998+ Unique, Rare, and Uncommon Boy Names (with Meanings and Origins)

Though it has some distinguished political and tennis world associations, most modern parents would go for the more contemporary sounding Holden. Tilden Park is a beautiful hillside wilderness in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Associated with iconic British designer and retailer Terence Conran, who had an international impact on household design. Makes a nice variation on Conrad.

Short form of Dumisani

A rare but appealing and accessible member of the John family. It sees steady low-key use in England.

Waspy, but preferable to Nanny Diaries satiric name Grayer. Grayton Greydon, Greyton.

Carlisle is more popular than Carlyle for both genders, and in both spellings more widely used for boys than for girls. It's a name we see on the rise in either spelling.

A spiritual word name — as in Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant — that also fits the trend for short, punchy words like Oak and Ace. It's rare (used for 7 boys in 2020) but could sail far.

Edgy German capital with definite possibilities as a baby name.

The craze for surname names is now moving beyond the English and Irish to include worldly Spanish names for boys like this historic one currently in the Top 1000.

A preppy-yet-rugged choice that proves there are plenty of last names as first names that are rare and distinctive, but not wacky or made up.

Basie is a fabulous jazz name to honor the Count, whose birth name was William, the influential pianist, organist, bandleader and composer who led his band for almost fifty years.

Wave made, well, waves when it was revealed to be the name of Cardi B and Offset's son. Evocative of crashing waves at the beach, large surfing barrels, and tumultuous and stormy seas, Wave is a name with a lot of personalities.

Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.

Uzziah was an Old Testament king of Judah, among other personages. The initial U is a bit funky for modern tastes; we don't see this one enjoying a revival ala Isaiah and Noah anytime soon.

Likable choice for history-minded parents who might want to honor Irish patriot Charles Parnell.

Zealous and noble, an unusual and strong choice -- and if the original is too much of a mouthful, you can always call him Zen.

Sabian is a relative of Sabin and Sabina, both referring to the Sabines, an ancient Italian people. Sabin is also a Quranic name of one of the "People of the Book". About a dozen baby boys were named Sabin and another dozen named Sabian in the US last year, making it a rare name with historic roots.

Tied to the hero of the classic Spanish novel Don Quixote, likely to produce a quixotic daydreamer.

Brand new surname option that's equally appealing on girls and boys.