100 Unique Names for Boys

When it comes to choosing a baby name, many parents prefer unique and original options that won’t be on every book bag in preschool. If you’re among those who prioritize distinctive and creative names—and you're on the hunt for a unique boy name—look no further.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of 100 unique boy names for your little one. Even if you don’t find a name that suits your child, you can customize one of our picks to make it your own.

Smiling baby boy

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Although this article separates names by gender, your baby’s assigned sex at birth does not need to dictate the name you choose for them. Names are not inherently gendered or associated with a specific sex, and it's important to select a name that feels right for your little one and your family.

Top Unique Names for Boys

Choosing a unique name for a boy isn't for the faint of heart. If you're like most parents, you want a name that's interesting and uncommon, but not so much that it causes your little guy embarrassment when they enter school. Here are some of our favorite unique boy names.

Acton

This English baby name means "strong" or "village with oak trees." As a fun fact, Acton is one of the highest peaks in Antarctica.

Beck

Beck has English origins and means "small stream." Alternative variations include Beckett, Becker, and Beckham.

Booker

An English name meaning "scribe," Booker has a few famous namesakes: Booker T. Washington (educator and reformer), Booker T. Jones (musician), Booker DeWitt (character in a video game), and Devin Booker (NBA player).

Brick

This unique boy name has German, Irish Gaelic, and Yiddish origins. The meaning is "sturdy" and "strong." Variations on the name include Bryck and Bricker.

Clement

A Latin baby name, Clement translates to "mild" or "merciful". Alternative variations include Clem and Clemont. Fun Fact: Clement has been the name of 14 popes and several saints.

Dru

The Social Security Administration indicates that the name Dru has not been in the top 1000 list of names for baby boys. That said, the popular variation—Drew—has been in the top 1000 for years, peaking in 1985 with a ranking of 126. The French name means "sweetheart" or "dear one."

Gareth

A Welsh name meaning "gentle," Gareth has a few famous namesakes: Gareth Reynolds (American comedian), Sol Gareth "Garry" Davis (American peace activist), and the brave knight in King Arthur's court.

Gray

Gray is a colorful English name that means "son of the bailiff." You can also opt for "Grey" or the longer-form "Grayson."

Harden

This English name, which translates to "valley of the hares," can also be spelled Hardin or Hardyn.

Kace

With Irish origins, the short and unique name Kace means "brave in battle." Similar monikers include Cason, Kaison, Caiden, and Kayden.

Knightley

Those who love Jane Austen's work may recognize this moniker (Mr. Knightley was the love interest in Emma), but the Social Security Administration notes that it hasn't broken into the top 1000 in recent years. The English name means "servant clearing."

Laird

This unique Scottish baby name means "lord of the land."

Price

A Welsh name meaning "son of Rhys," Price can also be spelled as Pryce.

Rainn

No matter how you choose to use this unique boy's name (Rain, Rayne, Rhayn, Reine), it's guaranteed to be unique! This name comes from Old English and German, and it means "abundance from above."

Ren

This Japanese baby name is short and sweet! With the meaning of "water lily" or "lotus," it's also reflective of nature.

Runner

The origin of this unique baby name is unknown, but we know the meaning: "lightly armed soldier" or "messenger."

Slate

It makes sense that this strong-sounding boy's name translates to "strong!"

Storm

While the origin of Storm is a mystery, it's popular in Denmark and Sweden. As the name suggests, it means "windswept" or "dramatic." An alternative is Stormer.

Torrin

This Irish name translates to "chief." As a fun fact, Torrin is a settlement in Scotland, located on the island of Skye.

Yale

If you give your chid this name, they might have Ivy League ambitions! Coming from Welsh origins, it means "vigorous" or "fertile."

Short Unique Boy Names

Short names seem to be all the rage lately, and if you want a mini moniker that's unlike any other, you might just find it on this list. Check out our round-up of short unique boy names below.

  • Art
  • Axe
  • Axl
  • Baer
  • Beau
  • Cash
  • Cole
  • Dax
  • Finn
  • Kai
  • Jax
  • Lorn
  • Luca
  • Nash
  • Guy
  • Roi
  • Shaw
  • Tru
  • Van
  • West

In the past, the top 10 baby boy names in the U.S. were given to as many as one-third of all males. But today, the trend of choosing popular baby names is much less significant. According to a report by Namerology, the top 10 baby names now only account for one-fourteenth of all boys born in the U.S. That’s quite a bit of movement toward choosing a moniker that's unlike any other!

Classic Unique Boy Names

If you prefer traditional or vintage names, but want something that stands out in the crowd, you're sure to find a moniker on this list.

  • Ansel
  • Ashby
  • Callum
  • Dexter
  • Elias
  • Faulkner
  • Felix
  • Franklin
  • Garner
  • Gideon
  • Lorencio
  • Jasper
  • Marcel
  • Maceo
  • Oakley
  • Rhodes
  • Sebastian
  • Urban
  • Wallace
  • Wyatt

Cute Unique Names for Boys

Looking for a name that's as cute as it is original? Look no further than this list of cute—yet unique—monikers for boys.

  • Barrett
  • Blaine
  • Carson
  • Colt
  • Crew
  • Easton
  • Flynn
  • Grayson
  • Griffin
  • Hudson
  • Kane
  • Knox
  • Levi
  • Maddox
  • Miles
  • Ollie
  • Oscar
  • Paxton
  • Sully
  • Zane

Other Uncommon Names for Boys

If you're like most parents, the more names you have to choose from, the better. Check out these unique boy names that will help your little one stand out in a crowd, yet still fit in with their generation—some of them are plant and flower-themed names, while others are inspired by celebrities.

  • Arlo
  • Bodie
  • Cruz
  • Dray
  • Enzo
  • Galen
  • Heath
  • Justus
  • Kade
  • Kendry
  • Kyler
  • Kyrie
  • Luis
  • Pascal
  • Quinlan
  • Reese
  • Weston
  • Whitman
  • Wilder
  • Zakkai

Tips for Naming Your Child

Choosing a name for your baby is both exciting and intimidating, especially if you want something unique. That's because a name should fit your little one's personality (or more likely, who you imagine them to be), while not being too over-the-top. Finding a balance between the two is key. Here are a few tips to consider as you make your decision.

  1. Choose a name that you like, has meaning, or represents something important to you.
  2. Consider other factors of the name besides its uniqueness, like what it means or how it could be interpreted by others.
  3. Think about whether the name could be mispronounced or mistaken for another name.
  4. Make sure the spelling of the name is something your child will be able to master once they start school.
  5. Think about how other kids could use the name, and whether it has the potential to become something they're teased about.
  6. Consider whether your baby's unique name will fit every stage of their life—you want the name to be just as appropriate in preschool as it is in the workforce.
  7. Research the name you're considering to ensure it's not associated with something negative or a person who has questionable character.
  8. Think about how other people might shorten the name and how those abbreviations might impact your child.
  9. Look at your child's initials to avoid any unfortunate acronyms.
  10. Strive to choose a name that can stand the test of time, even though it's unique.

More Baby Name Ideas

For more baby name inspiration, take a look at the following lists:

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