Unusual Baby Names

Vanechka

Vanechka is a masculine name of Russian origin, functioning as an affectionate diminutive form of Ivan or Vanya. In Russian naming traditions, diminutives express endearment and closeness in personal…

Leonid

Russian, variation of Leonidas "lion"

"lion"

This form got noticed as the first name of long-reigning Russian president Brezhnev; other bearers include playwright and short-story writer Andreyev, Leonid the Magnificent,a Russian performance…

Struan

Gaelic

"stream"

A strong, eminently usable which is currently highly fashionable in its native Scotland, but little known elsewhere. With its cool two-syllable, n-ending shape and attractive nature meaning, Struan…

Tudor

Welsh and Romanian variation of Theodore, Teodor, or Theodoric

"gift from God; ruler of the people"

Known as a British royal family line as well as a style of architecture, this name feels both solemn and formidable, but with an intriguing "dark-academia" feel to it too. Currently in the Top 1000…

Carew

Welsh

"fort near a slope"

Noted bearers of this surname include a metaphysical poet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a baseball Hall of Famer, so there's plenty of hero-name inspiration.

Xanthus

Latin, from Greek, variation of Xanthos

"golden-haired"

Spelt Xanthos in Greek, this alternate name for Apollo has a noble sound (pronounced ZHAN-thus) and can always be shortened to Xan.

Rawson

English

"son of Ralf"

Could be a possible substitute for the dated Dawson, but the first syllable is a little--well--raw.

Cian

Irish

"ancient"

A handsome Irish name for boys, very popular in that country, but in the US this traditional spelling might cause pronunciation problems. Still, whether Cian or Kian, it's simple and straightforward…

Orpheus

Greek mythology name

"the darkness of the night"

Name of the legendary ancient Greek poet and musician — whose music was so beautiful it made trees dance and rivers stop to listen — would provide a child with a challenging but indelible identity.

Forster

English, variation of Foster

"scissors maker"

Forster, a variation of Foster or potentially even Forester, is associated with British novelist E.M. Forster, author of A Passage to India , Howard's End , and A Room with a View . But if you choose…

Savarin

Savarin is a sophisticated masculine name that likely derives from the famous French dessert 'Savarin cake,' named after Brillat-Savarin, an 18th-century French gastronome and writer. The name…

Éinri

Éinri is the Irish Gaelic form of Henry, a masculine name with Germanic origins meaning "home ruler" or "ruler of the household." The original Germanic name Heimirich combines the elements "heim"…

Quay

French word name

"wharf"

A name that looks intriguing and masculine on paper, but is, unfortunately, a homonym for a girl's name.

Enos

Hebrew

"mankind"

A thundering biblical name - belonging to a grandson of Adam and Eve, also known as Enosh - that hasn't made as much of a comeback as similar Enoch. Enos is also a book in the Book of Mormon, and the…

Vireo

Nature name

A vireo is a small green bird with a song as melodic as this highly unusual name, but it does sound a touch viral.

Laird

Scottish

"lord of the land"

Laird is a Scottish title for the landed gentry – it ranks just below a Baron – with a pleasantly distinctive Scottish burr that must have appealed to Sharon Stone, who chose it for her son. Laird…

Ruaridh

Ruaridh is a masculine Scottish Gaelic name pronounced roughly as "ROO-a-ree." It derives from the Old Irish name Ruaidrí, combining the elements "ruadh" meaning "red" and "rí" meaning "king," thus…

Hardy

German

"bold, brave"

Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country. British fashion designer Hardy Amies (born Edwin) is its best known bearer, and Thomas Hardy…