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Extra Unusual Boys Names

LaurenVD
By LaurenVD
Updated Fri May 12 2023
A list of unusual boy names I found throughout the web and various name books.
  1. Altair

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "falcon"

    • Description:

      The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
  2. Abbott

    • Origin:

      English, Hebrew, Aramaic

    • Meaning:

      "priest; father"

    • Description:

      Abbott is a neglected masculine surname with religious overtones, used to describe the head of a monastery or a prominent church figure, such as a priest. Though the feminine nickname Abby could be seen as a slight drawback, that's hardly stopped Abner or Abraham rising up the charts, and besides, there's nothing wrong with a gentler boy name.
  3. Adlai

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is just"

    • Description:

      Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.
  4. Aegis

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "young goat"

    • Description:

      Often found as a brand name in the hi-tech and industrial worlds.
  5. Arbor

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "tree"

    • Description:

      Arbor is a quirky nature name with holiday vibes.
  6. Cielo

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "sky"

    • Description:

      Expansive, sunny Italian word name.
  7. Amory

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "industrious"

    • Description:

      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.
  8. Carmichael

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "fort of Michael"

    • Description:

      Most parents would prefer to leave the car part parked in the garage.
  9. Arliss

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledge"

    • Description:

      Best remembered as one of the boys in "Old Yeller" and the title of a late 1990s HBO sitcom, "Arliss," featuring sports agent Arliss Michaels. Also sometimes heard as a girl's name and a surname (as in early film star George Arliss).
  10. Branigan

    • Origin:

      irish

    • Meaning:

      "little raven"

    • Description:

      Branigan, also spelled Branagan or Brannigan, is an Irish name full of energy and cheer. It was the title of a 1975 John Wayne movie, and Zapp Brannigan is the antihero of the animated sitcom "Futurama." Branigan fans might also want to consider such related Irish names as Brennan and Breccan, Rafferty and Finnegan.
  11. Buchanan

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "place of the cannon"

    • Description:

      A lesser-used presidential choice, with a charming, buccaneering sound. Fictional bearers include the Marvel Comics character James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, as well as the heroine of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby Daisy Buchanan.
  12. Bayden

    • Description:

      Bayden is a variation of the more common names Baden or Brayden. It has English origins and is typically a masculine name. The name may derive from an Old English surname that referred to a person from Bath, a city in Somerset, England, known for its natural hot springs. Alternatively, it could be a modern variation of Brayden, which has Irish Gaelic roots meaning 'brave' or 'broad'. Bayden has gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century as part of the trend favoring names with the '-en' or '-an' ending. Though not among the most common names, Bayden offers parents a slightly distinctive alternative to more popular counterparts while maintaining familiar pronunciation and spelling patterns.

  13. Bale

    • Description:

      Bale is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Old English where it referred to a rounded bundle or package, or from Welsh origins where it relates to a hillside or incline. The name has gained some recognition through association with notable figures like actor Christian Bale. Its simple, strong structure with one syllable gives it a bold, straightforward quality. In some Nordic traditions, similar names have connections to bravery or strength. While never extremely common as a first name, Bale has seen occasional usage across English-speaking countries. The name's brevity and strong consonant sounds contribute to its masculine feel, making it attractive to parents seeking something short, distinctive, and impactful.
  14. Baden

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "son of Bade"

    • Description:

      If Braden and Caden, why not Baden?
  15. Bray

    • Origin:

      Irish place-name, from French

    • Meaning:

      "marsh"

    • Description:

      Can't help thinking of a donkey.
  16. Arlington

    • Origin:

      English habitational surname, place name

    • Meaning:

      "the noble's town"

    • Description:

      Similar in sound to Arlo, Remington, and Arthur, this surname style and place name could make a patriotic choice in the US, with its connections to Arlington National Cemetery. Given to 7 girls and 22 boys in a recent year, it is making moves up the charts, albeit small ones.
  17. Audley

    • Description:

      Audley is a masculine name of English origin, primarily derived from an Old English place name and surname meaning 'Ealdgyth's meadow' or 'old meadow.' With aristocratic connections in British history, including the noble Audley family who played significant roles during medieval times, the name carries a distinguished, refined quality. As a first name, Audley has remained relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive appeal. It shares sound elements with more popular names like Audrey while maintaining its unique character. Particularly appreciated in English-speaking countries with strong British cultural ties, Audley suggests heritage, stability, and a connection to the English countryside.

  18. Carden

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "wool carder"

    • Description:

      Highly unusual but stylish-sounding occupational name, with a pleasant association with gardens.
  19. Boyer

    • Origin:

      English and French

    • Meaning:

      "bow-maker, cattle herder"

    • Description:

      Two completely different images come from its national pronunciations -- BOY-err or boy-AY -- the latter giving it an effete French accent.
  20. Adley

    • Origin:

      Variation of Adlai or Hadley

    • Description:

      Adley is one of those rare unisex names that probably developed via different paths on the girls' and boys' sides, with the male Adley a phonetic spelling of the Hebrew Adlai, while the girls' version, which briefly made the Top 1000 in 2012, is an abbreviation of the trendy Hadley, an English place name and surname.