Unusual Boy Names

Bix

Modern nickname

Bix is a cool and jazzy nickname name, thanks to that final x. It's largely associated with the legendary and influential cornet player (and inspiration for the novel Young Man With a Horn ), Bix…

Xanthos

Greek

"golden-haired"

This alternate name for Apollo has a noble sound and can always be shortened to Xan.

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…

Theodoric

German

"people's ruler"

Theodoric feels prehistoric, though with short form Theo one of the hottest names around, this old German names for boys may soon feel new again.

Arsenio

Spanish from Greek

"virile, strong"

Long considered Mr. Hall's exclusive property, it's now ready to be adopted by others.

Benjamino

Benjamino is a masculine name that represents an Italian elaboration of Benjamin, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of my days.' The Italian suffix '-ino' adds an…

Montague

Literature, French

"pointy hill"

The family name of Shakespeare's Romeo, Montague has a touch of old-fashioned grandeur about it. With clunky-cute nickname Monty and similar sounds to Montgomery, it has been used as a given name…

Zadock

Hebrew

"fair, righteous"

A biblical name that was used in colonial times, but which has an unpleasant sound to the modern ear.

Sanjay

Sanskrit

"triumphant"

Historic and popular Indian name, borne by the son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. On classic Hindu epics, it was the name of the charioteer of King Dhritarashtra; in the UK is was a character on…

Elbridge

English

"old bridge"

Elbridge is an uncommon last name used as first. It sounds rather forbidding, but Bridge would be a cute, modern nickname.

Hewitt

English, Scottish, and Irish surname

"descendant of Hugh; one who lives near the wood clearing"

Modern way to honor an ancestral Hugh.

Osgar

Osgar is an ancient masculine name with Celtic and Norse origins, representing a variant spelling of Oscar. In Celtic tradition, Osgar or Oscar means "deer lover" or "friend of deer," while some…

Roosevelt

Dutch

"rose field"

Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents.

Hamish

Scottish variation of James

"supplanter"

Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out…

Pollux

Greek

"very sweet"

Made cool by that final X (as seen in Felix, Lennox, and Rex), Pollux is the Romanized form of Polydeukes, the half-twin of Castor, and the son of Zeus and Leda. Associated with the Gemini…

Castor

Greek

"shining; wood; beaver"

If you can put aside the oil connection, Castor is a mythological option, borne by one of the (half) twins that make up the constellation Gemini, the other being Pollux. A son of Leda and a king of…

Lemuel

Hebrew

"devoted to God"

Lemuel is a neglected Old Testament name, with the friendly nickname Lem, that we're surprised hasn't been picked up on by parents who have known too many Samuels. In the Bible, Lemuel is mentioned…