Everyone is veering away from traditional names and coming up with a lot of rare and unique names for their babies these days. Let’s explore some really rare beautiful names that you can use for your little girl or boy so that they stand out and feel unique. This creative list will dive into retro names that aren’t used anymore, names from other cultures, brand new names that are still rare, and more.
Rare Baby Names
If you’ve decided to look for something far away from traditional family names and you want to dive into some really unique ideas, this is a great list for you to explore.
This list will cover rare boy name ideas, rare female names, vintage baby names that have become rare, rare baby names from other countries, and unusual but super cute names.
This list is perfect for middle names, first names, and more. I hope you find the perfect name for you little one here that you’ve never heard before!
Rare Boy Name Ideas
Aurelian
Latin origin, meaning “golden” or “gilded.”
Caius
Latin, meaning “rejoice.”
Orin
Hebrew, meaning “light” or “pine tree.”
Elwood
Old English, meaning “elder tree forest.”
Theron
Greek, meaning “hunter.”
Osric
Old English, meaning “divine ruler.”
Ansel
Germanic, meaning “God’s protection.”
Cassian
Latin, meaning “hollow” or “empty.”
Lazaro
Spanish/Italian form of Lazarus, meaning “God is my help.”
Zephyr
Greek, meaning “west wind.”
Renan
Hebrew, meaning “song” or “joyful melody.”
Bram
Dutch diminutive of Abraham, meaning “father of many.”
Elio
Italian and Spanish, meaning “sun.”
Torin
Irish origin, meaning “chief” or “thunder.”
Leif
Scandinavian, meaning “heir” or “descendant.”
Quillon
Latin, meaning “crossing swords.”
Amaury
French/Germanic, meaning “brave leader.”
Calix
Latin, meaning “chalice” or “cup.”
Viggo
Scandinavian, meaning “battle” or “war.”
Eero
Finnish, form of Eric, meaning “eternal ruler.”
Iker
Basque, meaning “visitation.”
Roald
Scandinavian, meaning “famous ruler.”
Evren
Turkish, meaning “universe.”
Balthazar
Babylonian origin, meaning “Baal protects the king.”
Fenris
Norse mythological name, meaning “giant wolf.”
Rare Female Names
Isolde
Welsh/Celtic, meaning “ice ruler” or “beautiful.”
Sunniva
Old Norse, meaning “sun gift.”
Ondine
Latin, meaning “little wave.”
Zinnia
From the flower; symbolizes remembrance and affection.
Eulalie
Greek, meaning “well-spoken.”
Calliope
Greek, meaning “beautiful voice.”
Sophronia
Greek, meaning “self-controlled” or “wise.”
Delphina
Greek, meaning “from Delphi.”
Alouette
French, meaning “lark (bird).”
Winika
Māori, meaning “Christmas orchid.”
Tirzah
Hebrew, meaning “delight” or “pleasantness.”
Imogen
Celtic origin, meaning “maiden” or “innocent.”
Eira
Welsh, meaning “snow.”
Minerva
Latin, meaning “intellect” or “wisdom.”
Azenor
Breton, meaning “honor” or “noble.”
Solene
French, meaning “dignified” or “solemn.”
Yvaine
Scottish, meaning “evening star.”
Ferelith
Scottish, meaning “true sovereignty.”
Zuleika
Arabic/Persian, meaning “brilliant beauty.”
Aviva
Hebrew, meaning “spring” or “renewal.”
Viveka
Scandinavian, meaning “alive” or “wise.”
Paloma
Spanish, meaning “dove” (symbol of peace).
Ione
Greek, meaning “violet flower.”
Ottilie
German, meaning “prosperous in battle.”
Calantha
Greek, meaning “beautiful flower.”
Vintage Baby Names That Have Become Rare
Ruth
Hebrew, meaning “compassionate friend.”
Harriet
Germanic, meaning “estate ruler.”
Dorothy
Greek, meaning “gift of God.”
Eunice
Greek, meaning “good victory.”
