360+ Vintage Baby Boy Names (+ Their Hidden Meanings!)

Let me share something cool with you – vintage baby boy names are absolutely everywhere right now! It’s kind of wild how these old-school names are making such a huge comeback. I mean, think about it – names that used to make us think of our grandpas and great-uncles are now the hottest picks for brand new babies.

The other day, I was hanging out with my friend who just had a baby, and she named him Theodore. A few years ago, everyone would’ve been like “Really?” But now? Everyone’s loving these classic names. It’s like finding a perfect old leather jacket in your dad’s closet – something that’s been around forever but suddenly feels super fresh and stylish.

You want to know what’s really interesting? These aren’t just random old names making a comeback. Each one has its own story, its own vibe, and honestly, they’ve got this special kind of charm that modern names sometimes miss. Like, imagine meeting a tiny baby named Arthur or Felix – cute on a baby, but also perfect for when they’re all grown up and running a company or something, right?

Speaking of charm, it reminds me of how people are bringing back vintage style in everything – from clothes to home decor, and even vintage usernames online. These names are part of that whole “everything old is new again” trend, and honestly? I’m totally here for it!

Vintage Boy Names

• Albert (German) – “Noble, bright” – Once a royal favorite!
• Bernard (German) – “Brave as a bear”
• Chester (Latin) – “Camp, fortress”
• Douglas (Scottish) – “Dark water”
• Edmund (English) – “Wealthy protector”
• Franklin (English) – “Free landowner”
• Gilbert (German) – “Bright pledge”
• Harold (Scandinavian) – “Army ruler”
• Irving (Scottish) – “Green water”
• Jerome (Greek) – “Sacred name”
• Kenneth (Scottish) – “Born of fire”
• Lawrence (Latin) – “From Laurentium”
• Milton (English) – “Mill town”
• Norman (Germanic) – “Northman”
• Oscar (Irish) – “Deer friend”
• Philip (Greek) – “Friend of horses”
• Quentin (Latin) – “Fifth”
• Ralph (Germanic) – “Wolf counsel”
• Stanley (English) – “Stone clearing”
• Vincent (Latin) – “Conquering”

Check Out: 340+ Outdoorsy Girl Names (Nature-Inspired Choices)

Vintage Baby Boy Names

• Abraham (Hebrew) – “Father of many”
• Benedict (Latin) – “Blessed”
• Clarence (Latin) – “Bright”
• Dorian (Greek) – “Of Dorus”
• Ernest (German) – “Serious”
• Frederick (German) – “Peaceful ruler”
• Gregory (Greek) – “Watchful”
• Herbert (German) – “Bright army”
• Isaac (Hebrew) – “He will laugh”
• Julian (Latin) – “Youthful”
• Leonard (German) – “Brave lion”
• Maurice (Latin) – “Dark-skinned”
• Nelson (English) – “Son of Neil”
• Otis (German) – “Wealthy”
• Percy (French) – “One who pierces the valley”
• Quincy (Latin) – “Estate of the fifth son”
• Roderick (Germanic) – “Famous ruler”
• Sylvester (Latin) – “Of the forest”
• Theodore (Greek) – “Gift of God”
• Wallace (Scottish) – “Foreigner”

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Vintage Names for Baby Boy

• Augustus (Latin) – “Majestic” – This one’s got some royal vibes!
• Bartholomew (Aramaic) – “Son of Talmai”
• Clifford (English) – “Ford by a cliff”
• Duncan (Scottish) – “Dark warrior”
• Edgar (English) – “Wealthy spear”
• Floyd (Welsh) – “Gray-haired”
• Gordon (Scottish) – “Great hill”
• Howard (Germanic) – “Brave heart”
• Isidore (Greek) – “Gift of Isis”
• Julius (Latin) – “Youthful”
• Lionel (French) – “Young lion”
• Mortimer (French) – “Dead sea”
• Nathaniel (Hebrew) – “Gift of God”
• Orville (French) – “Golden city”
• Preston (English) – “Priest’s town”
• Roland (Germanic) – “Fame of the land”
• Sherman (English) – “Shearer of cloth”
• Timothy (Greek) – “Honoring God”
• Victor (Latin) – “Conqueror”
• Winston (English) – “Wine’s town”

Check Out: 350+ Musical Last Names (Melodious Surnames That Sound Like Pure Magic)

Unique Vintage Baby Boy Names

Want something that’ll make other parents say “Wow, where’d you get that name?” These are like those cool unique group names – they really stand out!

