11 uncommon and unusual boy names (2024)

Ajax

Ajax is a name from Greek mythology: It appears in Homer's Iliad, an epic poem set during the Trojan War. Ajax is a hero described as being strong and brave and is sometimes referred to as "Ajax the Great." It's thought to mean "one who laments," though other stories say it means "eagle."

Chauncey

The origins of the name Chauncey are up for debate: It could mean chancellor, which is derived from a Latin word for a government employee. It could also be an old-fashioned version of Chance, meaning "luck." While Chauncey was last popular in the 1800s and early 1900s, this baby name may be making a comeback thanks to basketball coach Chauncey Billups and football player Chauncey "C.J." Gardner-Johnson.

Cornelius

Cornelius is thought to derive from the Latin word for horn, but this name has a far broader meaning in history. In the Bible, Cornelius is said to be a Roman centurion who was the first non-Jewish person to convert to Christianity. In the 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt was an American business magnate who expanded and improved upon the country's transportation infrastructure. Cornelius "Neeley" Nolan is the protagonist's younger brother in the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; Cornelius Agrippa is a celebrated German wizard in the Harry Potter series; and Shakespeare used the name for characters in his plays Hamlet and Cymbeline.

Darwin

Darwin is of Old English origin and means "dear friend." Most famously, it's the last name of Charles Darwin, who contributed the theory of natural selection to evolutionary sciences. If you like the sound of Darwin but want something less scientific, Edwin, Erwin, and Darin all have a similar vibe.

Dex

Dex is a simple yet strong name reminiscent of Dexter, a Latin name meaning "of the right hand." As an English name, however, Dexter is an occupational surname for a person who dyed clothes for a living. You're unlikely to meet anyone named Dex, though you may come across a Dax or a Knox.

Francois

Francois is the French version of the English name Francis, and means "free." Notable people include two French presidents: Francois Mitterrand and Francois Hollande, who's known for legalizing same-sex marriage. Though the name is more common in French-speaking cultures, Francois is an unusual choice in the United States.

Golden

Golden symbolizes honesty and authenticity. Give your baby an extra glow with this dazzling color name. Award-winning actress Golden Brooks has brought attention to the name, as has the song "Golden" by Harry Styles. Variations include Gold, Goldie, and Golda.

Holland

Holland has steadily climbed the charts since the '90s, entering the top 1,000 baby names in the U.S. in 2014, though it's still rare relative to other European place names like London and Paris. Holland, meaning "wooded land" in Dutch, is a region within the Netherlands – though Holland is sometimes used to refer to the whole country.

Lake

Surprisingly rare, Lake follows the flow of water names such as Bay, Ocean, River, and Brook. It comes from the Latin word lacus, meaning, somewhat plainly, "inland body of water." But this placid, nature-inspired name conjures serenity, wildness, and life simplified.

Rebel

Rebel is a gutsy, modern baby name that suits boys and girls equally. Australian comedic actress Rebel Wilson has brought new attention to the name. Robert Rodriguez, an American filmmaker who directed the Sin City and Spy Kids films, named his son Rebel. If you want your kid to have the edgiest name on the playground, Rebel is a good pick.

Zen

Are you hoping for a chill baby? Consider Zen, which is a school of Buddhism that originated in China. The word itself is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese transliteration for the Sanskrit word for meditation. Zen Buddhism emphasizes meditation, intuition, and altruism.