Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410. 
 In literature, Alaric was a noble character in P. G. Wodehouse's Blandings Castle novels, the lead character in Alexander Theroux's Darconville's Cat, appeared in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, and was the name of a history teacher on The Vampire Diaries.
 More unusual than Frederic or Roderic, Alaric could make a quaintly quirky path to all the Al and Rick nicknames.

Alaric

Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.

Anaise

Arlenis Sosa, the hot young supermodel from the Dominican Republic, is popularizing this lovely and unusual choice, related to Arlen or Arlene.

Arlenis

Ashira

Azaiah was one of the Biblical companions of Daniel.  While not as widely used as sound-alike Isaiah, his name is being quietly revived.

Azaiah

Unusual and attractive entry to the growing Irish name canon. 

Banan

Unusual but accessible Hispanic choice with stylish sound. 

Calida

Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 47 baby boys were named Calix in 2023. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.
 
Calix derives from the Latin word for chalice, calyx, which in turn came from the Ancient Greek word kálux, meaning "husk" or "pod." It is also considered a diminutive of Calixtus, a variation of the Late Roman name Callistus meaning "most beautiful." Calyx can also be spelled Calyx, as in the funnel or chalice-shaped part of a flower.

Calix

An unusual Greek mythological name belonging to a fresh-water nymph, also known as Cleona, Kleone, and Kleona.

Cleone

Cordis is an unusual and substantial unisex choice. 

Cordis

Cyra is an unusual name that can be pronounced either SEER-a or SI-ra, rhyming with Keira or Tyra. This name may be a feminine variation of Cyrus but is also a Persian name that stands on its own.  One noted bearer is writer Cyra McFadden.

Cyra

Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. 

Eero

While this spelling is unusual, the I-beginning version is quite popular. 

Emani

Unusual Honor or Nora alternative, but we prefer the originals. 

Enora

Fana

Guthrie, one of the most attractive <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/428/scottish-baby-names">Scottish names</a> that's also a surname, has a particularly romantic, windswept aura, with a touch of the buckaroo thrown in.
 Guthrie's folkie quality is tied to the father and son pair of singers Woody (born Woodrow Wilson) and Arlo. Other Guthries: Guthrie McClintic, a major figure in the Broadway theatre world of the early twentieth century, and Guthrie Govan, a guitarist with Asia and other bands.

Guthrie

Halona

This very unusual name, also related to Hannah, was chosen for his daughter by Vin Diesel.

Hania

Iberia, the name of the Spanish-Portuguese peninsula, makes an attractive, unusual first name. 

Iberia

Inaya is a soft and expressive name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.
 
A name with multiple spelling variants, including Anaya, Inaaya and Enayah, Inaya was one of the fasted rising names in the US in 2023. It now sits in the Top 800 and is given to nearly 400 babies each year. 
 Across Europe, it is a Top 100 girls' name in several countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and it is trending upwards in the UK and Switzerland too. With its pleasing meaning, appealing look, and gentle but sparkly sounds, it seems set to follow in the footsteps of Soraya, Farrah, Leila and Aaliyah as an Arabic name that is also popular in the English-speaking world.
 
Notable namesakes include singer Inaya Day, Lebanese politician Inaya Ezzeddine, and British journalist and presenter Inaya Folarin Iman. 
 
Currently, the spelling variant, Anaya remains more popular in the US and has been since the 2000s, though this might be attributed to the fact it is also a Spanish place name. Inaya has something more distinctive about it, with that underused 'In-' beginning and sleek spelling that may see it rise further in coming years.

Inaya

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.

Unusual and unfashionable name found in Toni Morrison's novel Tar Baby.

Jadine

Kacia

Kamaria

Euro-cool. Heard more in Scotland than in England or the US, Ludovic Lesly is a character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Quentin Durward and Sir Ludovic Kennedy was a noted Scottish broadcaster and writer. Cute nickname: Ludo.

Ludovic

Unusual name chosen for her son by actress Nia Long, who combined it with the even more unusual literary middle name, Zhivago. 

Massai

Unusual and lush Roman name adopted, improbably, by the Puritans.
 
The Cornish version, pronounced mel-YOHR-ah, has been in use since the 13th century.

Meliora

Traditional Arabic choice, used for both boys and girls.

Nasim

Highly unusual name of a small, tranquil island in the Caribbean; chosen for her daughter by singer Nelly Furtado. 

Nevis

Also an Israeli place-name, this is an unusual, feminine choice. 

Niva

Shakespeare's moor has exclusive ownership of this name. 

Othello

Everyone says they want an unusual name &mdash; well, if you truly do, this is one with Biblical cred that fits the bill, with the added attraction of the user-friendly nickname of Oz or Ozzie. Ozias is the name of several minor figures in the Bible. Osias is another spelling.


Ozias

Patrin is a truly unusual yet easily comprehended choice. 

Patrin

This name of a saint martyred in Cornwall makes an unusual choice with traditional roots. 

Piala

Familiar-sounding hybrid name, made more unusual by virtue of the Q. 

Quadeisha

Radella

Pretty and unusual, worth consideration. 

Ramira

Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
 Raphael was one of the seven archangels (called by Milton "the affable archangel") who attended the throne of God and, as the angel of healing, is the patron of doctors as well as of travelers, science and healing. Another worthy namesake is the great Renaissance painter Raphael (born Raffaello Sanzio). Several celebs have chosen the name, including Robert De Niro, Ana Ortiz and Melissa George.
Rafael is the Spanish spelling, as represented by Spanish tennis champ Rafael Nadal. Rafi is the familiar Hebrew nickname.

Raphael

Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place name in Italy. 

Renon

With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach.  For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.

Saar

Shada

To the non-Scandinavian ear, a cute and unusual nickname name, used by Finnish supermodel Suvi Koponen.

Suvi

Unusual Arabic name with an inspiring meaning for a baby girl.

Ulima

This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.
 Last on the popularity list in 1994, Valencia reached a high of Number 633 in 1969-70.
 The Mediterranean city of Valencia is the third largest in Spain; it was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC, originally called Valentia--and so has a long and storied history.

Valencia

Commonly heard in Israel, but here it could be an unusual way to honor Grandma Rose. 

Varda

Unusual name associated with gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian single-named model. 

Vendela

Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins. 

Zesiro

This unusual and alluring choice was used by David Mamet for his daughter, who is now grown and an actress on the hit show Girls.

Zosia

Marisa Isabel's list "The unusual and the odd" of 48 great name ideas: Alaric - Zosia!

The unusual and the odd

Unusual and odd names,mostly for characters not actually person-babies