User-created list
Strong Yet Unusual Names for Boys
Across 18 pages
of 18
Valentinus
Valentinus is a masculine name with ancient Roman roots, derived from the Latin word "valens" meaning "strong" or "healthy." This name carries significant historical weight as it was borne by several…
Garvan
Irish
"rough little one"
Irish surname derived from the name Gairbhín, a diminutive of garbh , "rough". It's barely been used as a first name, but could be a similar-yet-different alternative to names like Nolan and Sullivan.
Haco
Celtic and Cornish
"flame, fire"
Haco was a mythical Cornish leader who lost his beautiful princess bride by unwittingly promising her to a musician whose songs he admired: a romantic legend to back up a very unusual choice.
Dacian
Ancient place name
Dacia was an ancient region comprised of what is modern Romania and Moldova and smaller parts of other Eastern European countries. Its inhabitants were called the Dacians, and the Dacian Kingdom…
Islwyn
Welsh
"below the grove"
Islwyn is the name of a mountain in Wales which has a pleasant fluid sound. Islwyn has recently been made more familiar through Runescape.
Castiel
Hebrew
"my cover is God"
Castiel, which vaulted into the Top 1000 on the wings of the angel hero of the television show Supernatural , is the name of the Angel of the day Thursday. It may also derive some appeal from the…
Tangier
Place name
Unexplored Moroccan place name, conjuring up images of camels and palm trees and domed minarets.
Rousseau
French surname
"little redhead"
Rousseau gives French flair to other red-haired names like Russell and Rory. It is associated with the influential eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as the painter Henri…
Drexel
German
"to turn"
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…
Brencis
Brencis is a Latvian male name derived from the German name Franz, which ultimately comes from the Latin 'Franciscus' meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free man.' In Latvia, it gained recognition as a distinct…
Romere
Romere is a distinctive masculine name with several possible origins. It may be a variation of Romero, which comes from Latin and refers to a pilgrim traveling to Rome or a rosemary plant…
Bow
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…
Omero
Spanish form of Homer, Greek
"security, pledge"
Omero lifts Homer out of both The Simpsons and The Odyssey, making it a romantic name ala Romeo. Some sources give the meaning of Omero and Homer as "hostage".
Taran
Celtic
"thunder"
Taran mac Ainftech was King of the Picts, a people who lived mainly in Scotland, in the 7th century. His name is a relative of the Celtic god of thunder Taranis, a counterpart to Thor. Taran is…
Alarico
Alarico is a masculine name with ancient Germanic roots, representing the Italian and Spanish form of Alaric. The name gained historical significance through Alaric I, the Visigothic king who…
Herakles
Herakles is the original Greek form of the more commonly known Roman name Hercules, belonging to the legendary hero renowned for his extraordinary strength and twelve labors. The name derives from…
Aristotle
Greek
"superior; the best purpose"
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris,…
Urban
Latin
"of the city"
Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both…
Casimir
English; French, from Polish
"destroyer of peace"
Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering…
Mercer
French occupational name
"a merchant"
Mercer is an attractive possibility which is an occupational name that doesn't sound like one. Mercer and its cool, sophisticated short form Merce project a super creative image via their artistic…