Uncommon Boy Names
- 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.
- Ebbe
Origin:
Danish and Swedish diminutive of Eberhard, German, or Esben, DanishMeaning:
"brave boar; god bear"Description:
A Top 30 name in Sweden, derived from Eberhard (brave boar) or Esben (god bear) – either way, a strong meaning.
- Baptiste
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"baptist"Description:
Traditionally used by the ultrareligious, the French boys' name Baptiste comes from the Greek word meaning "to dip". Baptiste is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France.
- Lowie
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"famous warrior"Description:
It originated as a nickname for Lodewijk, but now Lowie is more popular as-is, even ranking in the Top 100 in Belgium.
- Loic
Origin:
French variation of Louis or LucasDescription:
While there is some disagreement over the origins of this name, it's clearly fashionable and a new idea, for English speakers, of a way to spin either an old classic or a familiar favorite. Still, Loic is one of those French names for boys that is rarely heard outside its native land.
- Bence
Origin:
Hungarian variation of Vincent, LatinMeaning:
"conquering"Description:
Bence has been the most popular boy name in Hungary for over a decade — it’s held the top spot since 2003, the year Hungary began releasing its baby name data. Bence is the Hungarian translation of Vincent and is also occasionally used as a nickname for Benedek.
- 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.
- Edvin
Description:
Edvin is a masculine name of Scandinavian and Slavic origin, representing a variant of Edwin. Derived from Old English elements 'ead' meaning 'wealth, fortune' and 'wine' meaning 'friend,' Edvin translates to 'rich friend' or 'wealthy friend.' Particularly popular in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and parts of Eastern Europe, Edvin offers a modern-sounding alternative to Edwin while maintaining its historical roots. The name carries connotations of prosperity, loyalty, and friendship. Edvin has experienced periodic surges in popularity across Northern Europe and remains a steady choice in Scandinavian countries. Its concise form and smooth pronunciation make it appealing internationally, while its subtle difference from the more common Edwin gives it a distinctive quality that many parents appreciate.
- Giuseppe
Origin:
Italian variation of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy where it remains in the Top 20. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, but its spirited, distinctive-yet-familiar sounds might help it catch on, as Giovanni has
- Pietro
Origin:
Italian variation of Peter, GreekMeaning:
"rock, stone"Description:
Yet another winning international form of Peter.
- Kacper
Origin:
Polish, from PersianMeaning:
"bringer of treasure"Description:
Kacper is the traditional Polish form of Caspar, pronounced with a snappy "ts" sound in the middle.
- Wilmer
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"determined fame"Description:
The visibility of actor Wilmer (That 70s Show) Valderrama has highlighted this name, but it's not likely to spread because of its similarity to the feminine (and dated) Wilma.
- Maxime
Origin:
French variation of MaximusDescription:
Common in France, but could be confused with the feminine Maxine here.
- Eesa
Description:
Eesa is a masculine name of Arabic origin, representing the Arabic form of Jesus (Isa in the Quran). The name carries significant religious importance in Islam, where Jesus is revered as an important prophet. Eesa has a soft, melodic quality with its two syllables flowing smoothly together. Beyond its religious connections, the name is appreciated for its simplicity and gentle sound. In Western countries, Eesa has gained popularity among Muslim families while also appealing to parents seeking short, distinctive names with meaningful origins. The name is typically pronounced EE-sah, though regional variations exist. Its cross-cultural recognition makes it an increasingly global choice.
- 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.
- Albin
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white"Description:
Albin is a modern form of the ancient Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning white or bright. There was a Saint Albinus who was also known as Aubin. In the contemporary world, Albin is popular in Sweden and ripe for export as a simple, unusual name with deep history.
- Facundo
Origin:
Spanish from LatinMeaning:
"eloquent"Description:
This intriguing and jaunty-sounding choice is a Top 50 name in Chile.
- Gijs
Origin:
Dutch short form of Gilbert or Gijsbert, GermanicMeaning:
"bright pledge"Description:
Currently in the Top 30 in the Netherland, Gijs is s short form of Gijsbert, itself the Dutch form of the Germanic Gisbert and Gilbert. Said to rhyme with nice, the G is pronounced like the end sound of the Scottish Loch.
- Syed
Description:
Syed is an Arabic male name with deep Islamic significance. Rather than being just a given name, it originated as an honorific title meaning 'master' or 'lord.' The name holds special importance in Muslim communities as it traditionally denotes descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his grandsons Hassan and Hussein. Many Muslim families use Syed as a prefix to their name to indicate this lineage. As a standalone given name, Syed has gained popularity beyond exclusively being a title. It's widely used throughout the Muslim world including Arab countries, South Asia (particularly Pakistan and India), and Muslim communities worldwide.
- Hassan
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"handsome"Description:
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.
Introducing the Nameberry App

- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

