Are you expecting a baby boy? The arrival of a new baby is exciting; however, picking out the perfect name can be tricky. With literally thousands of baby boy names to choose from, how are you supposed to pick just one?
That's where our unique name guide comes in to save the day! We've picked out the top 10 unique baby boy names, perfect for any new bundle of joy. So why not have a browse through our ultimate list and get inspired?
We've also included some considerations to think about when choosing a name, including the meaning and name origins. Want to know more? Awesome - let's jump straight in and take a look at our top baby boy names.
What to consider when picking a baby boy name
It can be difficult to know where to start when trying to choose a unique baby boy name. Do you want to honor a close family member? Was your Grandpa your favorite person when you were a kid? A great way to pay homage to a family member is to pass on their name to your baby boy.
Another way to use a family name is to draw inspiration from it. Maybe take the first letter of the person's name and choose a baby name beginning with that letter.
Some parents like to choose names for their baby boys based on the name meaning. If this is you, think about the type of meaning you want. Do you want a strong meaning or something softer and more spiritual?
Think about the origin of the name as well. Having an interesting name origin is super important to some parents, and it makes for good conversation! Gender-neutral names are also a big hit among many parents. Some of our top boy names could potentially be gender-neutral.
The importance of picking the right baby name
There can be a lot of pressure when it comes to picking the perfect baby name. It's a permanent thing that will stay with your child for the whole of his life and on your family tree forever!
Although it's essential to choose the right name, it doesn't have to be a daunting task. Some people believe that names can shape a child's personality, which is why unusual baby boy names are so popular.
One benefit of a unique name is that the child is more likely to see and interact with the world around them differently. Not only that, but how cool would it be for your baby boy to grow up with a name that not many other people have?
Having a unique or original name will mean that your child won't be in a classroom with four or five other kids with the same name. Choosing a distinctive name for your boy can make him feel special and one-of-a-kind.
Top 10 Unique Baby Boy Names
- Maverick
Among the most popular names for boys, Maverick is a strong and unusual baby boy name that originates from England. It means "wildly independent" or "nonconforming." It's derived from the English word maverick, which means independent.
Maverick was originally a surname, but it started to be given as a first name in the 1900s. This name has only just begun to become popular, though, jumping through the ranks quickly.
It was first used in the James Garner Western TV show in the 50s, and more recently was the name of Tom Cruises' character in the movie Top Gun. The name Maverick represents an unbridled and free spirit.
If you want your baby boy to grow up and be independent, not just follow the crowd, then Maverick is a perfect choice!
- Achilles
Baby-names don't get more unique than Achilles! Pronounced a-KILL-eez, this is a boy's name from Greece. Achilles is the name of the Trojan War hero, celebrated in the ancient Greek poem Iliad by Homer.
Famed for his masculine beauty and valor, Achilles was invulnerable because he was dipped in the River Styx by his mother, a nymph called Thetis.
However, as she dipped him in the river, she held him by his heel, the one part of him that wasn't blessed by the water, giving him a weak spot, hence the expression "Achilles' heel."
It's a name that definitely makes a strong statement. It first appeared on the US Top 1000 names list in 2015 and has been getting more popular than each previous year.
- Casper
No, we're not talking about the friendly ghost - Casper is one of the most unique boy names on our list. Meaning "bringer of treasure', Casper is of Slavic origin and is very popular in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, where it's frequently shortened to Cas.
Very similar to his cousin Jasper, Casper was the name of one of the Three Wise men who visited baby Jesus and brought gifts, along with Balthasar and Melchior.
In certain etymology, Casper may have been derived from Genashber, a Persian word meaning "treasure master", which is in keeping with his role as a bringer of gifts. If you're looking for super unique baby names, Casper is a good place to start!
- Keanu
If you're struggling to find cool name ideas for your baby son, consider Keanu. Primarily a boy's name, Keanu originates from Hawaii and means "cool breeze over the mountains." Pronounced either kay-AH-noo or kee-AH-noo, this is a name any boy would be proud to have!
It's a beautifully exotic name made famous by Keanu Reeves, the American Hollywood actor born in Beirut. In 2016 the name Keanu appeared in the Top 1000 names for the first time in over 10 years. If you have Hawaiian roots, this is the perfect name for your son.
- Flynn
Halfway through our list of baby boy names, we have Flynn. Originating from Ireland, Flynn means "son of the red-haired one."
Flynn is used as a traditional Irish surname or a first name. It's an anglicized version of the Irish Ó Floinn, which means "descendant of Flann," a byname that means reddish or ruddy (complexion).
