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classic and unusual character names for men

  1. Quiller

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "scribe"

    • Description:

      Heard in a sixties spy movie, The Quiller Memorandum, this uncommon occupational name has an offbeat charm.
  2. Quinlan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Caoinlean, slender "

    • Description:

      An Irish last-name-first-name that could make a child feel distinctive, while still having the regular guy nickname of Quinn. Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller spelled their son's name Quinlin.
  3. Quirino

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "a spearman, a warrior"

    • Description:

      An adolescent boy might have problems with the first syllable.
  4. Raffe

    • Description:

      Raffe is a masculine name that typically functions as a shortened form of Rafael or Raphael, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Refa'el meaning 'God has healed.' This diminutive form has a casual, approachable quality while maintaining connection to the full name's angelic associations—Raphael being one of the archangels in Judeo-Christian tradition. The spelling 'Raffe' gives the nickname a distinctive character compared to the more common 'Rafe' variant. While primarily used as a nickname historically, Raffe occasionally appears as an independent given name, particularly in European contexts. The name's brevity gives it contemporary appeal, while its heritage provides substantial meaning and history. Raffe offers a friendly, unpretentious alternative to more formal biblical names.
  5. Rainhart

    • Description:

      Rainhart is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements 'ragin' (counsel) and 'hart' (strong, brave, or hardy). This powerful combination creates a meaning akin to 'strong counselor' or 'brave advisor.' Rainhart represents an alternative spelling of the more common Reinhard/Reinhardt, which was popular throughout medieval Germany and continues to appear in German-speaking regions. The name carries associations with strength, wisdom, and leadership qualities. Despite its ancient roots, Rainhart maintains a certain timeless quality with its strong consonants and meaningful etymology. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has occasionally been adopted by families with German heritage or those drawn to its distinctive sound and powerful meaning. The variant spelling with 'ai' rather than 'ei' gives the name a slightly more accessible pronunciation for English speakers.

  6. Raphael

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"

    • Description:

      Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
  7. Rehaan

    • Description:

      Rehaan is a masculine name with roots in multiple cultures, primarily Arabic, Persian, and Indian origins. The name generally means 'sweet-smelling' or 'fragrant', sometimes associated with the aromatic herb basil or sweet basil. In Arabic culture, it's derived from 'rayhan' meaning compassion or mercy. Rehaan has gained increasing popularity in Muslim communities globally and especially in South Asian countries. The double 'a' spelling gives the traditional name a modern touch while preserving its cultural heritage. This melodic, flowing name offers a beautiful cross-cultural option that works well internationally. Rehaan balances cultural depth with contemporary appeal, making it increasingly popular for parents seeking names with meaningful heritage.
  8. Reinhart

    • Description:

      Reinhart is a masculine German name derived from the Old Germanic elements 'ragin' meaning 'counsel' and 'hart' meaning 'strong' or 'brave.' It can be translated as 'strong in counsel' or 'brave advisor.' This name has historical roots throughout Germanic countries and has several spelling variations including Reinhard, Reinhardt, and Rheinhart. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Reinhart has maintained steady usage in German-speaking regions. The name conveys qualities of wisdom and strength, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a traditional name with substantial meaning. Notable bearers include various European nobles and the fictional character Reinhart Fuchs from medieval literature.

  9. Rene

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "reborn"

    • Description:

      Though it's used for boys, most non-French people would hear it as a girls’ name. Most would be surprised to learn that Rene has always charted in the US Top 1000 for boys.
  10. Rhydian

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "unknown"

    • Description:

      Variation on Rhidian, a Welsh saint's name.
  11. Rider

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "horseman"

    • Description:

      Rider is a rock-and-roll baby name, in every sense of the term, though usually spelled Ryder, as in the sons of Kate Hudson and John Leguizamo.
  12. Robin

    • Origin:

      Bird name; or English, diminutive of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Now that it's no longer fashionable for girls, Robin is rising for boys again. Robin Hood, Robin Williams, Christopher Robin, and Robin the Boy Wonder are all male namesakes, after all. It reentered the US Top 1000 boys names in 2015 for the first time since 1999 and continues to bounce around the lower end of the Top 1000.
  13. Rolland

    • Description:

      Rolland is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the Old Germanic elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'land' meaning 'land' or 'territory.' It is a variant spelling of Roland, a name that gained fame through the legendary medieval hero Roland, a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who was immortalized in the epic poem 'The Song of Roland.' The name conveys strength and heroism, reflecting its literary heritage. While not among the most common names in recent decades, Rolland maintains a timeless quality and steady presence in various Western countries, particularly those with French or Germanic influences. Its distinctive spelling with the double 'l' gives it a slight French flair.

  14. Romel

    • Description:

      Romel is a masculine name with multiple cultural connections. It's often considered a variant of Romell or Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, suggesting meanings related to "from Rome" or "Roman." In some cultures, it may be a variation of Romell or Romello. The name has a strong, distinguished sound while remaining relatively uncommon in most Western countries. Romel has some usage in Hispanic and Filipino communities. Its similarity to the name of the historical figure Field Marshal Erwin Rommel sometimes creates an association, though spelled differently. With its strong consonants and clean pronunciation, Romel offers a distinctive yet accessible option for parents seeking a name with subtle international flair.

  15. Rosamund

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "horse protection"

    • Description:

      This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation.
  16. Rune

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "secret"

    • Description:

      Runes are symbols in ancient Germanic alphabets. They are often viewed as mysterious and therefore as a name, Rune imparts a feeling of folkloric mystery. As intriguing as that might be, the homonym ruin creates a lot of teasing potential.
  17. Rurik

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Roderick, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"

    • Description:

      Russian form of Roderick given to a small number of American boys each year.
  18. Sabbath

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "a day of religious observance and abstinence from work"

    • Description:

      Sabbath is a faith-inspired word name, like Sunday or Faith, that is attracting some notice since heavy metal musician Zakk Wylde chose it for his son. But then there's the band Black Sabbath, which gives the name a more devilish twist. While there's nothing intrinsically male or female about Sabbath as a first name, it squeaked onto the Social Security roster for five boys in 2012, but was not recorded for girls. Sabbath comes from the word for "day of rest" in many ancient cultures.
  19. Salinger

    • Origin:

      French, Saint Léger

    • Description:

      Fervent fans of The Catcher in the Rye might want to consider this as a literary tribute. More mainstream alternative: Holden.
  20. Salix

    • Origin:

      Latin, botanical name

    • Description:

      An unusual name related to the willow family.