The Most Unique Baby Boy Names
While preparing to welcome a new baby into the world, new parents are often stressed out with their long to-do list. From preparing the nursery to taking birthing classes to actually just mentally preparing to be a parent (especially for the first time), there's nothing casual about the experience. And perhaps one of the biggest decisions that soon-to-be parents get stuck on is the name they're going to bestow upon their little one. There are so many names to choose from, and some that are off limits — no one wants to name their kid the same name as their elementary school bully or give their child a name that six other kids in their class will have. Choosing the perfect name can be incredibly daunting, but that's where we come in.
There are some great classic names out there. Ben, Nick, James, Emma, Amanda, Jennifer — these are the types of names that stand the test of time, and they are pretty popular year after year. But if you're the type of parent who wants to stay clear of names that are in wide circulation, you're not alone. There are plenty of standalone names to pick, and we've rounded up our favorite. Here are the most unique baby boy names.
Scout
For those of you newly minted parents who are looking for a gender-neutral name, Scout is a great option. Not predominantly masculine or feminine by definition or use, the name is really unique. As per the Social Security Administration, Scout — used by a boy — has not even breached the top 1,000 baby names in at least the last 22 years, meaning that your little man will instantly stand out from the crowd with this moniker.
Here's a little bit about the name. Scout is of English origin and was popularized by Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" novel. Of course, the character of Scout in the book was a female, but her tomboy character and her no-nonsense demeanor left a mark on a generation (or two or three). The name could certainly be a good choice for literary fans and by-the-book parents out there. Hopefully, your little Scout's favorite school subject will be English!
Per Nameberry, the name is tied to honorable personality traits, given its obvious connection to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
Arlo
We've heard the more common boy names that are two syllables and start with the letter A: Albert, Alan, Alex. Certainly there is nothing wrong with any of these name choices, but if you're looking for something a little more unique, why not give Arlo a try? Arlo is a very uncommon name and has an older-world kind of feel (it's not like naming your kid Apple, for instance). Per the Social Security Administration, the name peaked in popularity in 2020, so while its usage is going down, it's still popular enough that it doesn't feel completely out of left field. It made up only 0.092% of newborn names in the United States in 2020 (that's 1,685 little boys with the name), so you probably won't hear the name Arlo on a daily basis.
The name Arlo, per Verywell Family, means "stone or rock hill" and its first known usage was in the poem "The Faerie Queene" by English poet Edmund Spenser. So if mythical creatures mean anything to you, if your familial background is Irish-Gaelic, or if you just so happen to like the name, Arlo is a great option.
Silas
Here's a unique baby name that is sure to tick off some boxes for nature-loving parents. If your idea of a perfect weekend involves camping or hiking and you just so happen to be welcoming a baby boy, Silas is the name for your little one. As per Oh Baby! Names, the meaning of Silas is "of the forest" — and let's be honest, the name has an old school kind of charm that makes it a perfect option for fans of the outdoors. And the nickname Sy? So cute — it's a win-win.
Per the Social Security Administration, Silas is a very unique name. In 2020, it made up just 0.197% of baby boy names in the country, which amounted to 3,599 male births. If unique is what you're going for, chances are there won't be any other kid in your son's class with the same name — we can (almost) guarantee that. Oh Baby! Names also noted the origin of the name, which dates back to Biblical times, Silas can be found in the New Testament, no doubt due to its Latin and Greek origin. And thanks to the show "Weeds" and the character Silas Botwin, the name has become a fixture in pop culture.
Rome
Are you a history buff? If so, Rome is the unique baby boy name you need to put on your list if you're considering monikers with storied meanings. So many of us know the common first name of Roman — but here, we're all about setting our kiddos apart from the crowd, and Rome does just the trick. Rome is, after all, a major influential city from your history books, and given its rich background, it's surprising that more people haven't jumped on the trend. But alas, it's on the unique baby name list because, for years, it did not appear in the top 1,000 popular baby boy names.
According to the Social Security Administration, Roman did not come onto the scene at all until 2019. It barely made it in the top 1,000 baby names, coming in at No. 999. By 2020, it had inched up the ladder and came in at No. 970. Still, in 2020 alone, only 0.012% of males born in the United States were named Rome, equating just over 221 births. So, if history and standing out from pretty much everyone around you are things you look for in a baby boy name, Rome is for you.
