Names to explore
The table uses the uploaded national files directly, so both the rank movement and the number of published births are visible together.
| Name | 2025 rank | 2025 births | 2024 rank | 2024 births | Rank move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florian | #2,495 | 54 | #3,237 | 37 | ↑ 742 |
| Slate | #2,712 | 48 | #3,387 | 35 | ↑ 675 |
| Echo | #2,809 | 45 | #3,474 | 33 | ↑ 665 |
| Brant | #3,321 | 35 | #3,902 | 28 | ↑ 581 |
| Bram | #2,422 | 56 | #2,966 | 42 | ↑ 544 |
| Mercer | #2,558 | 52 | #3,079 | 40 | ↑ 521 |
| Helios | #2,367 | 58 | #2,887 | 44 | ↑ 520 |
| Ajax | #3,243 | 36 | #3,694 | 30 | ↑ 451 |
| Merritt | #1,505 | 117 | #1,900 | 84 | ↑ 395 |
| Theron | #2,474 | 55 | #2,866 | 45 | ↑ 392 |
| Rook | #1,972 | 78 | #2,362 | 60 | ↑ 390 |
| Caelum | #1,690 | 97 | #2,033 | 75 | ↑ 343 |
| Stellan | #1,140 | 186 | #1,446 | 126 | ↑ 306 |
| Leander | #1,463 | 122 | #1,758 | 94 | ↑ 295 |
| Woods | #1,476 | 121 | #1,765 | 94 | ↑ 289 |
| Penn | #2,706 | 48 | #2,990 | 42 | ↑ 284 |
| Monty | #1,543 | 112 | #1,815 | 90 | ↑ 272 |
| Viggo | #1,697 | 97 | #1,954 | 81 | ↑ 257 |
| Calder | #1,731 | 94 | #1,987 | 78 | ↑ 256 |
| Cornelius | #1,908 | 82 | #2,156 | 68 | ↑ 248 |
| Percival | #1,536 | 113 | #1,772 | 93 | ↑ 236 |
| Sylvan | #1,674 | 99 | #1,901 | 84 | ↑ 227 |
| Hadrian | #2,617 | 50 | #2,843 | 45 | ↑ 226 |
| Valor | #1,254 | 159 | #1,470 | 124 | ↑ 216 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby-name files for 2024 and 2025. A smaller rank number means the name was more popular.
Historical context
Historical context for these rising rare boy names
Current popularity makes more sense when you can see when each spelling had its strongest published year.
| Name | 2025 births | First published | Peak year | Peak births |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florian | 54 | 1886 | 1921 | 125 |
| Slate | 48 | 1990 | 2018 | 56 |
| Echo | 45 | 1996 | 2022 | 57 |
| Brant | 35 | 1918 | 1970 | 241 |
| Bram | 56 | 1948 | 2016 | 72 |
| Mercer | 52 | 1881 | 2025 | 52 |
| Helios | 58 | 2000 | 2025 | 58 |
| Ajax | 36 | 2005 | 2023 | 45 |
| Merritt | 117 | 1880 | 1924 | 121 |
| Theron | 55 | 1880 | 1966 | 180 |
“First published” means the first year the spelling appears in the national public male-name file with at least five occurrences. Earlier use below the privacy threshold cannot be measured from this archive.
A fast rise does not always mean a name is common
A name can jump hundreds of places and still remain outside the Top 1,000. Rank movement needs to be read beside the actual number of births.
One year is a signal, not a guarantee
A single jump can be temporary. We treat 2024 to 2025 movement as a current snapshot rather than proof that a name will keep climbing.
Rising names may feel less rare soon
If you want a name that is unlikely to become familiar quickly, a strong upward move is worth noticing. If you simply love the name, the trend may not matter at all.
Build a shortlist before you rank it
Save the names that make you stop for a second. After you have five to ten, compare sound, initials, likely nicknames and current popularity. A smaller shortlist makes the differences much easier to hear.
Remember that national data is only one lens
A U.S. rank cannot measure family meaning, cultural fit or how common a name feels in your own community. Use the numbers for context, then give your personal reasons more weight.
Roscoe's pick
Stellan
Stellan is a good example of a polished uncommon name that gained noticeable ground in the latest data.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
Are these rare boy names rising in popularity in 2025 actually rare?
The style pages are editorial, but every name card also shows its exact-spelling 2025 U.S. count when SSA published one. Data-led pages use explicit thresholds or rank movement.
Does a missing 2025 count mean nobody used the name?
No. The national public file omits names recorded fewer than five times for a sex in a year, so a missing count can mean zero or one to four births.
Should I avoid a name if it is rising?
Not necessarily. Popularity is only one part of choosing a name. If you love the sound, meaning or family connection, a rising rank may not change your decision.
Will the same name be equally rare outside the United States?
No. Popularity varies by country, region, language and community. The numbers on this site describe U.S. national data unless a page says otherwise.