For many parents-to-be choosing a name for their baby is no easy task. Some people like to go with something more classic and traditional, while others prefer their baby’s name to be as unique as they are. There are so many names to pick from, and it’s a huge decision. Your name goes with you your entire life. Many parents want to look at unique boy names for their babies. No one wants their son to have the first letter of their last name tacked on to their name at school because there are three Michaels in the classroom.
You also don’t want to pick a name that’s so bizarre that your son will be the target of ridicule when it’s time for school. Thankfully, there isn’t cause for alarm. There are quite a few rare boy names carrying meaning and history behind them that are actually cool.
Rare boy names
Classic names like John and Michael have never really gone out of style as far as boys’ names go. Liam was the top boy’s name in 2022 and the honor goes to Noah in 2023. Here are 15 unique boy names and their meaning to put on your baby name list.
Arlen
Arlen has its roots in the Gaelic language that came from Ireland and was spoken mainly in the Scottish Highlands. It means pledge or oath.
Beckett
This name also comes from across the pond in the United Kingdom. It means little brook.
Brayden
Brayden has its origins in both England and Ireland. This rare boy name has a couple of different meanings, including brave.
Callum
A Scottish name meaning dove.
Emerson
This name may, of course, remind you of the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. The name Emerson has English origins and means brave and powerful.
Grady
The name Grady comes from Ireland and means noble.
Griffin
This is a strong, unique name from Wales. It means to be strong in your faith.
Gyles
Gyles has origins in two places. It can be another Gaelic name, meaning servant or Greek. The Greek meaning is a young goat.
Jagger
When you hear this name, you probably think of the Rolling Stones, but Jagger is a Middle English word meaning “one who cuts.”
Jaylen
This is considered American and a gender-neutral name. Jaylen can mean tranquil or healer.
Jhett
Another American name with more modern roots is Jhett. It means “wild spirit.”
Kai
If you’re looking for a different unisex name, try Kai. Kai has its origins in Hawaii, where it means sea, or in Greece, where it can mean the earth.
Caden
This rare boy name’s roots are difficult to pin down, but in Welsh, it means “spirit of battle.”
Malik
Malik is a unique boy name from Africa, which means king.
Marlon
Marlon is a rare boy name with roots in English and old French. It means a little hawk.
A few other unique boy names to try out are Paxton, Rainer, Ronan, Tucker, and Zander (or Xander).
Why rare names are great
Rare names don’t have to be unusual names. In fact, rare names can simply be names that were once popular but have since become, well, rare. The beauty of rare names is they are almost always memorable, which can help your child stand out from the crowd. While some people choose to discourage parents from choosing unique and oddly spelled names for their children, rare names can be ordinary words with typical spellings.
Giving your child a rare name can have a deeper meaning for family members, or can simply be a name that both parents love. Giving a child a rare name lets them fully adopt the characteristics of their name and helps them set themselves apart from their peers.
The list of boy names that are not as common as more traditional names is actually pretty lengthy. These rare boy names have their origins around the globe and have a bit of history. They also sound cool without being completely out there. Choosing a name for your son is an important decision and one that can be a lot of fun. Ultimately, you will know which one suits your little guy when you hold him in your arms.
