Published on March 6th, 2023 and Updated on February 29th, 2024
Check out SneakPeek Gender Test to find out your baby’s gender as early as 6 weeks at over 99% accuracy1!
John, Benjamin, Michael—you’ve probably known at least one person with these names. However, these en vogue titles aren’t your only options when drafting a list of potential names for your little one. Let your family’s individuality shine with a unique name for your baby boy!
From futuristic sci-fi names to forgotten titles from history, a unique name is a gift to last a lifetime. But while traditional boy names are easy to pick, unique names pose a creative challenge—where to begin?
If you need some names that stand out from the crowd, we’re here to spark some inspiration. Help your little guy walk (or crawl) to the beat of their own drum with this list of 100 unique baby boy names and their origins.
Old-Fashioned and Extraordinary
“Old-fashioned” is certainly a subjective word. While Oliver and Williams may be traditional names to some, they still landed among the top 10 most popular boy names in the US for 2021. However, there are a few golden oldies that are less than common—and deserve some newfound recognition.
If you’re a fan of antique markets or historical fiction, revive these unique old-fashioned names:
- Howard – From the Middle English word ewehirde or “ewe herder”
- Abel – A biblical Hebrew name meaning “breathe”
- Otto – A derivative of the Old High German word ot, which means “wealth”
- Rufus – Meaning red-haired in Latin (but can belong to any hair color)
- Arnold – An Anglo-Saxon name meaning “eagle power” in German
- Orson – A name worthy of your bear cub (derived from ors, the French word for “bear”)
- Elton – An early 20th-century Anglo name meaning “Ella’s town”
- Fenway – A name meaning “through the marsh” (or a nod to a historic baseball park)
- Jasper – Both Persian for “treasure bearer” and French for a red or brown gemstone
- Hugo – A Latinized version of Hugh meaning “intellect”
- Guy – French origin word for “leader” (can be pronounced GIE or GEE)
- Walter – An Edwardian-era name meaning “power of the army” in Olde German
- Amos – A Hebrew name meaning “load” or “burden”
- Atticus – Referring to boys from the Ancient Greek city of Attica
Regal and Warrior-Like
Your baby boy is your little king—so let the world know it! Unique names with regal, stately, and strong origins will make a mark on any room. Better yet, they’ll remind your little boy of his inner power and potential throughout his entire life. Give him a name worthy of royalty and warriors, such as:
- Reynold – an Anglo-Saxon and Germanic name for “king”
- Griffith – A Welsh name meaning “chief” or “prince”
- Rex – The Latin origin word for “king,” as popularized by Mozart’s Requiem
- Amon – The name of the king of the gods in Egyptian mythology
- Ferdinand – A Germanic and Spanish name for “courageous or brave traveler”
- Saber – A double-edged name meaning “sword” in French or “enduring” in Arabic
- Romulus – The name of the famed leader of Rome, meaning “strong” in Hebrew
- Conan – A famous warrior name, Conan means “little wolf” in Gaelic Irish
- Jarrell – An Olde English word meaning “mighty spearman”
- Lord – A noble title still used in modern English
- Timon – A Shakespeare warrior protagonist and a Greek name meaning “worthy”
- Akshara – A Sanskrit name meaning “strong” or “holy presence”
- Dirk – A German and Danish name meaning “ruler”
Naturally Beautiful
From the forests to the oceans, there are countless memorable names hidden within nature’s beauty. While seemingly new-fashioned, baby boy names related to the earth are as evergreen as a fir tree—they’ll never go out of style. Make your child feel one with the outdoors through these singular names:
- Winter – An English origin name for the chilliest (and very beautiful) season
- Birch – A beautiful white-barked tree with distinct dark spots
- Cyan – A particular green-blue color akin to the ocean
- Ember – The glowing coal or wood fueling a fire
- Cypress – A type of evergreen tree with pinecones found in warmer areas
- Basil – A delicious herb and a Greek word for “royal”
- Forrest – A variation on the word “forest”
- Reed – A type of tall grass and an Olde English word for “red-headed”
- Cosmo – Like the universes stars (cosmos) or a Greek word for “beauty”
- Sky – An upbeat and elegant name from the heavens
- Wolf – The regal canine of forests or short for Wulfgang
- Bronco – A strong name for a wild horse or a cowboy-in-training
- Everest – The English name for the world’s tallest mountain
- Timber – A sturdy type of wood used for building homes or other creations
- Rainn – A variation of the word “rain”
Contemporary and Chic
While hard to believe, there are some names that are practically still in their toddler years. A contemporary 21st-century name may not possess the etymological roots of older names, but they make up for it with their creativity and individuality. Look towards the future with these uniquely modern names for your little guy:
- Oaklyn
- Cason
- Seven
- Braylon
- Jaxon
- Deckler
- Tevin
- Beren
- Dax
- Blaze
- Crue
- Ryder
- Deveron
- Zabe
- Cayman
- Jareth
Olde English Names (or Titles)
Don your favorite pantaloons and pour yourself a cuppa—these English names of yore are equally distinct and distinguished. From Beowulf to the Magna Carta, the rich culture of Britain is filled with memorable names that will set the stage for a rich life.
