Baby boy names that start with Q are particularly rare. We’ve gathered the best to give you some inspiration when naming your little one.
If you’ve made it all the way to the seventeenth letter of the alphabet, we’re guessing you’re looking for something unique for your new arrival.
Words starting with the letter Q are notoriously rare in English, as anyone involved in a game of Scrabble will tell you (especially if you don’t have access to a U).
That makes boy names that start with a Q a particularly distinctive choice.
Ready to explore these exclusive options? Lets’s dive in.
In this article: 📝
- Popular boy names that start with a Q
- What is a unique boy name that starts with a Q?
- What is the rarest baby boy name that starts with a Q?
Popular boy names that start with a Q
Only two boys names that start with Q made it onto our list of the top baby names of 2021.
- Quinn: This gender-neutral name works just as well for a girl or boy.
Quinn is Gaelic in origin and comes from the Irish surname O’Cuinn, meaning “descendant of Conn.” Conn means “leader” or “wisdom.” - Quentin: This name is the French version of a Latin first name Quintus /Quintinus, which means “fifth.”
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What is a unique boy name that starts with a Q?
Luckily, there are many q boy names that fit this bill.
Many come from Arabic and Gaelic roots, which could make them a good fit if you have connections to either of these origins.
And there are also many options from other parts of the world too.
Here’s what’s on offer.
- Qabil: This is an Arabic name meaning “acceptor.” According to the Qur’an, Qabil was the son of the first human beings, Adam and Hawah (Eve).
- Qadim: This boy’s name is Arabic in origin and means “ancient.” This is the less well-known spelling — you’re more likely to see it as Kadeem.
- Qaiser: Did you know that Qaser is the Arabic version of Caesar?
- Qasim: This one’s for a peanut that plays well with others. It’s an Arabic name meaning “charitable or “generous.”
- Qiao: This Mandarin name means “pretty,” “attractive,” or “handsome.”
- Qing Yuan: Another Mandarin name meaning “deep water” or “clear spring.”
- Qinglong. This Chinese name is made of two parts: qing means “blue, green” and long means “dragon.”
- Quade: This boy’s name comes from an Irish Gaelic surname O Uaid, meaning “son of Uaid.” Uaid itself means “powerful ruler.”
- Quadir: This mighty name means “strong” or “powerful” in Arabic.
- Quamir: Maybe your little one had a late night birth? This Arabic name means “moon.” It’s a variation of the name Qamar.
- Quanah: This is a Native American (Comanche) name meaning “fragrant” or “sweet smelling.” An alternative spelling is Quana which could also be a variation of the Hawaiian name, Kiana.
- Quant: An English surname, this name likely comes from the Old French, and means “knowing” or “clever.” It may have started out as a nickname for someone who had these qualities.
- Quany: This Scottish name means “proud.”
- Quenby: From its English roots, this royal name means “from the queen’s manor.”
- Quest: This interesting name comes from the Latin or Old French words for “search.” Consider it for an adventurous little boy.
- Quill: This name is an anglicized version of the Irish surname O’ Cuill, meaning son of Cuill. Cuill means “wood” or “forest.”
- Quiller: With its Old English origin, it’s not hard to see how this name relates to the occupation of being a scribe.
- Quillon: Quillon is the name of part of the crossguard on a sword. This name is French in origin.
- Quilo: We all know Achilles, the legendary Greek hero who fought and died at the Battle of Troy. Quilo is a variation of his name. And from Roman mythology, Quilo refers to the north wind.
- Quirijn: If you’re looking for a Dutch boy’s name that starts with q, this may be just what you’re after. It means “spear.”
- Qulaetaqa: Another lovely Native American (Hopi) name meaning “guardian of the people.”
- Quennel: This is a very cute name for your little one. It’s French in origin and means “from the little oak tree.”
- Quenton: A variation of Quentin, meaning “fifth.”
- Quesnel: This name has the same meaning as Quennel — “from the little oak tree.” Interestingly, it has the same pronunciation too. Another fun fact? It’s also the name of a city in British Columbia, Canada.
- Quim: A Portuguese name meaning “established by God.” It can also be a shortened form of Jaoquim, the Portuguese version of Joachim.
