40 Rare Baby Names to Set Your Little One Apart

If you are looking for a rare baby name for your little love on the way, there are so many gorgeous options to sift through. Pulling inspiration from all over the world, with a heavy emphasis on exceptional meanings, we have assembled a list of some very rare baby names with lovely sounds and great potential.

Choosing a unique baby name for your child is all about personal preferences, cultural ties, and often fitting in with the names of your other children. We encourage you to consider branching out from the top 100 (or in many of these cases, the top 1,000!) names into unchartered baby name territory. Our list of the best rare names is a great place to start!

Rare Baby Boy Names

Argo: A handsome and cute rare baby boy name that comes from Greek mythology, belonging to a ship.

Baldwin: It is a grand-sounding and unique baby boy name from the German meaning 'brave friend,' and while you recognise it from the author James and the Hollywood brothers Alec et al., chances are you have not heard this one used for a first name among neighbourhood children.

Banyan: The Indian name translating to 'the god tree' is steeped in history and meaning, and very rarely given to American babies.  

Booker: It is adjacent in sound to more popular picks like Brooks and Baker, but we love this rarer name for boys—it is an English occupational surname meaning 'scribe.'

Breccan: This cheerful Irish name for boys means 'freckled' or 'speckled' and is reminiscent of the name of a popular Colorado ski town, Breckenridge.

Coltrane: The jazzy name you probably had not considered will definitely remind people of John Coltrane, the famed American saxophonist. Aside from being a jaunty music name, it is also a rarely heard Irish surname. (See more music-inspired baby names!)

Dune: Your little beach babe will grow beautifully into this cute nature name from the natural peaks that occur in the sand by the ocean.

Falconer: An occupational name meaning 'falcon trainer,' this rare baby name is profound and strong, yet definitely not often heard.  

Gannon: It sounds comfortable and familiar in a way, but this rare baby name has been given to just over 1,000 boys total since 1880. It is an Irish name meaning 'fair-haired' or 'fair-skinned.'

Hale: The English baby name meaning 'someone who lives in a hollow' is a unique rare baby boy name. 

Jericho: A strong and storied biblical name you will not hear often, which could make it the perfect pick for your little guy.

Leander: We love this name from Greek mythology meaning 'lion man.' It is in the top 400 in Norway, and its French version Leandre is popular in that country, but elsewhere it has great potential as a rare baby name choice for you!

Oberon: A gorgeous Shakespearean name with power and drive meaning 'noble, bearlike.' Only five babies out of every million born last year were given this rare gem. 

Pippin: This sweet-sounding boy name meaning 'awe-inspiring' with German roots also belongs to a type of apple. Between 1944 and 2019, only 24 Pippins were born throughout the US and Europe.

Rhodes: A rare baby name for boys with mixed European roots meaning 'where roses grow' that carries a scholarly feel. Rhodes was only given to 45 babies in its most popular recent year.

Rare Baby Girl Names

Ambrosia: It is as sweet as the little girl you might consider it for; the Greek mythology name meaning 'immortal' has dessert-y connotations to Americans. Only one dozen baby girls received this precious name in the most recent year it charted. 

Breeze: The English word name for a soft or more powerful gust of wind creates a lovely feel for a little one.

Caledonia: A cute rare baby girl name from the Latin meaning 'rocky or hard land,' it is as strong as the gritty girl you plan to raise and carries with it a slew of nickname options including Callie, Leddie, and Nia.  

Clea: This one might get some attention thanks to Clea Shearer, Netflix’s The Home Edit breakout star, but it is still very low ranking in terms of popularity and many find it unfamiliar. Clea is a literary name thought to be invented by Lawrence Durrell for his Alexandria Quartet. It means 'glory of the father.'

Delta: The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet also makes for a unique place name for baby girls as it belongs to the historical Mississippi Delta. The rare girl name meaning 'mouth of a river' from the Hebrew has not ranked in the top 100 in any country ever.

