Exceptional Rare Baby Boy Names With Powerful Meanings
Discover which names are winning hearts and making headlines this year.
Alaric
An ancient Germanic name meaning "ruler of all". Popular among Visigothic kings and recently gaining attention for its strong, distinctive sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Germanic
Style
Historic
Alder
Named after the tree, from Old English. Combines nature imagery with a strong, distinctive sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English
Style
Nature
Ambrose
A Greek name meaning "immortal". Associated with several saints, giving it religious significance and historical depth.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Religious
Amias
An English name of Latin origin meaning "loved". A rare gem that combines sophistication with a gentle, approachable quality.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin/English
Style
Elegant
Ansel
A German name meaning "with divine protection". Gained recognition through photographer Ansel Adams.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
German
Style
Artistic
Archer
An English occupational name referring to someone who used a bow and arrow. Has a strong, active quality with historic connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English
Style
Occupational
Aurelius
A Roman family name derived from Latin aureus meaning "golden". Carries imperial connections through Marcus Aurelius.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Historic
Baldwin
A Germanic name meaning "bold friend". Has medieval connections through the Baldwin kings of Jerusalem.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Germanic
Style
Historic
Barnaby
An Aramaic name meaning "son of consolation". Has biblical connections and a friendly, approachable quality.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Aramaic
Style
Biblical
Bastian
A shorter form of Sebastian, with German and Latin origins meaning "venerable". Offers a modern twist on a classic name.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
German/Latin
Style
Modern
Calix
From Greek meaning "very handsome" or "cup". Has religious significance as the chalice used in communion.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Religious
Caradoc
A Welsh name meaning "beloved". Has Arthurian connections and a strong, distinctive sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Welsh
Style
Historic
Caspian
Derived from the Caspian Sea, bringing to mind adventure and exploration. Gained some recognition from C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Persian
Style
Literary
Cassian
A Latin name derived from Cassius, meaning "hollow" or "empty". Has religious significance through Saint Cassian and a strong, classic sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Religious
Cillian
An Irish name meaning "war" or "strife" or possibly "church". Has gained some recognition through actor Cillian Murphy.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Cormac
An Irish name meaning "charioteer" or "son of defilement". Has a strong Celtic heritage with literary connections through author Cormac McCarthy.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Cyrus
A Persian name meaning "sun" or "throne". Carries historical weight as the name of the founder of the Persian Empire.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Persian
Style
Historic
Danner
Originally a German occupational surname for someone who worked with pine trees. Has a strong, distinctive sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
German
Style
Occupational
Dario
Italian form of Darius, from the Persian meaning "possessing goodness". Has a musical quality with international appeal.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Italian/Persian
Style
Romantic
Demetrius
A Greek name meaning "follower of Demeter". Has classical heritage with Shakespearean connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Classic
Devereux
A French surname meaning "from Evreux". Has an aristocratic quality with Norman heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
French
Style
Aristocratic
Dimitri
A Russian form of the Greek name Demetrius, meaning "follower of Demeter". Has a strong, international appeal.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Russian/Greek
Style
International
Dorian
A Greek name meaning "of Doris", an ancient Greek district. Has literary connections through Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray".
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Literary
Edison
Originally a surname meaning "son of Edward". Carries scientific innovation connections through Thomas Edison.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English
Style
Inventive
Emeric
A Germanic name meaning "work ruler" or "power". Has medieval royal connections in several European countries.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Germanic
Style
Royal
Emrys
Welsh form of Ambrose, meaning "immortal". In Arthurian legend, it was the name used for Merlin, giving it mystical associations.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Welsh
Style
Mythological
Evander
A Greek name meaning "good man". In Roman mythology, Evander was a hero who founded the city that would become Rome.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Mythological
Everest
Named after the world's highest mountain. Evokes height, achievement, and natural majesty.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English/Geographic
Style
Nature
Faelan
An Irish name meaning "little wolf". Combines Celtic heritage with a connection to nature and wildlife.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Nature
Ferdinand
A Germanic name meaning "brave journey". Has royal connections through various European monarchs.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Germanic
Style
Royal
Finnegan
An Irish surname derived from "fair" or "fair-haired". Has literary connections through James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake".
