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
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 21 births · #4,734Peak: 2016 · 29 births
Evander
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 389 births · #698Peak: 2025 · 389 births
Hector
Legendary in feel, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 779 births · #409Peak: 2005 · 2,458 births
Leander
Ancient in inspiration, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 122 births · #1,463Peak: 2025 · 122 births
Linus
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 82 births · #1,913Peak: 2017 · 166 births
Nestor
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 113 births · #1,535Peak: 1991 · 300 births
Odin
Legendary in feel, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 604 births · #502Peak: 2022 · 1,023 births
Osiris
Ancient in inspiration, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 200 births · #1,077Peak: 2020 · 244 births
Perseus
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 168 births · #1,210Peak: 2025 · 168 births
Pollux
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 5 births · #13,410Peak: 2015 · 7 births
Remus
Legendary in feel, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 16 births · #5,789Peak: 2019 · 28 births
Romulus
Ancient in inspiration, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 23 births · #4,510Peak: 2024 · 31 births
Theron
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 55 births · #2,474Peak: 1966 · 180 births
Triton
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 21 births · #4,845Peak: 2015 · 89 births
Ulysses
Legendary in feel, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 169 births · #1,201Peak: 1999 · 272 births
Zephyr
Ancient in inspiration, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 169 births · #1,203Peak: 2022 · 195 births
Apollo
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 708 births · #445Peak: 2022 · 820 births
Caius
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
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
Ancient in inspiration, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 146 births · #1,324Peak: 2025 · 146 births
Galen
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 23 births · #4,442Peak: 1949 · 433 births
Helios
A story-rich choice with strong presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
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
Ancient in inspiration, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 1,012 births · #334Peak: 2018 · 1,152 births
Phoenix
Bold without losing its identity as a name, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
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
Legendary in feel, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 140 births · #1,351Peak: 2024 · 205 births
Atlas
Ancient in inspiration, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
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.
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
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 these rare mythological boy names with legendary roots 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.