• Alaric (Germanic) – “All-ruler” – How cool is that?
• Beauregard (French) – “Beautiful gaze”
• Caspian (Persian) – “From Caspia”
• Dashiell (French) – “Page boy”
• Ephraim (Hebrew) – “Fruitful”
• Fitzgerald (Irish) – “Son of Gerald”
• Galadriel (Celtic) – “Noble protector”
• Hawthorne (English) – “Lives by the hawthorn hedge”
• Ignatius (Latin) – “Fiery one”
• Jethro (Hebrew) – “Excellence”
• Lysander (Greek) – “Liberator”
• Magnus (Latin) – “Great”
• Nicodemus (Greek) – “Victory of the people”
• Oberon (German) – “Noble bear”
• Peregrine (Latin) – “Traveler”
• Quillon (French) – “Crossing swords”
• Reginald (Germanic) – “Counsel power”
• Thaddeus (Aramaic) – “Heart”
• Ulysses (Latin) – “Wrathful”
• Woodrow (English) – “Row of houses by a wood”

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Forgotten Vintage Boy Names

• Aloysius (Germanic) – “Famous warrior” – Bet you haven’t heard this one lately!
• Barnaby (Aramaic) – “Son of consolation”
• Cuthbert (English) – “Famous bright”
• Delbert (Germanic) – “Day bright”
• Ebenezer (Hebrew) – “Stone of help”
• Florian (Latin) – “Flowering”
• Garland (English) – “From the triangle land”
• Horatio (Latin) – “Timekeeper”
• Ichabod (Hebrew) – “No glory”
• Jeremiah (Hebrew) – “Appointed by God”
• Leander (Greek) – “Lion man”
• Marmaduke (Irish) – “Leader of the sea”
• Norbert (Germanic) – “North bright”
• Oswald (English) – “God’s power”
• Phineas (Hebrew) – “Oracle”
• Randolph (Germanic) – “Wolf shield”
• Sylvanus (Latin) – “Wood man”
• Theophilus (Greek) – “Friend of God”
• Urban (Latin) – “City dweller”
• Wilfred (English) – “Desires peace”

There’s still so many amazing vintage names to explore! Each section brings something unique to the table, just like those classic family names we all love.

Vintage Baby Boy Names with Meaning

Hey, let’s talk about some really special names! These are like those old family recipes – they’ve got history, meaning, and they’re totally worth passing down.

• Ambrose (Greek) – “Immortal one” – Love how magical this sounds!
• Balthazar (Babylonian) – “Protect the king”
• Cornelius (Latin) – “Horn” – It used to mean ‘strength’
• Dexter (Latin) – “Right-handed, skilled”
• Elias (Hebrew) – “The Lord is my God”
• Ferdinand (Germanic) – “Bold voyager”
• Gideon (Hebrew) – “Mighty warrior”
• Humphrey (Germanic) – “Peaceful warrior”
• Ignatius (Latin) – “Fiery”
• Jasper (Persian) – “Treasurer”
• Knox (Scottish) – “Round hill”
• Lachlan (Scottish) – “Land of lakes”
• Montgomery (French) – “Mountain power”
• Nicholas (Greek) – “Victory of the people”
• Orion (Greek) – “Rising in the sky”
• Piers (Greek) – “Rock”
• Raphael (Hebrew) – “God has healed”
• Sebastian (Greek) – “Revered”
• Tobias (Hebrew) – “God is good”
• Xavier (Basque) – “New house”

Check Out: 350+ Canadian Last Names or Surnames (Family Names That Tell Stories)

Old Fashioned Boy Names

• Archibald – “Truly brave” (You can call him Archie!)
• Benedict – “Blessed”
• Cecil – “Blind” (Ironic, right?)
• Dudley – “From the people’s meadow”
• Edwin – “Rich friend”
• Felix – “Happy, fortunate”
• Geoffrey – “Peace pledge”
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit”
• Isador – “Gift of Isis”
• Jerome – “Sacred name”
• Kenneth – “Born of fire”
• Leland – “Meadow land”
• Milton – “Mill town”
• Norman – “Norse man”
• Otto – “Wealthy”
• Percy – “One who pierces the valley”
• Quentin – “Fifth”
• Roger – “Famous spear”
• Sidney – “Wide island”
• Walter – “Army ruler”

