Look, we get it – modern, trendy, and unique baby names are all the rage today. Kai, Chosen, Orion, Phoenix, Caspian, Jaxon – these types of names are popping up everywhere, and we’re totally here for it.
But while modern names are popular, that’s not to say vintage boy names are obsolete or outdated.
In fact, vintage boy names (like Henry, Arthur, Theodore, Walter, and Franklin) and vintage girl names (like Eleanor, Florence, and Mabel) are making a comeback in 2024 – and the reason why is quite ironic.
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As modern names become more and more common, they’re also becoming less and less unique. And since vintage boy names have been out of style for so long, they’re now just as unique as modern names.
If you want your son to have the best of both worlds, vintage boy names are the way to go.
They’re well-known and familiar enough that they might not sound unique to most people, but not a lot of babies have vintage boy names today – so, while they might not sound unique, they surprisingly are.
40 Old-Fashioned & Vintage Boy Names for Your Little Man
Aside from being unique in today’s society, there are a lot of reasons why parents are falling in love with vintage boy names again – and since you’re reading this, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’re one of them!
They’re timeless, old-fashioned, and have a sense of character and personality to them.
In fact, vintage boy names often evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to past generations, making them appealing to parents who want to honor their family heritage – especially parents and grandparents.
With that said, let’s take a look at 40 of our favorite vintage boy names making a comeback in 2024!
40. Albert
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Noble, Bright
Nicknames: Al, Bert, Albie, Bertie, Alby
Famous People: Albert Einstein (German-born theoretical physicist), Albert Camus (French philosopher, author, and journalist), Albert Schweitzer (French-German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary), Albert Brooks (American comedian and actor), Prince Albert (Consort of Queen Victoria of the UK)
39. Alvin
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Noble Friend
Nicknames: Al, Vin, Alvy, Ally, Vinnie
Famous People: Alvin Ailey (American dancer and choreographer), Alvin York (American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient), Alvin Toffler (American writer and futurist), Alvin Plantinga (American philosopher)
38. Archibald
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Genuine, Bold
Nicknames: Archie, Arch, Baldy, Arlo, Arky
Famous People: Archibald MacLeish (American poet and writer), Archibald Cox (American lawyer and law professor), Archibald Alexander (American Presbyterian theologian), Archibald Primrose (5th Earl of Rosebery and British Prime Minister), Archibald Motler (American visual artist)
37. Arthur
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: The exact meaning is uncertain, but it is often associated with the Celtic word “artos,” meaning “bear.”
Nicknames: Art, Artie, Arty, Arch, Artur
Famous People: King Arthur (legendary British leader), Arthur Conan Doyle (British writer), Arthur Ashe (American pro tennis player), Arthur Miller (American playwright), Arthur C. Clarke (British science fiction writer)
36. Barney
Origin: French and West Germanic
Meaning: Bear, Brave, Hardy
Nicknames: Barn, Barny, Bear, Nardo, Bar
Famous People: Barney Frank (American politician and former Congressman), Barney Ross (American professional boxer), Barney Kessel (American jazz guitarist), Barney Stinson (fictional character from ‘How I Met Mother’), Barney Harwood (British television presenter and actor)
35. Calvin
Origin: French
Meaning: Bald
Nicknames: Cal, Vin, Cally, Vinnie, Al
Famous People: Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States), Calvin Klein (American fashion designer), Calvin Harris (Scottish DJ), Calvin Trillin (American journalist, humorist, and food writer), Calvin Johnson (former NFL player)
34. Chester
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Fortress, Walled Town
Nicknames: Chess, Chet, Chesty
Famous People: Chester A. Arthur (21st President of the US), ChesterBennington (American singer), Chester Himes (American writer), Chester Gould (American cartoonist), Chester Carlson (American physicist)
33. Clifford
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Ford by a Cliff
