Names to add to your shortlist
Ajax
Ajax recorded 36 U.S. births in 2025 at #3,243, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 36 births · #3,243Peak: 2023 · 45 births
Alaric
Alaric recorded 205 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,063, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 205 births · #1,063Peak: 2020 · 279 births
Anders
Anders recorded 232 U.S. births in 2025 at #984; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 232 births · #984Peak: 2014 · 316 births
Blaise
Blaise recorded 213 U.S. births in 2025 at #1,038, keeping this exact spelling well beyond the most-used 1,000 boy names.
2025 U.S.: 213 births · #1,038Peak: 2015 · 283 births
Boaz
Boaz reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 268 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 268 births · #891Peak: 2025 · 268 births
Conrad
Conrad reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 770 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 770 births · #417Peak: 2025 · 770 births
Dax
Dax recorded 393 U.S. births in 2025 at #692; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 393 births · #692Peak: 2019 · 749 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
Fergus
Fergus had just 19 published U.S. births in 2025 at #5,092, putting this exact spelling deep into rare-name territory.
2025 U.S.: 19 births · #5,092Peak: 2024 · 24 births
Gunnar
Strong in sound without being overdone, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 462 births · #612Peak: 2015 · 825 births
Idris
Idris reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 391 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 391 births · #694Peak: 2025 · 391 births
Magnus
Magnus recorded 337 U.S. births in 2025 at #765; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 337 births · #765Peak: 2021 · 354 births
Odin
Bold and direct, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 604 births · #502Peak: 2022 · 1,023 births
Osric
Strong in sound without being overdone, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 10 births · #8,069Peak: 2015 · 10 births
Rocco
Rocco recorded 679 U.S. births in 2025 at #459; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 679 births · #459Peak: 2009 · 785 births
Samson
Samson reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 639 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 639 births · #477Peak: 2025 · 639 births
Stellan
Stellan reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 186 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 186 births · #1,140Peak: 2025 · 186 births
Torin
Strong in sound without being overdone, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 140 births · #1,350Peak: 2018 · 210 births
Valor
Valor reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 159 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 159 births · #1,254Peak: 2025 · 159 births
Vaughn
Vaughn has a much stronger historical footprint than its current use: 374 births at its 1949 peak versus 183 in 2025.
2025 U.S.: 183 births · #1,153Peak: 1949 · 374 births
Viggo
Viggo reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 97 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 97 births · #1,697Peak: 2025 · 97 births
Zane
Zane recorded 1,051 U.S. births in 2025 at #324; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 1,051 births · #324Peak: 2018 · 2,033 births
Bram
Confident and uncommon, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 56 births · #2,422Peak: 2016 · 72 births
Caius
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 254 births · #927Peak: 2025 · 254 births
Cassian
Cassian reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 633 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 633 births · #479Peak: 2025 · 633 births
Cormac
Strong in sound without being overdone, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 150 births · #1,298Peak: 2014 · 196 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
Rhodes
Rhodes reached its highest published U.S. count in 2025 with 511 births, so this uncommon spelling is currently at a historical high.
2025 U.S.: 511 births · #575Peak: 2025 · 511 births
Stone
Stone recorded 258 U.S. births in 2025 at #916; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 258 births · #916Peak: 1999 · 288 births
Wilder
Wilder recorded 743 U.S. births in 2025 at #431; it is distinctive, although not among the statistically rarest choices on the site.
2025 U.S.: 743 births · #431Peak: 2021 · 890 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.
Strength is a style, not a rule
A strong name can sound compact and direct or long and historical. We are describing the impression of the sound, not making claims about the person who will carry it.
Hard consonants change the feel
Bram, Dax, Rex and Vaughn have a different kind of force than Evander or Magnus. Say the names aloud to find the type of strength that fits your taste.
Avoid choosing only for image
A name still has to feel natural in your family once the bold first impression wears off. Meaning, history and personal connection can make the final choice more durable.
Roscoe's pick
Magnus
Magnus has a broad, confident sound and remains uncommon enough to feel distinctive.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
Are rare strong 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.