Rare, Unique, and Unusual Boy Names
Updated Thu Feb 01 2024
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Cool boys’ names can have deep roots or be modern inventions but the coolest names are also often rare, unique, and unusual. And the very best cool boy names hit the trifecta of being rare, rooted in history, and on trend in terms of current styles.
To make this list, these cool names for boys had to be used for 25 or fewer baby boys, which definitely makes them rare and uncommon.
Many of the surname-names for boys on this list won’t stay unique for long. Choices such as Fielding, Halston, Langdon, and Maguire are one celebrity baby or TV character away from becoming smash hits.
This list of cool unique boys’ names features some of our favorite possibilities, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Lysander
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"liberator"Description:
Lysander is a distinctive Greek name that could be thought of as a more creative cousin of Alexander. In ancient history, Lysander was the name of an esteemed Spartan naval commander and his literary cred comes from one of the two star-struck young men in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as well as one of the twin sons (the other being Lorcan) of Luna Lovegood, whom we learn about in the Harry Potter epilogue.
- Florian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"flowering"Description:
If Flora and Florence have returned full force, Florian, with its trendy Latinate ending, could also have a chance. Popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and France, St Florian was the venerated patron saint of those in danger from water and the patron saint of firefighters.
- Lorcan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little, fierce"Description:
Lorcan is a name rich in Irish history as belonging to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous high king of Ireland, Brian Boru. Lorcan O'Toole, known in English as Laurence O'Toole, is the patron saint of Dublin, so it's not too surprising that Irish-born actor Peter O'Toole named his son Lorcan.
- Peregrine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"traveler, pilgrim"Description:
Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's not beyond consideration — in fact it's already been chosen by at least one Berry.
- Ivo
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"yew wood, archer"Description:
Ivo is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'. Hardly heard in the U.S., it is used a bit more frequently in England, as is the related Ivor, a favorite of such novelists as Evelyn Waugh and P.G. Wodehouse. Ivo is currently most popular in the Netherlands.
- Rafferty
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"floodtide, abundance, prosperity"Description:
Jaunty and raffish, Rafferty is one of the most engaging of the Irish surnames, used by Jude Law and Sadie Frost for their son. Fortunately, it doesn't still go by its original form: O'Raighbheartaigh.
- Llewellyn
Origin:
Welsh, variation of LlywelynMeaning:
"leader's image"Description:
Llewellyn/Llywelyn is a common patriotic first name in Wales, with its distinctive Welsh double LL's; in the U.S. Llewellyn would make a daring choice, though with the chance that some might find the ellen sound slightly feminine.
- Hamish
Origin:
Scottish variation of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out to Laird and Ewan territory, this may be worth consideration. It also sounds just like the Yiddish word for homey.
- Inigo
Origin:
Basque, medieval Spanish variation of IgnatiusMeaning:
"fiery"Description:
Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones. The sixteenth-seventeenth century Jones shared his name with his father, a London clockmaker, who received it when Spanish names for boys were fashionable in England, especially among devout Roman Catholics.
- Barnaby
Origin:
English variation of Barnabas, AramaicMeaning:
"son of consolation"Description:
Barnaby, a genial and energetic name with an Irish-sounding three-syllable lilt, is an ancient appellation that manages to be both unusual and highly attractive and deserves to be used more than it is. A sweet-spot name that's a real winner.
- Balthazar
Origin:
PhoenicianMeaning:
"Baal protects the King"Description:
This evocative name of one of the Three Wise Men of the Orient, also spelled Balthasar, may finally be ready for prime time. Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar were the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, though their names were not mentioned in the Bible.
- Albie
Origin:
Diminutive of Albert, Alban or AlbusDescription:
This cute masculine nickname -- with connections to princes, Hogwarts headmasters and the Manzo family of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" -- almost has enough heft to stand on its own. But all of its precursor names have merit.
- Yves
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"yew wood"Description:
On paper, with its stylish ties to fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent (born Henri), Yves looks great, but the pronunciation--EVE-- could lead to gender confusion. German variation Ivo might be cooler and clear up the issue.
- Sayer
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"woodcutter or reciter"Description:
One of the more subtle occupational surnames, Sayer is a pleasant, open, last-name-first name, particularly apt for a family of woodworkers -- or writers. Some parents are beginning to consider Sayer as a less popular alternative to Sawyer, which it may be a variation of, or a separate occupational name for someone who recited poetry and news, or even another occupational name an for assayer, who tested metals or tasted food.
- Fergus
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"man of force"Description:
In Celtic lore, Fergus was the ideal of manly courage, making it a charming, slightly quirky Scottish and Irish favorite.
- Winslow
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"friend's hill or burial mound"Description:
Winslow, despite its creative connection to the distinguished American painter Winslow Homer, does still retain remnants of the image of a Victorian boy in a sailor suit, making Winston or even just Win a preferable modern choice.
- Isidore
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of Isis"Description:
Isabel and Isadora are back: could it now be time for a more widespread revival of Isidore? In 2014, both Isidore and Isadore were on the list of fastest-rising names in the US.
- Eero
Origin:
Finnish variation of EricMeaning:
"eternal ruler"Description:
Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
- Ives
Origin:
English variation of YvesMeaning:
"yew wood"Description:
Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
- Moss
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"descendant of Moses"Description:
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies as The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take it With You.