Are you looking for a baby name that’s found off the beaten path? Consider the letter that gets the least amount of play as a first initial from new parents, U. For baby boys, U names account for only three of the US top 1000 most popular baby names for boys. Just three! This means that if you want a remarkable name for your son that stands out and makes an impression, choosing a name beginning with U is going to be a very safe bet.
We decided to take a deep dive into the shallow pool of U names for boys out there to discover which baby names could make for the best appellations for new parents today. On this list of names, you will find monikers that run from established classics to more contemporary possibilities. You will find refreshing options that are only found on the most adventurous baby names lists. Here are 25 baby names for boys that start with U that are undeniably unique and most unusual.
25. Uwe
You might be more familiar with the Scandinavian cousin of this name Ove, but Uwe is the West Frisian form comprised of Germanic elements which mean “sharp sword.” Uwe was rare in the United States, but it was used by new parents from the 1930s to the 1960s. This baby name is pronounced OO-vuh. Get adventurous!
24. Uther
King Uther Pendragon was a legendary noble and father of King Arthur of Arthurian legend. The name has Welsh origins and it can mean “marvelous,” “cruel,” or “dragon’s head.” This name is scarcely known in the US and rare in the UK today.
23. Usman
Understood to be the Urdu variation of the Arabic name Uthman, Usman means “a busterd bird” or “chosen one.” The name is a top 1000 choice for boys in the UK but you will not find it often here in the US. Of course, this name and its various forms and spelling can be found across the Middle East.
22. Ulric
Ulric is a boy’s name of English origin meaning “wealthy, powerful ruler.” The UL-sound does not appeal to many American ears but Ulric and alternative spelling, Ulrik is popular in Europe especially in Norway today.
21. Urban
In the New Testament, Urban is an active member of the Christian church in Rome. Thus, the Italian form of this name, Urbano is popular in Italy today. In the US, Urban was a very popular choice at the beginning of the 20th century reaching as high as the top 500 in 1894. Urban has Latin origins and it means “of the city.” This vintage pick is ripe for a renaissance.
20. Ulf
Ulf Svante von Euler is a Swedish physiologist and winner of the Pulitzer Prize. This baby name might look very bizarre to American parents but it is common across Scandinavia. With Swedish origins, this name means “wolf.”
19. Umar
A possible alternative to the more popular name, Omar. Umar was the 280th most popular name for newborn boys in the UK last year. You will also find this name across the Middle East. Umar has Arabic origins and it means “thriving.”
18. Umberto
An improvement over the English name Humbert, Umberto is one of our favorite names for boys on this list. Umberto is, of course, Italian and it means “renowned warrior.” For fans of semiotics, semiotician Umberto Eco would be a worthy inspiration. This baby name is hard to find outside of Italian communities but we feel it holds a lot of promise for new parents.
17. Ulan
Ulan is a boy’s name of Twi origin meaning “firstborn twin.” You will be hard-pressed to find this baby name outside of Sudan, but we absolutely love this name for a boy. Even if he is not a twin, we think this moniker would uniquely honor your heritage.
16. Ulesi
Ulesi is a Latin form of the Greek name Odysseus. He was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey. The name means “wrathful.” Ulesi is related to another baby name you might be more familiar with which we will share with you next!
15. Ulysses
Ulysses is the more established form of this name that has a long history in the US. Baby naming record data only started in 1880 in the US and, in that year, Ulysses was the most popular it has been sitting firmly in the top 500. It slowly, and we do mean slowly, declined over the years before finally falling out of the US top 1000 in 2005. Although the name had a good run, we think it should come back as it belonged to an American hero and a US President.
14. Upton
Upton has never appeared in the US top 1000 names for boys. However, the name is currently trending on baby databases like BabyNames.com and Nameberry. This means we will likely hear much more of this name in the coming years. Upton is a surname-name that has English origins and means “upper town.” Famously, muckraker Upton Sinclair put this name on the map after he published The Jungle in 1906.