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Literary
Finnian
An Irish name meaning "fair" or "white". Carries connections to Irish folklore and a melodic, friendly sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Fletcher
An English occupational surname for an arrow-maker. Combines craftsmanship heritage with a friendly sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English
Style
Occupational
Florian
A Latin name meaning "flowering" or "blossoming". Has saint connections and nature associations.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Nature
Galen
An ancient Greek name meaning "calm" or "healer". Historically associated with a famous Greek physician, giving it scholarly connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Scholarly
Gannon
An Irish surname derived from a word meaning "fair-haired". Has a strong, masculine sound with Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Griffith
A Welsh name meaning "strong lord" or "strong faith". Combines strength with Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Welsh
Style
Strong
Hawthorne
An English surname referring to the thorny shrub. Has literary connections through author Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English
Style
Literary
Hector
In Greek mythology, a Trojan prince and the greatest fighter for Troy in the Trojan War. Symbolizes bravery and duty.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Mythological
Hesperos
A Greek name meaning "evening star". Combines celestial imagery with classical mythology.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Celestial
Huxley
An English surname derived from Hugh's meadow. Has literary connections through author Aldous Huxley.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
English
Style
Literary
Idris
A Welsh name meaning "ardent lord". Has connections to both Welsh mythology and Islamic tradition.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Welsh/Arabic
Style
Multicultural
Ignatius
From the Latin ignis meaning "fire". Carries religious significance through Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Religious
Isidore
A Greek name meaning "gift of Isis", the Egyptian goddess. Combines classical heritage with religious significance.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Historic
Jasper
A name of Persian origin meaning "treasurer". Also a precious gemstone, giving it both historical and nature connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Persian
Style
Gemstone
Jericho
Named after the ancient Biblical city. Carries historical and religious significance with a strong sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Hebrew
Style
Biblical
Jethro
A Hebrew name meaning "excellence". Has biblical connections as Moses' father-in-law and musical associations through Jethro Tull.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Hebrew
Style
Biblical
Jovian
Derived from Jupiter (Jove), the Roman king of gods. Has astronomical connections as it also refers to Jupiter-related things.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Celestial
Jovian
Derived from Jupiter (Jove), the Roman king of gods. Has astronomical connections as it also refers to Jupiter-related things.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Celestial
Keir
A Scottish name derived from a word meaning "dark" or "black". Short and strong with Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Scottish
Style
Celtic
Kieran
An Irish name meaning "little dark one" or "black". Has saint connections and a friendly, approachable sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Lachlan
A Scottish name derived from Gaelic, meaning "from the land of lakes". Combines geographic imagery with Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Scottish
Style
Geographic
Leander
A Greek name meaning "lion man". In Greek mythology, Leander swam across the Hellespont every night to meet his lover Hero.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Mythological
Leander
A Greek name meaning "lion man". In mythology, Leander was a youth who swam across the Hellespont nightly to meet his lover Hero.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Mythological
Leif
A Scandinavian name meaning "heir" or "descendant". Has historical connections through explorer Leif Erikson.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Scandinavian
Style
Historic
Lucian
Derived from the Latin lux meaning "light". Carries classical elegance with scholarly and artistic associations.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Classic
Lucian
A Latin name meaning "light". Has artistic and literary connections through various historical figures.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Literary
Lysander
A Greek name meaning "liberator". In Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", one of the young Athenian lovers.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Literary
Magnus
A Latin name meaning "great". Has Scandinavian royal connections and a strong, powerful sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin/Scandinavian
Style
Royal
Marius
An ancient Roman family name derived from Mars, the god of war. Carries historical weight and classical dignity.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Historic
Matteo
An Italian form of Matthew, meaning "gift of God". Combines biblical heritage with Italian romance.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Italian
Style
Biblical
Montague
An Old French surname meaning "pointed mountain". Has Shakespearean connections through Romeo Montague.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
French
Style
Literary
Montgomery
A Norman surname meaning "mountain of the powerful man". Has a distinguished, aristocratic quality.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
French
Style
Aristocratic
Nathaniel
A Hebrew name meaning "gift of God". Combines biblical heritage with a friendly, approachable nickname potential.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Hebrew
Style
Biblical
Niall
An Irish name meaning "champion" or possibly "cloud". Has historical connections through Irish High Kings.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Nicanor
