Absolutely Unique Historical and Literary Boys Names

The Welsh form of Tristan, and the name of a counselor to King Arthur.

Cesare is the Italian form of Caesar, a name with ancient Roman origins. The name derives from Latin, possibly meaning "hairy" or, more likely, from the verb "caedere" meaning "to cut," referring to birth by caesarean section. Julius Caesar is the most famous historical bearer, whose name became synonymous with leadership and imperial power, eventually becoming a title for Roman emperors. Cesare has been used in Italy for centuries, with notable bearers including Renaissance figure Cesare Borgia and artist Cesare Maccari. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it maintains steady usage in Italy. The name carries connotations of strength, authority, and classical sophistication, pronounced cheh-ZAH-ray in Italian, giving it a melodious, romantic quality.

This is the second-to-the-original spelling of a name that's part Jersey Shore, part upper-crust British. Dominick gets you more directly to nickname Nick.

Twain can be thought of as a modernization (and possible namesake) of the dated Wayne, seasoned with the humor of Mark Twain, who adopted it from a river term.

Ovid is the English form of the Roman family name Ovidius, which possibly comes from the word for sheep. It is the usual English name for the first-century poet Publius Ovidius Naso.

The spelling Woolf inevitably conjures writer Virginia. If you're a fan of Mrs. Dalloway and the Bloomsbury group, Woolf might be a creative way to combine a trendy animal name with an original honor name. Woolf was the surname of Virginia's husband, Leonard.

The original Greek form of Luke, similar to the English Lucas, but with the emphasis on the second syllable. Loukas Notaras was a Byzantine Greek statesman - the last grand Duke of the Byzantine Empire, while a more recent bearer is Czech-Greek footballer, Loukas Vyntra.