Unique Boy Names - How to Name Your Baby Boy!
UNIQUE BABY BOY NAMES FOR 2020
Are you wondering why should you choose a unique boy name? First of all, What is in a name? A whole lot! A baby’s name sets the tone for who they are, who they are going to be, and how they live their life (or so, some think). Do not take any chances! Get your baby off to a smart start, right from the get go by gifting them a name that is meaningful and innovative.
While it is nice to stick with tradition and lean toward classic and simple names like John, Michael, Matthew, and Christopher; it is also fun to browse through unique baby boy names to try a few out! If they roll off the tongue, spark your interest, and have an amazing meaning, what’s not to love? If you just found out you’re expecting or if you know for a fact that you are going to have a little boy, check out these 50 unique baby boy names!
And be sure to check out some of our most popular baby boy outfits, baby boy rompers, baby boy onesies, and newborn baby boy clothes when you’re done reading ;)
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: FamVeld
UNIQUE BOY NAMES
Let's see some of the most unique names that you can use to give your baby boy a super cool unique name:
- Kristoff - Unique Boy Name coming from Scandinavia
Rugged, foreign, and warm; Kristoff is the perfect spinoff of Christopher. Great for those who like the traditional but don’t want to choose a name that veers too far from it, Kristoff is a great choice. Coming from Scandinavian descent, the holy name is perfect for outdoorsy types and those who celebrate religion. Oh yeah, you may also recognize it from the beloved Disney movie, Frozen.
- Gianni - Unique Italia Name
Strong yet sporty, Gianni is an Italian name that means, “God is gracious.” It can be shortened to Geo or G, and it rolls off the tongue with ease. Great for those of Italian descent who want to incorporate the culture into their child’s identity, Gianni is unexpected yet delightful.
- Marcus
Rugged and noble, the name Marcus comes from ancient Roman times and it means, “to harvest.” Most famously known from Marcus Aurelius and Marcus Antonius; it is a great spin off from the traditional name Marc. While it makes a nice first name, it is also a great middle unique boy name option.
- Miles
Growing a bit in popularity, the name Miles is a happy sounding, approachable name. A German name, Miles means, “Soldier.” Other famous “Miles” that inspired this name are Miles Davis and actor Miles Teller. While many parents are opting to use this name as a first name, it is a great, one syllable replacement for common middle names like John, Scott, or Lee.
- Atticus
If you’re looking for unique baby boy names, look no further. Atticus is sophisticated, refined, and intelligent. Inspired by Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, naming your baby boy after this noble namesake is a great choice. Meaning, “Man of Attica,” Atticus derives from Attica, Greece. It can be shortened to Atti and can be quite approachable.
- Oliver
Loveable, friendly, and fun; Oliver is a neat name that is gaining popularity among unique baby boy names. An English name, Oliver means, “olive tree.” In direct relation of the famous expression, “Extending an olive branch,” it’s a name of peace, trust, and beauty.
- Phineas
Used among some famous literary characters, Phineas is a must if you are in need of unique baby boy names. A Hebrew name, it means, “oracle.” It is quite formal, but can be shortened to Phin (or even spelled Finn). It makes a tremendous multi-syllable middle name to complement one syllable first names as well.
- Orlando
Adventurous and dreamy, Orlando is an Italian name that means, “Famous throughout the land.” Classic yet innovative, Orlando is a perfect option for parents who want to honor Italian culture or give their child a warm, yet foreign name. Celebrity Orlando Bloom is a great example of this sought after, smooth name.
- Kai
Very west coast and kicked back, Kai is bright, cheerful, and modern. A favorite among unique baby boy names, Kai is one syllable and strong. It comes from many different origins. In Hawaiian, it means, “sea.” In Japanese, it means, “shell.” While it’s unisex, it can be very pure and naturalistic when used in a male form.
- Schuyler
Modern and forward, Schuyler is a very friendly and strapping name. Certainly one of the most unique baby boy names, Schuyler comes from the Dutch word, “scholar.” Smart and stable, Schuyler can be shortened to Schy (or Skye, depending on your spelling preferences). Celebrity stylish, Rachel Zoe has chosen this sweet name for her oldest son!
