88 Rare Boy Names for Your Baby

Finding a rare boy name can take a little more searching, especially if you want something distinctive without feeling difficult to wear. The right choice can stand out while still sounding natural with your last name and fitting the style you have in mind.

This list includes 91 rare boy names, with a meaning or origin for each one. Rarity varies by place and over time, so a name that feels unusual to one family may be more familiar to another. As you read, note the names you want to say aloud or come back to later.

25 Rare Boy Names With a Twist on Tradition

If you love classic names but want something less expected, these options offer a fresh spin on familiar favorites.

1. Amadeo – This name is a variant of the Italian Amedeo, which means “love of God.”

2. Anson – This English name means “son of God.”

3. Ashby – This name is like the name Ashley, which also means “ash tree.”

4. Bastien – A French short form of Sebastian.

5. Berry – An English word name that may also be used as a variant of Barry.

6. Blade – An English word name taken from the cutting edge of a sword.

7. Conway – The Gaelic name Conway means “holy river.”

8. Dante – The name Dante means enduring and is the short form of Durante.

9. Dario – This name means possessor of good and is the Latin version of Darius.

10. Domonic – Domonic is a spelling variant of Dominic, a Latin name meaning “of the Lord.”

11. Eason – This Scottish name means “son of Adam.”

12. Gabe – This Hebrew name means “God is my strength” and is a variation of Gabriel.

13. Hernan – This name means daring and brave and comes from Hernando.

14. Jaylen – This name is a variant of Jalen.

15. Kazimir – This name is a form of Casimir, meaning bringer of peace.

16. Kendric – This name means royal ruler or champion and is traditionally spelled Kendrick.

17. Ludo – A short form of Ludovic, a Germanic name associated with fame and battle.

18. Madoc – A Welsh name meaning “fortunate” or “good.”

19. Mitchell – This name comes from Michael and means “who is like God.”

20. Mykel – Mykel is a modern spelling of Michael, meaning “who is like God?”

21. Osvaldo – The name Osvaldo comes from the Old German name Oswald and means “God’s power.”

22. Reggie – A familiar short form of Reginald, a Germanic name associated with counsel and power.

23. Rikard – A Scandinavian form of Richard meaning “brave ruler.”

24. Wolf – This one is a shortened form of Wolfgang.

25. Xandros – This name is a variant of Xandro and Alexandro.

23 Rare Boy Names Inspired by Mythology and Religion

These names come from mythology, scripture, and religious traditions.

1. Abel – This Hebrew name means “breath” or “vapor.”

2. Amadeus – Amadeus is a Latin name meaning “love of God.”

3. Ambrose – This Latin name means “immortal.”

4. Ansaldo – This German name means “he who represents God.”

5. Ashish – Ashish is a Sanskrit name meaning “blessing.”

6. Boaz – Boaz was the second husband of Ruth in the Bible and is of Hebrew origin.

7. Elias – The Hebrew name Elias means “the Lord is my God.”

8. Elkanah – A Hebrew biblical name borne by the father of the prophet Samuel.

9. Ellis – Ellis is a Hebrew name that means “my god is Jehovah.”

10. Elon – Elon was one of the Old Testament judges. The Hebrew name means “oak tree.”

11. Endymion – The name of a shepherd in Greek mythology associated with the moon goddess Selene.

12. Griffin – This mythological creature’s name can also mean “lord” or “prince.”

13. Kit – This Greek name means “bearing Christ.”

14. Kyrie – This Greek name means “the Lord.”

15. Malachi – This Hebrew name means “messenger of God.”

16. Marcellus – Marcellus is Latin and means “dedicated to the god Mars.”

17. Mars – This Latin name refers to the god of war in Roman mythology.

18. Micaiah – A Hebrew biblical name meaning “Who is like the Lord?”

19. Moses – Moses is a major biblical figure who led the Israelites out of Egypt.

20. Orpheus – The name of a legendary musician and poet in Greek mythology.

21. Osiris – Osiris is the ancient Egyptian god of the afterlife and underworld.

22. Thor – Thor is the well-known Norse god whose name means “thunder.”

23. Zerah – A Hebrew biblical name meaning “dawning” or “shining.”

40 Rare Boy Names Inspired by Nature

These names connect to nature through their meanings, imagery, or associations.

1. Anders – This Scandinavian name means “strong and manly.”

2. Arbor – This unique Latin name means “tree.”

3. Arlo – This mysterious name of unknown origin is suspected to be from the Irish town Aherlowe, which means “between two hills.”

4. Aslan – This one is of Turkish origin and means “lion.”

5. Aspen – Aspen is of Old English origin and means “shaking tree.”

6. Atwood – According to Old English, Atwood means “someone who lived by a wood.”

7. Axford – A name of English origin meaning “ash tree.”

8. Barrett – This one is of Old English origin and means “mighty as a bear.”

9. Bear – Bear is an English word name taken directly from the animal.

10. Beckett – This one is of English origin and means “dweller by the brook.”

11. Bentley – An English name meaning “meadow with coarse grass.”

12. Blayden – This Irish name means “little fire.”

13. Blaze – An English word name associated with fire.

14. Branch – Branch is an English word name drawn directly from nature.

15. Brinley – An English name meaning “burnt meadow.”

16. Brock – This one is of English origin and means “badger.”

17. Calder – This Scottish origin name means “rough waters or stream.”

18. Callum – A Scottish Gaelic name meaning “dove.”

19. Camden – This Scottish name means “winding valley.”

20. Carver – An English occupational name for someone who carves wood.

21. Clooney – Although often thought of as a last name, Clooney is also a unique first name of Irish origin, which means “from the meadow.”

22. Colter – For another animal connection, this one means “one who looks after horses.”

23. Elio – Elio has Italian, Latin, and Spanish origins and means “sun.”

24. Evren – A Turkish name meaning “universe” or “cosmos.”

25. Falcon – An English word name taken from the bird.

26. Feeney – An Irish surname used as a given name.

27. Fenton – This English name means “marsh town.”

28. Flint – Flint is an English word name for the hard gray stone.

29. Fox – This is an old or Middle English name that refers to the animal or someone with red hair.

30. Gavin – The name Gavin is of Scottish origin and means “white hawk.”

31. Hawthorn – An English nature name taken from the flowering hawthorn tree.

32. Henley – This British name means “high meadow.”

33. Holden – The English name Holden means “from the hollow in the valley.”

34. Lake – As a tribute to the water, this name comes from the Latin word lacus.

35. Landon – This is a British-origin name meaning “long hill.”

36. Lennox – This Scottish name means “with many elm trees.”

37. Peregrine – A Latin name meaning “traveler” and the name of a falcon species.

38. Remington – The English name Remington means “ridge town.”

39. Sylvan – A Latin name meaning “of the forest.”

40. Zale – This name has Greek origins and means “sea strength.”

After you narrow the list to a few favorites, try each one with your last name and any middle names you are considering. It can also help to think about spelling, pronunciation, and whether the name will still feel natural as your child grows.

For more ideas, visit our baby names hub or continue with the related name lists below.