A Greek name meaning "victor" or "conqueror". Has historical significance from the ancient world with a strong sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Historic
Nicodemus
A Greek name meaning "victory of the people". Has biblical connections as a Pharisee who visited Jesus by night.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Biblical
Nikolai
A Russian form of Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people". Has a strong, international appeal with Slavic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Russian
Style
International
Oberon
The name of the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Has magical, literary associations.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
German/Literary
Style
Mythological
Octavian
A Latin name meaning "eighth". Carries imperial Roman connections as the birth name of Emperor Augustus.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Historic
Orion
Named after the hunter in Greek mythology and a prominent constellation. Carries celestial and mythological significance.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Celestial
Osiris
In Egyptian mythology, the god of the afterlife, the underworld, and rebirth. Carries ancient mystical significance.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Egyptian
Style
Mythological
Oswald
An Anglo-Saxon name meaning "divine power". Has royal connections through various historical figures.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Anglo-Saxon
Style
Royal
Pascal
A French name derived from Pascha, meaning "Easter". Has religious significance and mathematical connections through Blaise Pascal.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
French
Style
Religious
Percival
An Old French name possibly meaning "pierce the valley". Known from Arthurian legend as one of the Knights of the Round Table.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
French
Style
Literary
Peregrine
From Latin meaning "traveler" or "pilgrim". Also the name of a falcon, giving it both spiritual and nature connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Nature
Peregrine
A Latin name meaning "traveler" or "pilgrim". Also the name of a falcon, giving it both spiritual and nature connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Nature
Philo
A Greek name meaning "love" or "lover". Has philosophical connections and a distinctive, intellectual sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Philosophical
Prosper
From Latin meaning "fortunate" or "successful". Embodies positive wishes and aspirations with a dignified sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Virtue
Quentin
From Latin quintus meaning "fifth". Carries literary associations through author Quentin Tarantino and historical depth.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Literary
Quillon
Derived from a term for the guard on a sword. Has a strong, distinctive sound with medieval connections.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
French
Style
Medieval
Quirin
From Quirinus, a Roman god identified with Romulus. Has ancient mythological connections with a distinctive sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Mythological
Rafferty
An Irish name derived from "ráth" meaning "prosperity". Has a jaunty, cheerful sound with Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Rafferty
An Irish name derived from "ráth" meaning "prosperity". Has a jaunty quality with strong Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Raphael
A Hebrew name meaning "God has healed". Has artistic connections through the Renaissance painter and angelic associations.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Hebrew
Style
Religious
Remus
In Roman mythology, one of the twin founders of Rome. Carries mythological significance and historical weight.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Mythological
Rhodes
Originally a Greek topographic name meaning "where roses grow". Has geographical and nature connections with a strong sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Geographic
Rufus
A Latin name meaning "red-haired" or "red". Has historical connections through several saints and kings.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Classic
Sandro
Italian short form of Alessandro (Alexander). Carries artistic connections through Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Italian
Style
Artistic
Septimus
A Latin name meaning "seventh". Has classical Roman connections and literary associations through Septimus Severus.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Classic
Silas
A name of Latin or possibly Hebrew origin. Has biblical connections as a companion of Paul and literary connections through George Eliot's "Silas Marner".
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin/Hebrew
Style
Biblical
Silvius
A Latin name meaning "forest" or "wood". Has ancient Roman connections with nature-inspired meaning.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Latin
Style
Nature
Sullivan
An Irish surname meaning "dark-eyed". Has a friendly, approachable quality with strong Irish heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Tadhg
An Irish name meaning "poet" or "philosopher". Combines intellectual associations with Celtic heritage.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Irish
Style
Celtic
Tarian
A Welsh name meaning "shield" or "protection". Combines Celtic heritage with a strong, protective meaning.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Welsh
Style
Protective
Tarquin
An Etruscan name associated with kings of ancient Rome. Carries historical weight with a distinctive sound.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Etruscan
Style
Historic
Thaddeus
A Greek form of the Aramaic name Tadai. Has biblical connections as one of the twelve apostles.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek/Aramaic
Style
Biblical
Thaddeus
A Greek form of the Aramaic name Tadai. Has biblical connections as one of the twelve apostles.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek/Aramaic
Style
Biblical
Theodore
A Greek name meaning "gift of God". Combines religious significance with vintage charm and friendly nickname options.
Gender
Boy
Heritage
Greek
Style
Classic
Theron
A Greek name meaning "hunter". Has a strong, masculine sound with ancient classical roots.