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Rare, Unique, and Unusual Boy Names

  1. Lumen

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      Lumen is a Latin word meaning "light", and the term used for the measurement of light output (making it an attractive choice for science-buffs).
  2. Macallister

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Alasdair"

    • Description:

      Macallister as a first name is attracting new attention as the name chosen by Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and venture capitalist Zack Bogue for their young son. Macallister is usually heard as a patronymic surname, meaning son of Alasdair or Alistair or any one of the spellings of the Scottish form of Alexander. Like all other names of this type, Macallister leads to the cute short form Mac.
  3. Madsen

    • Origin:

      Danish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Mads"

    • Description:

      Would often be confused with Madison.
  4. Maguire

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the beige one"

    • Description:

      Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan. The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience. The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.
  5. Malone

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "a devotee of Saint John"

    • Description:

      Classic Irish surname with a lot of character and some interesting associations: the title character of a Samuel Beckett novel and basketball great Karl Malone. Malone is a popular name for baby boys in France.
  6. Marceau

    • Origin:

      French variation of Marcel

    • Meaning:

      "little warrior"

    • Description:

      Mime Marcel Marceau actually had two versions of the same name. Marcel, Marceau, Marcella, Marcus, Mark -- all are variation of the Roman mythological name Mars, the god of war.
  7. Maxfield

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Mac's field"

    • Description:

      This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.
  8. Mercury

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "Roman messenger god"

    • Description:

      Adventurous parents are starting to look back to names of ancient gods like Mercury, Zeus, and Apollo. This one is also a planet and a metallic element, and has a friendly nickname, Merc. The Roman god Mercury, which derives from the Latin words for trade or wages, is the patron of tradesmen and travelers and the fastest-moving planet in the solar system. Mercury is the planet associated with the sign of Virgo, so this is one of the prime names for Virgo babies.
  9. Merit

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "being good or worthy; deserving of recognition"

    • Description:

      Merritt is an English surname but spelled Merit it becomes a word name. Both variations are on the rise.
  10. Morocco

    • Origin:

      African place-name

    • Description:

      Morocco is an attractive and rhythmic name, evocative of such fabled cities as Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakesh, in a country whose unique landscape and rich culture attracted such twentieth century writers as Tennessee Williams, Paul Bowles and William Burroughs.
  11. Moss

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Moses"

    • Description:

      This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.
  12. Nicasio

    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      Closer to Nike than to Nicholas, this is an attractive, viable import. It's also one of several Italian and Spanish baby names that get you to the stylish and attractive nickname Nico.
  13. Nikos

    • Origin:

      Greek, diminutive of various names beginning with the element Niko-

    • Description:

      Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.
  14. Olivander

    • Origin:

      Compound name, Oliver plus Alexander, Latin and Greek

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree and defending men"

    • Description:

      Olivander is a new and rising smoosh names for boys, a mashup of Oliver and Alexander. While it sidesteps the popularity of those two classic boy names, the result is not really better than the sum of its parts.
  15. Orlan

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Orlando, Italian form of Roland, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous throughout the land"

    • Description:

      Orlando is such a romantically attractive name, why stunt it with this relatively flat-footed short form?
  16. Osmond

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "divine protection"

    • Description:

      Once too tightly tied to the aging musical clan featuring Donny and Marie, Osmond may now be able to escape that association and join the cooler group of Os and Oz names, which include Osgood, Ozias, and even Oswald.
  17. Oswin

    • Origin:

      Old English

    • Meaning:

      "God's friend"

    • Description:

      Ancient name, near obsolete now, but could make a good alternative to Owen for the adventurous baby namer.
  18. Ottavio

    • Origin:

      Italian, “eighth”

    • Description:

      Spirited Italian form of Octavius
  19. Oxford

    • Origin:

      English place-name

    • Meaning:

      "from the oxen crossing"

    • Description:

      High-collared and straightlaced, with the deadly "Ox" nickname.
  20. Paschal

    • Description:

      Paschal is a masculine name derived from the Hebrew word 'pesach' meaning 'Passover.' It entered European languages through Latin 'paschalis,' referring to Easter or the Paschal feast. Historically used primarily among Christian communities, the name directly connects to the celebration of Easter and Christ's resurrection. Paschal gained modest popularity in medieval Europe, particularly in Catholic countries, and has been borne by several popes and saints. While never extremely common, it experienced some usage through the centuries, especially in religious families. The name carries strong spiritual significance while maintaining a dignified, classical sound. Today, Paschal remains uncommon, offering a distinctive religious heritage name that's recognized but rarely encountered.

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