Obscure Male Names
- Pax
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"peaceful"Description:
Pax, one of the variations of names meaning peace that are newly popular in these less-than-peaceful times, got a lot of publicity when chosen by Brad & Angelina for their Vietnamese-born son. Parents attracted to Pax may also want to consider Paz, the unisex Spanish version, or Paxton, a growing-in-popularity surname choice that shares that magical X-factor.
- Riordan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"bard, royal poet"Description:
Has a legitimate first name history in its native land and an appealing meaning, but pronunciation is far from obvious.
- Nero
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"stern"Description:
The association with the infamous Nero, the fiddling Roman emperor, would be unavoidable. But there was also the detective Nero Wolfe, hero of many mystery stories.
- Elior
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"My God is my light"Description:
This appealing Hebrew name is heard in Israel, and would fit in well with all the popular El-starting names for boys, such as Elliot and Ellery. It was given to just five American boys in 2015. Also worth considering is the pretty female version, Eliora.
- Deveraux
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of Evreux; riverbank"Description:
Swashbuckling name worthy of a hero in a romance novel. Deveraux or Devereaux is drawn from the town of Evreux in France and combined with the prefix de- denoting it likely referred to a noble of that area.
- Gawain
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"May hawk"Description:
With a noble air and a distinctive yet familiar sound, Gawain is drawn from Arthurian legend, in which he is one of King Arthur's loyal knights and his nephew. Also appearing as the hero of the 14th century poem, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, his name is possibly borrowed from the Welsh Gwalchmai, meaning "May hawk".
- Cleon
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glorious, renowned"Description:
Rare and distinctive name with intimations of antiquity, also a Shakespearean character.
- Ramsay
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"low-lying land"Description:
A surname occasionally used as a first, as in former attorney general Ramsey Clark. This spelling is now closely associated with the psychopathic Game of Thrones villain Ramsay Snow (later Ramsay Bolton), and so is probably best avoided as long as the show and books are popular.
- Odell
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"of the valley"Description:
Bland compared to the Irish-sounding O-starting names, but fans of football star Odell Beckham Jr. may like the name for other reasons.
- Torvald
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"Thor's ruler"Description:
Torvald, not to be confused with Torvill of skating fame, is a Norse name which might be of interest to parents looking for Thor-related options. Torvald is most familiar in the English-speaking world as the infuriatingly sexist husband of Nora in Ibsen's play A Doll's House, which may account for its low usage. However, Linus Torvalds, inventor of Linux , might put the name into a more positive light, especially in Silicon Valley.
- Gethin
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"dark, swarthy complexion"Description:
A rugged Welsh name, reminiscent of Griffin, Gerard, and Gideon, Gethin is a familiar choice in the UK when it ranks in the Top 1000. Notable bearers include Game of Thrones actor Gethin Anthony, rugby player Gethin Jenkins, and TV presenter, Gethin Jones.
- Elwin
Description:
Elwin is a masculine name with Anglo-Saxon origins, combining the elements 'elf' and 'friend,' thus meaning 'elf friend' or 'friend of elves.' This charming meaning connects the name to folklore and magical traditions. Elwin has maintained consistent though uncommon usage throughout English-speaking countries for centuries. It peaked in popularity in the early 20th century but never reached the mainstream. The name has a scholarly, somewhat whimsical quality while still maintaining masculine strength. With the recent interest in fantasy literature and media, names with mythological connections like Elwin may appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet pronounceable. The similar-sounding Alwin and Edwin are more frequently used alternatives, making Elwin a less common choice with the same approachable sound.
- Thames
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Actress Jaime King gave her son Leo the middle name Thames, for the famous London river where she and her husband Kyle Newman were married. Thames is pronounced tehms, not necessarily common knowledge in the US. The etymology of the word Thames is uncertain, and may mean dark but more likely stems from an ancient word for river.
- Cordovan
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"native of Cordoba; Cordovan leather"Description:
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".
- Kavanaugh
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"born handsome or son of Caomhan "Description:
If you're looking for an Irish last name that moves beyond Casey and Cassidy, this one is pleasant sounding and worth considering. Kavanaugh, which can also be spelled Cavanagh, Cavenagh, Kavanagh, and Cavanaugh, is one of the few traditional Irish surnames not to start with Mc or O'. Kavanagh relates to the name first Kevin or Caomhan. Early kings of Leinster bore the name Kavanaugh.
- Keldon
Description:
Keldon is a modern masculine name with a strong, distinctive sound. It appears to be a contemporary creation, possibly inspired by similar sounding names like Kelton or Kelden, or by combining elements of names like Kelly and Brandon. The name has a robust quality with its hard 'K' beginning and solid 'don' ending. Keldon carries an air of strength and uniqueness. While not historically common, it began appearing in American naming records in the late 20th century. Fantasy literature and gaming fans may recognize the name from 'Magic: The Gathering,' which features a region called Keld and its people, Keldons. The name appeals to parents seeking a contemporary-sounding name with a masculine edge that isn't widely used.
- Loman
Origin:
Irish or Serbo-CroatianMeaning:
"small bare one or delicate"Description:
Loman is one of those rare names that is at once simple and very unusual, with fewer than five baby boys given the name in the US in the most recent year.
- Rennon
Origin:
English surname, meaning unknownDescription:
Unusual surname occasionally used as a first.
- Lauro
Origin:
Diminutive of LaurenceDescription:
A heck of a lot cooler than Larry.
- Bronn
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
In HBO's Game of Thrones, Bronn is an amoral mercenary raised to the knighthood through his connection to the regnant Lannister family. The homophony with "brawn" probably isn't an accident -- he's a top-tier swordsman -- and may be a turnoff to some parents. Brock and, to stay in Westeros, Bran are probably more user-friendly.