Boys Names

This Welsh river name has possibilities as a place name and nature name that is rare and uncommon.

Quirky cool Arlo is now well and truly back. Last year it broke into the US Top 200 boy names and consistently ranks among the most popular boy names on Nameberry.

Attractive Scottish and Irish surname name of a seventh-century saint, associated with the illusionist and escape artist David Blaine.

One of the most romantic of appellations, Caspian is a geographical name referring to the large salty sea between Asia and Europe. It's also the name of the hero of C.S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.

This strong sounding choice is associated with a type of tanned leather that takes its name from the city of Cordoba in Spain, the region in which it was originally made. Cordoba itself is sometimes said to mean "good town".

There are lots of grandpa Daves and Davids out there, and Dawes can make an original honor name. It's right in step with the current craze for surname names that end in S: Brooks, Wells, Rhodes etc. Given to just 31 boys since it first appeared in the US stats back in 1924, it is a very rare choice, perhaps owing to the fact it sounds like doors.

The full name of recurring Game of Thrones character Dolorous Edd, who was appointed head of the Night's Watch late in the series. While we like Edison, the extra "d" is probably going to cause more confusion than it's worth for all but the most diehard fans.

Popular in the 1920s, Eldon is a retro name that's waiting to be rediscovered. It has a similar placename/surname appeal to current Top 1000 names Alden and Holden. Several towns in the US and UK bear the name.

Elliot (which boasts several spellings depending upon how many 'l's or 't's you want to use) is a winner -- it has the ideal quality of being neither too common nor weirdly unique. Elliot had a style boost back in the early 1980s via the young hero of the movie E.T. , who was named Elliott. Since then there have been Elliots on Law & Order: SVU and Mad Men.

Ellis is a former Old Man Name turned gender-neutral choice for the 21st century. It's one of the less used names in the currently popular El-family.

Elson is a masculine name with Germanic and English origins, traditionally functioning as a surname meaning 'son of Ellis' or 'son of Elias.' As a first name, Elson gained modest usage in the early 20th century but has remained relatively uncommon. It combines the familiar element 'El' (found in popular names like Elijah and Elliott) with the common suffix 'son,' creating a name that feels both recognizable and distinctive. Elson has cross-cultural appeal, appearing in various cultural contexts including English-speaking countries and parts of Latin America. The name carries a dignified, somewhat traditional quality while avoiding overuse, making it appealing to parents seeking a masculine name with subtle uniqueness.

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 middle name.

One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, for both boys and girls, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl. But interestingly, Garnet means pomegranate, the fruit who shares a deep red color with the jewel.

Has a harmonic feel.

Holden is a classic case of a name that jumped out of a book and onto birth certificates--though it took quite a while. Parents who loved J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye are flocking to the name of its hero, Holden Caulfield -- not coincidentally in tune with the Hudson-Hayden-Colton field of names.

Huxley is definitely rising as a surname name, with its X that makes almost any name cooler. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015. The modern nicknames Hux and Huck certainly don't hurt.

Jasper originated as a variation of the Latin Gaspar, which ultimately derived from the Persian word ganzabara, meaning "bringer of treasure." As a given name, Jasper’s etymology is unrelated to that of the gemstone, which comes from a Semitic word meaning "speckled stone." Jasper is the usual English form for one of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the infant Christ according to medieval tradition and appears in the Bible as a reference to the stone itself in Revelations 4:3.

Keatyn is a modern invented name with multiple possible origins. It may be a creative variation of Keaton (meaning 'place of hawks' from Old English), a combination of Keith and a trendy '-yn' ending, or inspired by actress Diane Keaton. The name has a contemporary, distinctive sound that appeals to parents seeking something unique yet accessible. Keatyn has gained modest popularity since the early 2000s, especially in North America. Though traditionally used for boys, it has characteristics of unisex names that have become increasingly popular and carries a strong, modern feel.

Kellen is German in origin and Irish in spirit. Kellen has fallen a bit in popularity for boys since its peak in 2012, but it has possibilities for girls too. In fact, Kellen's similarity to such feminine names as Helen, Ellen, and Kelly makes it feel more unisex or even female, though Twilight actor Kellan Lutz has done much to popularize this name for boys.

Kelwyn is a distinctive masculine name with Celtic influences, potentially derived from elements meaning 'slender' and 'white' or 'fair.' It combines the modern feel of names beginning with 'Kel' with the traditional Welsh suffix '-wyn' meaning 'blessed' or 'white.' This name remains uncommon in most English-speaking countries, giving it a unique appeal for parents seeking something distinctive yet pronounceable. Kelwyn has a melodic quality while maintaining masculine strength. The name evokes images of Celtic landscapes and carries a certain poetic elegance. Its rarity means that bearers of this name often find it becomes a defining aspect of their identity.