Meghan Trainor Just Revealed Her Baby’s Name and Fans Are Divided Over It: Let’s Take a Look at It and Similar Options

It’s no secret that baby names are often polarizing, and this is even truer when it comes to celebrities. Appellations chosen by celebrities undergo a unique degree of scrutiny, with fans either falling in love with a name or detesting it. On July 1, Meghan Trainor revealed the name she chose for her newest addition, a son, and folks think it sounds too “normal.”

“On July 1st (our 7-year anniversary of our first date) we welcomed Barry Bruce Trainor into the world,” the singer shared on Instagram and referenced her anniversary with Daryl Sabara. “He was a big boy at 8lbs 7oz…and sideways (transverse), but we had an amazing, successful c-section, and I finally got my skin-to-skin time! Thank you to all of the incredible doctors and nurses who took such great care of us,” she also said.

Fans Share Their Thoughts on the Name Barry

Barry is a name of Irish origin that means “spear.” The name became extremely popular in the US in the late 1930s and was a top 100 appellation from the ’30s through the ’60s. That makes the name a bit dated, and many would consider it an “old man’s name.” And, for the folks who voiced their disdain for it, that’s their main gripe.

Detractors Had This to Say

“Meghan Trainor named her baby Barry?! People called Barry aren’t born, they just spawn at 40 years old surely?” one person commented on the post.

“Meghan Trainor has just had a baby boy and she’s called him Barry… Did she give birth to a 52-year-old man from Bootle!?” another asked.

“Meghan Trainor has named her baby Barry and tbh I don’t think I’ll ever recover,” another shared.

More Baby Names Like Barry

The commentary is not all bad, however. Some folks described the appellation as “adorable” and “perfect.” We are in this camp and think that Barry has a charming, retro sound. If you agree, continue reading, We’ve got more names like Barry to share with you.

Vernon

Vernon reached its height of popularity for new parents in 1920 when it was a top 100 baby name. It slowly declined over the years before it fell off the US top 1000 baby names for boys in 2003. Vernon is an English surname-name that sounds very British and means “place of alders.” This will be a perfect choice if you’re after a distinguished and subtle nature name.

Sylvester

Sylvester was at its height in the 1920s, when it was in the top 200, and hung on in the lower rungs until 1994. Today, very few new parents are choosing this classic grandpa name. Sylvester is a name with Latin origins and it means “wood” or “forest.”

Winston

Winston became most popular in the US in the 1940s and 50s as a tribute to Winston Churchill. Surprisingly this vintage name has been on the rise over the last ten years, and it could see its most popular year ever in the next five years if trends hold. Winston is an English name that means “wine’s town.” Cheers!

Ulysses

Homeric hero Ulysses is the Latin variant of the Greek name Odysseus which means “wrathful.” The most popular year for the name in the US in recent memory was 1999, when it hit the 694th spot on the US top 1000. Since then, the name has practically fallen from use. The name of a celebrated novel by James Joyce, Ulysses, could act as a literary tribute or as a hero name inspired by Ulysses S. Grant.

Eugene

Eugene is a classic that has unfortunately lost its way. On the one hand, it’s a grandpa, even great-grandpa’s name that hasn’t been one of the cool kids recently. However, Eugene has had a long history of popularity as a top 50 name from 1880 to the 1940s. It is still a top 1000 baby name for boys, but it pales in comparison to its previous heights. British actor Billie Piper named her son Eugene Pip when he was born in 2012.

Amos

Amos is a robust biblical name that’s being discovered by a new generation of parents in a refreshing way. The name was exceedingly popular with Puritans, which could explain how the name lingered on and enjoyed its most popular year in 1880, the first year baby naming data was released by the US government. Amos has Hebrew origins and means “carried by God.”

Bertram

Bertram is an Old German name with Norman roots that means “bright raven.” This treasure was last fashionable in the 1930s as it was a favored vehicle to get to the nickname Bert. This old man’s name has not been popular at all since the 1960s, and we think that it is due for a renaissance.

Art

In Ireland, Art is used as a name on its own, separate from Arthur. There, the name comes from an ancient word for “a bear” and is used in the sense of “outstanding warrior” or “champion.” Art was a legendary Pagan High King of Ireland who was so brave that angels watched over him when he fought in battle. In the US, we often consider the name a short form of Arthur, which is English and means “noble one.” Sadly, this name has not been widely chosen since the 1960s.

