Retro and Uncommon Baby Boy Names
11. Adan. If you’re looking for a unique Hispanic boys’ name with a vintage twist for your baby, perhaps Adan is a good choice. It’s the Spanish equivalent of Adam, the Hebrew word for “man,” and became popular in the United States between the 1930s and 1950s. Perhaps it’s time to bring it back?
12. Bradford. A baby boys’ name with a retro, English feel, Bradford was once a surname that came from a place name (Bradford is a town in the United Kingdom). It means “broad ford,” which is a wide, shallow part of a river that you can walk across.
13. Kendric. The boys’ name Kendric, also spelled Kendrick, comes from Britain and means “royal ruler” or “champion.” It’s been out of fashion for a while, but Kendrick is making a comeback, both with and without the “k” ending.
14. Octavius. Even though this name means “eighth” in Latin, your little boy doesn’t have to be the eighth child to bear this noble Roman name! Before he ruled Rome, Emperor Augustus was called Octavius.
15. Orson. Orson means “bear cub” and is a diminutive name coming from the Latin word for bear (ursa). This unique baby boy name is as cute as a teddy bear, but it’s also strong and dignified at the same time.
16. Osvaldo. For another distinctive baby boys’ name with retro appeal, try Osvaldo, the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese version of Oswald, which means “god” and “power” or “ruler.”
17. Reggie. A cute, short version of Reginald, Reggie means “council power.” This old-time nickname is making a comeback with the new generation.
18. Riggs. Meaning “Son of Ridge” in Old English, Riggs began as a surname from the Lancashire region of England and has since become a unique boy name that’s appealing to those looking for a vintage vibe.
Powerful and Unique Baby Boy Names
19. Atlas. As a name in Greek mythology, Atlas was a famous Titan who carried the heavens on his shoulders, so this name certainly conjures up an image of strength. The name may mean “the bearer of the heavens” in Greek, so it’s a moniker that’s noble as well as unique.
20. Aziel. This name has its roots in Hebrew and means “God is my strength.” It’s rarely selected, but if you want to name your little one something biblical and unusual, this is a good choice.
21. Boaz. Meaning “swiftness” in Hebrew, Boaz was the husband of Ruth in the Old Testament. But what also makes this unique baby boys’ name even more powerful is that Boaz was also the name of one of the pillars supporting Solomon’s Temple.
22. Dante. As the medieval short form of the name Durante, Dante means “enduring.” Probably the most famous bearer of this name was the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy.
23. Finlay. Finlay has origins in Ireland and means “fair-haired hero.” It’s also a common name in Scotland.
24. Kenji. This Japanese name means “strong and vigorous,” or “intelligent second son.” It’s a unique yet powerful name for your baby boy, especially if your family has Japanese roots and you want your little one’s name to reflect his heritage.
25. Hernan. Travel back in time to medieval Spain! Hernan comes from the name Hernando, which was an older form of the more common Ferdinand, meaning “daring” and “brave.” Hernan is a unique, creative name that fits an adventurous baby boy who loves knights and castles!
26. Marcellus. Meaning “young warrior” in Latin, this strong, yet unique name certainly makes a statement. It’s also a diminutive of Marcus, which comes from the Roman god Mars, meaning “male.”
27. Maynard. This German name means “brave,” “hardy,” and “strong.” It’s a great option for a unique name with a powerful and mighty meaning for your baby boy.
28. Storm. Evoking thundery skies, Storm is an original name for your little superhero. It’s become more popular as a boy’s name in Scandinavia, where it’s derived from the common surname Stormr.
Different and Cool Baby Boy Names
29. Braylon. This name blends Braden and Jalen, making Braylon a trendy, modern American name. Brayden (or Bradán) is an Irish name meaning “salmon,” and Jalen is a modern name made popular by Jalen Rose, who played professional basketball in the 1990s and early 2000s.
30. Dario. Often found in Spanish-speaking countries and Italy, Dario is a Latin version of the Greek-Persian name Darius. In fact, there were many Persian kings bearing the name Darius, making it a unique option for a royal name. The Latin variation of Dario is an elegant name meaning “possessor of good.”
31. Jaylen. Jaylen is a variant of the name Jalen from above, as in Jalen Rose. The pro basketball player’s name combines James (his father) with Leonard (his uncle). James comes from the name Jacob, meaning “may God protect,” and Leonard means “brave lion.”
