One-of-a-Kind Names for Boys

  1. Arcadian
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "from Arcadia; idyllic"
    • Description:

      Arcadia was a region of Ancient Greece that is now associated with a simple rustic life (way before Cottagecore was a thing). That means this name is not just long and lyrical, but also has a warm pastoral charm.
  2. Dunstan
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dark stone"
    • Description:

      A two-syllable surname feel puts this name of an important English saint in the running -- though it could sound like a confused cross between Duncan and Dustin.
  3. Digory
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lost one"
    • Description:

      Digory is the name of a character in a romantic poem from the Middle Ages as well as from The Chronicles of Narnia, also known as The Professor. There's a Harry Potter character named Diggory.
  4. Conran
    • Origin:

      Irish, anglicization of O'conarain
    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Conaran"
    • Description:

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

      Word name
    • Description:

      Yes, nature lovers are starting to name their children after all forms of life, including fish, but consider carefully before you cast your line into these tease-infested waters.
  6. Taddeo
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Thaddeus
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      A particularly charming spin on the original, as is theSpanish name Tadeo. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016.
  7. Basie
    • Origin:

      Scottish surname, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Roald
    • Origin:

      Norwegian
    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"
    • Description:

      This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can honor an ancestral Ronald just by dropping that middle 'n'.
  9. Parson
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "clergyman"
    • Description:

      The name Parson might have seemed ridiculous even a few years ago, but when Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe named their son Deacon, they opened up a whole new field of ecclesiastical cool. Bishop, Priest, and Pastor are other possibilities.
  10. Beach
    • Origin:

      Nature name, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "a shore of a body of water"
    • Description:

      With the tide coming in on a new wave of word names, this one just might catch on, especially for parents who relish sun, sand, and surf. Forest lovers can spell it Beech, like the tree.
  11. Ravello
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "place name"
    • Description:

      Ravello is an Italian town on the Amalfi Coast. It's a popular travel destination and was a favorite spot for many notable creatives, including Virginia Woolf, Greta Garbo, and Tennessee Williams.
  12. Alard
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, steadfast"
    • Description:

      Alard looks and sounds like the name of a romantic, medieval knight. It's dashing and unusual; but still easy to pronounce and spell. Cognate Adelard might also appeal if you are considering this name.
  13. Roone
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"
    • Description:

      Roone is a lively, attractive and unusual redhead entry brought into the mix by the late TV sports and news executive Roone Arledge, who seemed to own it as a one-person name when he was alive.
  14. Sindre
    • Origin:

      Norwegian
    • Meaning:

      "sparkle"
    • Description:

      Variation of Sindri
  15. Scorpio
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "scorpion"
    • Description:

      Of all the astrological names —think Leo, Aries, Gemini— Scorpio probably has the most dramatically potent presence, which could prove something of a burden to a young boy.
  16. Cedro
    • Haldan
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian
      • Meaning:

        "half Danish"
      • Description:

        If you fit this definition, this might be a clever choice, especially as a middle name.
    • Sim
      • Origin:

        Scottish diminutive of Simon
      • Meaning:

        "the listener"
      • Description:

        The Biblical Simon has been rediscovered and this appealing short form, an alternative to Sam, might be a way to make your Simon even more special.
    • Troian
      • Origin:

        Surname
      • Meaning:

        "trinity"
      • Description:

        This unusual surname name has been made famous by Pretty Little Liars actress Troian Bellisario, and probably derives from a Slavic name meaning "triad; trinity". A notable male bearer is American visual artist Vasile Troian.
    • Kehinde
      • Origin:

        Yoruba
      • Meaning:

        "second-born of twins or one who falls behind"
      • Description:

        This African name, which derives from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, is used for both girls and boys -- but in the US, its most notable bearer is (male) artist Kehinde Wiley. Wiley, who paints brown- and black-skinned people in the style of European Old Masters, was born in Los Angeles of an African-American mother and a Yoruba father and was also a twin, thus his name. An attractive and creative choice for either gender.