13. Umed
Here’s a name you will not often find outside of India, Umed. Umed is a beautiful option that means “hope.” Who couldn’t use a little bit more of that? Parents are after hopeful baby names right now and this one could be perfect!
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12. Ushi
Ushi is a boy’s name of Chinese origin meaning “the ox.” n China, the ox represents patience and perseverance, a worthy combination. Ushi has not taken off in the US and perhaps that’s because it sounds an awful lot like one of our favorite culinary imports from Japan, sushi.
11. Utah
The name Utah is said to come from the name of the Ute tribe, meaning “people of the mountains.” However, no such word really exists in the Utes’ language, and the Utes refer to themselves as Noochee. The meaning of Utes as “the mountain people” has been associated with the neighboring Pueblo Indians, as well as with the Apache word Yuttahih, which means “one that is higher up.” Utah is a great place-name that we could see taking off in the years to come.
10. Uduak
Pronounced oo-do-AHK, Uduak will probably seem exotic to people not familiar with the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria. Uduak is a playful-sounding name that might prove a challenge for some American parents but not a dealbreaker! This baby name means “will” or “desire.”
9. Uilleam
Does Uilleam look strangely familiar to you? It should! It a Scottish form of William which is pronounced WIL-lem. This name is scarcely heard today even in its land of origin but we see the potential for it with parents who want to honor their Scottish heritage. Like William, Uilleam also means “resolute protector.”
8. Urson
The name Orson was mildly popular in the US until 1901. Even rarer was its cousin Urson. It’s the English variation of Orson which can be attributed to both Latin and English. This distinctive charmer means “bear cub.”
7. Uzochi
Uzochi is an Igbo name derived from the components uzo, meaning “road” or “way,” and Chi, referring to “God.” Uzochi is most frequently used in Nigeria. For parents with Igboland heritage, this would be the perfect U baby name choice!
6. Uday
Uday is an Indian masculine name derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “rise.” You will also find the name in Arabic tradition with variants Odai, Oday, Ouday, or Uda all come from the same root which means “one who runs fast.”
5. Usher
Usher, the singer, is the fourth Usher Raymond in his family. Usher very well could start a fad and set this rare English and French name on a path to popularity. This occupational baby name means “doorkeeper.”
4. Uziah
One of the most unusual of the biblical iah-options, Uziah was a long-reigning king of Judea, and just might appeal to the parent looking for a unique Old Testament choice. You will sometimes find this name spelled with two Z’s and it’s dealer’s choice! Uziah has Hebrew origins and it means “Jehovah is my strength.”
3. Uriel
Another Hebrew option is found in Uriel. Uriel is a fantastic name that’s been popular in the US since 1985. Today, it is more popular than ever before and it is now in the US top 500. The only caution we want to share is that this name sounds an awful lot like “urinal” so, do with that what you will. Parents can also opt to go for the shortened form of this name, Uri. Both mean “God is my light.”
2. Urijah
Biblically, Urijah was a prophet mentioned in the book of Jeremiah. It is a spelling variation of Uriah which does not have the best sound. Urijah is an established name in the US now and it has appeared in the US top 1000 from 2008-2016. Its root origin is the same as Uriel and Uri. Of the three, Uriel is currently the most popular.
RELATED: 25 Underappreciated Baby Names for Girls That Start with U
1. Ugo
Ugo is very common in Italy and it is the preferred Spanish and Italian form of the name Hugh. Hugh actually comes from German origins that mean “mind” or “intellect.” While Hugh is hugely popular, you won’t find Ugo in the top 1000 in the US. We would absolutely love to hear more of this jocular and electric name.
There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these rare baby names for boys starting with U. After all, this is the least popular first initial. Uriel, Uriah, and Ulises are the only three U-names for boys currently in the top 1000. So, if you are looking to take a walk on the wild side go ahead and choose one of these colorful options!
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