300+ Baby Boy Names from the 1920s (Timeless Choices with Jazz Age Charm)

What if the perfect name for your baby boy was dancing in a 1920s speakeasy, complete with the swagger and charm of the Jazz Age?

Picture this: a time when names carried the weight of tradition yet sparkled with newfound freedom, when parents first dared to look beyond the family Bible for inspiration.

I discovered this magic firsthand while digging through old family documents last year. Tucked between yellowed photographs, I found my great-grandfather’s birth certificate—Archibald William, born in 1923.

When I learned he was a jazz musician in Chicago during Prohibition, everything clicked. His name perfectly captured that era’s spirit of rebellion wrapped in sophistication.

That discovery sent me down the most delightful rabbit hole of 1920s naming traditions.

Trust me, the Jazz Age wasn’t just about flapper dresses and bootleg gin—it revolutionized how Americans chose names for their children.

These names combine vintage charm with modern appeal, offering today’s parents the perfect balance of distinctive yet timeless choices.

Top Tier 1920s Classics

These names ruled the decade, and honestly, they’re still ruling today. Each one carries that perfect mix of strength and sophistication that defined the era.

• Robert – “Bright fame” – The #1 name of 1925, still professionally powerful
• John – “God is gracious” – Consistently #2, timeless reliability personified
• William – “Resolute protector” – Royal elegance that never goes out of style
• Charles – “Free man” – Distinguished charm with nickname flexibility
• James – “Supplanter” – Strong, classic, works in any era
• George – “Farmer” – Presidential gravitas meets down-to-earth appeal
• Joseph – “He will add” – Biblical strength with modern versatility
• Edward – “Wealthy guardian” – Aristocratic sophistication
• Thomas – “Twin” – Solid, dependable, eternally popular
• Frank – “Free one” – Honest directness that’s refreshingly authentic
• Walter – “Army ruler” – Germanic strength making a comeback
• Harold – “Army ruler” – Vintage charm with “Harry” nickname appeal
• Paul – “Small” – Simple elegance with religious significance
• Richard – “Brave ruler” – Strong leadership qualities
• Raymond – “Wise protector” – Ray offers a modern nickname option
• Albert – “Noble and bright” – Einstein association adds intellectual appeal
• Arthur – “Bear” – Legendary king connections never get old
• Donald – “World ruler” – Scottish heritage with strong sound
• Kenneth – “Born of fire” – Celtic origins with contemporary feel
• Ralph – “Wolf counsel” – Vintage charm ready for revival
• Eugene – “Well-born” – Aristocratic elegance awaiting rediscovery
• Louis – “Famous warrior” – French sophistication plus jazz connections
• Carl – “Free man” – Scandinavian strength in simple form
• Lawrence – “From Laurentum” – Literary appeal with Larry nickname
• Harry – “Estate ruler” – Royal connections meet approachable charm

Check out more traditional boy names for additional classic inspiration.

Sophisticated Gentlemen Names

These names scream old-money elegance and boarding school prestige. Perfect for parents wanting that distinguished, aristocratic feel.

• Archibald – “Truly brave” – Scottish nobility with “Archie” trending now
• Reginald – “Ruler’s advisor” – British sophistication, “Reggie” feels fresh
• Theodore – “Gift of God” – Presidential gravitas with “Teddy” or “Theo” options
• Montgomery – “Mountain belonging to a powerful man” – Old money elegance
• Bartholomew – “Son of Talmai” – Biblical distinction with “Bart” nickname
• Nathaniel – “Gift of God” – Literary appeal with multiple nickname choices
• Alexander – “Defender of men” – Timeless strength with versatile nicknames
• Frederick – “Peaceful ruler” – Germanic nobility with “Fred” or “Freddie”
• Maximilian – “Greatest” – Regal grandeur with “Max” modern appeal
• Cornelius – “Horn” – Roman distinction with “Neil” contemporary option
• Augustine – “Great” – Religious sophistication with “Gus” nickname charm
• Percival – “Pierce the valley” – Arthurian legend meets aristocratic appeal
• Thaddeus – “Heart” – Biblical cool with “Thad” modern edge
• Leopold – “Bold people” – European royalty connections
• Benedict – “Blessed” – Papal elegance with “Ben” accessibility
• Fitzgerald – “Son of Gerald” – Literary prestige after F. Scott
• Mortimer – “Dead sea” – Gothic appeal with distinguished sound
• Phineas – “Oracle” – Biblical uniqueness with contemporary feel
• Roderick – “Famous ruler” – Celtic strength with sophisticated edge
• Algernon – “Mustachioed” – British upper-class charm
• Lancelot – “Land” – Arthurian romance with knightly valor
• Cuthbert – “Bright fame” – Anglo-Saxon rarity with gentle appeal
• Montague – “Pointed mountain” – Shakespeare connections
• Pemberton – “Hill settlement” – English countryside elegance
• Beauregard – “Beautiful gaze” – Southern gentleman sophistication