Nicknames: Cliff, Ford, Cliffy, C
Famous People: Clifford Brown (American jazz trumpeter), Clifford Geertz (American anthropologist), Clifford Odets (American playwright, screenwriter, and director), Clifford Irving (American investigative reporter and novelist), Clifford Robinson (American professional basketball player)
32. Clyde
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: derived from the River Clyde in Scotland
Nicknames: Cly, Clydie, Clide, CC
Famous People: Clyde Barrow (part of the infamous duo Bonnie and Clyde), Clyde Drexler (American former professional basketball player), Clyde Tombaugh (American astronomer, discoverer of Pluto), Clyde McPhatter (American R&B singer), Clyde Simmons (American former professional football player)
31. Conrad
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brave Counsel
Nicknames: Con, Connie, Rad, Conny
Famous People: American hotelier and founder of the Hilton Hotels chain), Conrad Aiken (American writer and poet), Conrad Veidt (German actor), Conrad Black (Canadian-born British former newspaper publisher), Joseph Conrad (Polish-British writer)
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30. Dwight
Origin: English
Meaning: White, Fair One
Nicknames: Dee, D
Famous People: Dwight De. Eisenhower (34th President of the US), Dwight Howard (American professional basketball player), Dwight Yoakam (American singer-songwriter), Dwight L. Moody (American evangelist and publisher), Dwight Frye (American actor)
29. Edwin
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Rich Friend
Nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Ned, Win, Ted
Famous People: Edwin Hubble (American astronomer), Edwin Land (American scientist and inventor), Edwin McCain (American singer-songwriter), Edwin Moses (American former track and field athlete), Edwin Stanton (American lawyer and politician)
28. Edmund
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Wealthy Protector
Nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Eddy, Mundy
Famous People: Edmund Burke (Irish statesman and philosopher), Edmund Hillary (New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist), Edmund Spenser (English poet), Edmund Husserl (German philosopher), Edmund Wilson (American writer and critic)
27. Franklin
Origin: English
Meaning: Free Landholder
Nicknames: Frank, Frankie, Franky, Franks
Famous People: Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President of the US), Benjamin Franklin (one of the Founding Fathers of the US), Franklin Pierce (14th President of the US), Franklin J. Schaffner (American film and TV director), Franklin Graham (American Christian evangelist and missionary)
26. Frederick
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Peaceful Ruler
Nicknames: Fred, Freddy, Freddie, Rick, Fritz
Famous People: Frederick Douglas (American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman), Frederick the Great (King of Prussia), Frederick Banting (Canadian medical scientist, physician, and Nobel laureate), Frederick Law Olmsted (American landscape architect, journalist, social critic), Frederick Forsyth (British author)
25. Gerald
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Rule of the Spear
Nicknames: Gerry, Jerry, Geraldo, Ged
Famous People: Gerald Ford (38th President of the US), Gerald Butler (Scottish actor), Gerald R. Molen (American film producer), Geraldine Chaplin (actress and daughter of Charlie Chaplin), Gerald Durrell (British naturalist, zookeeper, and conservationist)
24. Gilbert
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Bright Pledge
Nicknames: Gil, Bert, Gib, Gilly, Gibby
Famous People: Gilbert Gottfried (American stand-up comedian), W.S. Gilbert (English dramatist, librettist, poet, and illustrator), Gilbert Stuart (American painter), Gilbert Arenas (American former professional basketball player), Gilbert O’Sullivan (Irish singer-songwriter)
23. Harold
Origin: Old English, Scandinavian
Meaning: Army Ruler, Ruler of the Army
Nicknames: Harry, Hal, Hank, Haroldy
Famous People: Harold Pinter (English playwright), Harold Ramis (American actor, director, and writer), Harold Wilson (British Prime Minister), Harold Lloyd (American film actor and comedian), Harold Bloom (American literary critic)
22. Herschel
Origin: Yiddish
Meaning: Deer, Fawn
Nicknames: Hersh, Hershey, Hershey, Chelly
Famous People: Herschel Walker (American former professional football player), Herschel Grynszpan (German Jewish refugee), Herschel Bernardi (American actor), Herschel Vespasian Johnson (American politician)
