Unconventional and unique boy names have boomed in recent years. In 2022, the proportion of American baby boys receiving a name below the Top 1000 reached a record high of almost 29%. Proof that parents are increasingly willing to think outside the box when naming their sons.

　　Boy names have historically been much more stable and conservative than girl names, with sons more likely to receive classic names or handed-down family names than their sisters. But now, the gender gap is closing year on year.

　　The great news is that there has never been a more exciting time to name a boy! But it can be difficult to know where to start the search for that perfect cool, unusual choice.

　　In an attempt to simplify the process, today we take a systematic look at a selection of the best boy names ranking below the Top 1000.

　　In 2022, the #1000 spot went to London, given to 222 baby boys. Other cool choices that just missed out on a place in the charts include Blaise and Boaz, Campbell and Crosby, Fox and Wren.

　　All of the uncommon boy names in the lists below were given to fewer than 200 baby boys in 2022. They are sorted according to number of births in the last year on record, and include options to suit a range of styles and sensibilities.

　　

150-200 Births

Boy names given to between 150 and 200 babies last year are well known and liked, but highly unlikely to repeat in a class or friendship group. The below-the-radar options we love include stylish surname and nature names, as well as cool mythological names beyond the usual candidates.

　　

Booker

The most famous bearer of this energetic old-school surname is, of course, educator and reformer Booker T. Washington, who would make a worthy namesake for any child. Fans of history and literature will also appreciate its fitting meaning: “scribe”.

　　

Cormac

With its easygoing charm and cool nickname Mac, it’s amazing that this jaunty Irish option has remained under the radar for so long. It’s a classic in its native land, borne by legendary kings and heroes, and would make a great alternative to falling favorite Connor.

　　

Emil

Simple, strong and sophisticated, Emil is a traditional choice throughout much of Europe, particularly the Scandinavian countries. Any boy would love sharing his name with the young hero of the children’s adventure novel Emil and the Detectives.

　　

Ozias

Ozzy/Ozzie is one of the hottest rising stars of the moment for boys, but not everyone is on board with the nickname-on-the-birth-cert trend. Rare Biblical Ozias is a great option if you're after a traditional yet unusual long form that still packs a punch.

　　

Zephyr

Other bold mythological names have already entered the mainstream, including Atlas, Apollo and Titan. But this futuristic choice with its distinctive Z initial remains rare. It belongs to the Greek god of the west wind, and shortens to the effortlessly cool Zeph.

　　

More names given to 150-200 baby boys

HeartAbnerChevron - RightHeartAchillesChevron - RightHeartArdenChevron - RightHeartBastianChevron - RightHeartBowieChevron - RightHeartCaiusChevron - RightHeartCasperChevron - RightHeartCedarChevron - RightHeartColemanChevron - RightHeartDovChevron - RightHeartEdmundChevron - RightHeartEleazarChevron - RightHeartEnderChevron - RightHeartGioChevron - RightHeartGusChevron - RightHeartHarrisChevron - RightHeartJethroChevron - RightHeartKenaiChevron - RightHeartLandryChevron - RightHeartLuciusChevron - RightHeartMacklinChevron - RightHeartMarleyChevron - RightHeartMaximChevron - RightHeartPalmerChevron - RightHeartRenChevron - RightHeartSidneyChevron - RightHeartSolChevron - RightHeartTorinChevron - RightHeartWileyChevron - RightHeartZiggyChevron - Right

　　

100-149 Births

Boy names in this category feel truly fresh and unexpected, but in-step with current trends. They include some excellent uncommon alternatives to the most fashionable boy names of the moment, as well as interesting international options from a wide range of cultures.

　　

Arrow

This fresh word name carries connotations of speed and purpose – an arrow showing the way or hitting the target. Combined with its fashionable O ending sound, Arrow feels like it has great baby name potential.

　　

Ezio

An underused alternative to the likes of Ezra and Enzo, this punchy mini-name was chosen by Zoe Saldana for one of her twin sons, and has been heating up in several European countries in recent years.

　　

Finnian

Like many Irish names, Finnian benefits from an irresistible jaunty rhythm and is made even more approachable by the easygoing nickname Finn. Despite its thoroughly modern appeal, this ancient name has been in use since at least the early medieval period in Ireland, and has been borne by several saints.

　　

Leander

Alexander may have dropped out of the Top 10 in 2021, but that energetic -er ending sound is going nowhere! Leander is equally traditional – borne by a hero in Greek mythology – but far less overexposed, and could shorten to the cool nickname Leo.

　　

Orson

We love bear names for boys, from Arthur to Teddy to Bear itself. But this unusual vintage option remains a rarity, despite its well-loved -son ending and stylish O initial. Film and literature buffs will also appreciate the connection to famous namesakes like Orson Welles and Orson Scott Card.

　　

More names given to 100-149 baby boys

HeartAkivaChevron - RightHeartAnselChevron - RightHeartAureliusChevron - RightHeartBenaiahChevron - RightHeartCarverChevron - RightHeartClarenceChevron - RightHeartCoyChevron - RightHeartEamonChevron - RightHeartEvrenChevron - RightHeartFrancescoChevron - RightHeartGentryChevron - RightHeartHiramChevron - RightHeartHollandChevron - RightHeartIndigoChevron - RightHeartIvarChevron - RightHeartJustusChevron - RightHeartKitChevron - RightHeartLazarusChevron - RightHeartLinusChevron - RightHeartNobleChevron - RightHeartOrenChevron - RightHeartPerseusChevron - RightHeartPhineasChevron - RightHeartRamseyChevron - RightHeartRaviChevron - RightHeartSantiChevron - RightHeartTownesChevron - RightHeartTrumanChevron - RightHeartWolfgangChevron - RightHeartZephaniahChevron - Right

　　

50-99 Births

With fewer than 100 births in 2022, these names are truly standout choices that you’re unlikely to ever encounter on anyone else. But you might be surprised at what qualifies! As well as some more adventurous choices, there are plenty of simple, stylish, even traditional choices that feel fresh and cool on a baby boy today.

