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

Ayal is a boys' name used in modern Israel but virtually unknown in the US. Even more popular in Israel is the female form, Ayala.

This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.

Upstanding New England patrician name.

Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.

This name's connection to the Caribbean Cayman Islands gives it a nice resortish feel, while still feeling like an in-tune-with-style boy's name.

This Hebrew version of Jubal, a traditionally masculine name, is used for both boys and girls in modern Israel.

Idiosyncratic Hebrew choice.

New, fast, cool, and chosen by director Robert Rodriguez, whose other sons are Rebel, Rocket, and Rogue, all somewhat risky options.

This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.

Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".

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.

Parry is quite common in Wales, often as a surname, but would inevitably be misunderstood as Perry or even Harry.

Orson is being rediscovered and Orsino is every bit as attractive.

The Latin word for an angel (and the male form of Angela) is a rare but smart and stately name. The Angelus is a Catholic devotion, and the name is also used for the church bell that traditionally accompanies it. In pop culture, Angelus is a previous incarnation of Angel in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe.

An undiscovered Persian gem that's zippy, short and sweet. It is used in Iran and neighboring countries as a first name and a family name. The British actress Afshan Azad played Parvati Patil in the Harry Potter movies.

Cooler and rarer than Pedro, but also has a slightly industrial sound.

A common pet name, usually inspired by the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, Dodger is used as a given name for around 6 boys every year.

The last name of folksinger Joan is melodic in its own right.

A small number of parents are inspired to choose Frida Kahlo's surname for their sons and daughters each year. The Mexican artist had German ancestry from her father's side, and Kahlo is actually German in origin. It comes from kahl, meaning "bald."