Names to add to your shortlist
Ajax
Legendary in feel, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 36 births · #3,243Peak: 2023 · 45 births
Ares
Ancient in inspiration, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 1,157 births · #290Peak: 2025 · 1,157 births
Castor
Castor recorded 21 U.S. births in 2025 at #4,734, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 21 births · #4,734Peak: 2016 · 29 births
Evander
Evander reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 389 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 389 births · #698Peak: 2025 · 389 births
Hector
Hector recorded 779 U.S. births in 2025 at #409; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 779 births · #409Peak: 2005 · 2,458 births
Leander
Leander reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 122 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 122 births · #1,463Peak: 2025 · 122 births
Linus
Linus recorded 82 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,913, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 82 births · #1,913Peak: 2017 · 166 births
Nestor
Nestor recorded 113 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,535, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 113 births · #1,535Peak: 1991 · 300 births
Odin
Odin recorded 604 U.S. births in 2025 at #502; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 604 births · #502Peak: 2022 · 1,023 births
Osiris
Osiris recorded 200 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,077, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 200 births · #1,077Peak: 2020 · 244 births
Perseus
Perseus reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 168 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 168 births · #1,210Peak: 2025 · 168 births
Pollux
Pollux had just 5 published U.S. births in 2025 at #13,410, putting this exact spelling deep into rare-name territory.
2025 U.S.: 5 births · #13,410Peak: 2015 · 7 births
Remus
Remus had just 16 published U.S. births in 2025 at #5,789, putting this exact spelling deep into rare-name territory.
2025 U.S.: 16 births · #5,789Peak: 2019 · 28 births
Romulus
Romulus recorded 23 U.S. births in 2025 at #4,510, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 23 births · #4,510Peak: 2024 · 31 births
Theron
Theron recorded 55 U.S. births in 2025 at #2,474, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 55 births · #2,474Peak: 1966 · 180 births
Triton
Triton recorded 21 U.S. births in 2025 at #4,845, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 21 births · #4,845Peak: 2015 · 89 births
Ulysses
Ulysses recorded 169 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,201, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 169 births · #1,201Peak: 1999 · 272 births
Zephyr
Zephyr recorded 169 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,203, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 169 births · #1,203Peak: 2022 · 195 births
Apollo
Apollo recorded 708 U.S. births in 2025 at #445; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 708 births · #445Peak: 2022 · 820 births
Caius
Caius reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 254 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 254 births · #927Peak: 2025 · 254 births
Damon
Legendary in feel, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 604 births · #501Peak: 1976 · 2,453 births
Eros
Eros reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 146 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 146 births · #1,324Peak: 2025 · 146 births
Galen
Galen has a much stronger historical footprint than its current use: 433 births at its 1949 peak versus 23 in 2025.
2025 U.S.: 23 births · #4,442Peak: 1949 · 433 births
Helios
Helios reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 58 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 58 births · #2,367Peak: 2025 · 58 births
Icarus
Legendary in feel, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 21 births · #4,771Peak: 2025 · 21 births
Orion
Orion recorded 1,012 U.S. births in 2025 at #334; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 1,012 births · #334Peak: 2018 · 1,152 births
Phoenix
Phoenix recorded 1,027 U.S. births in 2025 at #329; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 1,027 births · #329Peak: 2020 · 1,534 births
Theseus
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 19 births · #5,181Peak: 2015 · 44 births
Zeus
Zeus recorded 140 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,351, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 140 births · #1,351Peak: 2024 · 205 births
Atlas
Atlas reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 4,413 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 4,413 births · #75Peak: 2025 · 4,413 births
The data line uses the exact spelling shown. “No published 2025 count” can mean the spelling had zero births or fewer than five, because SSA does not publish counts below five.
Learn the full story first
Mythological names can carry complicated stories as well as heroic ones. Read beyond the short definition before choosing a name because the character’s full legend may matter to you.
Some myth names have become mainstream
Names such as Atlas have risen far beyond niche mythology lists. If rarity is important, compare the style you love with the current count instead of assuming an ancient name is uncommon.
Pronunciation deserves attention
Older names can have several accepted pronunciations across languages. Choose the version you prefer and decide whether occasional correction would bother you.
Roscoe's pick
Evander
Evander has legendary roots, a strong sound and a gentler everyday feel than many overtly mythological choices.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
Are rare mythological boy names always statistically rare?
Not necessarily. Style and measurable popularity are different. Each name card shows the exact-spelling 2025 U.S. count when the Social Security Administration published one.
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. Sound, family meaning, cultural fit and how the full name works matter more than chasing the lowest possible rank.
Will the same name be equally rare outside the United States?
No. Popularity varies by country, region, language and community. The figures on this site describe U.S. national data unless a page says otherwise.