Boy Names Lists · International Baby Names
Uncommon Boy Names
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About this list
There are many thousand uncommon boy names in the US that are widely used in their native lands. Does that mean they're ripe for import? Perhaps.
All of the names on this list rank below the US Top 500. Those rising up the American charts include Idris, Alessio, Monty, and Archie. All of these names could be considered hidden gems, but those that feel especially ripe for American discovery include Viggo, Maxence, Florian, and Cormac.
A rare and uncommon name will set your son apart from the crowd. The international boy names uncommon in the US but popular in their cultures of origin include the following.
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The names
Archie
Diminutive of Archibald, Teutonic
"truly brave"
Archie made global news as the surprise first name of the newborn royal baby, son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aka Harry and Meghan. Archie has now officially transcended Archie Bunker and…
Mathias
Spelling variation of Mattias, Greek
"gift of God"
Matthias is the ancient Biblical form of Matthew, widely used along with brother Mathias in the US for the past 20 years. This New Testament name -- he was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as an…
Kian
Irish; Persian
"ancient; king"
A friendly Irish and Persian name chosen by Geena Davis for one of her twin boys, whose father is Iranian. Irish and Iranian has to be one of the most diverse pair of roots of any name. Kian can be a…
Yusuf
Arabic variation of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
Yusuf is the Arabic form of Joseph, used in the Middle East, as well as internationally from France and the US, to the UK, Turkey and Azerbaijan - where, as of 2023, it ranked in the Top 100. In…
Ayaan
Arabic
"God's gift"
This name directly translates to the way most parents feel about their sons. It's rising quickly in popularity, along with many other names from the Indian subcontinent.
Musa
Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Moses, Egyptian
"delivered from the water"
With its gentle but solid sounds, Musa is a name that feels both dignified and energetic. The Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Moses, Musa is popular internationally, from The Netherlands to…
Arjun
Hindi
"bright, shining, white"
Popular in India and among Indo-Americans, this name of the hero of a famous Hindu epic has an extremely pleasing sound. Arjun is based on Arjuna, who was in Indian legend the son of the king of…
Cillian
Irish
"war strife or church"
Cillian is one of the native Irish names that, along with Aiden and Declan, is becoming an unlikely favorite in contemporary America. The Killian spelling has been more popular in the US, but…
Hamza
Arabic
"lion or strong"
Hamza was the legendary uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, hero of The Hamzanama, the Story of Hamza.
Rayan
Arabic
"land that is lush and rich in water"
Popular Arabic name for boys and sometimes girls too, that's also a term of authority in India.
Lachlan
Scottish
"from the fjord-land"
Lachlan is as Scottish as haggis and tartan plaid kilts—a favorite used throughout England, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand—and just beginning to be noticed in the US: it reached the Top 1000…
Yahya
Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Yochanan
"God is Gracious"
Yahya is an Islamic name derived from the Hebrew Yochanan, making it both an honor for the prophet John the Baptist, and one of many international forms of John. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is…
Hassan
Arabic
"handsome"
Hassan is among the more familiar Arabic choices, and also one with an attractive meaning. It has appeared in the US Top 1000 every year since 1971. In one Nigerian tribe, it's used for the first…
Zayd
Arabic
"increase, growth"
Zayd (or its most common variant Zaid), an old and still well used Arabic name, was a enslaved man whom Muhammad adopted as his son.
Idris
Welsh; Arabic
"ardent lord; studious, interpreter"
A name that crosses cultures, Idris was virtually unknown in the US before the emergence of the charismatic actor Idris Elba, first on The Wire and then for depicting Nelson Mandela. Since then, the…
Ahmed
Arabic
"greatly praised"
This variation of Ahmad is one of the most popular Arabic names among Muslim families the world over and is now the most used spelling in the USA. It shares the same root as other popular Arabic…
Aarav
Hindi
"peaceful"
Aarav is derived from the Sanskrit root "rav," which is related to peace and music. Aarav is also associated with the concept of wisdom. It has traditionally been a common name among Hindus, who…
Marcel
French variation of Marcellus
"little warrior"
Marcel, despite distinguished namesakes including Proust and Duchamp, suffers from a terminal headwaiter image in this country. But along with its sister name Marcella and French variation (and…
Mustafa
Arabic
"the chosen one"
Mustafa is a name widely used in Turkey, as it was the given name of the man popularly known as Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Mustafa is also an epithet of the prophet Muhammad and was the…
Abdullah
Arabic
"servant of Allah"
Abdullah is an alternative transcription of the name Abd Allah, which translates to "servant of Allah". Popular across throughout the Muslim world, it ranks in the Turkish Top 100 and the UK Top 200.…