Boy Names Lists · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Animal name
Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files . Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting…
Hebrew
"God has hidden"
A minor prophet who has his own Book, Zephaniah is another Old Testament gem waiting to be rediscovered now that Noah and Abraham are becoming too trendy. The vowel-sound ending of Zephaniah is…
Spelling variation of Jacob
Jacob meets Jakob meets Kobe -- and apparently, parents in 2013 are fans. It rose 153 spots to break into the Top 1000, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names.
Variation of Lake, English
Not quite a nature name and not quite a surname — whatever Laken is or isn't, we know it's definitely a name to watch.
English occupational name
"blacksmith"
Even if it is the Number one surname in the U.S.--with more than 2.5 million bearers--we still think that Smith would make a cool first or middle name, whether or not it has family history. Though…
German, diminutive of Siegfried and Sigmund
"victorious peace; victorious protection; victory"
Perhaps the ultimate nicknamey name, Ziggy manages to sound cool, cutesy, spiky, and energetic all at once. It brings to mind the glam-rock of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the cool vibes of reggae…
German occupational name
"roofer"
Brawny name chosen for his son by rocker Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue.
German word name from Slavic
"zeppelin; flail"
In a baby name landscape where word names and names that start with Z are infinitely cool, there are few options for parents who want to combine trends. Zeppelin is one of the best names at the…
Variation of Tristan, compound name
"noise, sorrow; + anointed one, follower of Christ"
Tristian can be considered a compound name, combining Tristan and Christian, however, it may also be used simply as a spelling variation of the former. The name could therefore have several different…
Modern invented name
Daylen is a D-starting spin on the trendy Jaylen. Day is an appealing nickname.
West African
"kingly"
Though used quite often for babies of both sexes, Khari, meaning "kingly," was traditionally a boys' name. Musical couple Fetty Wop and Masika Kalysha, however, named their daughter Khari.
Modern invented name; Gaelic, variation of John
"God is gracious"
Keon, a mashup of Kevin and Leon, has been in the Top 900 for a decade and a half, following in the wake of female cousin Kiana. Keon also has roots as a Gaelic variation of John.
French surname
"golden"
Dior was among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys in the US in the early 2020s, but was the fastest- falling name for boys in the 2023 statistics. Its connection to French luxury…
Modern invented name based on Jules, Latin
"sky father; youthful"
A modern spin on classic Jules, this name appeared in the US Top 1000 multiple times between 2009 and 2021. Notably borne by rapper and actor Juelz Santana, it was still given to more than 100 boys…
Spanish word name
Canyon is a unique baby name evocative of natural splendor and the old Steve Canyon comic-strip heroism, making it an intriguing new word-name possibility. Similar but less word-like: Kenyon.
Spelling variation of Crew or short form of Cruz or Crusoe
The short, clipped Cru is one of those modern names that's starting to find favor -- it was given to about 100 boys last year, while Crew has vaulted onto the Top 1000. One inspiration is undoubtedly…
Variation of Lincoln, English
"town by the pool"
A variation of the presidential surname, likely inspired by the band Linkin Park, this rock and roll name joins the likes of Bowie, Mercury, Jagger, Hendrix, Buddy, Cash, Guthrie, Lennon, and…
Spanish surname
"courteous"
The craze for surname names is now moving beyond the English and Irish to include worldly Spanish names for boys like this historic one currently in the Top 1000.
Nature name
Sky is an ambigender nature name that was first legitimized as the character of Sky Masterson in the 1950 musical Guys and Dolls , played in the film version by Marlon Brando. It's a name we…
English word name
"the state of being the case"
True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named…
