AHEAD: The ultimate list of exotic baby boy names.

If you’re looking for an exotic baby name for your son, you’re in the right place!

Below, you’ll find a huge list of over 100 exotic boy names along with their meanings and current popularity.

In compiling this list, I tried to give you lots of variety, keeping in mind that exoticness is totally subjective!

This is, in part, because there are multiple meanings and interpretations of the word exotic:

• of foreign origin or character;
• strikingly unusual / exquisitely unique;
• fresh, new, and cool; and
• relating to a tropical paradise.

Whether you prefer a name that’s totally unheard of (but cool), short and spicy, nature-inspired, spiritual, or somewhere in between, you’ll find it on this list!

Let’s dive in!

Related: Exotic Girl Names

Earthy exotic boy names

These exotic baby names are inspired by the earth, the sky, and the water.

If this isn’t your vibe, click here to jump ahead to the next category.

Caspian

• Name meaning: The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water.
• Popularity: #709

Indigo

• Name meaning: Blue or Indian dye.
• Popularity: This boho baby name isn’t ranking for either gender.

Ishaan

• Name meaning: The sun.
• Popularity: #857

Kamari or Kamar

• Name meaning: Like the moon.
• Popularity: Kamari ranks #391 for boys and #820 for girls. Kamar isn’t ranking.

Kanyon

• Name meaning: A gorge (usually with a river flowing through).
• Popularity: This K name isn’t ranking—and neither is the C version, Canyon.

Topaz

• Name meaning: Birthstone for the month of December.
• Popularity: This T name isn’t ranking for either gender.

Vihaan

• Name meaning: Sunrise.
• Popularity: #802

Zorin

• Name meaning: Golden dawn.
• Popularity: This Z name isn’t ranking.

Zyaire or Zaire or Zyair

• Name meaning: River.
• Popularity: Zyaire ranks #387, Zaire is #524, and Zyair is #765.

If you like these earthy exotic boy names you might also like this list of plant-inspired baby names, these tree-related names, or these bird names.

Short exotic boy names

These exotic names for boys are comprised of just 3 or 4 letters.

If short names aren’t your thing, click here to jump ahead to the next category.

Ciro

• Name meaning: Italian version of Cyrus, meaning sun.
• Popularity: This C name isn’t ranking.

Enea

• Name meaning: Italian version of the Greek name of a Roman mythological hero.
• Popularity: This Italian boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S.

Jad

• Name meaning: Generous. Kind-hearted. Serious.
• Popularity: #979

Jair

• Name meaning: He shines.
• Popularity: #945

Kai or Kye

• Name meaning: Sea.
• Popularity: For boys, Kai ranks #71 and Kye is #889. For girls, Kai is #770.

Koa

• Name meaning: Warrior.
• Popularity: #546

Kyro or Kairo

• Name meaning: Victorious. Cairo is the capital of Egypt.
• Popularity: Kairo ranks #755 and Kyro is #755. Cairo ranks #323.

Ibis

• Name meaning: A long-legged wading bird.
• Popularity: This exotic I name isn’t ranking.

Musa

• Name meaning: Arabic, Turkish, and Persian version of Moses, meaning to pull out of water.
• Popularity: #744

Neo

• Name meaning: New.
• Popularity: #980

Odin or Oden

• Name meaning: A god in Germanic mythology.
• Popularity: Odin ranks #327 and Oden isn’t ranking.

Onyx

• Name meaning: A layered black stone.
• Popularity: #406

Rio

• Name meaning: River. Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil.
• Popularity: #672

Rivo

• Name meaning: Stream.
• Popularity: This exotic R name isn’t ranking.

Yael

• Name meaning: A type of desert-dwelling goat. To ascend.
• Popularity: This baby name last ranked for boys in 2019.

Yani or Yanni

• Name meaning: God is gracious. He answers.
• Popularity: This exotic baby name isn’t ranking.

Yosi or Yoshi

• Name meaning: God shall add. Good luck. Righteous. Respectful.
• Popularity: Neither version of this name is ranking.

Zaid or Zayd

• Name meaning: To increase.
• Popularity: Zaid ranks #666 and Zayd is #803.

Zane or Zayn or Zayne or Zain

• Name meaning: God is gracious. Beauty and grace.
• Popularity: Zane ranks #238, Zayn is #281, and Zayne is #378, Zain is #588.

Zay

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: This short name isn’t ranking.