21. Lionel
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Young Lion
Nicknames: Lio, Leo, Leon, Lion
Famous People: Lionel Messi (Argentine professional footballer), Lionel Richie (American singer, songwriter, and record producer), Lionel Barrymore (American actor), Lionel Hampton (American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist), Lionel Trilling (American literary critic, author, and teacher)
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20. Marshall
Origin: Old French
Meaning: Caretaker of Horses, Horse Servant
Nicknames: Marsh, Marty, Mar, Mars
Famous People: Marshall McLuhan (Canadian philosopher), Marshall Faulk (American former professional football player), Thurgood Marshall (First African American Supreme Court Justice), Marshall Mathers (American rapper, also known as Eminem), Marshall Field (American entrepreneur)
19. Milton
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Mill Town, Settlement With a Mill
Nicknames: Milt, Miltie, Milty, Ton, Millie
Famous People: Milton Friedman (American economist), Milton Berle (American comedian and actor), John Milton (English poet and intellectual), Milton Bradley (American game pioneer), Milton Glaser (American graphic designer, co-founder of New York Magazine)
18. Ned
Origin: English
Meaning: Wealthy Guardian, Wealthy Protector
Nicknames: Ed, Eddy, Eddie, Neddy, Neddo
Famous People: Ned Kelly (Australian outlaw and folk hero), Ned Beatty (American actor), Ned Stark (fictional character from ‘Game of Thrones’), Ned Rorem (American composer and diarist), Ned Vizzini (American author)
17. Orville
Origin: French
Meaning: Gold Town, Golden City
Nicknames: Orv, Orvy, Ville, Orly, Villy
Famous People: Orville Wright (American aviation pioneer), Orville Redenbacher (American businessman), Orville Gibson (founder of the Gibson Guitar Corporation), Orville Harrold (American operatic tenor), Orville Freeman (American politician and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture)
16. Otis
Origin: German
Meaning: Wealth, Prosperity
Nicknames: O, Oz, Otie
Famous People: Otis Redding (American singer and songwriter), Otis Chandler (publisher of the Los Angeles Times), Otis Rush (American blues guitarist and singer), Otis Williams (founding member of The Temptations), Otis Nixon (former MLB player)
15. Percy
Origin: French
Meaning: Pierces the Valley
Nicknames: Perc, Perse, Per, Perk
Famous People: Percy Bysshe Shelley (English Romantic poet), Percy Sledge (American R&B, soul, and gospel singer), Percy Lavon Julian (African American research chemist and pioneer), Percy Harvin (American former professional football player), Percy Faith (Canadian bandleader and composer)
14. Quincy
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Fifth, Estate of the Fifth Son
Nicknames: Quin, Quinn, Q, Quinny, Quince
Famous People: Quincy Jones (American record producer, musician, and composer), Quincy Carter (American former professional football player), Quincy Enunwa (American football wide receiver), Quincy Brown (American actor and singer), Quincy Watts (American former sprinter and Olympic gold medalist)
13. Ralph
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Wolf Counsel
Nicknames: Ralf, Ralphy, Ralphie, Raffy
Famous People: Ralph Waldo Emerson (American essayist, lecturer, and philosopher), Ralph Lauren (American fashion designer), Ralph Fiennes (English actor), Ralph Nader (American political activist), Ralph Ellison (American novelist, literary critic, and scholar)
12. Rutherford
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Cattle Ford
Nicknames: Rudd, Ruth, Ford, Rudy, Rud
Famous People: Rutherford B. Hayes (19th President of the US), Ernest Rutherford (New Zealand-born British physicist), Mark Rutherford (pseudonym of British novelist William Hale White), Rutherford Platt (American author), Rutherford Cravens (American actor)
11. Stanley
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Stone Clearing, Stony Meadow
Nicknames: Stan, Lee, Stanny, Stane
Famous People: Stanley Kubrick (American film director and producer), Stan Lee (American comic book writer), Stanley Tucci (American actor, writer, and film director), Stanley Baldwin (British statesmen, former Prime Minister of the UK)
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10. Sylvester
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Wooded, Wild
Nicknames: Sly, Syl, Vester, Sylvie, Les
