Uncommon Boy Names
- Jan
Origin:
Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Polish, Slovene, German, and Catalan variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
A standard form of John in Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Polish, Slovene, German, and Catalan. Properly pronounced yahn (in most of these languages), most Americans will still equate it with the Brady Bunchesque girls' name Jan.
- Osian
Origin:
Welsh variation of OisinDescription:
Osian is the easier-to-comprehend version of the ancient Irish Oisin, an important name in mythology. Osian or Oisin was a warrior poet. Osian is popular in modern Wales and England. While Oisin is pronounce oh-SHEEN, Osian is pronounced o-SHAN -- though we bet most Americans would just say ocean, which you may consider a good thing.
- Mads
Origin:
Danish variation of MatthewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Mads is a perennial favorite in Germany, the Nordic countries, and the Netherlands, where it is usually to be found in the Top 50. Just remember the D is not pronounced. Famous bearers include Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, the villain of the Bond film "Casino Royale".
- Onni
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"happiness, luck"Description:
Onni is the Number 1 boy's name in Finland yet largely unknown in the English-speaking world. Its uplifting meaning makes it a plausible possibility if you want to honor your Nordic heritage.
- Moritz
Origin:
German form of MauriceMeaning:
"dark-skinned"Description:
The unusual-to-the-English-ear Moritz is a Top 25 name in Germany and Austria and a form of Maurice or Morris, which are modern variations of the ancient Roman Maurus. There were several early saints named Maurus and a famous 3rd century Saint Maurice, who was a Roman infantryman who was martyred when he refused to worship Roman gods. The Moritz form also references the posh Swiss ski resort St. Moritz.
- Odhran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little pale green one"Description:
Odhran, Anglicized as Oran, was the name of an ancient saint. Today, Odhran is among the Top 100 Irish names for boys in Ireland.
- Arvid
Origin:
Swedish, Norwegian, DanishMeaning:
"eagle-tree"Description:
Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden. It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional A name.
- Ruairi
- Dara
Origin:
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, KhmerMeaning:
"oak tree; wealthy; leader; star"Description:
Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh.
- Andrea
Origin:
Italian variation of Andrew, GreekMeaning:
"strong and manly"Description:
Andrea may be a gender neutral name in its native Italy and other European countries, but in the US it's 98 percent a girls' name, with only about 20 males to more than 1800 baby girl given that name in the most recent year counted.
- Vidar
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"quiet god"Description:
Mythological son of Odin, powerful and mute.
- Sander
Origin:
Dutch and Scandinavian, diminutive of AlexanderMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Sander is a more conventional form of Zander or Xander, heard frequently on its own in Europe. It is now a Top 20 name in Norway, and is also popular in Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Thibault
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"courageous people"Description:
Pronounced TEE-bow, this version, which is also a very common surname in France, has a lot more charm than the name it derives from — Theobald. A variant spelling is Thibaut.
- Jannik
Origin:
Dutch and German variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Popular form of John in Germany. Just remember to pronounce it YAHN-nik, which most English-speakers won't. Jannick is another spelling.
- Mustafa
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"the chosen one"Description:
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 name of four Ottoman sultans. Other spellings include Mostafa, Moustafa, and Moustapha.
- Giuseppe
Origin:
Italian variation of JosephDescription:
This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, unlike popular boy Giovanni. It could honor a grandpa Joe, and we think the traditional diminutive Beppe is pretty cute.
- Cathal
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Rogan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"redhead"Description:
Rogan makes a great, roguish alternative for the more popular Logan, Ronan and Rowan.
- Mathias
Origin:
Spelling variation of Mattias, GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Matthias is the ancient Biblical form of Matthew, widely used along with brother Mathias in the US for the past 20 years.
- Aston
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"eastern settlement"Description:
Has an upscale aura, perhaps due to the luxury James Bond Aston Martin car.