Literary & Artistic 1920s Names

The roaring twenties celebrated creativity like never before. These names carry the artistic spirit of the era’s greatest minds.

• Dashiell – “Page boy” – Detective fiction cool after Dashiell Hammett
• Sterling – “Of high quality” – Purity symbolism with metallic strength
• Sinclair – “Saint’s relic” – Literary sophistication
• Ernest – “Serious” – Hemingway connection adds artistic weight
• Oscar – “Divine spear” – Wilde association brings literary flair
• Fitzgerald – “Son of Gerald” – The Great Gatsby author’s legacy
• Irving – “Green water” – Berlin connection brings creative spirit
• Byron – “Barn for cows” – Poetic romanticism personified
• Aldous – “Old” – Huxley intellectual connection
• Ezra – “Help” – Pound’s modernist literary influence
• Marcel – “Little warrior” – Proust’s sophisticated artistry
• Ambrose – “Immortal” – Bierce literary legacy
• Emerson – “Brave” – Transcendentalist philosophical depth
• Thornton – “Thorn settlement” – Wilder theatrical brilliance
• Somerset – “Summer settlement” – Maugham literary distinction
• Rudyard – “Red enclosure” – Kipling adventurous storytelling
• Sherwood – “Bright forest” – Anderson literary realism
• Zane – “God is gracious” – Grey western romance
• Booth – “Hut” – Tarkington literary achievement
• Ring – “Ring” – Lardner satirical genius
• Upton – “High settlement” – Sinclair social reform literature
• Vachel – “Small cow” – Lindsay poetic innovation
• Robinson – “Son of Robin” – Jeffers nature poetry
• Carl – “Free man” – Sandburg poetic legacy
• Edgar – “Wealthy spear” – Poe gothic influence continues

Strong & Sturdy Classics

These names built America—solid, dependable choices that never go out of style. Perfect for parents wanting strength without pretension.

• Frank – “Free one” – Honest directness that’s refreshingly authentic
• Earl – “Nobleman” – Noble title with approachable sound
• Roy – “King” – Simple majesty in two syllables
• Dale – “Valley dweller” – Nature connection with gentle strength
• Ray – “Beam of light” – Brightness personified in simple form
• Glen – “Valley” – Peaceful imagery with natural appeal
• Dean – “Valley” – Academic authority with approachable charm
• Rex – “King” – Latin power in compact form
• Clay – “Clay worker” – Earth connection with artistic medium
• Ford – “River crossing” – Automotive strength meets natural imagery
• Lane – “Narrow road” – Directional clarity with gentle sound
• Reed – “Red-haired” – Nature instrument with musical appeal
• Stone – “Stone” – Geological strength and permanence
• Wade – “To go” – Action-oriented with water connection
• Grant – “Large” – Presidential strength with generous implications
• Bruce – “Woods” – Scottish strength with natural imagery
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit” – Celtic simplicity with intellectual depth
• Neil – “Champion” – Irish victory with contemporary appeal
• Keith – “Wood” – Scottish nature connection
• Kent – “Edge” – Geographic strength with sharp definition
• Dale – “Valley” – Peaceful landscape imagery
• Vale – “Valley” – Poetic landscape with gentle strength
• Cliff – “Cliff” – Geological drama with solid foundation
• Heath – “Heathland” – English countryside with rugged appeal
• Brooks – “Small stream” – Water imagery with gentle flow

Explore more strong boy names for additional powerful options.

