If you love the idea of a name that feels special the second you say it, rare names are the fun zone. They are familiar enough to pronounce, uncommon enough to stand out, and perfect for babies, characters, pets, usernames, and group chats. Below are rare names split into easy sections, each with a quick meaning for fast shortlisting.
Rare girl names
- Adelina: noble (Germanic)
- Ailith: seasoned warrior (Scottish Gaelic)
- Althea: healer (Greek)
- Amabel: lovable (Latin)
- Anouk: grace (French, from Ann)
- Anthea: flower, blossom (Greek)
- Ariadne: most holy (Greek)
- Aurelia: golden (Latin)
- Aviva: springtime (Hebrew)
- Bellamy: fine friend (French)
- Blythe: cheerful (Old English)
- Briseis: “Briseus’ daughter” (Greek)
- Calista: most beautiful (Greek)
- Calliope: beautiful voice (Greek)
- Capucine: nasturtium flower (French)
- Celestine: heavenly (Latin)
- Cerys: love (Welsh)
- Cleo: glory (Greek)
- Clio: to celebrate, make famous (Greek)
- Cosima: order, harmony (Greek)
- Damaris: gentle (Greek)
- Delphine: dolphin (French, from Greek root)
- Elettra: shining, bright (Italian, from Electra)
- Elowen: elm tree (Cornish)
- Endellion: fire, soul (Cornish)
- Esmé: beloved (French)
- Eudora: good gift (Greek)
- Eulalia: sweetly speaking (Greek)
- Fable: story, tale (English word name)
- Fiora: little flower (Italian)
- Florine: flowering (French/Latin)
- Ginevra: white shadow, fair one (Italian form of Guinevere)
- Heloise: healthy, wide (Germanic/French)
- Ianthe: violet flower (Greek)
- Idalia: behold the sun (Greek)
- Imogen: maiden (Celtic tradition)
- Isolde: ice ruler (Germanic)
- Jessamine: jasmine flower (English)
- Keziah: cassia (Hebrew)
- Leonie: lioness (French)
- Lilou: lily (French modern form)
- Linnea: twinflower (Swedish)
- Marisol: sea and sun (Spanish blend)
- Nerissa: sea nymph (Greek)
- Noemie: pleasantness (French form of Naomi)
- Odelia: I will praise God (Hebrew)
- Ottilie: prosperous in battle (German)
- Persephone: bringer of destruction (Greek)
- Rosamund: rose protector (Germanic)
- Sybil: prophetess (Greek)
Rare boy names
- Alaric: ruler of all (Germanic)
- Alban: from Alba, white (Latin)
- Alden: old friend (Old English)
- Amias: loved (Latin)
- Ansel: with divine protection (Germanic)
- Armand: army man (French/Germanic)
- Arsene: manly (Greek)
- Ashwin: light, horse tamer (Sanskrit)
- Atticus: from Attica (Greek)
- Aurelian: golden (Latin)
- Basil: royal (Greek)
- Benedict: blessed (Latin)
- Blaise: lisping, stammering (Latin)
- Caius: rejoice (Latin)
- Cassian: of Cassius (Latin)
- Cillian: little church (Irish)
- Cormac: charioteer (Irish)
- Cyprian: from Cyprus (Latin/Greek)
- Dashiell: page boy (French origin surname use)
- Dorian: of Doris (Greek)
- Evander: good man (Greek)
- Faramir: sufficient jewel (modern literary name)
- Fintan: white fire (Irish)
- Galen: calm (Greek)
- Gideon: hewer, one who cuts down (Hebrew)
- Hadrian: from Hadria (Latin)
- Hollis: near the holly trees (English)
- Idris: interpreter, studious (Welsh and Arabic usage)
- Ilya: my God is Yahweh (Slavic form of Elijah)
- Isidore: gift of Isis (Greek)
- Jules: youthful (French, from Julius)
- Leander: lion man (Greek)
- Lucian: light (Latin)
- Magnus: great (Latin)
- Malachi: my messenger (Hebrew)
- Marius: of Mars (Latin)
- Matthias: gift of God (Hebrew/Greek)
- Niall: champion (Irish)
- Oberon: noble bear (Germanic)
- Octavian: eighth (Latin)
- Orson: bear cub (Latin)
- Osric: divine ruler (Old English)
- Peregrine: traveler, pilgrim (Latin)
- Quentin: fifth (Latin)
- Rafferty: flood tide (Irish)
- Stellan: calm (Swedish)
- Sullivan: dark-eyed (Irish)
- Thane: warrior, nobleman (Old English)
- Tobin: God is good (Hebrew, via Tobias)
- Zephyr: west wind (Greek)
Rare unisex names
- Ari: lion (Hebrew)
- Arden: great forest (English)
- Auden: old friend (Old English)
- Baylor: one who delivers goods (English surname)
- Blaine: slender, thin (Scottish)
- Briar: thorny vine (English)
- Cary: beloved (Irish)
- Cedar: cedar tree (English)
- Clarke: clerk, scholar (English)
- Cove: small coastal inlet (English word name)
- Darcy: from Arcy (French/Irish surname)
- Drew: strong (Greek root via Andrew)
- Emery: brave, powerful (Germanic)
- Esra: helper (Turkish usage; distinct from Ezra)
- Finley: fair warrior (Scottish)
- Frankie: free one (Latin root)
- Greer: watchful, alert (Scottish)
- Haven: safe place (English)
- Indigo: Indian dye (Greek root)
- Jules: youthful (French)
- Justice: justice, fairness (Latin)
- Kaya: pure (Greek), also a variant in multiple languages
- Kendall: valley of the River Kent (English)
- Kit: bearer of Christ (Greek root via Christopher)
- Lane: small roadway (English)
- Marlo: driftwood (English)
- Micah: who is like God? (Hebrew)
- Monroe: mouth of the Roe river (Scottish)
- Nico: victory of the people (Greek)
- Noa: movement (Hebrew)
- Oakley: oak wood clearing (English)
- Parker: park keeper (English)
- Quinn: chief, leader (Irish)
- Reese: enthusiasm (Welsh)
- Remy: oarsman (French)
- Rory: red king (Irish)
- Rowan: little red one (Irish/Scottish)
- Sage: wise one, also the herb (Latin/English)
- Shiloh: tranquil (Hebrew)
- Sky: sky (English)
- Sloan: raider, warrior (Irish)
- Soren: stern (Danish)
- Story: tale, narrative (English word name)
- Tatum: cheerful bringer of joy (English surname use)
- Toby: God is good (Hebrew root)
- Vesper: evening star (Latin)
- Wren: small bird (English)
- Yael: mountain goat (Hebrew)
- Zion: highest point (Hebrew)
- Zuri: beautiful (Swahili)
Rare names are easiest to choose when you treat them like a quick try-on. Pick ten favorites, say each one out loud twice, and picture it in everyday moments. If a name still feels natural after you imagine it on a kid, a teen, and an adult, it is not just rare. It is wearable. And that is the real sweet spot.