Huxley is definitely rising as a surname name, with its X that makes almost any name cooler. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015. The modern nicknames Hux and Huck certainly don't hurt.

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 namesakes.

Remus is one of the legendary twins who, with brother Romulus, founded Rome. An unusual yet classic name for the extremely adventurous who can put aside the stereotyped image of Uncle Remus. Though because of that "ream" first syllable, we prefer Romulus.

Enough parents have found naturalist Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution, a worthy hero to keep Darwin relatively consistently in the Top 1000. It has a lovely meaning too—"dear friend."

Quill is a unique possibility for the child of writers -- even if they do use computers rather than pens; could also serve as a rhyming tribute to an ancestor named Gil, Phil, or Bill (or Jill).

Cairo is an exciting place name possibility with upbeat o ending and an on-trend first syllable. Debuting in the US Top 1000 in 2015, it has been climbing ever since, and, as of 2023, it is given to more than 1000 babies each year.

Now that names like Cannon and Gunner, fit for comic book heroes, are rising up, Rogue may fit right in.

Sadly, this strong Celtic name often has "of the sorrows" attached to it because of the tragic character in Irish legend. Also a bit drab when compared with newer Irish imports.

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.

Popular Spanish name that relates to the patron saint of Mexico. It could conceivably, like Soledad and Consuelo, cross the border into multicultural territory, but the name's decline since the nineties would seem to make that less likely.

A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite. And it still gets you to Zac.

Jamon appears to have multiple possible origins, making it an interesting cross-cultural name. It may derive from the Hebrew name Benjamin, with Jamon emerging as a diminutive form. Alternatively, it could be a variant spelling of Jamond or Jamón. In Spanish, "jamón" means "ham," though as a name this etymological connection is likely coincidental. The name has been used in the United States since the mid-20th century but remains relatively uncommon. Some instances may relate to the Japanese culinary term "jamon" (or "jabara"), though this connection is speculative. The name's pronunciation (typically "juh-MON" or "JAY-mon") varies by cultural context and personal preference. Usage patterns show Jamon occurring across diverse communities in modest numbers, maintaining its distinctive quality.