Ezlynn: A Sri Lankan name with possible shared Hebrew roots meaning 'lake of help' or 'one who resides by the river.'

Fauna: Disney fans will adore this quirky pick after one of Sleeping Beauty’s favourite fairies. It is more heard in conversation as part of a pair with Flora (relating to plants and animals), but is far less popular as a name choice than the other. Fauna was actually the Roman god of nature and animals, giving this rare pick something truly special for your little girl.

Glynnis: While Gwyneth and Gwen are slowly rising, this cuteness is in the old-fashioned camp that could be headed for a comeback but has not gotten there yet. Glynnis is an Irish name meaning 'glen' or narrow valley, with unexpected nature vibes and the adorable nickname options Glynnie or Lynnie.

Imara: The beautiful rare Swahili name meaning 'firm' is a perfect metaphor for your little girl: tough on the inside with a beautiful exterior. We love it, but it has not caught on in a big way yet. You would definitely get ahead of the trend with this unique choice! (See more African baby names!)

Jessamy: The Jessica trend faded in the 90’s, and Jasmine and Juniper are having a bit of a hayday, but this adjacent floral 'J' name for girls that means 'jasmine flower' is hardly ever used.

Lavinia: It is another old-school pick that we could not resist; with potential like Charlotte and Harper for softness and classic appeal but still distinctly unique, the ancient Latin place name could be a perfect rare baby name for your little girl.  

Orla: An Irish name meaning 'golden princess,' this one is picking up a tiny bit of speed in the UK but is virtually unknown in the US.

Persephone: The Greek mythology name is laden with lore, belonging to a daughter of Zeus. Its length and complexity offer up multiple nicknames including Pers, Persy, and Sepha, but in its own right it is a solid and pretty choice.

Riella: Unlike Brielle and Raina, this trendy-sounding baby girl name is virtually unheard of. Yet, with contemporary appeal and the meaning 'God is my strength,' it should definitely be a contender for those who like royal-sounding names that are not heard every day.  

Sabine: A French-sounding name that actually stems from an ancient tribe of Italians called Sabines, it has the same sort of short, chic, to-the-point feeling as Celeste or Simone.

Zosia: About as rare—and gorgeous!—as they come, the Polish name meaning 'wisdom' is actually a take on Sophia.

Rare Gender-Neutral Baby Names

Addax: This rare nature name for boys and girls also belongs to a white antelope in Africa, makes a beautiful choice for a little one.   

Bramble: A cute rare baby name with natural roots meaning 'blackberry shrub' is less heard than many in the same camp but makes a smart pick for a little boy or girl.

Cotton: Not popular by any means, but certainly familiar as a word, this rare gender-neutral baby name has softness and charm to consider.

Gable: Another word name, this one from the French, it is an architectural structure and also a solid yet rare gender-neutral baby name. 

Lapis: Hipster parents might reach for this Persian baby name referring to the blue stone; it is on trend for colour and gem names but not nearly as heard as Onyx or Pearl.  

Marble: We had to throw another stone in; like Lapis, it has got the natural meaning and visual connotation without the overused feeling.

Sea: Nature names are in, but some are more heard than others. If you are beach people, consider this lovely one-syllable choice for your baby boy or girl.

Tierney: The Irish gender-neutral name meaning 'descendant of a lord' has promise. It has got both aristocratic vibes and a cute sound.

Winsome: Unlike Winston or Winnie, the English word name meaning 'agreeable' or 'lighthearted' is very rare for both boys and girls, but could be perfect for yours.

Less Rare Baby Names…

Want something more mainstream? Check out our other favourite baby names:

• Celebrity Baby Names
• Baby Name Trends on the Rise
• Old-Fashioned Baby Names
• See All Baby Name Inspiration 

Planning for Baby? Be sure to check out SNOO Smart Sleeper and learn how it could aid sleep for the whole family!

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.