50+ unique and unusual boy names with meanings for your baby

For baby girls Olivia remained the most popular name for the eighth year in a row, with Amelia and Isla the second and third most popular. Muhammad has become the most popular baby name for boys in England and Wales for the first time, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed. In the United States, it’s traditional for a person to have three names—a first name, a middle name, and your family or last name. Of course, there are plenty of parents who give their children more than one middle name, or none at all. Speaking of combining and remixing names, a lot of names on the list of fast-climbers are really alternate spellings of more popular names. Chosen is on there, as it was last year, but the creatively spelled Chozen is higher.

Ellie joins the top 10 girl names for the first time ever at No. 9, bumping Evelyn down to No. 11. And Asher is back in the top 10 boy names at No. 9 after a year away, while Luca is out at No. 12. Choosing a family name for your baby is still a common tradition, but there are multiple ways to go about it. In some families, the child (usually the firstborn) has the exact same name as the father, with the addition of a “Jr.” (meaning junior) suffix at the end. If this extends beyond the original father and son, you typically use Roman numerals (II, III, IV, V, etc.) to depict this designation.

One key takeaway is the increasing diversity in name choices. Parents are exploring a wider range of names, reflecting global influences and a desire for uniqueness. For example, characters from beloved TV shows, movies, and books often inspire parents. This year, names like Kylo (inspired by Star Wars) and Loki (from Marvel’s universe) have seen increased use, merging fandoms with real-life trends.

For instance, names like William and James, which have historical significance, remain popular choices. They bring a sense of timelessness while still resonating in contemporary settings. Sports figures are a perennial favorite (the year Derek Jeter retired from the New York Yankees, “Jeter” was in the top 10 male dog names), so it’s not surprising to see “Kobe” on the list. Outdoor activity-inspired names like “Moose” or “Harley” are another popular theme. You might meet a “Whiskey,” “Mochi,” or “Oreo” on your daily walks. And at least 20 percent of dogs have traditionally human names like “Max,” “Cooper,” or “Charlie,” which figure high in our list.

Discover how MyCrib can help you build your dream wishlist. You can add products from any site with just one click and even use MyCrib’s buying assistant to help get you started. Why spend months searching for the perfect baby name when you can generate one with the touch of a button with our Random Name Generator?