A List of Old Fashioned Boy Names (Includes Meaning and Origin)
Looking for classic, throwback, and traditional baby names? Check out this list of old fashioned boy names that are ready for a comeback!
Choosing a name for the baby starts off fun—you sort through name origins and try different first and middle name combinations. But after a while, you find yourself… overthinking the entire thing.
“We still haven’t chosen a name!” you vent to your spouse.
After all, it doesn’t help when a name you love brings up unpleasant memories for your partner. Or when a first and middle name pairing ends up spelling the worst initials with your last name. You might even love a name but hate the nickname.
And sometimes, you avoid names because your relatives might botch it up or say a completely different version of it.
That’s when having a list of old fashioned boy names comes in handy. Vintage names are timeless, not trending. In fact, a good way to tell if a name stands the test of time is to see if people have been using it for over 100 years.
So, what’s your criteria? Perhaps you’re looking for an obviously “boy” name. Vintage baby boy names that are easy to spell as well as pronounce. Maybe “old man names” with a cute nickname or aren’t too common.
I’ve gathered several favorites into this list of old fashioned boy names, perfect for you to choose from. Hopefully, you can find one that fits you and your little one:
A list of old fashioned boy names
Name |
Origin |
Meaning |
Nickname |
| Adam | Hebrew | “red earth” | |
| Albert | Anglo-Saxon | “noble, bright” | Al |
| Alfred | Anglo-Saxon | “counselor” | Freddie |
| Allan | Scottish | “rock, handsome” | |
| Amos | Hebrew | “to be troubled” | |
| Andrew | Greek | “strong, manly, courageous” | Andy |
| Archibald | Anglo-Saxon | “very bold” | Archie |
| Atticus | Greek | “from Attica” | |
| Barnaby | English | “son of consolation” | Barnie |
| Basil | Greek | “royal” | |
| Bartholomew | Hebrew | “hill, furrow” | Bart |
| Benedict | Latin | “blessed” | Benny |
| Cecil | Latin | “blind” | |
| Charles | German | “man, strong” | Charlie, Chuck |
| Clark | French | “scholar, scribe” | |
| Clement | French | “merciful” | |
| Clifford | English | “from a steep cliff or ford” | Cliff |
| Conrad | German | “bold, wise counsel” | |
| Daniel | Hebrew | “God is my judge” | Dan, Danny |
| Edgar | English | “great spear man” | Ed, Eddie |
| Elijah | Hebrew | “Yahweh is my God” | Eli |
| Ernest | Teutonic | “earnest” | Ernie |
| Ethan | Hebrew | “strong, safe, firm” | |
| Felix | Hebrew | “happy” | |
| Francis | Latin | “Frenchman” | Frank, Frankie |
| Frederick | Teutonic | “peace, peaceful ruler” | Freddie |
| Garrett | Anglo-Saxon | “powerful with the spear” | |
| George | Greek | “tiller of the soil, farmer” | Georgie |
| Gilbert | Teutonic | “trusted” | |
| Harry | Teutonic | “army power” | |
| Heath | Anglo-Saxon | “wasteland” | |
| Henry | German | “ruler of the household” | |
| Herman | German | “man of the army” | |
| Isaac | Hebrew | “he will laugh” | |
| James | Hebrew | “supplanter, one who follows” | Jim |
| Jonah | Hebrew | “dove” | |
| Joseph | Hebrew | “God shall add another son” | Joe |
| Kenneth | Gaelic | “handsome” | Ken |
| Lawrence | Latin | “laurel-crowned” | |
| Leonard | Teutonic | “like a lion” | Leo |
| Louis | German | “famous in battle” | Louie |
| Lucas | Latin | “bringer of light” | Luke |
| Marcus | Latin | “warlike” | Mark |
| Mark | Latin | “warlike” | |
| Marshall | French | “keeper of the horses” | |
| Matthew | Hebrew | “gift from God” | Matt |
| Michael | Hebrew | “who is like God” | Mike |
| Miles | Latin | “soldier” | Milo |
| Mitchell | Hebrew | “who is like God” | Mitch |
| Morgan | Welsh | “sea-born” | |
| Nelson | English | “son of Neil” | |
| Nicholas | Greek | “victory of the people” | Nick |
| Noah | Hebrew | “rest, comfort” | |
| Oliver | Latin | “olive tree” | Ollie |
| Oscar | Scandinavian | “divine strength” | |
| Otis | Greek | “one who hears well” | |
| Otto | Teutonic | “prosperous” | |
| Patrick | Latin | “nobleman” | Pat |
| Philip | Greek | “loving” | Phil |
| Ralph | Teutonic | “wolf counselor” | |
| Robert | English | “bright flame” | Rob |
| Roman | Latin | “Roman citizen” | |
| Russell | French | “red-haired” | |
| Samuel | Hebrew | “name of God” | Sam, Sammy |
| Sebastian | Latin | “venerable” | Ian |
| Sherman | Anglo-Saxon | “sheerer, servant” | |
| Spencer | English | “dispenser, keeper” | |
| Terrence | Latin | “tender, gracious, good” | |
| Theodore | Greek | “divine gift” | Theo, Teddy |
| Thomas | Hebrew | “a twin” | Tom |
| Timothy | Greek | “honoring God” | Tim |
| Tristan | Welsh | “the loud one” | |
| Victor | Latin | “conqueror, champion” | |
| Vincent | Latin | “conqueror, victor” | Vince, Vinnie |
| Walter | German | “powerful warrior” | Walt |
| Wilbur | German | “trusted” | |
| William | German | “strong-willed warrior” | Will |
| Wyatt | Old English | “strong in war” |
Source of meanings: Baby Center
Read these next:
- 50 Unusual Old Fashioned Names That Won’t Go Out of Style
- Top Vintage Girl Names That Are Still Cool Today
- 50 Classic Boy Names That Are Still Cool
- Essential Things You Might Be Missing On Your Second Baby Registry
- Household Items to Stock Up Before Baby Arrives
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