This Old Testament name borne by a grandson of Jacob would not rate high in the classroom.

One of the more unusual of the current crop of strong, single-syllable boys' names, evoking the images of both old-fashioned blackboards and modern stepping-stones and countertops.

Both Jair and Yair have been in and out of the US Top 1000 since the 2000s, and while both are currently taking a break from the charts, Yair in particular is quietly gathering attention. Given to 182 babies in 2023, Yair is simple and distinctive and fits in with the recent interest in off-beat Biblical names.

Arlan is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Germanic elements 'arn' (eagle) and 'land,' suggesting 'eagle land.' Alternatively, it could be a variation of Harlan, meaning 'rocky land' or 'from the hare's land.' In some contexts, it represents an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ó hArrachtáin. Arlan gained modest popularity in America during the mid-20th century but remained relatively uncommon. The name experienced a small resurgence in recent years as parents seek vintage names with strong sounds. Arlan combines a traditional feel with uncommon status, appealing to those wanting distinctive yet accessible names. Its short, strong phonetics and natural imagery associations give it a rugged yet refined character.

Islwyn is the name of a mountain in Wales which has a pleasant fluid sound. Islwyn has recently been made more familiar through Runescape.

A lesser-known archangel, but the name is probably best known today on comedian Gadiel Del Orte. Thanks to him, and the trend for biblical-sounding names, Gadiel has been rising in recent years.

Slate, Stone and Steel are on the rise, so why not Shale?

The Basque form of Julian is pared down and may appeal to parents looking for a less-syllabic option. It’s not typically used outside of Spain, but it would make an easy import.

Amiel is a biblical name with lots of connections to those with a creative spirit, including director Jon Amiel, French pop singer Thierry Amiel, and medieval troubadour Gaubert Amiel. Ami (which means friend in French) is an obvious (and beautiful) nickname option.

Otherworldly.

A spelling variant of presidential surname Regan that briefly entered the Top 1000 for boys in the 1960s, but hasn't rejoined the list since. Shakespeare also used the name for a daughter of King Lear, inspired by an ancient king of the Britons in accounts of the medieval scribe Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Pronounced KILL-on, might lead a young boy astray--though that doesn't seem to have halted the progress of the popular Killian.

This rarely used boys name is one of the few gem names for a boy. Obsidian is actually a type of volcanic glass, formed when lava cools very quickly. This ultra-cool name might spark a love of volcanoes and geology in a little boy.

Evocative of the great Nobel Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda, real last name Basoalito, who took on the surname Neruda to honor a Czech poet of that name. One of the most poetic and arty boy names starting with N, or with any letter, for that matter.

A variation of the popular Elijah, this light and refined form is familiar in both Wales and Sweden. It is occasionally used as a short form of Elisabeth too.

As Doris is to Dora, Loris is to Laura. It's virtually never used for babies of either sex. That said, it's not a bad name and might make a good honor name for an ancestral Laura or Lawrence.

An appealing Hawaiian name which belongs to a town, river and bay on Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The two possible meanings of the name, "crescent bay" or "garland (lei) valley" both describe the beauty of the place.

Also spelled Torill, Torril and Torrill, this refined variation is derived from the Old Norse name Þórhildr and its more modern Norwegian form, Torhild. Stylish in Norway in the 50s and 60s, this name could now make a strong, distinctive, and appealing choice to those outside its native country, especially to those interested in Norse Mythology.

Raylen is a modern masculine name that has gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in the United States. It appears to be a contemporary blend of the popular Ray prefix (meaning 'beam of light' or 'counsel') with the trending -len/-lyn suffix seen in names like Kaylen and Jaylen. The name has a contemporary sound that fits with current naming trends while maintaining a distinctly masculine quality. Raylen may also be viewed as a variation of Raylan, which gained visibility through the character Raylan Givens in the television series 'Justified.' The name carries connotations of brightness and illumination through its 'ray' element. While still relatively uncommon, Raylen has been steadily increasing in usage, appealing to parents seeking a modern-sounding name that balances uniqueness with accessibility.