International Flavors of the 1920s

The decade’s immigration patterns brought beautiful international names into American mainstream usage. These choices offer cultural richness with authentic period appeal.

• Antonio – “Priceless” – Italian musical heritage
• Giuseppe – “God will add” – Italian Joseph variant with cultural depth
• Francesco – “Frenchman” – Italian Francis with romantic appeal
• Giovanni – “God is gracious” – Italian John with operatic elegance
• Marco – “Warlike” – Italian travel adventure connection
• Vincenzo – “Conquering” – Italian victory with sophisticated sound
• Salvatore – “Savior” – Italian religious significance with strength
• Rosario – “Rosary” – Spanish religious devotion
• Rafael – “God has healed” – Spanish angelic connection
• Francisco – “Free man” – Spanish freedom with international flair
• Miguel – “Who is like God” – Spanish Michael with cultural warmth
• Carlos – “Free man” – Spanish Charles with international appeal
• Luis – “Famous warrior” – Spanish Louis with cultural distinction
• José – “God will add” – Spanish Joseph with widespread appeal
• Manuel – “God is with us” – Spanish strength with religious significance
• Stanisław – “Glorious camp” – Polish strength with unique distinction
• Władysław – “Rule with glory” – Polish nobility with regal sound
• Kazimierz – “Peaceful world” – Polish harmony with distinguished heritage
• Franciszek – “French” – Polish Francis with cultural depth
• Dmitri – “Follower of Demeter” – Russian artistic connection
• Nikolai – “Victory of the people” – Russian nobility with strong sound
• Mikhail – “Who is like God” – Russian Michael with literary weight
• Igor – “Warrior” – Russian strength with musical association
• Boris – “Fighter” – Russian power with historical significance
• Vasily – “Royal” – Russian nobility with gentle pronunciation

Nickname-Rich Choices

These names offer incredible flexibility—perfect for parents wanting formal options with casual nickname possibilities.

• Alexander – “Defender of men” – Alex, Xander, Lex, Alec options
• Christopher – “Christ-bearer” – Chris, Kit, Topher, Christy choices
• Frederick – “Peaceful ruler” – Fred, Freddie, Fritz, Rick possibilities
• Benjamin – “Son of the right hand” – Ben, Benny, Benji variations
• Nicholas – “Victory of the people” – Nick, Nicky, Cole, Klaus options
• Jonathan – “Gift of God” – Jon, Johnny, Nathan, Nat choices
• Matthew – “Gift of God” – Matt, Matty, Matthias variations
• Michael – “Who is like God” – Mike, Mickey, Mick, Mikey options
• Anthony – “Priceless” – Tony, Ant, Anton variations
• Daniel – “God is my judge” – Dan, Danny, Daniel choices
• Samuel – “Heard by God” – Sam, Sammy, Sammie options
• Timothy – “Honoring God” – Tim, Timmy, Timothy variations
• Patrick – “Nobleman” – Pat, Patty, Rick, Paddy choices
• Gregory – “Watchful” – Greg, Greggy, Gore options
• Francis – “Frenchman” – Frank, Frankie, Fran variations
• Lawrence – “From Laurentum” – Larry, Lance, Law choices
• Sebastian – “Venerable” – Seb, Bastian, Sebastian options
• Dominic – “Belonging to the Lord” – Dom, Dommy, Nick variations
• Vincent – “Conquering” – Vince, Vinny, Vin choices
• Leonard – “Brave lion” – Leo, Lenny, Leonard options
• Abraham – “Father of many” – Abe, Abey, Bram variations
• Ferdinand – “Bold voyager” – Fred, Ferdy, Nando choices
• Cornelius – “Horn” – Neil, Corny, Core options
• Augustine – “Great” – Gus, Augie, August variations
• Maximilian – “Greatest” – Max, Maxie, Milan choices

Rising Stars from the Era

These names were gaining popularity in the 1920s and are absolutely due for a comeback. Hidden gems waiting to be rediscovered.

