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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. 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.
  2. 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.
  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. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Umberto

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Humbert

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      A definite improvement over the English Humbert, Umberto has nevertheless been rarely heard outside the Italian community.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Aubin

    • Origin:

      French form of Albinus, Ancient Roman

    • Meaning:

      "white, blond, bright"

    • Description:

      Aubin might be seen as a fresher and more decidedly masculine twist on Aubrey, though the two are not related. This stylish French choice derives from the Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning "white, bright" or sometimes "blonde". Pronounced with a strong O sound and with a barely there 'n', the name ranked just outside the Top 200 in its native France in a recent year.
  15. Piran

    • Origin:

      Cornish

    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"

    • Description:

      It may be a longshot – especially since it was given to less than 5 boys in the US in 2021 – but Piran could conceivably be a future Kieran, which is shaping up to being the next Kevin. Piran is the patron saint of miners and of Cornwall.
  16. 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.
  17. Roald

    • Origin:

      Norwegian

    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"

    • Description:

      This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can honor an ancestral Ronald just by dropping that middle 'n'.
  18. Gawain

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "May hawk"

    • Description:

      With a noble air and a distinctive yet familiar sound, Gawain is drawn from Arthurian legend, in which he is one of King Arthur's loyal knights and his nephew. Also appearing as the hero of the 14th century poem, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, his name is possibly borrowed from the Welsh Gwalchmai, meaning "May hawk".
  19. Akello

    • Origin:

      Ugandan

    • Meaning:

      "I have brought forth"

    • Description:

      Energetic but mellow.
  20. Nat

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel

    • Description:

      Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.