- Quin: Variation of Quinn. Like Quinn, this name is unisex and is steeped in wisdom.
- Quincy: Quincy was originally an English surname of Norman origin, meaning “fifth son’s estate.” It can also be spelled, Quincey.
- Quinlan: Quinlan comes from the Irish Gaelic name O Coainlean which means “son of Caoinlean.” Caionlean itself means “slender” or “well-formed.”
- Quinten: Variation of Quentin. Yep, you guessed it — it means “fifth.”
- Quintin: Lots of variations of Quentin in this list. Choose your own adventure when it comes to your preferred spelling.
- Quinton: Quinton comes from two old English words, cwen (meaning queen) and tun (meaning farmstead, estate, or settlement). It’s used as a place name and as a surname in French. It could also be a variation of Quentin, with the same Latin origin meaning “fifth.”
- Quique. This is the shortened version of the Spanish name Enrique, which means “ruler of the home.”
- Quito: This Spanish name means “fifth.” It’s also the capital city of Ecuador.
- Quý: From its Vietnamese origins, this sweet name means “precious” or “valuable.”
What is the rarest baby boy name that starts with a Q?
Many Q names for boys are pretty rare.
But we think the unusual pronunciation of this one gives it a particularly unique edge
- Quantrell: Quantrell is one of many last names beginning with Q that has, over time, become a first name. It’s Norman in origin and is thought to come from the Old French for “a small bell” or “the little singer.”
Either way, it has a musical ring to it.
So there you have it — our favorite baby boy names that start with Q from all over the world.
Enjoy picking one for your new baby! Exciting times ahead.
And if you’d like to toss some ideas around with other mamas, join us on Peanut.
As an expert in baby names, I am here to provide you with information about baby boy names that start with the letter Q. Baby names that begin with Q are particularly rare, making them a distinctive choice for parents looking for something unique for their little one.
In the English language, words starting with the letter Q are notoriously scarce, as any Scrabble enthusiast can attest, especially if they don't have access to the letter U. However, despite their rarity, there are still some great options for baby boy names that start with Q.
Let's start with the popular boy names that begin with Q. In our list of the top baby names of 2021, only two names made the cut:
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Quinn: This gender-neutral name is of Gaelic origin and stems from the Irish surname O'Cuinn, meaning "descendant of Conn." Conn translates to "leader" or "wisdom." Quinn works equally well for both boys and girls.
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Quentin: This name has French origins and is the French version of the Latin first name Quintus or Quintinus, which means "fifth."
If you're looking for a unique boy name that starts with Q, there are several options to consider. Many Q names have roots in Arabic and Gaelic, making them a good fit if you have connections to these origins. Here are some unique Q names:
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Qabil: An Arabic name that means "acceptor." According to the Qur'an, Qabil was the son of the first human beings, Adam and Hawah (Eve).
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Qadim: This Arabic name means "ancient," although it is more commonly spelled as Kadeem.
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Qaiser: The Arabic version of the name Caesar.
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Qasim: An Arabic name that means "charitable" or "generous," suitable for a little one who plays well with others.
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Qiao: A Mandarin name that means "pretty," "attractive," or "handsome."
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Qing Yuan: Another Mandarin name that translates to "deep water" or "clear spring."
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Qinglong: This Chinese name combines "qing," meaning "blue" or "green," with "long," which means "dragon."
These are just a few examples, but there are many more unique boy names that start with Q from various parts of the world.
Now, onto the rarest baby boy name that starts with Q. While many Q names for boys are pretty rare, one particular name stands out:
Quantrell: This name, which is of Norman origin, is derived from a last name beginning with Q that has evolved into a first name over time. It is believed to come from the Old French for "a small bell" or "the little singer." Quantrell has a distinct pronunciation that sets it apart and gives it a particularly unique edge.
In conclusion, baby boy names that start with Q are rare and distinctive choices for parents. Whether you prefer popular names like Quinn and Quentin, or unique options like Qabil and Quantrell, there are plenty of Q names to consider for your little one. Enjoy the process of choosing a name and the exciting times ahead with your new baby! And if you'd like to connect with other parents and exchange ideas, I invite you to join us on Peanut, a platform where you can engage with other mamas.
