Unique Baby Boy Names
By Dixie Legare – August 28, 2024
Naming a newborn can be an exciting journey for parents, filled with anticipation and joy. Finding that ideal, distinctive name for a baby boy can sometimes seem like a bigger challenge than anticipated.
Many parents turn to various sources, seeking inspiration but often come up empty-handed.
To ease this process, a curated list of 70 unique baby boy names has been created. Each name is chosen to offer a cool, unique identity that can match the personality of the new arrival.
Popular Yet Unique Baby Boy Names
Sebastian
Although still a unique name for boys in the United States, Sebastian has been quite popular in Europe for many centuries.
Saint Sebastian was a martyr in the third century, and the name means “from Sebaste,” which was a town in modern-day Turkey. In Greek, it means “venerable.”
Mateo
This name has grown in popularity in the United States but remains unique.
It’s the Spanish form of Matthew, which means “gift of Yahweh,” the Hebrew god. However, you’ll also find Mateo in Croatia and in Italy as Matteo.
Ezra
Unique biblical names can be a great option for boys, especially if you want your little one to have an unusual name.
Ezra, who was a prophet in the Old Testament, means “help” in Hebrew. A famous bearer of the name was the poet Ezra Pound.
Elias
Elias is a unique form of the popular boys’ name Elijah, and you can find this variant across Europe. The name is Hebrew and means “my God is Yahweh.”
Silas
An ancient Roman and biblical name, Silas only recently gained popularity in the United States.
Its origins are somewhat unknown. Many believe it’s the short form of Silvanus, which means “wood forest,” whereas others believe it’s from the Hebrew name Saul, meaning “prayed for.”
Waylen
From the Old English name Weland, also spelled Wieland, this is a mythological name from Germany. In Old Norse, Waylen (spelled Völundr) meant “a skilled craftsman.”
Gael
The boys’ name Gael also had a recent spike in popularity in the United States, but still remains unique. It refers to those who speak Gaelic languages, like Irish and Scottish Gaelic.
Rowan
As the English version of the Irish name Ruadhán, a diminutive of Ruadh, Rowan simply means “red,” and was given to both girls and boys with red hair.
Amir
Despite its popularity elsewhere, Amir is still unique in the United States.
It means “commander” or “prince” in Arabic and “treetop” in Hebrew.
Thiago
This Portuguese name is a variant of Tiago, which is a form of James.
Although James is a popular name on its own, it’s actually derived from Jacob, which means either “holder of the heel” or “may God protect.”
Retro and Uncommon Baby Boy Names
Adan
Adan is a unique Hispanic name with a retro flair. It’s the Spanish variant of Adam, which means “man” in Hebrew.
This name saw popularity in the United States between the 1930s and 1950s, making it a charming choice for those wanting a bit of old-fashioned charm.
Bradford
Bradford has an English feel, being a name derived from a place name in the United Kingdom. The name means “broad ford,” referring to a wide, shallow part of a river.
This name offers a vintage vibe that’s both classic and unique.
Kendric
Kendric, sometimes spelled Kendrick, originates from Britain and means “royal ruler” or “champion.”
Though it fell out of common use for a time, it’s now regaining popularity, offering a regal yet uncommon choice for a baby boy.
Octavius
Octavius means “eighth” in Latin, but it’s a powerful name that doesn’t require your child to be the eighth in line.
Before Emperor Augustus ruled Rome, he was known as Octavius, lending a historic and noble air to this name.
Orson
Orson translates to “bear cub” from Latin, giving this name a combination of cuteness and strength. It’s both endearing and dignified, making it a versatile choice for a baby boy.
Osvaldo
Osvaldo, found in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese cultures, is the version of Oswald, meaning “god” and “power” or “ruler.”
This name has a strong and distinctive retro appeal, perfect for those seeking a unique option.
Reggie
Reggie is a shortened form of Reginald, which means “council power.” This name is making a comeback among the younger generation, offering a modern twist on an old-time favorite.
Riggs
Riggs means “Son of Ridge” in Old English and started as a surname in Lancashire, England.