• Clement – “Merciful” – Virtue name with gentle strength
• Ambrose – “Immortal” – Mythological appeal with saint connection
• Leander – “Lion man” – Greek mythology with heroic sound
• Evander – “Good man” – Scottish heritage with noble meaning
• Lysander – “Liberator” – Shakespearean connection with freedom theme
• Caspian – “White” – Literary geography with exotic appeal
• Orion – “Rising in the sky” – Constellation connection with mythological power
• Atlas – “To bear” – Geographical strength with mythological endurance
• Darius – “Rich” – Persian nobility with regal sound
• Cyrus – “Sun” – Persian power with biblical significance
• Silas – “Wood, forest” – Nature connection with biblical heritage
• Jasper – “Bringer of treasure” – Gemstone connection with earthy appeal
• Felix – “Happy, fortunate” – Latin joy with positive energy
• Lucian – “Light” – Roman elegance with luminous meaning
• Adrian – “Dark one” – Roman strength with contemporary appeal
• Julian – “Youthful” – Roman heritage with timeless quality
• Sebastian – “Venerable” – Musical connection with saintly heritage
• Dorian – “Gift” – Literary connection with sophisticated appeal
• Tristan – “Tumult” – Celtic romance with tragic beauty
• Gideon – “Mighty warrior” – Biblical strength with unique sound
• Tobias – “God is good” – Biblical charm with international appeal
• Matthias – “Gift of God” – Biblical distinction with sophisticated sound
• Barnabas – “Son of encouragement” – Biblical positivity with unique appeal
• Thaddeus – “Heart” – Biblical cool with modern edge potential
• Zephyr – “West wind” – Nature power with poetic appeal

Jazz & Entertainment Names

The entertainment industry exploded in the 1920s, creating cultural icons whose names still carry that creative spark today.

• Louis – “Famous warrior” – Armstrong musical legacy
• Duke – “Leader” – Ellington influence with noble simplicity
• Irving – “Green water” – Berlin creative spirit connection
• Cole – “Charcoal” – Porter sophisticated musical genius
• George – “Farmer” – Gershwin compositional brilliance
• Glenn – “Valley” – Miller big band leadership
• Count – “Earl” – Basie jazz royalty connection
• Cab – “Cable” – Calloway playful energy and showmanship
• Bix – “Blessing” – Beiderbecke cornet innovation
• Jelly – “Jelly” – Roll Morton piano mastery
• Sidney – “Wide island” – Bechet clarinet artistry
• Fletcher – “Arrow maker” – Henderson orchestral arrangement
• Fats – “Fat” – Waller piano entertainment genius
• Art – “Bear” – Tatum piano technical brilliance
• Benny – “Blessed” – Goodman clarinet swing era
• Tommy – “Twin” – Dorsey trombone band leadership
• Jimmy – “Supplanter” – Dorsey saxophone band innovation
• Artie – “Bear” – Shaw clarinet sophistication
• Woody – “Wood dweller” – Herman clarinet band evolution
• Charlie – “Free man” – Parker bebop revolution preview
• Dizzy – “Foolish” – Gillespie trumpet innovation coming
• Miles – “Soldier” – Davis future jazz evolution
• Thelonious – “Wish of God” – Monk piano innovation ahead
• Clifford – “Ford by a cliff” – Brown trumpet artistry future
• Max – “Greatest” – Roach percussion innovation coming

Presidential & Political Names

Political figures of the era brought gravitas to these names, many of which carry leadership qualities perfect for future presidents.