Flynn, pronounced Flin, made an appearance on the US Top 1000 names back in 2011 and is very popular in Australia and New Zealand. The name gained popularity in many parts of Ireland. It was traditionally more of a surname than a given name.
With many characters and TV stars being given the name Flynn, it's undoubtedly a cool name! The Disney movie Tangled featured the animated hero Flynn Rider and in the award-winning TV series Breaking Bad, Walter White's son attempted to rename himself as Flynn.
This name has long been associated with the Australian star of many swashbuckling movies, Errol Flynn, who was the inspiration for the phrase "in like Flynn."
- Anakin
Star Wars and sci-fi fans will love the name Anakin!
The name didn't actually exist until George Lucas created it for the main antagonist, Anakin Skywalker, in his Star Wars film franchise. The origins of the name are unknown, but it's said that George Lucas based it on the surname of his friend, film director Ken Annakin.
If you want a unique and cool name for your son, Anakin is the ideal choice!
- Sergei
Sergei is typically a male name originating from Russia, meaning "servant." It's related to the Latin name Sergio and is considered a classic, strong boy's name.
The name Sergei actually has different origin versions. The most well-known version comes from the Roman ancestral moniker Sergius, which is a Roman family name.
Sergii, an ancient Roman patrician family, gets its ancestry from the Trojans. If you translate it from Latin, it means "high" or "noble".
In the next version, the name Sergei is the contemporary form of the now obsolete name Sergius, which originates from the Latin word "servi dei", meaning the "servant of God."
- Silas
Originating from Latin meaning "forest" or "woods", Silas is a boy's name pronounced SYE-las. It's based on the moniker Silvanus, and the Bible uses both names interchangeably. In the New Testament, St. Silas was a leader of the Christan community.
He was a missionary companion for Paul and Timothy during their second journey. The Roman god of trees was named Sylvanus, and his name was originally given to people who lived in forests or those who worked with wood.
Silas was once a very folksy-sounding New Testament boy name, commonly associated with the character Silas Marner from the novel by George Eliot. It's now starting to be re-evaluated and is becoming one of our favorite names!
The name Silas has also been associated with the antagonist from the popular book and film, The Da Vinci Code. Silas is also the lead character in the novel The Rise and Fall of Silas Lapham by William D. Howell and features in the TV series Weeds as Nancy Botwin's son.
- Onyx
Onyx is proving to be one of the most increasingly popular baby names as well. Pronounced ON-iks, it's the name of a gemstone that features bands of color. Deriving from the Greek word onyx, it means "claw" or "fingernail."
This is because the gemstone's color is typically pink or red with streaks of white, making it look like a fingernail. Although it is a unisex name, Onyx is primarily given to boys as the x at the end gives it a very masculine and virile edge.
Famous people named Onyx include Onyx Solace Treadway, the daughter of rapper Mario Treadway and singer Alanis Morisette, and Narda Onyx, a film and TV actress who was born in Estonia but escaped to America when she was just 11 years old.
If you've been trawling through baby boy names unsuccessfully, why not consider Onyx. It's a fun, strong, and unique name that any son would surely be thrilled to have.
- Cassius
Last on our list of the top baby boy names, but by no means least, is Cassius. It's a boy's name originating from Latin, meaning "hollow.' Cassius is a Shakespearean name, and it's gaining popularity quickly.
There have been two notable Ancient Romans named Cassius. The first was Cassius Dio, who penned an 80-volume history about Rome.
The second, Gaius Cassius Longinus, was a senator who planned the assassination of Julius Caesar. He was also the main character in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
More recently, Cassius Clay was the name of the philanthropist and legendary boxer Muhammed Ali. Cassius was also chosen by actor Balthazar Getty and singer Bobby Brown for their sons.
Actress Vanessa Marcil and actor Brian Austin Green both decided to use the nouveau Kassius spelling for their sons. With all of these namesakes appearing, it's no wonder that this name has gained so much popularity recently.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, when you're considering baby boy names for your new arrival, it needs to be something that you're going to be 100% happy with. After all, it is a permanent decision, and it has to be something your child can live with.
Consider middle names as well. In the United States, it's very common for people to have a middle name, or maybe two. Whichever names you choose, it's a good idea to ensure that they fit well together and that the initials don't create an embarrassing spelling!
Another thing to keep in mind is that, unfortunately, children can be really cruel when it comes to names. Try and brainstorm and check that the name you choose isn't going to get your kid picked on.
Say the names that you've picked out loud, as sometimes they can sound differently than just in your head. It may sound obvious, but doing a quick run-through of these considerations will help you feel more confident choosing a perfect moniker for your little one.
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