Unusual Male Names

Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.

Names of royal ranks -- King, Prince, and yes, Baron -- have become more widely used in recent years, though they're outlawed in several countries. This spelling, the same as that of the financial publication Barrons, was used by Donald and Melania Trump for their son.

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.

With parents beginning to show an interest in virtue names for boys, this Puritan favorite just might be revived, for what could be more admirable than nobility in terms of having strength of character, dignity, and high moral ideals?

As likely to be tied to the detergent as to the rhythms of the ocean.

A common surname that was popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th century, Willis dropped off the US Top 1000 back in the early 90s, just as alternative William diminutive, Liam, began to skyrocket.

A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.

Originally a family name and place name found primarily in England, it transitioned to occasional use as a first name. Alston carries an air of refinement and tradition, evoking images of English countryside estates and heritage. While never reaching mainstream popularity as a given name, it appeals to parents seeking something uncommon yet historically grounded. The name has aristocratic associations in British culture and provides the friendly nickname "Al" while maintaining a formal, dignified full version for professional settings.

This down-to-earth Bible name is surprisingly little-used, considering the popularity of other Old Testament names. Shem was Noah's eldest son, and is the origin of the term Semitic (as in the language family).

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.

A noble surname from northern England that has occasionally been used as a first name.

Colvin is an English surname with a distinguished history; the Colvins were one of the leading colonial families of early British India, and Shawn Colvin is a popular American singer. We suspect, however, that most of the 18 parents who used Colvin as a boys' name in 2016 were thinking of it as a less popular alternative to other "Col-" names, like Colin and Colton.

Perhaps too spicy for some, but this is a popular Gaelic surname that might appeal for those looking to honor a family branch or to fans of legendary British comedian Tim Curry.

Dannel is a masculine name that represents a variation of Daniel, a timeless biblical name meaning 'God is my judge' in Hebrew. This alternative spelling maintains the same pronunciation while offering a distinctive written form. Dannel emerged as a less common variant, giving the traditional name a fresh appearance without straying far from its origins. The biblical Daniel was known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams, lending the name associations with intelligence and spiritual insight. While much rarer than the standard spelling, Dannel appeals to parents who appreciate the name's rich history and meaning but desire something slightly more uncommon. The name's familiar sound makes it accessible despite its unusual spelling.

Spelling variation Torrance is split fairly evenly between girls and boys, while Torrence is almost entirely male.