Rare Names - Below the top 1000! (boys)

  1. Octavio
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Octavius
    • Meaning:

      "eighth"
    • Description:

      The most popular of the number names used by Hispanic parents, open to all. Octavia and Octavio are two Spanish baby names that are moving out into the wider world.
  2. Sampson
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      This name, once considered overly powerful due to the superhuman strength of the biblical figure, is now an option for parents in search of an unusual route to Sam. But you really don't need that p: Samson will do.
  3. Rudolph
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"
    • Description:

      Sure, he'd probably get a certain amount of red-nosed teasing around the holiday, but a boy named Rudolph could probably take it. Besides, he's got other, more distinguished namesakes -- the great ballet dancer Nureyev, silent screen Lothario Valentino and 9-11 Mayor Giuliani.
  4. Eleazer
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lazarus
    • Meaning:

      "God is my helper"
    • Description:

      Four-syllable names can be tricky, but this rarely used Old Testament appellation has considerable potential. In the Bible, Eleazer is a son of Aaron and nephew of Moses who succeeds his father as High Priest.
  5. Zacharias
    • Origin:

      Greek form of Hebrew Zachariah
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord has remembered"
    • Description:

      One of several more venerable names that get to the nickname Zack if you're tired of Zachary. In the New Testament, Zacharias was the husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist.
  6. Urban
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of the city"
    • Description:

      Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both urban and rural. Yet in this era of word name appreciation and trend for 'an'-ending boys' names, we're thinking it might be ready for a return.
  7. Aristotle
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "superior; the best purpose"
    • Description:

      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, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.
  8. Mahlon
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "sickly"
    • Description:

      Obscure Old Testament name -- he was the son of Naomi and the husband of Ruth -- that's become even more obscure over the past century, perhaps due to its unappealing meaning.
  9. Stephan
    • Origin:

      Variant of Stephen
    • Description:

      If you wanted to try to get people to pronounce your son's first name the way Stephen Curry does, this might be a way to do it.
  10. Mordechai
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "follower of Marduk"
    • Description:

      Mordechai and Mordecai are equally valid — both are used as transcriptions from the Hebrew bible, and one did not originate before the other. But although popular culture tends to prefer the (slightly simpler) Mordecai, Mordechai has always been the more common version for babies born in the US.
  11. Hercules
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "glory of Hera"
    • Description:

      Any boy with this name, a synonym for power via the Greek mythology figure, better be strong of body, and of psyche.
  12. Dwight
    • Origin:

      German and Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "white or blond"
    • Description:

      This presidential name is in style limbo today - or, some might say, in the the sweet spot of familiar but little-used.
  13. Gannon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fair-skinned, fair-haired"
    • Description:

      The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of Teen Mom 3 son Gannon Dewayne McKee.
  14. Bruin
    • Origin:

      English or Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "bear or brown"
    • Description:

      Bruin is the Old English term for bear, taken from the Dutch word meaning brown. Bruin might be a sports fan's choice or an animal name in hiding. As a kind of hybrid of Roone and Bruno, it's definitely got some cool.
  15. Indy

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