The Best Rare Names of WWII - Boys

Cristobal

Spanish variation of Christopher

"bearer of Christ"

The first name of famed designer Balenciaga, was also the birth name of Christopher Columbus--aka Cristobal Colon. A name still well used in the Hispanic community.

Crosby

Irish

"village with crosses"

Crosby is an attractively laid-back Irish surname with retro musical associations to Bing and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and with a jaunty air. Crosby Braverman was the name of a character on the TV…

Cullen

Irish

"holly tree"

Cullen is an appealing Irish surname name that upped its cool factor considerably when it became the Twilight family name of Edward et al. It's considerably less popular than it was at its peak in…

Cyril

Greek

"lordly"

A British-accented Greek name with an intellectual image that has been off the U.S. charts since 1966, but was a Top 300 name at the turn of the last century. We have the feeling Cyril's ready for a…

Dabney

French

"from Aubigny"

Dapper-sounding choice with old American roots (Dabney Cosby was a 19th century Virginian architect who worked with Thomas Jefferson on some of that state's most iconic buildings). Dabney Montgomery…

Dalvin

Dalvin appears to be a modern constructed name that may have emerged as a blend of traditional names like Dale, Calvin, Alvin, or Melvin. It first gained noticeable usage in the United States during…

Darby

Norse

"from the deer estate"

Spirited and bubbly, but handsome and preppy too, Darby is a surname style choice that fits in well with the likes of Alby and Lennox. Derived ultimately from Old Norse, as a surname, it likely…

Delfino

Italian

"of Delphi"

Heard more often as a surname in Italy, its meaning has also been linked to the dolphin--which would make a cool nursery motif.

Demetrius

Greek

"follower of Demeter"

Classical and Shakespearean name that may appeal if you like your names long, flowing and multicultural.

Donato

Latin

"given by God"

Widely used in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, has an air of generosity and could easily be adopted here.

Doyle

Irish

"black stranger"

An Irish surname possibility for those who like Daley, Royal, Dougal, and Dolan, though it may sound too much like doily to catch on for modern boys. Nevertheless, it was fairly well used in the 20th…

Drago

Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Bulgarian

"precious, dear"

Drago sounds fierce but has a sweet meaning. It may be used as a standalone name or as a short form of other Slavic names beginning with the element dragu "dear", such as Dragoljub or Dragomir.

Draper

English occupational name

"cloth merchant"

Other occupational names would be more commonly accepted, though the Mad Men character has certainly brought it to the fore.