32. Lake. This unisex name is a nice, nature-based option. Perhaps your baby will grow up to love the outdoors! Although it’s an English name, it comes from the Latin word lacus meaning lake.
33. Mykel. Shake things up with this cool and unusual spelling of the traditional name Michael, and your baby boy will always make a statement. Michael is a Hebrew name meaning “who is God?”
34. Seven. If you’re having trouble finding a name for your seventh child, then Seven could be a playful solution. Or maybe you want to break tradition and name your first child Seven. Seven is often thought to be a lucky number, so it can be a great name for your little lucky charm.
35. Treyton. This uncommon baby boys’ name is usually abbreviated as Trey. It comes from England and means “trees.” It’s very rarely used, so if you want something unique, this name is a great choice.
36. Zyair. This is an unusual name with African origins. Your baby boy Zyair’s name can also be spelled Zaire, which means “river.”
Non-English Unique Boy Names
37. Alessandre. A variant of Alessandro, the Italian form of Alexander, Alessandre means “defending men” in Greek.
38. Amadeo. As a variant of Amedeo, the Italian version of the Late Roman name Amadeus, this name means “love of God.” Amadeus was the middle name of the famous Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
39. Ambrose. A French name, Ambrose comes from the Late Latin name Ambrosius, meaning “immortal.” It’s a unique option if you’re looking for international names for your baby boy.
40. Callum. A Scottish variant of the name Calum, which is the masculine version of the unisex name Columba, Callum means “dove.” This is a lovely option for a unique and peaceful name for your sweet baby boy.
41. Enzo. This name is quite popular in Europe, as it’s the short form of names ending in enzo, such as Italian names like Lorenzo or Vincenzo. It’s also the historic version of the name Heinz, a diminutive of the German form of Henry (Heinrich), which means “home-ruler.”
42. Kazimir. This unique boys’ name comes from Russian, Croatian, and Slovene languages, as it’s a form of Casimir. It has two conflicting meanings, so you can choose either “to destroy” or “world, peace.” (We prefer the latter!) The shortened name Kaz would be a cute nickname or middle name for your little one!
43. Lazlo. This is the English version of the Hungarian name László, who was a king of Hungary in the eleventh century. László is also the Hungarian version of the Slavic name Vladislav, meaning “rule” and “glory.” This title also has a cute nickname, Laci, pronounced LAHT-see.
44. Lev. This Russian name simply means “lion” and was the real name of the author Leo Tolstoy, whose full name is Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy. However, Lev is also a Hebrew name meaning “heart,” or could be short form for the Georgian name Levan, which comes from the Greek word for “lion.”
45. Xandros. As you may guess, this is a variant of Xandro, which is a diminutive of the Portuguese name Alexandro, coming from Alexander. Just like Alessandre from above, this name means “defending men” in Greek.
46. Yael. Yael is actually a unique girls’ name as the Hebrew form of Jael. But in the United States, it had a brief moment as a boys’ name in 2012, making it a unique name for your son.
47. Zahir. This unique Arabic name means “helper” or “supporter” and can also be spelled Zaahir.
Nature-Inspired Unique Boy Names
48. Amo. This unique name can be the short form of any name starting with Am, such as Ambrose, Amedeo, or Amaal. However, on its own, Amo means “little eagle” in French.
49. Ashby. Much like the popular name Ashley, Ashby means “ash tree.” With the by suffix, the meaning extends to “ash tree farm,” which is the same meaning as the name Ashton.
50. Atwood. Can you guess the meaning of this unique baby boy name? In Middle English, Atwood simply meant “dweller at the wood.”
51. Banks. Another fairly obvious meaning, Banks referred to someone who lived near the edge of a river or hillside.
52. Elon. In Hebrew, Elon means “oak tree.” Elon is also a biblical name, as one of the Old Testament judges.
53. Foster. Although it has several different origins, Foster is most commonly an English surname meaning “forester” or “woodsman.”
54. Madden. From the Irish word maddah, Madden means “little dog.” You may recognize it more as a surname from the famous bearer and football mastermind John Madden.
55. Odell. Those from the town of Odell in Bedfordshire bore this name. It comes from two words that mean “wood hill” when put together.
56. Rhodes. From the Old English word rod, the name Rhodes means “cleared land.” It’s also the name of a largest of the Dodecanese islands in Greece. In Greek, it has a very sweet meaning, “where the roses grow,” making it a cute and unique name for your baby boy.
