justthinkin's list "Strong Yet Unusual Names for Boys" of 20 great name ideas: Severin - Lorcan!

Strong Yet Unusual Names for Boys

Names for boys that stand out but won't likely get him confused for a girl.

Severin is an ancient Roman family name borne by several early saints. It's still alive throughout Europe, and could be ready for import here. Severin Winter is a wrestling prodigy character in John Irving's The 158-Pound Marriage and, in its original Latin form, Severus Snape appears in Harry Potter.

Severin

For the parent who might also have Buck and Ryder on his list. 

Bronco

This name of a town in Scotland, one of the earliest recorded surnames in the whole British Isles, has more vitality than Kelsey. Distinctive in sound with a cool -o ending and a stylish K initial, it feels part Kayce, Kairo, and Kolson, part Carlisle, Cosmo, and Jago, with just a touch of Marlowe and Casper about it too.
 
Originally known as Calkou, Chalkeugh, or possibly Calchfynydd, the place name likely means "chalk ridge", "chalk spur" or "lime mountain". It is also found on the map in California as the name of a ghost town and appears as a place name in Australia and New Zealand too. 
 
Some will surely associate it with the character of Michael Kelso (usually referred to simply as Kelso), portrayed by Ashton Kutcher on That '70s Show. Others may be reminded however of the tragic and unsolved murder of Kelso Cochrane in the 1950s, whose death both emphasized the racial tensions in London and revealed a desire to unite a community. 
 
Given to around 24 boys in the US and 3 boys in the UK in a recent year, it remains a rare option.

Kelso

Jaunty and dapper, Rafferty is one of the most engaging of the Irish surnames, used by Jude Law and Sadie Frost for their son in 1996. Derived from the Irish, O'Raighbheartaigh, it means "(spring) flood tide", though some sources relate it to the Old Irish rath meaning "abundance" and "prosperity."
 Preppy and energetic but earthy too, it also comes with cool nicknames Raffy, Rafe, and Raffa. A rare choice in the US, it has been appearing in the England and Wales Top 1000 since 2003 and has more recently appeared in the Top 250.

Rafferty

A historic name seeing some modern use among French-speaking parents.

Audric

Bow is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. As an English word name, it connects to several meanings: the weapon for shooting arrows, symbolizing precision and skill; the decorative tied ribbon, representing presentation and celebration; or the front of a ship, suggesting forward movement and navigation. It may also derive from Asian origins, particularly Chinese, where it can relate to various characters depending on the tone. Bow is extremely rare as a given name, making it a highly distinctive choice. Its brevity and simple pronunciation give it a modern, minimalist appeal. The name's multiple associations with strength, movement, and artistry make it versatile despite its unconventional nature as a personal name.

Amory is the kind of executive-sounding surname name that became popular in the 1990s. Amory Blaine is the protagonist of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, This Side of Paradise.

Amory

Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.

Corin

Drexel is an occupational surname but the original meaning of what a person who "turned" for a living actually did is unclear: It may mean turning the soil or making hay or spinning cloth or creating decorative objects.  With the rise of the similar-sounding Dexter, Drexel might catch on.

Drexel

Succinct, stylish, and catchy, Ivo has the energetic impact of other names ending in -o. It is a multicultural choice with two distinct origins, and, as such, is familiar across a variety of countries, ranging from the Netherlands to Brazil, from Portugal to Czechia. 
 
On one hand, Ivo is a Germanic name, originally used as a short from of names including the element iwa, meaning "yew tree, yew wood", or more figuratively, "archer". As such, it's a cognate to French Yves, Cornish Ives, and the Scottish Ivor and Evander. 
 
Alternatively, Ivo may be used as a diminutive to Ivan, a variation of John used across Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, England, Bosnia, and beyond. In this case, it would mean "God is gracious".
 
Another source for the name is the Bulgarian Ivaylo (or Ivailo) meaning "wolf", while variations include the Latin American Evo, Polish Iwo, and Finnish Iivo.
 
Pronunciation of the name varies depending on country and region. EE-vo is typically used in German, Dutch, Italian, Serbian, and Croatian, IH-vo is heard in Czech and EE-voo is used in Portuguese. EYE-vo is also used among English speakers. 
 
Borne by a number of French, Breton, and Cornish saints, more a more recent bearer is comedian Ivo Graham.
 
Despite its stylish sounds and multicultural appeal, Ivo has never appeared in the US Top 1000, and a recent year saw it given to 18 boys.

A beaming, friendly Irish last-name-first-name waiting to be discovered, though anyone into American history might associate it with John C. Calhoun, a 19th century statesman who defended slavery. There are however plenty of places called Calhoun which might lessen that association.

Calhoun

Ivor, a favorite choice for upscale characters in Brit Lit novels by authors like P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh, is an interesting and unusual name just waiting to be discovered by parents in this country. 
 Ivor Novello was the stage name of a popular Welsh actor and songwriter of the recent past who brought it to prominence in England.
 An equally appealing name is the related Ivo, which has the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'.

Ivor

A strong, powerful choice, ancestor of the modern Superboy Names. Knut is the name of the patron saint of Denmark; Knute Rockne was a legendary Notre Dame football coach. Knute is the middle name of Jessica Simpson's son Ace, in honor of his paternal great-grandfather. Note that pronunciation is two syllables, with the K sounded.


Knute

A surname-style choice that could work as an alternative to Marshall, Mason, or Arden. A topographical name referring to someone who lived near the boundary of a valley, it could lead to nickname 'Mars'.
 
Appearing sporadically and quietly in the US stats since 1914, it was given to 10 boys in a recent year. The name had its (current) peak back in 2013, when 20 babies were given the name, possibly owing to actor James Marsden appearing in several films at the time.

Marsden

This ephemeral name of the loving angels surrounding the throne of God is all but unheard of in the US, although its feminine forms Seraphine and Seraphina are catching on. In Russia, it's long been in use, spelled Серафим (Serafim).

Seraphim

Taurean likely derives from the Latin 'taurus' meaning 'bull,' and relates to the astrological sign Taurus (April 20-May 20). The name emerged in usage primarily in the 1970s and gained modest popularity through the 1990s in the United States. The astrological connection gives the name a cosmic significance that appeals to parents interested in zodiac associations. The suffix '-ean' creates a masculine-sounding name with a classical feel, similar to names like Julian or Adrian. Taurean has a distinctive sound and spelling that set it apart from more common names while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce. The bull symbolism may also suggest strength and steadfastness, traditional masculine virtues that might add to the name's appeal. While never among the most popular names, Taurean has maintained consistent usage across diverse communities, particularly among those drawn to names with celestial or astrological connections.

Taurean

Valencio is an energetic, valiant-sounding name, the male form of Valencia.

Valencio

Properly spelled with a fada in Gaelic (Faolán), this name is the origin of the Irish surname Phelan. It derives from the Gaelic fáel "wolf", plus a diminutive suffix, making this a handsome hidden <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/329/nature-baby-names">nature name</a>.

Faolan

Iggy is the quintessential pop star name, though it's the nickname Cate Blanchett uses for son Ignatius. Iggy does bring any grander-sounding name down to earth.

Iggy

Lorcan is a name rich in Irish history as belonging to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. Lorcan O'Toole, known in English as Laurence O'Toole, is the patron saint of Dublin, so it's not too surprising that Irish-born actor Peter O'Toole named his son Lorcan.
 In the Harry Potter epic, Lorcan is the twin son of Luna Lovegood Scamander.
 Strong, easy to pronounce and spell, Lorcan is an Irish name that would stand out from the more common crop of Connors and Liams.