Names to add to your shortlist
Ajax
Bold and direct, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 36 births · #3,243Peak: 2023 · 45 births
Alaric
Strong in sound without being overdone, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 205 births · #1,063Peak: 2020 · 279 births
Anders
Confident and uncommon, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 232 births · #984Peak: 2014 · 316 births
Blaise
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 213 births · #1,038Peak: 2015 · 283 births
Boaz
Bold and direct, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 268 births · #891Peak: 2025 · 268 births
Conrad
Strong in sound without being overdone, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 770 births · #417Peak: 2025 · 770 births
Dax
Confident and uncommon, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 393 births · #692Peak: 2019 · 749 births
Evander
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 389 births · #698Peak: 2025 · 389 births
Fergus
Bold and direct, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
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
Confident and uncommon, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 391 births · #694Peak: 2025 · 391 births
Magnus
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
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
Confident and uncommon, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 679 births · #459Peak: 2009 · 785 births
Samson
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 639 births · #477Peak: 2025 · 639 births
Stellan
Bold and direct, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
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
Confident and uncommon, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 159 births · #1,254Peak: 2025 · 159 births
Vaughn
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 183 births · #1,153Peak: 1949 · 374 births
Viggo
Bold and direct, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 97 births · #1,697Peak: 2025 · 97 births
Zane
Strong in sound without being overdone, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
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
Bold and direct, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
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
Confident and uncommon, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 281 births · #859Peak: 1951 · 1,503 births
Rhodes
A sturdy choice with plenty of presence, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 511 births · #575Peak: 2025 · 511 births
Stone
Bold and direct, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 258 births · #916Peak: 1999 · 288 births
Wilder
Strong in sound without being overdone, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
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.
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
Magnus
Magnus has a broad, confident sound and remains uncommon enough to feel distinctive.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
Are these rare strong boy names feel bold, not overdone 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.