Zeus

• Name meaning: The sky and thunder god in ancient Greek mythology.
• Popularity: This 1-syllable boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Zev

• Name meaning: Wolf.
• Popularity: #996

Zion or Zyon

• Name meaning: Hill of Jerusalem.
• Popularity: Zion ranks #136 and Zyon is #938.

Zylo

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: This unusual name isn’t ranking.

If you like these short exotic boy names you might also like this list of 3-letter names or these 4-letter names.

Exotic boy names with unknown meanings

These exotic baby boy names either have unknown meanings—or they are modern invented ones.

If you prefer a name with a known meaning, click here to jump ahead to the next category.

Adrius

• Name meaning: Unknown meaning.
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Artéo

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: This A name isn’t ranking.

Dariel

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: #549

Davion or Davian

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: Davion ranks #899 and Davian is #1000.

Ermias

• Name meaning: Unknown meaning.
• Popularity: #814

Jakari

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: #816

Jamir

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: #577

Jaylen or Jalen

• Name meaning: Invented name that might mean calm or healing.
• Popularity: Jaylen is #318 and Jalen is #515.

Kylan or Kylen

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: Kylan ranks #572 and Kylen is #929.

Mekhi

• Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
• Popularity: #867

Zayden or Zaiden

• Name meaning: Invented name.
• Popularity: Zayden ranks #204 and Zaiden is #506.

If you like these mysterious exotic boy names you might also like this list of 2-syllable names for boys.

Spiritual exotic boy names

These exotic baby boy names have religious meanings and are of Hebrew origin.

Many are biblical and perfect for families of faith.

If this isn’t you, click here to jump ahead to the next category.

Abdiel

• Name meaning: Servant of God.
• Popularity: #639

Adriel

• Name meaning: Belonging to God.
• Popularity: #154

Azariah

• Name meaning: Helped by God.
• Popularity: #648

Aziel

• Name meaning: God is my strength.
• Popularity: #332

Eliel

• Name meaning: My God is God.
• Popularity: #852

Eliezer

• Name meaning: God has helped.
• Popularity: #978

Hezekiah

• Name meaning: Biblical name meaning God strengthens.
• Popularity: #571

Jaziel

• Name meaning: Made or allotted by God.
• Popularity: #543

Jedidiah

• Name meaning: Loved by God.
• Popularity: #807

Makai

• Name meaning: Who is like God.
• Popularity: #545

Misael

• Name meaning: Who is like God.
• Popularity: #815

Nehemiah

• Name meaning: God comforts.
• Popularity: #410

Yadiel

• Name meaning: Praising God or God has heard.
• Popularity: #977

Yahir

• Name meaning: He enlightens.
• Popularity: #906

Zachariah or Zechariah

• Name meaning: God has remembered.
• Popularity: Zachariah ranks #550 and Zechariah is #924.

If you like these spiritual exotic boy names you might also like this list of names for rainbow babies.

Mythical exotic boy names

These magical baby names have meanings inspired by mythology and works of fiction.

If this isn’t your vibe, click here to jump ahead to the next category.

Adonis

• Name meaning: A lover of the goddess Aphrodite in Greek mythology.
• Popularity: #223

Anakin

• Name meaning: An invented name from Star Wars.
• Popularity: #644

Apollo

• Name meaning: Destroyer. From Greek mythology. NASA’s Apollo program put the first people on the moon.
• Popularity: #400

Atreus

• Name meaning: Fearless. (Greek mythology name).
• Popularity: #633

Demetrius

• Name meaning: Devoted to the Greek goddess Demeter.
• Popularity: #832

Orion

• Name meaning: A giant in Greek mythology. A constellation of a hunter.
• Popularity: #314

Orpheus

• Name meaning: A musician, poet, and prophet in Greek mythology.
• Popularity: This exotic O name isn’t ranking.

Osiris

• Name meaning: Ancient Egyptian god of fertility, agriculture, and the afterlife.
• Popularity: #948

Phoenix

• Name meaning: A mythical bird that rises from the ashes and is born again.
• Popularity: This P name ranks #248 for boys and #308 for girls.

Taurus

• Name meaning: A constellation of a bull. From ancient Greek mythology.
• Popularity: This outer space name isn’t ranking.

Titan

• Name meaning: The largest moon of the planet Saturn. In Greek mythology, the Titans were the children of the deities Uranus (heaven) and Gaea (​earth).
• Popularity: #741

Triton

• Name meaning: God of the Sea. King Triton is a character in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: This royal boys’ name isn’t ranking.

If you like these fairytale exotic boy names you might also like this list of Greek boy names.

