Names to add to your shortlist
Axton
Axton recorded 262 U.S. births in 2025 at #906; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 262 births · #906Peak: 2021 · 464 births
Cassian
Short on tradition but strong on style, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 633 births · #479Peak: 2025 · 633 births
Cypher
Cypher had just 16 published U.S. births in 2025 at #5,656, putting this exact spelling deep into rare-name territory.
2025 U.S.: 16 births · #5,656Peak: 2022 · 27 births
Ender
Ender recorded 93 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,745, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 93 births · #1,745Peak: 2022 · 153 births
Kepler
Sleek and futuristic, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 25 births · #4,195Peak: 2016 · 42 births
Kylo
Kylo recorded 797 U.S. births in 2025 at #402; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 797 births · #402Peak: 2024 · 870 births
Neo
Neo recorded 204 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,066, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 204 births · #1,066Peak: 2022 · 240 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
Ripley
Ripley reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 156 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 156 births · #1,266Peak: 2025 · 156 births
Ryker
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 2,003 births · #183Peak: 2018 · 3,247 births
Sagan
Sagan had just 17 published U.S. births in 2025 at #5,572, putting this exact spelling deep into rare-name territory.
2025 U.S.: 17 births · #5,572Peak: 2018 · 63 births
Sol
Sol recorded 184 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,151, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 184 births · #1,151Peak: 1918 · 321 births
Stellan
Short on tradition but strong on style, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 186 births · #1,140Peak: 2025 · 186 births
Titan
Titan recorded 151 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,295, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 151 births · #1,295Peak: 2017 · 421 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
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
Cosmo
Cosmo recorded 80 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,934, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 80 births · #1,934Peak: 2022 · 99 births
Dax
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 393 births · #692Peak: 2019 · 749 births
Echo
Echo recorded 45 U.S. births in 2025 at #2,809, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 45 births · #2,809Peak: 2022 · 57 births
Jett
Jett recorded 2,167 U.S. births in 2025 at #169; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 2,167 births · #169Peak: 2024 · 2,227 births
Mars
Mars recorded 105 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,615, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 105 births · #1,615Peak: 2023 · 154 births
Onyx
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 881 births · #365Peak: 2023 · 1,079 births
Quill
Quill recorded 35 U.S. births in 2025 at #3,361, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 35 births · #3,361Peak: 2019 · 63 births
Rex
Rex has a much stronger historical footprint than its current use: 1,503 births at its 1951 peak versus 281 in 2025.
2025 U.S.: 281 births · #859Peak: 1951 · 1,503 births
Sirius
Sirius recorded 33 U.S. births in 2025 at #3,500, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 33 births · #3,500Peak: 2022 · 61 births
Sterling
Sterling reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 944 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 944 births · #346Peak: 2025 · 944 births
Vale
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 16 births · #5,831Peak: 2025 · 16 births
Zion
Zion recorded 2,496 U.S. births in 2025 at #142; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 2,496 births · #142Peak: 2023 · 2,889 births
Korben
Korben recorded 38 U.S. births in 2025 at #3,167, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 38 births · #3,167Peak: 2013 · 129 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.
Futuristic does not require an invented spelling
A short established name can sound more futuristic than a complicated new construction. Neo, Sol and Cassian all create a modern image in different ways.
Pop culture can change fast
A name tied closely to one franchise may feel current now and dated later. Consider whether you like the sound independently of the reference.
Use rarity data as a reality check
Science-fiction style can make a name feel unusual even when thousands of families are using it. Current counts show what is actually happening beyond the impression.
Roscoe's pick
Cassian
Cassian feels sleek and cinematic, but it also has enough naming history to stand apart from any one modern reference.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
Are rare sci-fi 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.