The Rarest Boy Names of 2023 Were Used Only Five Times Last Year

Since the 1800s, the U.S. Social Security Administration has kept careful baby name records, allowing us to see both the most and the least popular names every year. In 2023 (the most recent data), the most popular boy name in the United States was Liam, with nearly 21,000 babies given that name. But there’s also data on the rarest boy names of 2023: the ones used for no more than five babies. It’s an interesting list of monikers, to be sure. If you look closely, though, it contains some hidden gems that are still unique but not weird. If you want to name your little boy Lizardo or Moo, go for it — five other parents did! — but if you’re looking for the rarest boy names of 2023 that won’t raise eyebrows, read on.

Let it be known that we’re firm believers in using the baby name that you love, regardless of its level of popularity. Whether you want to name your baby boy Liam or Noah or something (much) lesser-used like Sherriff or Rood (yes, those are on the list too!), you should go forth with confidence — other people’s opinions be damned. If you had your heart set on a certain name, its popularity doesn’t matter … because in your eyes, your baby will be one in a million anyway.

Of the rarest boy names of 2023, these are the ones that caught our attention in a good way. Since they were used no more than five times last year, you can be sure of their uniqueness. If you’re looking for something memorable and distinctive, this list is for you!

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Andor

While many rare names tend to be invented and therefore have no discernible meaning, Andor is an actual name — from not one, but two countries! In Norwegian, the name means “eagle of Thor,” and in Hungarian, it’s a form of Andrew, meaning “manly.”

Arelio

This name probably stems from a very similar name — Aurelio — which comes from the Latin Aurelius, meaning “golden.” Though “gladiator” names are very much in vogue right now, Arelio is more subtle.

Bretton

This feels like a fresher and more modern take on Brett — which was formerly used as a surname, indicating someone who was a Breton (hailing from the Brittany region of France).

Calden

Calden is an invented name that doesn’t actually sound like one. Its proximity to names like Calder, Alden, and Caledon makes it feel familiar — but still unique.

Castian

The name Sebastian has been in the top 1000 names in the U.S. since the first decade of the 1900s (and at last count, was at its highest rank ever at #13). So Castian makes sense: it’s a variation of a popular sound, with the same prefix as Cassius or Cash.

Eleo

Eleo actually has a meaning — it’s a spelling variant of the name Elio, which is ultimately derived from the Greek name Helios. It means “sun” in Greek, and in Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun.

Endry

Endry could be an invented name — or it could be a variant of Andry, which itself comes from Andrik, said to stem from a combination of words meaning “manly” and “rich.”

Huckley

Huckley is an invented name, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t meaningful! It can be used as an homage to Mark Twain’s legendary literary character Huck Finn.

Indio

Sources agree that this is a male version of India, which is derived from the Indus River. And Indy is an adorable nickname possibility!

Merritt

Merritt comes from a surname meaning “boundary gate.” But it also sounds like the word “merit,” which means “worthiness or excellence.”

Ranen

With names like Canon gaining in popularity, why not Ranen? It combines familiar sounds into a new invented name, and gives “adventure-story-set-in-the-Middle-Ages” vibes.

Sev

Short and simple names are where it’s at: they’re uncomplicated, they’re easy to spell, and nobody will ever mispronounce them. Sev is one of those names — even though it was only used five times last year, we can see it increasing in popularity.

Takoa

If you’re looking for a unique name with Hawaiian flavor (and a longer name that can lead to the nickname Koa), check this one out. Its suffix, “-koa,” is Hawaiian for “warrior” or “soldier.”

Taro

Taro is a Japanese name made of a combination of kanji characters, meaning “great” and “son.” It’s another short but powerful pick!

Tomias

Perhaps a cross between Tomas and Tobias, Tomias is another invented name that comes from such familiar sounds that it doesn’t feel strange to hear. And it’s a unique way to get to the nickname Tommy if you don’t want to use the more-traditional Thomas.

Vero

Vero is said to be derived from the Latin word verus, meaning “true.” Vero Beach is also a popular destination in Florida — so this name could pay homage to beach life as well!

Werner

This name gives major “old money” vibes, doesn’t it? Werner comes from a combination of two Old German elements: warin, meaning “aware,” and heri, meaning “army.” And if you’re a fan of science (or the hit series Breaking Bad!) you might recognize it as the first name of famous German physicist Werner Heisenberg.

Zaide

If you’re looking for a distinctive name that starts with a distinctive letter, try Zaide on for size. It’s most likely a spelling variation of the Arabic name Zayd, meaning “to increase.”

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