It’s now a unique first name with a vintage vibe, ideal for those who want something distinctive and rooted in history.
Powerful and Unique Baby Boy Names
Atlas
In Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan who bore the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. The name Atlas means “bearer of the heavens” in Greek, presenting an image of immense strength and nobility.
Aziel
Aziel has Hebrew origins and translates to “God is my strength.” This name carries biblical roots and offers a rare, yet powerful option for a unique baby boy’s name.
Boaz
Boaz means “swiftness” in Hebrew. Known from the Old Testament as Ruth’s husband, Boaz also stood as one of the pillars supporting Solomon’s Temple, adding an extra layer of strength to this unique name.
Dante
Dante is a short form of the medieval name Durante, meaning “enduring.” The name is famously associated with the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who authored The Divine Comedy.
Finlay
Originating from Ireland, Finlay means “fair-haired hero.” It is a popular name in Scotland and signifies both valor and uniqueness.
Kenji
This Japanese name translates to “strong and vigorous” or “intelligent second son.” Kenji is a powerful and unique choice, especially fitting for families with Japanese heritage.
Hernan
Hernan is derived from medieval Spain and comes from the name Hernando, an older variant of Ferdinand.
Meaning “daring” and “brave,” Hernan suits an adventurous baby boy with a love for knights and castles.
Marcellus
Marcellus means “young warrior” in Latin. It’s a diminutive of Marcus, aligning with the Roman god Mars, the god of war. This name conveys a strong, warrior-like presence.
Maynard
This German name translates to “brave,” “hardy,” and “strong.” Maynard is an excellent choice for a baby boy, showcasing a sturdy and powerful character.
Storm
Evoking imagery of thundery skies, Storm is a distinctive and original name.
While it has gained popularity in Scandinavia, where it is derived from the surname Stormr, it remains a unique and powerful choice for a little superhero.
Different and Cool Baby Boy Names
Braylon
This name blends Braden and Jalen, making Braylon a trendy and modern American name.
Brayden, originally Bradán from Ireland, means “salmon.” Jalen gained popularity thanks to Jalen Rose, a professional basketball player from the 1990s and early 2000s.
Dario
Common in Spanish-speaking countries and Italy, Dario is a Latin version of the Greek-Persian name Darius.
Known for its royal connections to Persian kings, Dario means “possessor of good,” making it both elegant and unique.
Jaylen
Jaylen is a variation of the name Jalen, inspired by Jalen Rose. It combines James, which means “may God protect,” and Leonard, meaning “brave lion.”
Lake
This unisex name is a lovely, nature-based option. Originating from the Latin word lacus, meaning lake, it’s an English name that’s perfect for parents who love the outdoors.
Mykel
A twist on the traditional name Michael, Mykel is a cool and unusual spelling. Michael is a Hebrew name that means “who is God?”
Seven
Seven can be a playful and unique option, whether it’s for your seventh child or your first.
It is often considered a lucky number, making it an ideal name for a little lucky charm.
Treyton
Often shortened to Trey, Treyton is an uncommon name from England meaning “trees.” It’s a rarely used name, perfect for those seeking something distinct.
Zyair
With African origins, Zyair is an unusual name that can also be spelled as Zaire, which means “river.” It’s a standout choice for a baby boy.
Non-English Unique Boy Names
Alessandre
A variant of Alessandro, the Italian form of Alexander, Alessandre means “defending men” in Greek.
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.
Ambrose
A French name, Ambrose comes from the Late Latin name Ambrosius, meaning “immortal.” It’s a unique option if one is looking for international names for a baby boy.
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 choice for a unique and peaceful name for a sweet baby boy.
Enzo
This name is quite popular in Europe, serving as 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.”
Kazimir
This unique boys’ name comes from Russian, Croatian, and Slovene languages, as it’s a form of Casimir.
It has two conflicting meanings, allowing for a choice between “to destroy” or “world, peace.” The shortened name Kaz would be a cute nickname or middle name.
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.
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 a short form for the Georgian name Levan, which comes from the Greek word for “lion.”