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Old Fashioned Male Names

• Atticus – Means “from Attica” – Remember that one from To Kill a Mockingbird?
• Cyrus – “Sun” – How cool is that?
• Dominic – “Belonging to the Lord”
• Emmett – “Universal”
• Francis – “Frenchman”
• Gustav – “Staff of the Gods”
• Hamilton – “Beautiful mountain”
• Irving – “Green river”
• Jonathan – “Gift of God”
• Kendrick – “Royal ruler”
• Leopold – “Brave people”
• Maxwell – “Great stream”
• Nathaniel – “Gift of God”
• Oliver – “Olive tree”
• Phillip – “Lover of horses”
• Quentin – “Fifth”
• Reginald – “Counsel power”
• Solomon – “Peace”
• Thaddeus – “Courageous heart”
• Wesley – “West meadow”

Check Out: 280+ Outdoorsy Boy Names (Nature-Inspired Choices for Your Little Explorer)

Classic Boy Names

These are like the little black dress of baby names – they just never go out of style! Check these out:

• Alexander – “Defender of the people”
• Benjamin – “Son of the right hand”
• Charles – “Free man”
• Daniel – “God is my judge”
• Edward – “Wealthy guardian”
• Frederick – “Peaceful ruler”
• George – “Farmer”
• Henry – “Estate ruler”
• Isaac – “He will laugh”
• James – “Supplanter”
• Kenneth – “Born of fire”
• Louis – “Famous warrior”
• Michael – “Who is like God?”
• Nicholas – “Victory of the people”
• Oscar – “Divine spear”
• Patrick – “Nobleman”
• Robert – “Bright fame”
• Samuel – “Name of God”
• Thomas – “Twin”
• William – “Resolute protector”

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Old Names for Boys

You know what’s wild? Some of these names are making such a comeback! It’s like fashion – everything cool comes back around eventually.

• Abraham – “Father of many” (Can you believe this one’s trending again?)
• Bertram – “Bright raven”
• Clyde – “Keeper of the keys”
• Desmond – “From south Munster”
• Everett – “Brave as a wild boar”
• Fletcher – “Arrow maker”
• Grover – “Lives near a grove”
• Harold – “Army ruler”
• Ira – “Watchful”
• Jeremiah – “God will uplift”
• Kendall – “Valley of the River Kent”
• Leroy – “The king”
• Murray – “Settlement by the sea”
• Newton – “New town”
• Oscar – “God spear”
• Porter – “Doorkeeper”
• Ross – “Headland”
• Sterling – “Little star”
• Theodore – “Gift of God”
• Warren – “Park keeper”

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Old School Boy Names

These names make me think of those black-and-white photos where everyone’s wearing super fancy clothes. Remember those?

• Alfred – “Elf counsel” (My grandpa had a friend named Alfred!)
• Bernard – “Bold as a bear”
• Chester – “Fortress”
• Dewey – “Beloved”
• Eugene – “Well-born”
• Franklin – “Free landholder”
• Gerald – “Rule of the spear”
• Harvey – “Battle worthy”
• Ishmael – “God will hear”
• Julius – “Youthful”
• Lawrence – “From Laurentium”
• Martin – “Warrior”
• Nelson – “Son of Neil”
• Orville – “Golden city”
• Peter – “Rock”
• Raymond – “Wise protector”
• Sherman – “Shearer”
• Timothy – “Honoring God”
• Vernon – “Alder tree meadow”
• Willis – “Will’s son”

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Traditional Boys Names

These names feel like a warm hug from history! They’ve got that solid, dependable vibe that just works.

• Adam – “Man, earth” (Talk about going back to basics!)
• Bartholomew – “Son of Talmai”
• Christopher – “Christ-bearer”
• David – “Beloved”
• Elijah – “My God is Yahweh”
• Francis – “Frenchman”
• Gabriel – “God is my strength”
• Harrison – “Son of Harry”
• Isaiah – “Salvation of the Lord”
• Joseph – “He will add”
• Kevin – “Handsome”
• Lucas – “Light”
• Matthew – “Gift of God”
• Nathan – “He gave”
• Owen – “Young warrior”
• Paul – “Small”
• Richard – “Strong ruler”
• Simon – “He has heard”
• Thomas – “Twin”
• William – “Resolute protector”

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Old-fashioned Boy Names 1800s

Ready for some real throwbacks? These names were super popular when people wrote with quill pens!