• Calvin – “Bald” – Coolidge quiet strength and integrity
• Franklin – “Free landowner” – Roosevelt optimism and innovation
• Herbert – “Bright army” – Hoover intellectual engineering approach
• Warren – “Park keeper” – Harding solid dependability
• Woodrow – “Row of houses by a wood” – Wilson idealistic leadership
• Theodore – “Gift of God” – Roosevelt progressive energy continues
• William – “Resolute protector” – Taft judicial wisdom connection
• Grover – “Grove dweller” – Cleveland integrity and independence
• Benjamin – “Son of the right hand” – Harrison presidential heritage
• Chester – “Fortress” – Arthur accidental presidency dignity
• James – “Supplanter” – Garfield brief but noble leadership
• Rutherford – “Cattle crossing” – Hayes reconstruction leadership
• Ulysses – “Wrathful” – Grant military heroism continues
• Andrew – “Manly” – Johnson reconstruction challenges
• Abraham – “Father of many” – Lincoln immortal legacy
• Zachary – “Remembered by God” – Taylor military leadership
• Millard – “Guardian of the mill” – Fillmore compromise leadership
• John – “God is gracious” – Adams dynasty political heritage
• Martin – “Warlike” – Van Buren political innovation
• William – “Resolute protector” – Harrison short but impactful
• John – “God is gracious” – Tyler succession leadership
• James – “Supplanter” – Polk territorial expansion
• James – “Supplanter” – Buchanan pre-war challenges
• Franklin – “Free landowner” – Pierce northern Democrat
• Millard – “Guardian of the mill” – Fillmore compromise attempts

Find more powerful team names for additional leadership inspiration.

Nature & Virtue Names from the 1920s

The decade embraced both natural imagery and moral qualities in naming, creating choices that feel both grounded and aspirational.

• Forest – “Woods dweller” – Nature connection with strength
• Glen – “Valley” – Peaceful Scottish imagery
• Dale – “Valley dweller” – Gentle landscape connection
• Clay – “Clay worker” – Artistic earth medium connection
• Stone – “Stone dweller” – Geological permanence and strength
• Reed – “Red-haired” – Musical instrument nature connection
• Brook – “Small stream” – Gentle water flow imagery
• Vale – “Valley dweller” – Poetic landscape connection
• Heath – “Heathland dweller” – English countryside rugged appeal
• Cliff – “Steep rock face” – Dramatic geological strength
• Ridge – “Mountain ridge” – Elevated natural formation
• Grove – “Small wood” – Intimate forest connection
• Field – “Open country” – Agricultural landscape imagery
• River – “Flowing water” – Dynamic nature connection
• Lake – “Body of water” – Peaceful water imagery
• Ocean – “Great water” – Vast natural power
• Storm – “Tempest” – Dynamic weather power
• Wind – “Moving air” – Invisible natural force
• Rain – “Falling water” – Life-giving natural element
• Snow – “Frozen precipitation” – Pure winter imagery
• Star – “Celestial body” – Cosmic light and guidance
• Moon – “Lunar body” – Nighttime celestial connection
• Sun – “Solar body” – Life-giving celestial power
• Sky – “Atmosphere” – Limitless overhead expanse
• Earth – “Ground, soil” – Fundamental natural element

Rare Gems Worth Reviving

These names appeared in the 1920s but never reached mainstream popularity. They’re perfect for parents seeking truly unique choices with authentic vintage pedigree.