Even if you’re not an Anglophile, you may love some of these ancient offerings:
- Briar – A “thorny patch” or heather, as found in the traditional English countryside
- Remington – Originating from Lancashire, Remington means “town of the raven”
- Byron – A lyrical name derived from the Olde English word brum (“cow sheds”)
- Errol – A royalty-worthy name that means “nobleman”
- Osmund – Meaning “inspired” or “divine” in Olde English
- Dunstan – A soldier name meaning “from the fortress”
- Wallis – Technically meaning “from Wales,” we think it’s a win for anyone—Welsh or otherwise
- Larkin – A name as beautiful as its avian origins, the humble lark
- Bligh – The male version of Blythe, meaning “joyous”
- Morley – Recalling the roaming moors or uncultivated hills of England
- Eaton – Related to the esteemed Eton College, this name refers to any settlement on a river or island
- Lyman – A name fit for a boy “from the meadow”
- Rhett – Meaning “enthusiastic” in Old Welsh or “stream” in Olde English
- Harper – Another name for a harpist, fit for future musicians and artists
Greek Gods & Mythological Heroes
Strike lightning, harness the sun, stir the oceans—with a name from Greek mythology, your baby boy will be poised to feel all-powerful. Not only do these popular baby names sound beautiful, but they also instantly stand out from the crowd.
Consider these Ancient Greek names from literature and Greek mythology that are worthy of your little hero:
- Zephyr – The god of the winds
- Perseus – The demigod son of Zeus who slew Medusa
- Ajax – A renowned Greek warrior who fought in the Battle of Troy
- Kronos – The Titan father of all the Olympian gods
- Zeno – Both meaning “of Zeus” and “foreigner”
- Homer – The intelligent protagonist of The Odyssey, meaning “promise”
- Castor – The first Gemini twin, born to King Tyndareus of Sparta and Leda
- Pollux – The second Gemini twin, born to Zeus and Leda
- Apollo – The chariot-riding Olympian god of the sun
- Mars – The Roman name for Ares, the god of war
- Lysander – A Spartan warrior and ruler
- Themis – The god of law and divine order
- Minos – The demigod King of Crete who could create gold with his touch
- Atlas – The god of astronomy who holds the Earth on his shoulder
Worldwide Sensations
Whether you’re a multicultural family or an avid traveler, a name that works across languages is like a natural passport. These unique names are short and sweet, making them accessible to different cultures and tongues. To raise a world traveler, pick one of these uniquely global names:
- Rami – A pan-Arabic name meaning “loving”
- Han – Meaning both “steep incline” in Olde English or the Han state of China
- Felix – With variations in Germanic and Latin languages, Felix means “happiness” in Latin
- Kenji – A Japanese name meaning “intelligent,” traditionally given to second sons
- Serge – A name meaning “wool seller” in French and “good looking” in Russian
- Che – The Chinese word for “cart” and a nickname for the Spanish name Jose
- Kel – A name meaning “clear spring” in Scandinavian languages and “church” in Irish
- Kamal – A Muslim and Hindu name, meaning “perfection”, “integrity”, and “lotus”
- Olaf – A nostalgic name meaning “ancestor” in Olde Norse
- Davi – A name meaning “friend” in Scotland and “adored” in Portuguese
- Liev – Meaning both “lion” in Russian and “heart” in Yiddish
- Taj – A tall crown worn by male Indian nobles
- Anh – Vietnamese for “friendly spirit”
- Rye – A delicious bread, a settlement by a river, and a Norwegian city
Get to Know Your Little One by Name with SneakPeek
Picking a unique baby name for your growing baby forges a lifelong bond between you and your child. It’s also one of the many important questions you’ll face during this transformative and exciting time. How many hours should I sleep? What’s the right prenatal vitamin? Can I eat lunch meat?
The SneakPeek At-Home Early Gender Blood Test can provide answers to some of the questions keeping you up at night. In as early as 6 weeks, you can start planning your gender reveal party and narrowing down your growing baby name list by discovering your baby’s sex.
Simply collect a DNA sample from the comfort of your home, send it off to the SneakPeek lab, and wait for your results to come in shortly after your sample has been received. The best part? It’s clinically-proven to be over 99% accurate1.
From conception to signing the birth certificate, SneakPeek Test is here to support your pregnancy and everything you need to get ready for your baby. Join over 1 million moms today as you journey towards putting a face to your baby’s name.
Sources:
- Behind the Name. Behind the Name. https://www.behindthename.com/
- FamilyEducation. Ferdinand: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration. https://www.familyeducation.com/baby-names/name-meaning/
- USA Social Security Administration. Popular Baby Names. https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
Shop Our Products
SneakPeek Gender Snap
Learn if you’re having a boy or girl with the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home baby gender test, over 99% accurate1 at 6 weeks into pregnancy. Get next-day results!
SneakPeek Fetal Doppler
An easy, portable way to hear your baby’s heartbeat in between doctor visits, starting at 16 weeks into pregnancy.
SneakPeek Gender at Walgreens
Skip the wait for shipping and pick up SneakPeek Snap at a local Walgreens. Just look for the kit in the pregnancy aisle, and take your test today!
SneakPeek aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to help our readers make informed decisions regarding their health before, during, and after pregnancy. This article was written based upon trusted scientific research studies and/or articles. Credible information sources for this article are cited and hyperlinked.