Xandros
As one might guess, this is a variant of Xandro, which is a diminutive of the Portuguese name Alexandro, coming from Alexander.
Similar to Alessandre, this name means “defending men” in Greek.
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 a son.
Zahir
This unique Arabic name means “helper” or “supporter” and can also be spelled Zaahir.
Nature-Inspired Unique Boy Names
Amo
This unique name can be the short form of any name starting with “Am,” such as Ambrose, Amedeo, or Amaal. On its own, Amo means “little eagle” in French.
Ashby
Similar to the popular name Ashley, Ashby means “ash tree.”
With the suffix “by,” the meaning extends to “ash tree farm,” which is the same meaning as the name Ashton.
Atwood
In Middle English, Atwood had a straightforward meaning: “dweller at the wood.”
This name reflects a close connection to nature.
Banks
Banks refers to someone who lived near the edge of a river or hillside.
It’s a strong name with obvious ties to natural landscapes.
Elon
In Hebrew, Elon means “oak tree.”
This name also has biblical significance, as one of the Old Testament judges was named Elon.
Foster
Foster is most commonly an English surname meaning “forester” or “woodsman.”
The name evokes images of someone who works closely with the forest.
Madden
Derived from the Irish word “maddah,” Madden means “little dog.”
It’s often recognized as a surname, made famous by the football mastermind John Madden.
Odell
This name comes from the town of Odell in Bedfordshire.
It combines two words that mean “wood hill” when put together, conveying a sense of natural elevation.
Rhodes
From the Old English word “rod,” the name Rhodes means “cleared land.”
It’s also the name of a large island in Greece, and in Greek, it means “where the roses grow.”
Zale
A Polish surname, Zale combines the words “za” and “las” to mean “on the other side of the wood.”
It’s a name that holds a sense of mystery and distance.
Zamir
This Hebrew name means “songbird.”
In the southern Balkans, Zamir also means “good voice,” making it a harmonious choice for a baby boy.
More Unique Baby Boy Names and Meanings
Alden
Alden is derived from the Old English name Ealdwine, combining the words eald (old) and wine (friend) to form the sweet meaning “old friend.”
Adryan
Adryan is a modern twist on the Roman name Hadrianus, meaning “from Hadria” in Latin.
It’s a contemporary version of a classic name.
Arlo
The origins of Arlo are mysterious.
Some think it comes from the Irish town Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands.” Others believe it was inspired by Arlo Hill from the poem The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser.
Brennon
Brennon, a variant of Brennan, originates from the Irish surname Ó Braonáin.
In Gaelic, it means “descendant of Braonán,” which translates to “rain,” “teardrop,” or “moisture.” This name carries Celtic charm and could be meaningful for those with Irish ancestry.
Cree
Cree is named after a Native American tribe that historically lived across regions from Canada to North Dakota and Montana.
It’s a distinctive choice, particularly for families with Native American roots.
Dewei
Dewei is a beautiful Chinese name meaning “highly noble,” “of great principle,” or “highly virtuous.”
It conveys a sense of honor and integrity.
Keanu
Keanu means “cool breeze” in Hawaiian.
It’s a poetic name and might remind some of the actor Keanu Reeves, whose father is of Hawaiian descent.
Kaipo
Kaipo is an endearing Hawaiian name that translates to “the sweetheart.”
This unisex name is equally suitable for boys and girls and is a lovely, uncommon choice.
Kalen
Kalen is a versatile Gaelic-origin name that can be used for both boys and girls.
Derived from the name Kaelan, it means “slender.”
Rehan
Rehan is a name with roots in both Islamic and Irish traditions.
In the Koran, it means “sweet, scented plant,” like basil. With Irish roots, it’s a variant of the surname Regan.
Rush
Rush is another name with a dual origin.
It can refer to a grassy plant that grows in a marsh or the English verb “rush,” making it a dynamic and cool name for an energetic child.
Wren
Wren is a unisex name that comes from the Middle English word for a small bird.
It can also be a short form of Wrenley, which holds the same meaning and can be spelled as Renley too.