Homer

Homer is a grandpa name that has traveled from the ancient Greek writer of the great classical epics to a long-running animated comedy in the US. Homer fell from favor in the 1980s, and new parents rarely use it today. That should absolutely change. Homer has Greek origins and means “security.”

Jethro

Though Moses’s biblical father-in-law, Jethro, has long suffered from a Beverly Hillbilly image, even though it was used as a name for a popular sixties rock band in Jethro Tull. Jethro has not been popular in the US since 1913! A hundred years later, we feel it could be a real possibility for adventurous parents. Jethro has Hebrew origins and means “excellence.”

Mercer

Johnny Mercer was a talented and charming songwriter-singer who wrote the lyrics for more than 1,500 songs, including “Moon River.” He could inspire this name, or you might just be attracted to its handsome sound. Mercer is a French occupational surname for “a merchant.” This name has not been popular as a given option since 1881.

Otis

The name Otis will forever make us think of the smooth voice of Otis Redding. Thankfully, this name has been on an upward trend over the last few years, ranking 707 at last count. However, it is far from its height of popularity in the early 1900s when it was a top 100 pick. Otis has German origins and means “wealthy.” Cha-ching!

Linus

Linus has never shaken its Peanuts image in the US and, thus, has not been popular since 1940. However, if you look at Germany, Norway, and Sweden, you will find the name is a top 50 choice. It’s clear it does not carry the dated image there. Linus has Greek origins and means “flax.”

Leland

Leland is a rare example of a name that completely turned around in its popularity in the 1990s. After falling from the US top 1000 for years, it has rebounded and become a top 500 name again. This name is a great way to get the attractive Lee nickname. Leland has English origins, and it means “meadowland.”

Barney

While you could go full-on vintage with Barnaby or Barnabas, we love the pleasant sound of Barney. Barney has unfortunately been absent from many birth certificates since the 1970s. Barnabas, the name from which Barney derives, is one of the world’s oldest names from Aramaic. It means “son of consolation.” Barney is likely the closest name to Trainor’s Barry on the list.

Gus

Gus is a homey grandpa nickname that can be a short form for Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, and August. The name has effectively been off the US top 1000 since 1978, with a random blip in popularity in 2006. Gus is a blunt and casual name with Greek or Irish origins and can mean “one strength.”

Edmund

The time has come for parents to dust off the stately English name, Edmund, as it has been absent from the top 1000 for nearly 30 years. Edmond is the French form of the name, and you get to choose which way you want to take it. Edmund means “fortunate protector.” We think any baby boy would be fortunate to receive this name.

Hiram

Hiram is the kind of forgotten biblical name that adventurous parents who wish to move beyond David and Daniel are beginning to reconsider. The name belonged to an Old Testament king of Tyre who helped David and Solomon plan and build the temple in Jerusalem. The most popular year for this name in the US was 1880, and it has declined ever since and is no longer found in the top 1000. Hiram has Hebrew origins that mean “brother of the exalted one.”

Basil

Basil was on the US popularity list quite regularly up until 1970, reaching a high of number 328 in 1904. Its history includes several rulers of the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Orthodox saints. It’s past time to take a fresh look at this aromatic name. Basil has Greek origins and means “regal.” What’s not to love about this appellation, parents?

Cecil

Once a mighty Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its strength over the years, falling off the US top 1000 in the 1990s. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B. DeMille, photographer Cecil Beaton, and poet Cecil Day Lewis. Those fore-bearers could all serve as worthy inspirations for your baby’s name. The only downside of this name is its meaning, “blind.”

Percy

Percy is an adorable old name that is finally shedding its pampered image and is now being considered with other names like Elijah or Jasper. Percy has historically been more popular in England and France as it comes from an old Norman surname that refers to the place, “Perci-en-Auge,” and meaning “one who pierces the valley.” This name has not been popular in the US since the 1980s, and we want it back!

Esau

The name of Jacob’s twin brother, the son of Isaac and Rebecca, Esau, could make an ideal option for parents looking for a unique biblical name. You will have to turn back the clock to 1902, when the name was popular in the US, to hear this forgotten gem of a name. Esau has Hebrew origins, and it does indeed mean “hairy.” However, this name is so elegant and beautiful we think many can look beyond that.

There you go! What do you think of these vintage names for boys inspired by Meghan Trainor’s Barry? We hope you fell in love with at least one and will add it to your baby name shortlist. Whether you love or hate the name Barry, looking back at once-popular names that deserve a renaissance is fruitful. A storied name with a retro style could be the perfect fit for your family! Happy baby name hunting!