- Valentino
Romantic, robust, yet whimsy; the name Valentino isn’t a name you regularly hear on the streets. An Italian name, Valentino means, “Strong or brave.” Certainly a hero’s name, Valentino is popularly shortened to Val or Valentine. It is an ideal name if you want to give your child a name that honors Italian ancestry. Valentino is for sure one of the best unique baby boy names in the market!
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Oksana Kuzmina
- Bruin
An English name, Bruin means, “Color.” Very unique and unusual; Bruin sounds solid and strong. It has a preppy vibe and sounds handsome off the tongue. If not using it for a fist name, it is an original replacement for a two syllable, traditional middle name like Brian or Michael. Real Housewives of Dallas star, Brandi; chose this name for her sweet, new adopted son.
- Byron
Byron is an innovative spin off of Bryan. An English name, it’s most known by Lord Byron, the famous poet. It’s warm and inviting, but also masculine. A must if you’re in need of unique baby boy names, Byron is a solid and satisfying choice. It is also a cool “B” name if you’re trying to stick with a “B” theme, like many mommies do.
- Devon
Sweet and smooth; the name Devon is a fun choice for a cool and different boy’s name. An English name, Devon means, “beautiful farmland.” Devon is a uni sex name and it’s not a common one. It’s a charming first name that is also a complimentary middle name.
- Wallace
Formal, proud, and studious, Wallace is a neat name that comes from Anglo-Saxon descent. It can be turned into the nickname Wally and sounds very estate-like, as if you’re passing down a family name to your son (or if you just want to start the tradition!).
- Edwin
A spin off of the traditional name, Edward; Edwin is unexpected, regal, yet approachable. The English name means, “Rich in friendship.” What more could you want in a name? A nickname could be Eddie or Ed; and it’s the perfect balance between classic and modern.
- Alastair
Posh and proud, Alastair is a great replacement for names like Connor, Alec, and Alexander; which seem to be everywhere nowadays. Formal and forward, the name demands respect and attention. Derived from Greece, the name means, “protector.” Rich in history and sound, it’s a beautiful name for a baby boy.
- Healy
A southern inspired name, Healy comes from the Gaelic word meaning, “ingenious.” The southern tradition shows that moms pass on their maiden names to their first born child (be it boy or girl), and this results in some pretty unique baby boy names. Healy is no exception! This name is often passed on from mother to child, and it’s not only fun to say but fun to have!
- Breckin
Cool, calm, and confident, Breckin is a totally peaceful name. It’s an Irish name that means, “freckled or speckled.” Cute to give your little boy if he literally has some visible freckles, Breckin can be shortened to Breck, and can be spelled in a number of ways.
- Myer
A fun alternative to Michael, Martin, or Mark, this “M” name is easy to blend with traditional middle names like John, Lee, or Scott. It’s a Hebrew name that means, “Farmer.” Perfect for those who love the country or are located in rural settings, Myer is not commonly heard of but is a beautiful name for a baby boy.
- Colt
Wild and free, the name Colt may be ideal if your pregnancy has taken you for a wild ride! This cute name certainly makes the list for unique baby boy names. It’s an English name and is often short for Colten, if the longer version floats your boat. Either way, you don’t commonly hear this name and it is difficult to understand why, because it is utterly adorable.
- Darren
A uni sex name, Darren is confident and smooth. The name is English and means, “Great.” You don’t get any greater than that! It gained popularity back in the day thanks to the show, Bewitched. Darren was Samantha the witch’s husband. Easy to say, easy to spell, and easy to understand why moms love it; Darren is a “great” choice.
- Heath
Mysterious and sure of himself, Heath is a perfect name if you want your baby to be cool, confident, and self-aware. Gaining popularity from deceased actor, Heath Ledger, the name itself comes from England and references a flowering field. It’s the male version of Heather, so it could be cute to name a little boy after a mommy with that name!
