These ‘Rare’ Boy Names Probably Aren’t As Rare As You Think

Finding a rare name for your baby boy may not be as easy as you hope. My 5-year-old loves to tell me how many other Liams are in his class, and it’s no surprise. It was the most popular baby name in 2023, according to first name data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) (and its middle name also made the top 10). So, if you want your son to stand out among his classmates, how ensure their name is actually unique?

One way to reduce the chances of your children sharing a name with others in the neighborhood is to look at name trends. Luckily, we did it for you! We combed through the SSA baby name lists and noticed that many names we thought were rare but were actually given to more than 1,000 babies in 2023 alone.

If you’re looking for something ultra-exclusive to name your baby boy, you should read this list first just in case. You might be surprised to find that something you thought was original is actually very popular!

Sébastien – 8,865 babies born in 2023

Sebastian has Greek and Latin roots and it means “venerable” or “revered.” It’s also the name of the Disney crab. The little Mermaid! Although you might not hear Sebastians on the playground, this name was given to almost 9,000 babies last year, so it’s about to become a lot more common.

Luca – 7,770 babies born in 2023

Luca is an Italian first name that gained popularity after Disney. Lucas was released in 2021. It means “bringer of light,” according to The Bump. Many celebrities have used this first name, such as Hilary Duff.

Julien – 7,078 babies born in 2023

Julian means “young” and is a name used by several Roman emperors throughout history.

Kai – 4,946 babies born in 2023

Kai means “sea” in Hawaiian and “fire” in Scottish. It’s a cute name that’s perfect for a summer baby, but with nearly 5,000 babies given this name last year, it may not be as rare as you might think.

Thiago – 4,505 babies born in 2023

Thiago is of Brazilian origin and means “supplanter,” according to The Bump. It is a variation of the Portuguese Tiago and a shortened version of the Spanish Santiago and is becoming increasingly popular.

Weston – 4,356 babies born in 2023

Weston is of English origin and translates strictly to “West town”. However, parents probably love its unique sound and nickname potential (Westie?!).

Gaël – 3,616 babies born in 2023

Gael is an Irish name meaning “foreigner” or “a Gaelic person,” according to BabyNames.com. With almost 4,000 babies born with Gael in 2023, this name is no longer as strange or unique as it once might have been.

Atlas – 3,197 babies born in 2023

Atlas is a strong Greek name that means “a Titan,” and we bet he’ll become even more popular thanks to him being the main character in Colleen Hoover’s film. It ends with uswith Blake Lively starring in the film adaptation this year.

Adriel – 3,185 babies born in 2023

Adriel is a biblical name meaning “the flock of God.”

Caption – 2,492 babies born in 2023

The legend means “hero or fable,” according to Nameberry. It might gain popularity thanks to the famous singer John Legend.

Stetson – 1,987 babies born in 2023

Stetson means “boxer” or “fighter,” and it’s also the name of a popular Western brand, according to The Bump..

Barrett – 1,780 babies born in 2023

Recently chosen by Shawn Johnson for his youngest baby, Barrett means “Bear.” He can be strong like a wild bear or cuddly like a teddy bear, and he is so cute. No wonder it is gaining popularity!

Kyrie – 1,474 babies born in 2023

Although this name seems unique, it is not. Kyrie is probably going to explode soon, thanks to beloved Dallas Mavericks basketball player Kyrie Irving. According to La Bosse, this Greek name means “lord”.

Crew – 1,316 babies born in 2023

Crew is of English origin and means “a band, force, or armed men,” according to Nameberry. The Young and the Restless Star Joshua Morrow named his son Crew, as did Chip and Joanna Gaines.

Tobias – 1,213 babies born in 2023

Tobias means “God is good”. The rise in popularity could be spiritual, or it could be because Divergent the fans have grown up and are having babies now!

Onyx – 1,069 babies born in 2023

The name Onyx means “black precious stone,” with its original Greek meaning “nail, claw,” according to BabyNames.com. Celebrities have used this name for their children, including Alanis Morrissette and Iggy Azalea.

Kyler – 1,031 babies born in 2023

Kyler is of Irish and Gaelic origin. It is a place name that refers to “the passage”. It could also mean “a wood” or “a church”. It seems new because it is a blend of two other once popular names: Kyle and Tyler. But with over 1,000 babies given this name last year, it is becoming increasingly popular.

Just because these names aren’t as rare as you might have hoped doesn’t mean you still can’t use them! But if you’re looking for something totally different, check out this list of rare baby names used only five times last year!

From Livia to Slate, here are some baby names inspired by the color blue.