Agatha
Greek, meaning “good” or “honorable.”
Mildred
Old English, meaning “gentle strength.”
Sybil
Greek, meaning “prophetess” or “oracle.”
Edith
Old English, meaning “rich war.”
Bernice
Greek, meaning “bringer of victory.”
Constance
Latin, meaning “steadfastness.”
Margaret
Greek, meaning “pearl.”
Irene
Greek, meaning “peace.”
Lois
Greek, meaning “better” or “more desirable.”
Ida
German, meaning “industrious one.”
Maude
Germanic, meaning “battle-mighty.”
Gertrude
German, meaning “spear of strength.”
Wilhelmina
German, meaning “resolute protector.”
Alma
Latin, meaning “nourishing” or “kind.”
Clarence
Latin, meaning “bright” or “clear.”
Cecil
Latin, meaning “blind” or “dim-sighted.”
Percival
Old French, meaning “pierces the valley.”
Norman
Germanic, meaning “Norseman.”
Irving
Scottish, meaning “green water.”
Bertram
Germanic, meaning “bright raven.”
Wallace
Scottish, meaning “foreigner” or “Welshman.”
Rare Baby Names from Other Countries
Sinead (Ireland)
Irish form of Jane, meaning “God is gracious.”
Anouk (France/Netherlands)
Diminutive of Anna, meaning “grace.”
Bjorn (Sweden/Norway)
Scandinavian, meaning “bear.”
Danica (Slavic)
Slavic, meaning “morning star.”
Isamu (Japan)
Japanese, meaning “courage” or “bravery.”
Maëlle (France/Brittany)
Feminine form of Maël, meaning “chief” or “prince.”
Kaori (Japan)
Japanese, meaning “fragrance.”
Esmé (France)
French, meaning “esteemed” or “beloved.”
Nikos (Greece)
Greek form of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people.”
Lior (Israel)
Hebrew, meaning “I have light.”
Alinafe (Malawi)
Chichewa, meaning “he is with us.”
Thabo (South Africa)
Sesotho, meaning “joy.”
Tove (Scandinavia)
Old Norse, meaning “beautiful Thor.”
Inaya (Arabic/South Asia)
Arabic, meaning “care” or “concern.”
Jovana (Serbia/Slavic)
Feminine form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
Yara (Arabic/Brazil)
In Arabic: “small butterfly.” In Brazilian mythology: “water lady.”
Ziv (Israel)
Hebrew, meaning “radiance” or “brightness.”
Ilona (Hungary)
Hungarian variant of Helen, meaning “light.”
Hania (Poland/Arabic)
In Polish: diminutive of Hannah; in Arabic: “happy” or “delighted.”
Lucjan (Poland)
Polish form of Lucian, meaning “light.”
Unusual but Super Cute Names
Pixie
English, meaning “fairy” or “playful spirit.”
Boheme
French origin, meaning “free-spirited” or “bohemian.”
Clover
English, symbolizing luck and prosperity.
Jovie
Modern, meaning “joyful” or “merry.”
Bindi
Australian/Aboriginal, meaning “little girl” or “butterfly.”
Tansy
Greek origin, meaning “immortality.”
Scout
English, meaning “explorer” or “to listen.”
Wren
English, named after the small bird.
Indie
Diminutive of India or Indigo, meaning “independent.”
Brio
Italian, meaning “vigor” or “life.”
Echo
Greek mythology name, meaning “reverberating sound.”
Bluebell
Flower name symbolizing gratitude and humility.
Zuzu
Slavic nickname, meaning “lily” or “sweet.”
Lumi
Finnish, meaning “snow.”
Fable
Modern English, meaning “story with a moral.”
Elka
German/Yiddish, meaning “noble” or “God has created.”
Yuki
Japanese, meaning “happiness” or “snow” (depending on kanji).
Rue
English/Latin, meaning “regret” or from the herb name symbolizing grace.
Moxie
English, meaning “boldness” or “determination.”