Rare, Unique, and Unusual Boy Names

Lumen

Latin

"light"

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). The name was used for a female character in the TV…

Macallister

Scottish

"son of Alasdair"

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…

Madsen

Danish

"son of Mads"

Would often be confused with Madison.

Maguire

Irish

"son of the beige one"

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…

Malone

Irish

"a devotee of Saint John"

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…

Marceau

French variation of Marcel

"little warrior"

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.

Maxfield

English

"Mac's field"

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. Probably…

Mercury

Latin

"Roman messenger god"

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…

Merit

English word name

"being good or worthy; deserving of recognition"

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

Morocco

African place-name

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…

Moss

English

"descendant of Moses"

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…

Nicasio

Spanish from Greek

"victory"

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.

Nikos

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

Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.

Olivander

Compound name, Oliver plus Alexander, Latin and Greek

"olive tree and defending men"

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…

Orlan

Diminutive of Orlando, Italian form of Roland, German

"famous throughout the land"

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

Osmond

English

"divine protection"

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,…

Oswin

Old English

"God's friend"

Ancient name, near obsolete now, but could make a good alternative to Owen for the adventurous baby namer. Doctor Who fans will recognize this as part of his companion's name, Clara Oswin Oswald.

Ottavio

Italian, “eighth”

Spirited Italian form of Octavius

Oxford

English place-name

"from the oxen crossing"

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

Paschal

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…