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

This name, which entered the US popularity list in 2000, is a creative mix of Jay plus Savion, as in the dancer, Savion Glover.

A male take on the feminine name Zoe, it's hard to give an attractive pronunciation.

Navon is a Hebrew name meaning "wise", known as the surname of Israeli politician Yitzhak Rachamim Navon, who was president of Israel in the late 70s and early 80s.

Family surname or feminist statement name? Either way, this literary surname has a cool, current sound.

As a word name, Court brings with it a plethora of potential meanings, from a legal gathering, to a stage for basketball or tennis, to a street. Sharp and strong, Court feels right at home with other rugged picks like Rhett and Jett. And yet, Court remains remarkably rare in the US. The alternate spelling Cort is only slightly more popular.

At one time associated with the fictional detective Bulldog Drummond, this formal surname name does boast the cute nickname Drum.

This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but this has an even older pedigree as a namesake - Barnes Wallis was a UK aviator and inventor, most remembered for designing the Dambuster bomb (a bomb that bounces across water to reach its target) and working on supersonic flight in the 1940s and 50s.

Forster, a variation of Foster or potentially even Forester, is associated with British novelist E.M. Forster, author of A Passage to India, Howard's End, and A Room with a View. But if you choose Forster, you'd always have to force that 'r'.

Norwegian city name heard much more often as a last name than a first.

A joyful Yoruba name which would be perfect for a long-awaited baby.

While Barthelemy does not garner much attention these days, it has a storied history in French-speaking countries. Notable bearers include geologist and explorer Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, philosopher Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, and historian and writer Jean-Barthélemy Hauréau, to name a few.

Unique name for the son of a woodworker.

nature namesare in, and even fish names like Pike and Salmon are open for consideration.

A cool spiritual word name à la Psalm.

A refreshing variation on the Biblical classic Matthew, this Hawaiian form blends the stylish -o ending with the cool Kai sound. First appearing in the US stats in 1999, it has been climbing steadily upwards ever since.

If you prefer the woods to the ocean, you'll want to name your son (or daughter) Beech instead of Beach.

Variant of Eskil, from the Old Norse name Asketill.