User-created list
The Best Rare Names of WWII - Boys
Across 21 pages
of 21
Asbury
Place name
Asbury Park, a quirky town on the Jersey Shore, was named for Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Springsteen fans will likely be among those most drawn to…
Ashby
English
"ash tree farm"
This Ashley-like surname name actually made the US Top 1000 around the turn of the 20th century. Used very quietly today in equal numbers -- about a dozen each -- for boys and girls. Ashby is a major…
Ashley
English
"dweller near the ash tree meadow"
It may have peaked at #1 for girls in 1991 and 1992 in the US, but Ashley actually has a long history as a male given name, as evidenced by the sensitive Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind . It's…
Aston
English
"eastern settlement"
Has an upscale aura, perhaps due to the luxury James Bond Aston Martin car.
Attilio
Italian
"father-like"
Attilio charted in the US in the early years of the 20th century, a peak of Italian immigration. Only nine baby boys received the name in the US last year, but it has the trendy O ending and also…
Aubert
French variation of Albert
"noble, bright"
Likely to be pronounced AW-bert in English, short forms Aubie and Bertie give this rare French name quirky modern appeal.
Aubrey
English from French
"elf ruler"
Once a popular choice in for boys in the Middle Ages and again during the 19th century, Aubrey has mostly been used for girls in the US since the 1970's. With its arty, surname-y, and sophisticated…
Audley
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…
Augustin
Greek variation of August
This form and its German variant Augusten are moving up fast as the preferred long forms of the trendy Gus.
Augusto
Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian variation of Augustus, Latin
"majestic, venerable"
With the current craze for ancient Roman names, variations of the Latin Augustus with its majestic meaning are becoming more popular in many cultures. Month name August, also drawn from the original…
Averill
English
"boar battle"
Averill is an ancient name, most properly spelled Averil, that has a Boston Brahmin air – probably due to the image of statesman Averill Harriman. It's of the rare English surname names that…
Bailey
English occupational name
"law enforcer, bailiff"
Extremely amiable, open-sounding surname that's gradually being taken over by the girls.
Balfour
Scottish
"the village by the pasture"
Historically interesting via the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which supported the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine.
Baltazar
Spanish, Hebrew, Akkadian
"Baal protects the King"
This variation spelling of Balthasar is most often used in South America. Argentinian football star Joan Figallo recently called his son Baltazar.
Baptiste
French
"baptist"
Traditionally used by the ultrareligious, the French boys' name Baptiste comes from the Greek word meaning "to dip". Baptiste is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France .
Barclay
English and Scottish
"where birches grow"
Americans may not realize Barclay is the phonetic spelling of the British Berkeley -- though both sound like old-fashioned butler names.
Barnes
English
"someone who lives or works near the barn"
This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but…
Baron
English word name
"a lord of the realm"
If you're going to choose a noble word name, why not aim higher and pick Duke, Prince...or King. The Donald Trumps picked the Barron spelling for their little princeling.
Bartholomew
Aramaic
"son of the furrow"
Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish…
Barton
English
"from the barley settlement"
More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew.