention by author Daniel Defoe. In the novel, the character says his name is an Anglicization of the German Kreutznaer, which may be a place name…

Darton

English

"deer town"

Obscure, though legitimate, name that could be used to honor a relative named Barton or Martin.

Digory

English

"lost one"

Digory is the name of a character in a romantic poem from the Middle Ages as well as from The Chronicles of Narnia , also known as The Professor. There's a Harry Potter character named Diggory. If…

Django

Romani

"I awake"

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…

Drummer

Occupational word name

Drummer entered the baby name lexicon thanks to blogger No Big Dill, who chose it for her newborn son, who joins five older sisters. Drummer is right in step with other occupational names in vogue…

Duarte

Portuguese variation of Edward, English

"wealthy guardian"

Incredibly handsome and super smooth, Duarte sounds like it came straight out of a romance novel. You almost wouldn’t believe it’s derived from Edward.

Dunstan

English

"dark stone"

A two-syllable surname feel puts this name of an important English saint in the running -- though it could sound like a confused cross between Duncan and Dustin.

Eisenhower

German occupational surname

"iron cutter"

Eisenhower is derived from Eisenhauer, a German surname composed of the elements eisen , meaning "iron," and hauer , "hewer." In modern English, that translates to "iron cutter." It's best known as…

Fairfax

English

"blond"

If this name makes you think of Victorian novels, it's because Fairfax was part of Mr Rochester's name in Jane Eyre , and the surname of a minor character in Jane Austen's Emma . It has a distinctly…

Acacius

Greek

"thorny; or, innocent, not evil"

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…