Transforming Top to Uncommon Boy Names

Transforming Top to Uncommon Boy Names

Parents’ desire to use uncommon boy names is relatively recent. Historically, sons were given family names passed down through generations, but over time, the emphasis has shifted from tradition to distinction. Many modern parents are seeking out boy names that make their sons stand out not only within the family, but among their peers.

It’s more than okay to go ahead and use a Top 100, even Top 10 name if that’s the one you love. (You do you!) But if you can’t bear the thought of your son going by Benjamin L. or Maverick P., you might want to search for an uncommon alternative.

We’ve taken the popular boy names of 2023 and matched them with their rarer counterparts. They’re paired based on style, sound, or origin — sometimes all three.

All of the uncommon boy names are below the official US Top 300 and given to fewer than 1000 baby boys in 2023, the last year on record.

Top Boy Names → Uncommon Boy Names

LiamLeland

NoahJoah

OliverFranklin

JamesAmes

ElijahUriah

MateoTadeo

TheodoreIsidore

HenryHarvey

LucasLucian

WilliamWinston

BenjaminBenedict

LeviLevon

SebastianAugustus

JackMack

EzraIra

MichaelRussell

DanielDashiell

LeoLenny

OwenLowen

SamuelSamson

Top Boy Names → Uncommon Boy Names

HudsonHalston

AlexanderAlistair

AsherAsa

LucaLuan

EthanEben

JohnJay

DavidDesmond

JacksonJensen

JosephPhilip

MasonMiller

LukeZeke

MatthewMatthias

JulianJulius

DylanDamon

EliasAmias

JacobJaco

MaverickTitan

GabrielAbdiel

LoganLorcan

AidenAlden

Top Boy Names → Uncommon Boy Names

ThomasThaddeus

IsaacZaccai

MilesWells

GraysonGranger

SantiagoSantino

AnthonyAnton

WyattWilder

CarterCarver

JaydenRaiden

EzekielAzriel

CalebCalder

CooperKiefer

JosiahJesiah

CharlesConrad

ChristopherCrispin

IsaiahIsaias

NolanFlynn

CameronKieran

NathanLathan

JoshuaElisha

Top Boy Names → Uncommon Boy Names

KaiRio

Waylon Warren

AngelNoel

LincolnFord

AndrewAmbrose

RomanMagnus

AdrianFabian

AaronEfron

WesleyWiley

IanEamon

Thiago Inigo

AxelKenzo

Brooks Briggs

Bennett Hewitt

WestonDutton

Rowan Briar

ChristianShepherd

Theo Hugo

Beau Rowe

EliAri

Top Boy Names → Uncommon Boy Names

Silas Jonas

JonathanJotham

RyanRyland

LeonardoLeandro

Walker Warner

JaxonMaxon

Micah Adlai

EverettEvander

RobertAlbert

Enzo Elio

ParkerParson

JeremiahJericho

JoseRey

ColtonColeson

Luka Rafa

EastonEdison

LandonLangston

JordanRiordan

Amir Amil

GaelNael

See our transformations of top girl names here.

About the Author

Sophie Kihm

Sophie Kihm

Sophie Kihm has been writing for Nameberry since 2015. She has contributed stories on the top 2020s names, Gen Z names, and cottagecore baby names. Sophie is Nameberry’s resident Name Guru to the Stars, where she suggests names for celebrity babies. She also manages the Nameberry Instagram and Pinterest.

Sophie Kihm's articles on names have run on People, Today, The Huffington Post, and more. She has been quoted as a name expert by The Washington Post, People, The Huffington Post, and more. You can follow her personally on Instagram or Pinterest, or contact her at sophie@nameberry.com. Sophie lives in Chicago.