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Rare, Unique, and Unusual Boy Names

  1. Breaker

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      One of the aggressive new boys' names, ala Tracker and Heller, that have become fashionable among parents who are courting trouble.
  2. Ogden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from the oak valley"

    • Description:

      Rarely used surname, associated with humorous poet Ogden Nash.
  3. Garth

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "groundskeeper, enclosure"

    • Description:

      A name that took on a pronounced country twang via Nashville megastar Garth (born Troyal) Brooks.
  4. Faolan

    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "little wolf"

    • Description:

      Properly spelled with a fada in Gaelic (Faolán), this name is the origin of the Irish surname Phelan. It derives from the Gaelic fáel "wolf", plus a diminutive suffix, making this a handsome hidden nature name.
  5. Griff

    • Description:

      Griff is a masculine name with Welsh origins, functioning both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of Griffin or Griffith. The name derives from the Welsh 'Gruffydd,' meaning 'strong lord' or 'strong faith.' Griff has a concise, strong quality that appeals to parents seeking short, impactful names. The name carries associations with strength and courage, partly due to its connection to the mythological griffin creature (part eagle, part lion). In Welsh culture, variations of this name have been used for centuries, connecting it to a rich Celtic heritage. While not among the most common names, Griff has maintained steady usage, particularly in Wales and among families with Welsh ancestry.
  6. Sumner

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "summoner"

    • Description:

      Billionaire Sumner Redstone, the nonagenarian owner of CBS and Viacom, practically has a monopoly on his first name — for now. But Hunter, Asher, and Ryder have ushered in a major vogue "-er" names, so it may only be a matter of time before parents discover this one.
  7. Dell

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Odell, English

    • Meaning:

      "of the valley"

    • Description:

      Originally a short form of Odell, a place name turned surname that hails from England.
  8. Silvano

    • Origin:

      Italian form of Silvanus

    • Meaning:

      "wood, forest"

    • Description:

      Silvanus was the Roman god of the forests and is also an alternate name in the New Testament for Silas. Relatives include Silvio, Silvius, and Sylvia.
  9. Lorne

    • Origin:

      Variation of Lawrence

    • Description:

      Alive thanks to Ponderosa papa Greene and SNL creator Michaels, both from Canada, where the name is much more popular.
  10. Iggy

    • Origin:

      Latin, diminutive of Ignatius

    • Meaning:

      "fiery"

    • Description:

      Iggy is the quintessential pop star name, though it's the nickname Cate Blanchett uses for son Ignatius. Iggy does bring any grander-sounding name down to earth.
  11. Mose

    • Origin:

      German variation of Moses, Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "delivered from the water"

    • Description:

      Mose is the German variation of Moses, a widely familiar name thanks to the character in the Old Testament. Mose is also used a nickname for Moses.
  12. Zinedine

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "beauty of the faith"

    • Description:

      Zinedine Zidane is France's biggest soccer star, spawning a legion of little Zinedines in that country.
  13. Lark

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      In one recent year there were 60 baby girls in the US named Lark....and only eight baby boys. But there's no reason this bird name can't also be masculine, especially given that Robin is making a comeback for boys and Sparrow is a notable starbaby boy (he's Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's son).
  14. Ezri

    • Origin:

      Variation of Ezra, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "help"

    • Description:

      Ezra is a Biblical name that is being rediscovered, which means its variation Ezri can't be far behind. Ezri is one of the up-and-coming unisex names starting with E, with the gender divide surprisingly running five to one in favor of girls.
  15. Topher

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Christopher

    • Description:

      The new kid on the block in terms of Christopher short forms, it was introduced into the mix by actor Topher Grace, who didn't like Chris.
  16. Hawthorn

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Hawthorne

    • Description:

      The version with the e at the end relates to novelist Nathaniel, so that may be the one most parents attracted to this unusual name would choose. Hawthorn nudges it toward the nature category: Hawthorn is a type of hedge.
  17. Remo

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Remus, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Virtually unknown in the U.S., yet with its jaunty o ending and similarity to the stylish (yet unrelated) Remy, Remo may find some new followers.
  18. Herschel

    • Description:

      Herschel is a masculine name of Yiddish origin, derived from 'Hirsch' meaning 'deer' or 'stag,' symbolizing gentleness and swiftness. It was traditionally used as a diminutive of the Hebrew name Tzvi, which carries the same meaning. The name gained recognition through notable bearers like astronomer Sir William Herschel, who discovered Uranus, and various Jewish scholars and rabbis throughout history. While popular among Jewish communities in the early 20th century, Herschel has become less common in recent decades. However, it retains a dignified, intellectual quality that appeals to those drawn to traditional or family-honoring names. Its distinctive sound and rich cultural heritage give it a unique character among contemporary name choices.

  19. Escher

    • Origin:

      Dutch; Geman

    • Meaning:

      "person from Eshe"

    • Description:

      Most commonly associated with artist M.C. Escher, Escher makes a great hero name that would fit in nicely with the surname names of today.
  20. Tao

    • Origin:

      Spiritual word name, Chinese

    • Meaning:

      "large wave; the path; harmony of the universe"

    • Description:

      Tao is the Chinese word for the underlying harmony of the universe, combining both yin and yang. Extreme kayaker Tao Berman made this one of the spiritual names prime for adoption, and more recently, it has appeared in hit graphic novel and TV series, Heartstopper. Tao rhymes with cow.