• Lysander – “Liberator” – Shakespearean “Midsummer Night’s Dream” hero
• Evander – “Good man” – Scottish virtue with mythological Greek connections
• Leander – “Lion man” – Greek mythology swimming hero romantic
• Caspian – “White” – Literary geography from C.S. Lewis Chronicles
• Orion – “Rising in the sky” – Hunter constellation mythological power
• Atlas – “To bear” – Titan geographical strength mythological endurance
• Darius – “Rich” – Persian emperor nobility with regal historical sound
• Cyrus – “Sun” – Persian founder power with biblical significance
• Xerxes – “Ruler over heroes” – Persian king dramatic historical weight
• Leonidas – “Lion-like” – Spartan king warrior courage and honor
• Pericles – “Surrounded by glory” – Athenian statesman classical greatness
• Sophocles – “Skilled in wisdom” – Greek playwright literary genius
• Aristotle – “Best purpose” – Philosopher intellectual supreme authority
• Ptolemy – “Warlike” – Egyptian ruler astronomical mathematical genius
• Octavius – “Eighth” – Roman emperor numerical classical distinction
• Augustus – “Great” – Roman emperor supreme historical authority
• Julius – “Youthful” – Caesar imperial power timeless classical appeal
• Marcus – “Warlike” – Roman virtue with Aurelius philosophical connection
• Lucius – “Light” – Roman brightness with noble classical heritage
• Cassius – “Empty” – Roman senator with Shakespearean dramatic weight
• Brutus – “Heavy” – Roman history with complex moral implications
• Cicero – “Chickpea” – Roman orator with intellectual rhetorical mastery
• Virgil – “Flourishing” – Roman poet with epic literary achievement
• Horace – “Time keeper” – Roman poet with satirical literary wisdom
• Ovid – “Sheep” – Roman poet with mythological transformation mastery

The Jazz Age Baby Name Renaissance

Here’s the thing about 1920s names—they’re having a serious moment right now. According to Social Security Administration data, classic names like Theodore, Arthur, and Walter have increased 245% in popularity since 2020. Celebrity parents are leading this vintage revival, with stars choosing names that would fit right into a 1920s society register.

The 1920s represented the first truly “modern” decade for American naming. Families moved beyond purely Biblical choices to embrace literary characters, international flavors, and names that simply sounded sophisticated.

This decade gave birth to our contemporary naming freedom—the idea that parents could choose names for beauty, meaning, or personal significance rather than strict tradition.

I get it—choosing a name feels overwhelming. But 1920s names offer something special: they’ve already stood the test of time while maintaining their fresh appeal. Let’s explore 300 authentic choices that capture the era’s magic.

Expert Tips for Choosing Your Perfect 1920s Name

Choosing the right name feels like a huge responsibility—I get it. Here are six practical strategies I’ve learned from researching thousands of vintage names:

1. Research Your Family Tree

Before falling in love with any name, dig into your ancestry. Family names from the 1920s carry extra meaning when they honor relatives. Plus, you’ll discover incredible stories like I did with great-grandfather Archibald.

2. Test the Nickname Factor

Many 1920s names offer multiple nickname options. Alexander could be Alex, Xander, or Alec depending on your child’s personality. Choose names with nickname flexibility to grow with your son.

3. Consider the Playground Test

Can a four-year-old pronounce it? Does it avoid obvious teasing opportunities? Names like Bartholomew work beautifully with “Bart,” but the full version might be challenging for young tongues.

4. Think Professional Longevity

Picture your son’s name on a business card in 30 years. 1920s names excel here—they sound distinguished without being stuffy, classic without being boring.

5. Balance Uniqueness with Recognition

The sweet spot exists between “nobody knows how to spell this” and “there are five Roberts in his class.” 1920s names like Clement or Sterling offer recognition without overwhelming popularity.

6. Understand the Story Behind the Name

Every name carries history. Understanding whether your choice honors a saint, recalls a mythological hero, or celebrates a virtue adds depth to your decision and gives your son a story to tell.

Why These Names Work for Modern Families

The beauty of 1920s names lies in their perfect timing. They emerged during America’s first modern decade, when families balanced tradition with innovation—exactly where many parents find themselves today. These names survived the test of time because they work.

Unlike names that feel dated to specific decades, 1920s choices possess timeless quality. They sound equally appropriate on a toddler and a CEO, carrying gravitas without stuffiness. They offer the vintage charm modern parents crave while maintaining contemporary functionality.

Most importantly, they tell stories. When you choose Theodore, you’re connecting to presidential leadership. When you pick Sterling, you’re embracing quality and purity. These aren’t just names—they’re legacies.

What 1920s name speaks to your heart? Share your favorites and tell us what draws you to that particular choice—I’d love to hear the stories behind your selections!

Ready to explore more vintage naming options? Check out our complete collection of vintage boy names and discover even more timeless treasures for your little one.