Names to add to your shortlist
Axton
Sleek and futuristic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
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
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 16 births · #5,656Peak: 2022 · 27 births
Ender
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
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
Short on tradition but strong on style, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 797 births · #402Peak: 2024 · 870 births
Neo
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 204 births · #1,066Peak: 2022 · 240 births
Orion
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 1,012 births · #334Peak: 2018 · 1,152 births
Phoenix
Sleek and futuristic, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 1,027 births · #329Peak: 2020 · 1,534 births
Ripley
Short on tradition but strong on style, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
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
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 17 births · #5,572Peak: 2018 · 63 births
Sol
Sleek and futuristic, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
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
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 151 births · #1,295Peak: 2017 · 421 births
Zephyr
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 169 births · #1,203Peak: 2022 · 195 births
Caius
Sleek and futuristic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 254 births · #927Peak: 2025 · 254 births
Cosmo
Short on tradition but strong on style, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
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
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 45 births · #2,809Peak: 2022 · 57 births
Jett
Sleek and futuristic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 2,167 births · #169Peak: 2024 · 2,227 births
Mars
Short on tradition but strong on style, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
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
Modern enough to feel cinematic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 35 births · #3,361Peak: 2019 · 63 births
Rex
Sleek and futuristic, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 281 births · #859Peak: 1951 · 1,503 births
Sirius
Short on tradition but strong on style, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 33 births · #3,500Peak: 2022 · 61 births
Sterling
A space-age choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
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
Sleek and futuristic, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 2,496 births · #142Peak: 2023 · 2,889 births
Korben
Short on tradition but strong on style, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
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.
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
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 these rare sci-fi boy names with futuristic energy 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.