Rare Baby Names
If you want a name that stands out, rare names are where to look. These are names you will not hear shouted across every playground. They might be historical names that fell out of fashion, names from lesser-known cultures, or simply beautiful words that never quite made it into the mainstream.
Rare does not have to mean strange. Names like Ottilie, Cassius, Elowen and Rafferty are all rare by the numbers, but they sound perfectly natural and are easy enough to spell. The best rare names feel like a discovery rather than an invention.
Browse our collection of rare names below. Each includes its meaning, origin and a popularity score so you know just how uncommon it really is.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is rare?
We classify a name as rare when it falls outside the top 500 in major naming databases. Some of the names here are given to fewer than 50 babies a year in the UK or US.
Will my child struggle with a rare name?
It depends on the name. A rare name that is easy to spell and pronounce, like Cassia or Emeric, rarely causes issues. If a name requires constant spelling corrections, that is worth considering.
Where do rare baby names come from?
Many are historical names that fell out of common use. Others come from cultures and languages that are underrepresented in English-speaking naming charts. Some are literary or mythological names that never crossed into everyday use.