Callum
This next name will make some of you moms-to-be absolutely melt when you hear its meaning. The name that needs to be on your list, parents, is Callum, and there are a lot of good reasons why. Let's start with the meaning. As per Mama Natural, Callum is of Scottish origin and means "dove." Yes, this unique but trendy name may remind you of wedding birds and their sweet cooing! Mama Natural added that the name Callum sounds friendly too — have we convinced you yet?
We know you're reading this baby boy name collection for the unique element, so let's talk about how popular this name is. As per the Social Security Administration, there are years of missing data on the name Callum because it didn't break into the top 1,000 most popular baby names until 2008. In fact, it didn't make its way onto the administration's radar until 2008, when it came in at No. 972 out of 1,000. In 2020, Callum was only used by 0.052% of parents, with only 957 baby boys given the name.
Milo
Calling all "Gilmore Girls" and "This Is Us" fans. If you're a television and entertainment industry lover and want to name your little boy after one of your favorite modern era shows, why not give the name Milo a shot? Of course, we're thinking of the lovely Milo Ventimiglia, who captured our young hearts in the early 2000s as Jess and kept the love affair going with his character Jack. But even if sourcing inspiration from the cast of an Amy Sherman-Palladino show isn't what you're going for, Milo is still a great baby name choice — and it's unique, to boot.
As per Verywell Family, the name Milo is Slavic, and the root of the name means "dear" and "beloved." However, the name was also common in ancient Greece, if you can believe it, and was associated with the yew flower. Not only is this name historic in its own right, but it's very uncommon in the current day baby name pool. The Social Security Administration reported that from 1966 to 2000, the name didn't pop up into the top 1,000 baby names, and in 2020, it was only given to 2,741 little boys in the country.
Ford
Some last names are great contenders for first name options. Think Monroe or Dean or Ferrell — these are all last names that have been popularized due to the celebrities associated with them, but they all fend for themselves in the first-name competition. So if sourcing inspiration from famous last names is your thing, might we suggest the name Ford for your little boy? When many of us think of Ford, we think of the car manufacturer or the former president of the United States, but the name Ford has a rich history of its own. As per The Bump, the name is of English origin and means "river crossing," so this could be a great option to consider if you're a nature lover or have English roots.
Of course, there are other famous Fords out there that bring this last name to the forefront of our unique baby name list — from Betty Ford, an iconic first lady, to Harrison Ford, the name is sure to stand out among the crowd while also paying homage to those who have had the name in the past. According to the Social Security Administration, Ford was only given to 642 little kiddos in 2020. This could be the name for your newborn son.
Ezra
Are you looking for unique baby boy names that can't be shortened into a nickname? Ezra is the name option that should be at the top of your list. Some parents love the idea of giving their child a name that has a bunch of different variations, but others are looking for monikers that are timeless and original. Ezra is a wonderful option, as its unique lettering and distinct pronunciation is sure to stand out from the rest. As per The Bump, Ezra is a Biblical name and was used by 17th century Puritans, giving it a "poetic and heroic" history that is sure to translate.
Oh Baby! Names took things a step further and provided a list of attributes that are often associated with the name Ezra. If you want your child to embody a sense of adventure, intellect, and independence while also harnessing a sense of ease and adaptability, naming your son Ezra could be the first step in fulfilling those desires. And as for prior use, the Social Security Administration reported that Ezra was only used by 0.368% of parents in 2020, so your little Ezra probably won't encounter too many other Ezras in the world.
Dax
This is for all you adventurers out there who want to instill a sense of adventure and fearlessness in your little dude. Dax is absolutely a unique baby boy name that you should be considering, as it's quick, sharp, and bold — all in one syllable. Dax is a very uncommon name, with the Social Security Administration reporting that the name only recently broke into the top 1,000 baby boy names in 2007, coming in at No. 933. It's steadily become more popular, but even then, it was only used by 0.034% of parents in 2020. That's only 623 little boys named Dax in the United States that year — not a lot, so your little man won't experience any confusion in his elementary school class.
If name meaning is an important aspect to you, let's dive into the name and what it represents. As per Oh Baby! Names, Dax was often used in early English as a last name, as it was derived from Anglo-Germanic roots. It has been associated with intuition and intellect. Not a bad option, in our opinion.