- Grady
Easy going, cool, and ultra-popular; Grady is an All American name. A simple spin off of the name Brady, Grady brings something different to the table but still provides the same sound and vibe. A Gaelic name, Grady means, “noble,” which is certainly an admirable quality in any male!
- Stefan
Love the name Steven but dislike that everyone around you has it? Try Stefan! This exotic name can be shortened to Stef and has a bit of a preppy feel to it. A Greek name for, “crown,” he’ll certainly be your little king!
- Huck
Short for Huckleberry, Huck is an All American name that means, “Sweet berry.” If you’re a fanatic of the novel, Huckleberry Finn, or if you simply want a classic and unique baby boy name, Huck’s your lucky ticket! It’s also a great choice if you are not planning to use a middle name for your son, as Huck makes a strong statement.
- Rowan
This Scottish word means, “Little red haired one.” You guessed it-if you deliver a red head, how cute would this name be? Rowan is sweet and sensitive, and also warm and welcoming. An uncommon name, it’s also nice to use if you’re of Scottish descent as a tribute to your heritage.
- Asher
Feeling happy and blessed that you’re having a boy? You may wish to consider naming him, Asher. This Jewish name literally means happy and blessed. How cute! It rolls off the tongue, is a bit different than the popular unisex name, Ashley; and it also works nicely as a middle name (Rowan Asher, anyone?). It can also be spelled in a wide variety of ways (Ascher, Ashure).
- Ranier
This royal name is German and it means, “Wise army.” Tough yet sophisticated, it’s a name to bestow upon a little boy if you wish him to grow up strong, brave, and fair. It can be shortened to a trendy nickname like Rane, or even Rainy!
- Zane
You don’t often see names of baby boys that start with the last letter of the alphabet. Why not consider Zane? It’s a Hebrew name, which means, “gift from God.” A baby is this, after all! Its one syllable and smooth start rolls off the tongue, and it is easy to pair with multi syllabic middle names, like Christopher, Matthew, or Alexander.
- Jace
A fun spin off of the ultra-popular name, Jax; Jace is fun and refreshing. A Greek word for, “healing,” it can be meant for either gender. If you do not want to know the sex of your baby, uni sex names work well for parents, planning wise!
- Jasper
An old fashioned favorite, Jasper is definitely one of the best unique baby boy names. Slightly hipster, Jasper isn’t everywhere. It became very popular at the beginning of the 1900’s and is often a name that gets passed down from one generation to another, in some form. It’s a Persian name, and it means, “Bringer of treasure.”
- Bronson
Dreamy and handsome, Bronson is an irresistibly unique baby boys name. Poetic and smooth, Bronson pairs nicely with a traditional middle name like James. An English name, the meaning is, “son of a dark man.” While its meaning may not be ideal, the sound of it is!
- Emerson
Full of charisma, Emerson is soft and sweet. Shorten it to Emmy, and you have one beautiful baby boy name. Emerson comes from Germany. It means, “Brave or powerful.” Also a very uni sex friendly name, it’s unique and isn’t over used at all. Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson makes a great namesake for this title.
- Baxter
A sweet name, Baxter is Scottish for, “baker.” Fun to pair with traditional middle names like James, John, or Ryan; it can be shortened to Bax or B for fun. Sounding high society, your little guy will enjoy sporting this unique baby boys name around in school, since far and few between will have it!
- Barron
Becoming more recognized since President Trump got elected to office; Barron is an English name, which means, “warrior.” Trump’s tween son sports this name and lots of confidence as well. Barron sounds sure and strong, and also estate-like.
- Pierson
Pierson is an English name and it has derived from British surnames. Often a tradition to pass down a maiden name to a child, Pierson seems to have formed this way. Shorten it to Pierce for a nickname, and use it instead of the popular “P” names, such as Parker or even Peter.
- Monte
High society sounding, and very posh and regal; Monte is a cool name that oozes self-love and respect. An English name that means, “From the wealthy man’s mountain,” it is often short for Monroe. Not your cup of tea? It certainly serves as a statement making middle name.
