User-created list
Unusual Boy Names
Across 8 pages
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Tennyson
English
"son of Dennis"
Few people would have considered the surname of this famous Victorian poet as a first name until Russell Crowe chose it for his son in 2006. But, as a rhythmic three-syllable patronymic, Tennyson has…
Thurston
Scandinavian
"Thor's stone"
Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.
Tybalt
Medieval form of Theobald
"from bold people"
Similar in sound to the French "Thibault", which is far more popular, Tybalt is best known as the bloodlustful and brawling cousin of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . Perhaps this…
Thackery
Paravel
Nikodim
Russian, from Greek
"victory of the people"
An alluring Russian variant of Nicodemus, Nikodim has an attractive sound and could be a unique full name for the cool nickname Niko.
Felicien
Felicien is a refined masculine name with Latin roots, derived from 'felix' meaning 'happy,' 'fortunate,' or 'successful.' Most common in French-speaking regions and countries with French cultural…
Olaf
Norse
"ancestor's relic"
Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical…
Bond
English
"peasant farmer"
For 007 fans, a great middle name choice -- or even a first.
Silvanus
Latin
"wood; forest"
In Roman mythology, Silvanus was the god of the forests. He protected farmers and fields and was credited with developing a system for marking field boundaries. Silvanus is the name of a disciple in…
Phineas
English, Egyptian
"the Nubian, the bronze-colored one"
Phineas is the English variation of Phinehas, a Hebrew name likely derived from the Egyptian name Pa-nehasi. Pa-nehasi, meaning "the Nubian" can also be translated as "the bronze-colored one." The…
Dermot
Irish, Anglicization of Diarmaid
"free from envy"
Dermot is an appealing, relatively undiscovered Irish mythological hero's name long popular in the Old Country, and imported into the American consciousness by actor Dermot Mulroney. We see it in the…
Elmer
English
"noble and renowned"
Thanks to Elmer Fudd, Elmer the Cow, Elmer the elephant, Elmer's glue and the similar Elmo, this name might, to some feel like a jokey choice: the quintessential so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out…
Saladin
Arabic
"peace through faith"
A name with considerable history, as the celebrated sultan of Egypt and Syria in the time of the Crusades.
Leviticus
Greek
"belonging to the Levites"
Old Testament book way too heavy to carry.
Obadiah
Hebrew
"servant of God"
For the seriously audacious biblical baby namer who wants to move beyond Elijah and Josiah, this name has considerable old-fangled charm. Obadiah, who gave his name to one of the shortest books in…
Arroyo
Spanish surname and nature name
This name has two distinctive associations: the Southwestern natural formation of a gully or stream, and the Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo.
Vere
English from French
"alder"
Upper-class surname in England that might be prime for adoption here.
Aristotle
Greek
"superior; the best purpose"
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris,…
Templeton
English
"temple settlement"
Butler name, and also that of the rat in Charlotte's Web .