57. Zale. A Polish surname, Zale combines the words za and las to mean “on the other side of the wood.”
58. Zamir. This Hebrew name means “songbird.” Similarly, in the southern Balkans, the name means “good voice.”
More Unique Baby Boy Names and Meanings
59. Alden. This unique baby boy name comes from the name Ealdwine. In Old English, the name combines the words eald and wine to create the sweet meaning “old friend.”
60. Adryan. This creative name comes from the Roman name Hadrianus, meaning “from Hadria” in Latin. It’s a modern version of a classic boys’ name.
61. Arlo. This unique, old-fashioned baby boy name has unknown origins. Some believe it’s a place name from the Irish town Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands.” Others credit the fictional “Arlo Hill” from the epic poem written by Edmund Spenser in the sixteenth century, The Faerie Queene.
62. Brennon. A quirky variant of the name Brennan, which comes from the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, the Gaelic word for “descendant of Braonán” means “rain,” “teardrop,” or “moisture.” This could be a nice choice if your family has Irish roots, or you want something with a Celtic origin.
63. Cree. This rare name comes from a Native American tribe that originally stretched from Canada to North Dakota and Montana. This is a unique option for your baby boy’s name, especially if you have Native American heritage.
64. Dewei. This charming name comes from China, and means “highly noble,” “of great principle,” or “highly virtuous.”
65. Keanu. Meaning “the cool breeze,” this Hawaiian boy name is a poetic and unique choice for someone special, especially if your family has island ties. You may associate this name with the actor Keanu Reeves, whose father is of Hawaiian descent.
66. Kaipo. This adorable Hawaiian name means “the sweetheart.” It’s a beautiful and rarely used name that’s unisex, so it’s also an excellent choice for Hawaiian girl names.
67. Kalen. This name can be used for both boys and girls, making it a unique unisex name. Its roots in Gaelic, deriving from the name Kaelan, mean “slender.”
68. Rehan. This name comes from the Koran and means “sweet, scented plant,” like basil. It can also be a name with Irish roots, coming from a Gaelic surname, which is a variant of Regan.
69. Rush. Another name that comes from a surname, Rush refers to a grassy plant that grows in a marsh. Of course, “rush” is also an English verb, making it a unique and cool name for your energetic baby boy!
70. Wren. This name can be used for both boys and girls and comes from the Middle English name for a small bird. It’s also the short form of the name Wrenley of the same meaning, which you can also spell as Renley.
Things to keep in mind:
When choosing a rare and unique name for your baby boy, there are several important things to keep in mind to ensure that you make a thoughtful and meaningful choice:
- Pronunciation: Opt for a name that is easy to pronounce or has a straightforward pronunciation guide. This will save your child from constantly correcting others and simplify communication in various settings.
- Meaning: Consider the meaning and origin of the name. Choose a name with a significance that resonates with you and your family’s values or cultural background. Understanding the meaning behind the name adds depth and significance to your child’s identity.
- Popularity: While rare names are distinctive, be mindful of their obscurity. Consider how the name may be received by others and whether it aligns with your preferences for uniqueness versus familiarity.
- Spelling and Nicknames: Think about the spelling variations and potential nicknames associated with the name. Ensure that the spelling is intuitive and won’t lead to frequent misspellings or confusion. Similarly, consider if there are any nicknames derived from the name that you like or dislike.
- Cultural Sensitivity: If choosing a name from a different cultural background, research its cultural context and significance. Ensure that you understand and respect the name’s origins, pronunciation nuances, and any cultural traditions associated with it.
- Future Implications: Consider how the name may impact your child as they grow older. Think about how the name will sound in various professional settings and if it will age well over time.
- Sibling and Family Names: If you have other children or plan to have more in the future, consider how the new name will complement or contrast with existing sibling names. Additionally, think about family naming traditions or honoring family members through the chosen name.
- Personal Connection: Ultimately, choose a name that holds personal meaning and significance for you and your partner. Whether it’s inspired by a beloved figure, a meaningful place, or a cherished memory, a name that resonates with your hearts will carry special significance throughout your child’s life.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you can navigate the process of choosing a rare and handsome name for your baby boy with thoughtfulness and care, ensuring that the name you select reflects your family’s unique identity and values.
