Absolutely Unique Historical and Literary Boys Names

  1. Corbett
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "little raven"
    • Description:

      This British surname has a somewhat aristocratic air, which ties in to its association with the early American boxing champ "Gentleman Jim" Corbett. Also borne by actor and country singer John Corbett, it blends the sounds of the more popular Corbin, Cory, Barrett, Bennett, and Beckett.
  2. Thoreau
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "strength of a bull"
    • Description:

      A dashing French surname name most famously borne by Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist, writer and philosopher who influenced such notable figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. The most common modern American pronunciation is "thor-OH", with emphasis on the final syllable, although Thoreau himself pronounced it "THOR-oh".
  3. Thorsten
    • Description:

      Thorsten is a Germanic masculine name variation of Torsten, derived from the Old Norse name Þórsteinn (Thor's stone). It combines the elements 'Thor' (the Norse god of thunder) and 'stein' (stone), symbolizing strength and durability. Primarily used in Germany, Denmark, and other Scandinavian countries, Thorsten gained moderate popularity throughout the 20th century. While not among the most common names today, it maintains steady usage in Germanic countries where traditional Nordic names are valued. In English-speaking countries, Thorsten remains relatively uncommon but recognized, often appreciated for its strong consonant sounds and distinctive Norse heritage.

  4. Loukas
    • Origin:

      Greek form of Luke
    • Meaning:

      "man from Lucania"
    • Description:

      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.
  5. Ovid
    • Origin:

      Latin, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      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.
  6. Twain
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "divided in two"
    • Description:

      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.
  7. Woolf
    • Origin:

      Variation of Wolf, animal name
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Hurston