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Rare gems for boys

January85
By January85
Updated Thu Apr 27 2023
Rare names with European influence, some of these are not uncommon in Norway, Sweden or Denmark.
  1. Arran

    • Origin:

      Scottish place name

    • Meaning:

      "ridged island"

    • Description:

      Arran Island (not to be confused with the Aran Islands in Ireland) is a large island in Scotland's Firth (or bay) of Clyde. An attractive name, long popular in Scotland, but may be confused with the Biblical Aaron elsewhere. Currently in the Scottish Top 100, it recently re-entered the charts in England and Wales too.
  2. Axel

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Absalom

    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"

    • Description:

      A classic in its native Scandinavia, Axel has a cool rock 'n' roll flavor in the US, thanks to Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose (born William). With its distinctive letter 'x', it has an effortlessly cool vibe about it, and is currently growing in popularity.
  3. Lior

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "I have a light"

    • Description:

      Lior is a unisex name frequently heard in Israel, capturing the popular light theme through its meaning. For English speakers, the one down side is possible pronunciation confusion with "liar," though it's really lee-OR, with a long e sound and emphasis on the second syllable.
  4. Lorenz

    • Description:

      Lorenz is a masculine name of Germanic and Latin origin, derived from the Roman name Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel,' symbolizing victory and honor in ancient Rome. This continental European variation of Lawrence has been particularly popular in German-speaking countries, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. Lorenz gained historical significance through notable figures like Lorenz von Bibra, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, and physicist Hendrik Lorentz. The name combines strength and sophistication with its crisp 'z' ending, distinguishing it from more common Anglicized versions. While maintaining steady popularity in European countries, it remains less common in English-speaking regions, offering a distinctive yet recognizable choice. Nicknames may include Lori, Enzo, or Renz.

  5. Roc

    • Origin:

      Arabic mythical name; Catalan form of Rocco

    • Meaning:

      "rest"

    • Description:

      An earthy rock'n'roll name with multiple origins. The Roc was a giant bird in Middle Eastern legend.
  6. Ravn
    • Silas

      • Origin:

        Aramaic, Latin, Greek

      • Meaning:

        "of the forest; or prayed for"

      • Description:

        Sleek and smart, with a hint of mystique about it, Silas is a recent addition to the US Top 100. Both mythological and Biblical in origin, Silas joins the ranks of Isaiah, Atlas, Elias, and Sebastian: polished and contemporary feeling names with plenty of history.
    • Storm

      • Origin:

        Word name

      • Description:

        Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the name - he designed iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Cranberries, Anthrax, and Pink Floyd.