Rare, Unique, and Unusual Boy Names

Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the playground.

Augie is an adorable and, at this point, fresher sounding short form than Gus of the rising August and all its variations, from Augustine to Augustus. The Adventures of Augie March is a 1953 novel by Nobel winner Saul Bellow.

More familiar to English speakers in the Italian Elio form.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian added this new word name to the lexicon when they chose it for their second son and fourth child in 2019. It is now 7 times more popular than it was then, given to 120 boys and 40 girls in a recent year.

This old-timey nickname for Otis and Odell is strongly tied to Garfield’s canine companion in the Garfield comic, movie, and TV franchise.

Drexel is an occupational surname but the original meaning of what a person who "turned" for a living actually did is unclear: It may mean turning the soil or making hay or spinning cloth or creating decorative objects. With the rise of the similar-sounding Dexter, Drexel might catch on.

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.

Well used in Japan, appreciated for its powerful meaning.

A medieval German saint's name which remained popular in Germany until the middle of the 20th century. It is still in relatively wide use in other European countries, including Poland and Hungary. With other Bert names – like Robert and Albert and even Gilbert – appealing to lovers of strong, traditional boy names with a slightly clunky charm, Norbert could be one of those so-out-it's-in choices that everyone knows, but almost no one is using.

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.

Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And then there's Gregor Clegane, one of the most feared and purely evil characters in the world of Game of Thrones.

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

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

The lead character of the Oscar-nominated 2016 film "Kubo and the Two Strings" lives in Edo-period Japan, but his name is more often heard as a surname in Japan. Still, fans of the animated movie may want to consider it.

Surely one of the most pleasant and evocative of the occupational options.

Classy-sounding surname name usually bypassed in favor of the simpler Landon.

Brooks, Banks, Wells, Woods… why not Fields? This unique S ending option has a smart sound and outdoorsy appeal, and was given to just 16 boys in a recent year. The similar Fielding is another, similar option.

A familiar and usable last name turned first. Or you could look at it as a homophone of the verb howl, which gives it a wilder feel.

Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability, currently given to a small handful of boys in the US each year.

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.