Lev
Have we got a fantastic option for you if you're a fan of astrology. There are some parents out there who we're sure plan their baby timing around the stars, and if you're dedicated to having a baby boy born under the star sign of Leo, might we suggest that you consider naming him Lev. It's a short, one-syllable name that is bold and steadfast in its own right, but it has a hidden meaning that is sure to make you astrological fans out there melt. As per Mama Natural, Lev is the Russian term for Leo and means "the lion." How perfect is that?
If you're looking for even more meaning behind the name, Scary Mommy noted that the name Lev is also of Hebrew origin and means "heart." So whether you source inspiration from its Russian or Hebrew meaning, lion-heart is certainly not a bad combination. As reported by the Social Security Administration, Lev has not broken into the top 1,000 baby names in the United States in at least the last 20 years, so this is an incredibly unique name that should be on your list of considerations.
Reggie
With this next baby boy name option, we're suggesting that you consider a nickname as a full first name. For parents who opt to name their son Reginald (which to us sounds like an old English general), chances are that kiddo goes by the name Reggie. But what if Reggie is the name you actually choose for your little one? Chances are they'll be the only boy in their class with the name, so you'll certainly score points on the unique front. According to Nameberry, Reggie is an old-timey name that has gained a little bit of popularity in recent years. Names like Alfie and Freddie have assisted the name Reggie in its recent renaissance, as those cute names ending in -ie ending are all the rage.
However, the good news about the name Reggie is that it is still incredibly uncommon today, so that'll come as a comfort to those of you looking for unique baby boy name options. The name broke into the United States' top 1,000 baby names in 1936 at No. 938, and was kicked out of the top spot list in 1991. That year, it was ranked at No. 984 for baby boys.
Chigs
We sourced inspiration from "The Great British Baking Show" for this one, so that might come as a nice little boost to all you baking fans out there. Chigs is a cute, fun, and honestly kind of flirty baby name that you should absolutely consider for your little one. It has a cheekiness to it that is just really fun, and the good news is that it is incredibly uncommon. As far as we can tell from info from the Social Security Administration, the name has never broken into the top 1,000 baby names in the U.S. If Chigs is a name that you're seriously considering, you'll likely never have to worry about your kiddo having the same name as someone else (although we doubt they'll ever find their name on a souvenir keychain).
While Chigs is very unique, it's not completely out of the loop. NameKun has a whole breakdown of the moniker and its meaning, and noted that the name Chigs is often associated with someone who is very independent, communicative, and open. And of course, how could we forget the "Bake Off" star who stole our hearts, Chigs Parmar.
Sullivan
This might be one of our favorite names on this unique baby boy names list, possibly because the obvious nickname that goes with it is just too cute. If you want an uncommon baby boy name that is strong and decisive in its full form, but sweet and soft in its nickname, we suggest Sullivan. Sullivan is a great name on its own, but think of the nickname Sully, too. Baby Sully? How cute is that? And, of course, we look to the Social Security Administration to tell us just how infrequently used this name is. As of 2020, it was only used by 0.042% of parents, with 763 little ones given the name. Earning the No. 398 spot that year, the name has certainly become more popular since its ranking at No. 993 in 2002, but it's still not very common.
As per Nameberry, the name Sullivan is of Irish and Celtic origin, and means "black-eyed one." At one point in time, it was the third most common last name in Ireland and was popularized by the likes of Sir Arthur Sullivan and the film "Sullivan's Travels."
Wren
Last but certainly not least, we have a name that's perfect for those parents out there who are looking for a gentle name for their little one. Wren is a unique baby boy name that might not be on your radar yet, and we're here to tell you that it is a perfect option for your tender-hearted son. As per The Bump, Wren is of British origin and is commonly associated with nature. Specifically, Wren is tied to the animal of the same name, with the moniker meaning "small brown songbird." Perhaps singing is a common practice within your family, or birds hold special meaning to you. Maybe you just like the name! No matter the reasoning, Wren should be on your list.
When it comes to uniqueness, Wren is a winner. The Social Security Administration has no record of the name breaking top 1,000 baby boy names dating all the way back to 2000. Given that information, Wren could be the perfect choice for your little one if you're looking for a sweet, nature-inspired name.