　　

Ames

S-ending boy names have never been hotter, and Ames is a great underused option that is yet to hit the big time. It derives from Latin amicus, meaning “friend”.

　　

Indy

There are several cool potential long forms for Indy: think Indigo, Indio or Indiana. But its androgynous appeal makes it perhaps even cooler as a standalone. Unlike most nickname names, it feels offbeat, outdoorsy and a little bit edgy, rather than cutesy.

　　

Nakoa

Aquaman star Jason Momoa was ahead of the curve when he named his son Nakoa-Wolf in 2008. Now, with Koa among the fastest-rising names of the past few years, Hawaiian favorite Nakoa has increasingly broad appeal.

　　

Stellan

This smart and steely name lags far behind its Scandinavian brother Soren in popularity, but feels equally stylish. Its most famous bearer in the US is Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, and it was also chosen for their son by Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly.

　　

Zenith

Meaning "pinnacle, highest achievement", Zenith is a powerfully positive word name that shortens to the calm, cool Zen – itself new to the Top 1000 in 2022.

　　

More names given to 50-99 baby boys

HeartAudenChevron - RightHeartBasilChevron - RightHeartCalderChevron - RightHeartCalixChevron - RightHeartConstantineChevron - RightHeartCosmoChevron - RightHeartCyChevron - RightHeartDashiellChevron - RightHeartEmrysChevron - RightHeartFerrisChevron - RightHeartGeneChevron - RightHeartHaloChevron - RightHeartHartChevron - RightHeartIsidroChevron - RightHeartKekoaChevron - RightHeartLowenChevron - RightHeartMakaioChevron - RightHeartMerrittChevron - RightHeartNiallChevron - RightHeartOctavianChevron - RightHeartOsloChevron - RightHeartPaxChevron - RightHeartPennChevron - RightHeartRagnarChevron - RightHeartRoscoeChevron - RightHeartSylvanChevron - RightHeartValentineChevron - RightHeartViggoChevron - RightHeartWolfeChevron - RightHeartXaviChevron - Right

　　

Below 50 Births

If you're looking for something truly unique, these are the names for you! Boy names given to fewer than 50 babies last year are virtually one-of-a-kind. The options below stand out for all the right reasons. They include cool names inspired by nature, history, literature, music and sports, to suit every sensibility.

　　

Abbott

A fresh addition to the roster of preppy surnames ending in -tt, Abbott would make a great uncommon alternative to the likes of Bennett, Emmett or Wyatt. Spell it with a single T, and it's a Christian occupational name like Bishop or Deacon.

　　

Bram

Dracula author Bram Stoker lends this compact name a dark, dramatic edge, but it has a warm sound and a naturey feel, thanks to the proximity to the word "bramble". It originates as a short form of Abraham, and is a Top 20 pick in the nickname-loving Netherlands.

　　

Fielder

Woodsy boy names are big, with rugged picks like River, Rowan and Wilder rising rapidly up the charts. Dashing Fielder conjures up imagery of wide green open spaces, and sports fans will also appreciate the link to baseball.

　　

Nahum

An overlooked Biblical name with a gentle yet solid sound, Nahum is an understated gem that might appeal to parents who appreciate soft boy names like Liam and Callum, Graham and Malcolm – but not their popularity.

　　

Rafferty

This rollicking Irish surname has a raffish charm and a multitude of cool nickname possibilities, from Raffy to Rafe. It's a hipster favorite in England but remains virtually unknown in the US, despite being chosen by ahead-of-the-curve namers Jude Law and Sadie Frost back in 1996.

　　

More names given to under 50 baby boys

HeartAcerChevron - RightHeartAlephChevron - RightHeartArtemusChevron - RightHeartBalthazarChevron - RightHeartBrandoChevron - RightHeartCalhounChevron - RightHeartCassielChevron - RightHeartDestryChevron - RightHeartEbenChevron - RightHeartElwoodChevron - RightHeartFennChevron - RightHeartFerdinandChevron - RightHeartGarnerChevron - RightHeartHadrianChevron - RightHeartHawthorneChevron - RightHeartIvesChevron - RightHeartKhepriChevron - RightHeartLaszloChevron - RightHeartLegionChevron - RightHeartLysanderChevron - RightHeartMarloweChevron - RightHeartMercerChevron - RightHeartNicodemusChevron - RightHeartOakesChevron - RightHeartOswinChevron - RightHeartPeregrineChevron - RightHeartReeveChevron - RightHeartSayerChevron - RightHeartTaikaChevron - RightHeartZebediahChevron - Right

　　

About the Author

　　

Emma Waterhouse

　　Emma Waterhouse joined the team in 2017, writing about everything from the top baby name trends 2023 to how not to choose the next big baby name. As Nameberry's head moderator, she also helps to keep our active forums community ticking.

　　Emma's articles on names and naming trends have been featured in publications including the Huffington Post, People, Today's Parent, Fatherly, and Good Housekeeping.

　　A linguist by background, Emma speaks several languages and lives in England's smallest county with her husband and four young children. You can reach her at [email protected].

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