Rare exotic boy names

The following exotic names are super unusual and are perfect if you’re looking for a cool name that no one else has!

If you prefer a baby name that’s a bit more mainstream, click here to jump ahead to the next category.

Alaric

• Name meaning: Ruler.
• Popularity: #861

Alessio

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: This exotic boy’s name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but currently ranks #32 in Italy.

Bakari

• Name meaning: Hopeful. Noble oath. (This name brings to mind CNN commentator, Bakari Sellers).
• Popularity: This cool B name isn’t ranking.

Crimson

• Name meaning: Dark red.
• Popularity: This badass boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Cristiano

• Name meaning: Italian and Portuguese version of Christian.
• Popularity: This exotic name hasn’t ranked since 2018.

Croix

• Name meaning: Cross.
• Popularity: This French boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Cyprian

• Name meaning: Person of Cyprus.
• Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking.

Damari

• Name meaning: Might mean eternal or gentle.
• Popularity: #841

Damir

• Name meaning: Give peace or iron.
• Popularity: #886

Ephraim

• Name meaning: Fruitful or productive.
• Popularity: #978

Evander

• Name meaning: Good man. Also a South African town.
• Popularity: This E name isn’t ranking.

Idris

• Name meaning: Lord or studious.
• Popularity: #856

Jabari

• Name meaning: Brave or fearless.
• Popularity: #934

Niklaus

• Name meaning: People of victory.
• Popularity: #839

If you like these rare exotic boy names you might also like this list of 3-syllable names.

Exotic boy names of Spanish origin

Some of my favorite exotic baby names are of Spanish origin, so I’ve lumped them together in this batch below!

As you’ll see, all of them are ranked in the top 1000 in the U.S.

If Spanish names aren’t your thing, click here to jump ahead to the last batch of names.

Alonzo or Alonso

• Name meaning: Noble. Ready for battle.
• Popularity: Alonzo ranks #471 and Alonso is #777.

Alvaro

• Name meaning: Guardian.
• Popularity: #830

Armando

• Name meaning: Soldier.
• Popularity: #552

Benicio

• Name meaning: Blessed.
• Popularity: #794

Diego

• Name meaning: One who takes the place of another. Spanish version of James.
• Popularity: #126

Eliseo

• Name meaning: Italian and Spanish version of Elisha, meaning God is my salvation.
• Popularity: #833

Isaias

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Isaiah, meaning God is salvation.
• Popularity: #489

Ismael

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Ishmael, meaning God will hear.
• Popularity: #351

Jadiel

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Yadiel, meaning praise God or God has heard.
• Popularity: #891

Joaquin

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Joachim, meaning God has granted.
• Popularity: #308

Santiago

• Name meaning: Saint James. The capital and largest city of Chile.
• Popularity: #63

Santos

• Name meaning: Saint.
• Popularity: #854

If you like these Spanish exotic boy names you might also like this list of edgy names.

More exotic boy names

One last batch of exotic baby boy names coming at you now!

Aarav

• Name meaning: Wisdom. Peaceful.
• Popularity: #635

Alessandro

• Name meaning: Italian version of Alexander, meaning defender.
• Popularity: #609  FYI: Alessandro currently ranks #3 in Italy!

Ambrose

• Name meaning: Immortal or divine.
• Popularity: #671

Arjun

• Name meaning: White, clear, or silver.
• Popularity: #582

Arturo

• Name meaning: Bear-like.
• Popularity: #642

Dakari

• Name meaning: Happiness.
• Popularity: #773

Kenzo

• Name meaning: Wise. Healthy. Humble. Three.
• Popularity: #530

Khari

• Name meaning: Kingly.
• Popularity: #760

Leonidas

• Name meaning: Lion-like or son of a lion.
• Popularity: #448

Zakai

• Name meaning: Pure.
• Popularity: #783

Did you find an exotic boy name that you like?

If you haven’t, here are some more lists to peruse!

More baby names for boys:

• 235 Irish Boy Names for Modern American Babies
• 175 German Boy Names for Modern American Babies
• 250 Southern Boy Names: The Coolest Baby Names for 2023
• 60 Modern Nonbinary Names

​Final thoughts on exotic baby boy names

Choosing a baby name can be hard, especially if you want something unique and exotic.

It’s a challenge to find an original name with a lot of personality (that isn’t too far out there).

Hopefully, you’ve found some inspiration on this list of exotic boy names that come from all over the world.

Any one of these options will make your little one stand out from the crowd—in a good way!

Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect baby name for your son!

The source for popularity data is the SSA.

Exotic Boy Names