25 Truly Unique Catholic Baby Names for Boys

If you grew up in a tradition of faith, you know that choosing a name for your baby presents you with many options to remain true to it. Picking a name for your child is the first decision in a long sequence of them followed by choosing godparents and then planning a meaningful baptism. There are countless Catholic baby names to choose from, but finding the perfect one can seem like a chore. We urge you to truly meditate on the name and who it belonged to which often gives the name its meaning.

Not too long ago, Catholic Church Canon Law dictated that all children must be named for saints. That’s no longer the case, but you will find many names on this list that belonged to them. This widens the pool of acceptable baby names for you to consider, which may or may not be a good thing for you if you’re having difficulty settling on one. Fear not! We’re here to help and we’ve combed through thousands of Christian names to bring you a concise list of 25 of our favorites. Here are 25 truly unique Catholic baby names for boys that are classic and traditional without sounding antiquated or out of touch.

25. Abel

Abel is a name that’s been popular in the US since record-keeping of the names began in 1880. Believe it or not, this vintage-sounding name is more favored today than ever before. It’s now a name you’ll find in the top 200. This beautiful Hebrew name means “breath.”

24. Ambrose

Ambrose was the name of one of the prominent doctors of the early Christian church, the fourth century St. Ambrose. It also belonged to one of the four famous Latin teachers of Christianity, who also developed the use of music in church services. Ambrose is a name with Latin origins that means “immortal.”  

23. Asher

Asher was a name that was virtually unheard of in the US until the 1990s. It’s now a top 50 name and there’s no denying its charms. In the Bible, Asher was one of Jacob’s twelve sons who gave their names to the tribes of Israel. Asher is derived from the Hebrew word osher, which means “happiness.”

22. Beckett

You’d be wise to name your son after the martyr St. Thomas Beckett as the name is both strong and cute. Beckett made its first appearance on the popularity charts in 2005 and is now the 215th most popular name for boys. The name is of English origin meaning, “bee hive, little brook or bee cottage.”

21. Benedict

Benedict is the name of the saint who formed the Benedictine Order and of fifteen popes, including a recent one. The name was fairly popular in the US until the sixties when it fell from use. Let’s change that! This handsome Latin name means “blessed.” Could you ask for better?

20. Bosco

Rather than the typical and favored John, go with Bosco and assign your son the awesome patronage of St. John Bosco. He was a renowned educator who focused his energy on the poor and less fortunate. This Italian name has Latin origins and means “shrub.”

19. Constantine

The emperor who legalized Christianity and stopped the persecutions of the early Church in the Roman Empire, Constantine makes for good baby name inspiration. This handsome and romantic name means “steadfast.” The last time this name hit the charts was in the eighties which means it’s ripe for a comeback.

18. Cosmas

Cosmas was the name of an Arabian saint who was martyred with his twin brother Damian. They are the patron saints of physicians. The name Cosmas has Greek origins and means “order.” The name has never been featured in the top 1000 names in the US, but we think it’s due for a debut.

17. Cyrus

King Cyrus of Persia who freed the Israelites from the Babylonian exile and permitted them to return to Jerusalem. This name was long associated with bumpkins in the US, but that’s completely changed over the last thirty years. This gorgeous Persian name means “sun.”

16. Dermot

The name Dermot was borne by several early kings and a number of saints, as well as the legendary king of Tara. The name is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Diarmaid which means “free from envy.” You might be familiar with a regional diminutive of this name, Kermit. Dermot has never been in the top 1000 in the US.

15. Gabriel

Gabriel was derived from the Hebrew name Gavri’el, taken from the elements gever, meaning “strong,” and ’el, in reference to God. In Abrahamic religions, Gabriel is the archangel who heralded the news of Jesus’ birth and appears in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim texts. He presides over Paradise, serving as the angel of mercy, life, joy, judgment, truth, and dreams. This top 50 name is a true classic and a popular choice.

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14. Guy

The patron saint of comedians and dancers, also known as St Vitus, Guy is a mod cool name not often heard in the US today. The name has French origins and means “leader.”

13. Horace

Horace was a wildly popular name until the seventies. The name gained favor due to the Roman poet, Horace. This ancient Roman clan name means “timekeeper” and is related to the name Horatio.

12. Hugo

Hugo is especially appealing because it’s backed up by lots of solid history and European style. In the US, it’s a top 500 name, but across the pond it’s a much more widely used name. This Latin name is a form of Hugh and means “mind.”

11. Jerome

Without St. Jerome, Scripture may never have been translated from its original Greek. The saint is the patron saint of students. This classic name is a top 1000 pick and has been since record-keeping began. This Greek moniker means “sacred name.”

10. Jude

Saint Jude was the apostle who interceded for people with problems and became the patron saint of lost causes. Both Jude and its other form, Judah are top 200 names in the US. This classic Latin name means “praised.”

9. Linus

Linus was the name of the second pope, Saint Peter’s successor. This is just a name from Peanuts, the name has been in use since ancient Greece. This attractive name means “flax.” Unfortunately, this name has not seen favor in the US since the 1940s. Bring it back, parents!

8. Maurice

In the USA, Maurice was in the Top 200 for most of the 20th century; since 1990, however, it has been on a slow and steady fall. This Latin name is still in the top 1000, however. This name is French with Latin roots and means “moorish.”

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7. Rex

The Latin meaning of this name is “king,” so your son’s namesake could be Christ the King. The name is currently trending red hot and we foresee this name only growing in popularity due to the trendy and attractive “X” ending.

6. Simeon

Another son of Jacob, but also the prophet who foretells of Mary’s Sorrowful Heart, Simeon possessed a fabulous name. It has Hebrew origins and is the preferred Russian form of the name. This top 1000 name means “God is listening.”

5. Tobias

Tobias is the Greek form of the Hebrew Tobiah, which was derived from the name Toviyah. Toviyah was created from the elements tov, meaning “good” and yah, representing the Hebrew God. Tobias is the name of several biblical figures but is primarily associated with the story of Tobias and the Angel. This gorgeous name is more popular than ever.

4. Titus

Titus was the name of a Roman military commander who became Emperor. In the New Testament, Titus was a trusted companion of St. Paul, the recipient of one of his epistles. This Latin name is in the top 500 and means “title of honor.”

3. Ulysses

Ulysses hasn’t been popular in the US for the last forty years. We think that’s a shame! You’ll also find this name in Greek mythology as a hero. This serious name means “wrathful.”

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2. Virgil

Virgil is a name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who understood the earth was round. Unfortunately, this name has fallen off the charts! This classic name means “staff bearer.”

1. Xavier

Xavier started its use as a given name after Saint Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Jesuit order, who got his name from the Spanish-Basque village where he was born. His birthplace was Javier, the name of which was derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning “castle” or “new house.” It’s top 100 name and rightfully so!

There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these fabulous names and will consider using one of them for your son.