Famous People: Sylvester Stallone (American actor), Sylvester McCoy (Scottish actor), Sylvester Graham (American dietary reformer), Sylvester Turner (American attorney), Sylvester Williams (American professional football player)
9. Theodore
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Gift of God
Nicknames: Theo, Ted, Teddy, Dory, T
Famous People: Theodore Roosevelt (26th President of the US), Theodore Dreiser (American novelist and journalist), Theodore Maiman (American physicist, inventor of the laser), Theodore Bikel (Austrian-American actor)
8. Vernon
Origin: Old French
Meaning: Place of Alders, Alder Grove
Nicknames: Vern, V, Ver, Vernie, Verny
Famous People: Vernon Davis (American former professional football player), Vernon Wells (American former professional baseball player), Vernon Reid (British-American guitarist and songwriter), Vernon Jordan (American business executive), Vernon Dalhart (American country music singer and songwriter)
7. Wallace
Origin: Old French
Meaning: Foreigner, Stranger
Nicknames: Wally, Wall, Ace, Wallie, Walt
Famous People: Wallace Stevens (American modernist poet), Wallace Shawn (American actor and voice actor), Wallace Beery (American actor), George Wallace (American politician and Governor of Alabama), Wallace Carothers (American chemist and inventor)
6. Walton
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Fortified Town
Nicknames: Walt, Wally, Wal, Tony, Ton
Famous People: Sam Walton (American businessman, founder of Walmart and Sam’s Club), Bill Walton (American former basketball player), Izaak Walton (English writer), Kimberley Walton (fictional character from ‘The Holiday’), Ernest Walton (Irish physicist and Nobel laureate)
5. Wilber
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Resolute, Brilliant
Nicknames: Wil, Will, Willy, Bert, Wib
Famous People: Wilberforce Eames (American bibliographer), Wilber Hardee (American businessman), Wilber Pan (Taiwanese-American singer and songwriter), Wilber Scoville (American pharmacist), Wilber Smith (South African novelist)
4. Woodrow
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Row of Houses By a Wood
Nicknames: Woody, Wood, Row, W, Woodie
Famous People: Woodrow Wilson (28th President of the US), Woodrow Dantzler (American former professional football player), Woodrow Wyatt (British politician), Woodrow Hamilton (American football defensive tackle), Woodrow Borah (American historian of colonial Mexico)
3. Clarence
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Bright, Clear
Nicknames: Clare, Claire, Clancy, Ren, Clary
Famous People: Clarence Darrow (American lawyer), Clarence Thomas (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US), Clarence Clemons (American saxophonist), Clarence Seedorf (Dutch professional football manager and former player), Clarence Brown (American film director)
2. Bernard
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brave as a Bear
Nicknames: Bernie, Bern, Bennie, Nard, Barney
Famous People: Bernard Shaw (Irish playwright and critic), Bernard Montgomery (British army officer), Bernard Arnault (French billionaire businessman), Bernard Hopkins (American former professional boxer), Bernard Herrmann (American composer)
1. Bartholomew
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: Son of Talmai, Son of the Furrows
Nicknames: Bart, Barty, Barry, Tolly, Bat
Famous People: Saint Bartholomew (one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ), Bartholomew Roberts (Welsh pirate), Bartholomew Gosnold (English lawyer, explorer, and privateer), Bartholomew Kuma (fictional character from the anime One Piece), Bartholomew I (Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople)
Have You Shortlisted Any of These Vintage Boy Names?
Vintage boy names often come with rich histories and meaningful stories – and many parents are electing to go with them for their depth, familiarity, feeling of nostalgia, and the positive qualities they represent.
If you’re one of those parents, then we applaud you – because we love vintage boy names!
And since so many celebrities are following along with this trend, we wouldn’t be surprised if vintage boy names continue to grow in popularity – meaning we’ll be seeing a lot more of this trend in the future.
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Whether you’re drawn to timeless classics, modern trends, or unique and whimsical names, naming your baby is a special adventure for you and your significant other – so make the most out of it while it lasts!