- Braxton
Suffer from Braxton Hicks contractions? Don’t let your baby forget it. In all seriousness, Braxton is a cute baby name that is one of a kind. Sporty and slick, Braxton comes from England. It can be shortened to Brax, or B; and pairs perfectly with a middle name like Thomas or James.
- Tobias
Tobias can be shortened to Toby. Making it on the list of unique baby boy names, who knows a Tobias in their life? Not many people! In Greek, Tobias means, “love God.” Perfect if you’re religious and looking for a name that has biblical meaning that isn’t John, Paul, or Matthew, it also makes a cool middle name.
- Whitney
Gaining notoriety and popularity thanks to the Bravo TV show, Southern Charm; Whitney is one unique baby boy name. Charming, friendly, and talented, Whitney also works great for a girl. Whitney is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning, “from the white island.” Often a family name, you can start it in your own family now!
- Vale
Love to ski? Maybe the name Vale has been on your radar then. A spin off of Vail; Vale can be spelled either way. An English name, it means, “lives in the valley.” You can choose to also pronounce it as “Val” for something different. Statement making and sporty, Vale stands out among a crowd.
- Dante
Fiery and passionate, Dante comes from the Greek word that means, “A.” Not very exciting, but the name itself is. Made famous from Dante’s Inferno, Dante is edgy and cool. Different and daring, it’s a name for a true risk taker!
- Sawyer
Outdoorsy, rugged, yet sweet; Sawyer is a simply cool unique baby boy name. Made popular from Tom Sawyer, and Sawyer from the TV show, Lost; there’s something almost magical to this name. Isn’t childhood supposed to be magical? A Celtic word, it means, “cut wood.” Perfect for parents who are hands on and love nature, Sawyer is a great pick for unique baby boy names.
- Carsten
A spin off of Carson, Carsten means, “Christian” in Latin. Carsten is a name of a boy who is friendly to everyone. He holds himself to high standards and is always upbeat. A playful and fun name to choose, it could also be a unique baby girl name as well.
- Crowley
Southern inspired, this laid back baby boy’s name is Irish and means, “Hard hero.” Rugged and tough, Crowley is intriguing and interesting. Anything but common, it rolls off the tongue and can be argued that it was a surname that has turned into a first name.
- Radames
Radames (pronounced rad-uh-mis) is an oldie but an underused goodie. An Egyptian name, it is meant to honor an ancient hero within the culture. Fun if looking for something unexpected and something that is culturally unique, Radames doesn’t disappoint!
- Paxton
Paxton is an English name that means, “From the peaceful farm.” You can call your baby Pax for short (like Angelina Jolie!) and it’s just an overall, relaxed, chill name. Easy to pair with classic middle names like James, John, or Michael; Paxton is definitely makes for unique baby boy names.
- Dimitri
Dimitri’s origin comes from Greece and it means, “Earth lover.” Not often heard on the street, Dimitri is strong, smooth, and full of confidence. Ideal for those who want to carry on their Greek roots, Dimitri is a great choice.
- Anders
Love the name, Anderson? Maybe you don’t love its popularity. There are many men named Anderson, but how many are just named Anders? Fun to take a sought out name and shorten it; Anders is refreshing and fun. An English name, Anders means, “manly or brave.” Perfect for those who wish to instill these qualities in their little one, Anders is cool and confident.
THAT’S A WRAP!
The awesome thing about choosing a baby name is that there’s no right or wrong name. Think of a name as a special gift that belongs to your child. You can ensure their name is very special because you’ve chosen one of the most unique baby boy names around! It takes only 26 letters to make millions of words, but it takes lots of time and thought to choose the perfect name for your child. Also don’t miss out on our complete list of unique baby girl names also! The list is chalked full of fun, adventurous names!
Sam Milam, author
Sam Milam is a freelance writer, photographer, and yoga teacher. She is passionate about educating herself and others about attachment parenting, social justice, and living an authentic, empowered life. When she isn't working, she can be found exploring the Pacific Northwest with her two kids. Sam is a regular contributor for Washington Post, POPSUGAR, USA Today, Parent Map, and Gronk Nation.
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