• Artemus – “Safe, whole” (Fancy, right?)
• Chauncey – “Fortune”
• Dewitt – “White”
• Elbridge – “Noble ruler”
• Fairfax – “Fair-haired”
• Giles – “Shield bearer”
• Hiram – “Brother of the exalted”
• Increase – “Increase in faith”
• Jedidiah – “Beloved of the Lord”
• Lemuel – “Devoted to God”
• Meriwether – “Happy weather”
• Nehemiah – “Comforted by God”
• Orville – “Golden city”
• Phineas – “Oracle”
• Rutherford – “Cattle crossing”
• Silas – “Wood, forest”
• Thaddeus – “Gift of God”
• Urban – “Of the city”
• Washington – “Settlement of Wassa’s people”
• Zebulon – “Dwelling”

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Uncommon Old-fashioned Boy Names 1800s

Here’s where things get really interesting! These names are like finding treasure in your great-great-grandpa’s attic.

• Absalom – “Father of peace” (Now that’s different!)
• Barnabas – “Son of encouragement”
• Cyrenius – “From Cyrene”
• Dorman – “Sleeping one”
• Erasmus – “Beloved”
• Fortunatus – “Lucky”
• Gamaliel – “Reward of God”
• Hezekiah – “God gives strength”
• Ichabod – “No glory”
• Jabez – “He makes sorrowful”
• Linus – “Flax”
• Marcellus – “Young warrior”
• Napoleon – “From Naples”
• Octavius – “Eighth”
• Philander – “Friend of man”
• Quartus – “Fourth”
• Rufus – “Red-haired”
• Sylvester – “Of the forest”
• Theophilus – “Friend of God”
• Zadok – “Righteous”

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Why Parents Love Vintage Names

Let me paint you a picture. Think about those classic black-and-white movies where every gentleman wore a suit and had an impossibly sophisticated name. That’s the kind of timeless charm vintage names bring! Here’s why parents are falling in love with them:

• They stand out naturally in a sea of modern names like Jayden and Aiden
• Each name comes with its own rich history and meaning
• They often honor family traditions and heritage
• Most vintage names age really well – they sound cute on a baby but still professional on a resume

Popular Vintage Baby Boy Names Making a Comeback

Let’s look at some vintage names that are stealing hearts right now. I’ve picked some favorites that perfectly blend old-world charm with modern appeal:

Name	Origin	Meaning
Theodore	Greek	Gift of God
Arthur	Celtic	Bear
Winston	English	Wine’s town
Felix	Latin	Happy, fortunate
Walter	German	Ruler of the army

These names remind me of those beautiful classic vintage team names that never go out of style – they just keep getting better with age!

Categorized Vintage Names

Classic Vintage Names

• Augustus – Reminds you of Roman emperors and dignity
• Edmund – Brings thoughts of classic literature
• Frederick – A name that’s ruled kingdoms

Unique and Uncommon Vintage Names

• Ambrose – Rarely heard but absolutely gorgeous
• Thaddeus – Distinctive and sophisticated
• Leopold – Regal without being pretentious

Note: Just like those charming old-school group names, these vintage names each tell their own special story. They’re more than just names – they’re little pieces of history we get to carry forward.

Vintage Names by Origin

Let’s take a little trip around the world of vintage names! Each culture brings something special to the table.

English Vintage Names

Remember those British period dramas? They’re full of gorgeous names like:

• Jasper – has that cozy, sophisticated ring to it
• Rupert – sounds like someone who’d read poetry in a garden
• Benedict – giving off those smart, gentle vibes

French Vintage Names

Just like French usernames, these names have that certain je ne sais quoi:

• Marcel
• Laurent
• Antoine

Spanish Vintage Names

These names remind me of old Spanish group names – they’re full of history and warmth:

• Salvador
• Rafael
• Mateo

How to Pick the Perfect Vintage Name

You know what’s funny? Sometimes picking a baby name feels like picking a team name – you want it to be just right! Here’s what to think about:

1. Check your family tree – Maybe there’s a cool vintage name hiding in there
2. Say it out loud – A lot. Like, really a lot
3. Think about nicknames – Will little Bartholomew be okay being called “Bart”?
4. Picture it on a business card – Because your baby will grow up!

Vintage Names with Modern Flair

Here’s something cool – you can totally mix vintage and modern styles! Like these combinations:

Vintage First Name	Modern Middle Name	Overall Vibe
Oliver	Kai	Classic meets cool
Henry	Zane	Traditional with a twist
Sebastian	Fox	Old-world meets nature

Celebrity-Inspired Vintage Names

You won’t believe some of the vintage names celebrities are choosing! It’s like they’re reading old unique group names. Here are some standouts:

• Archie (chosen by Harry and Meghan)
• Theodore (picked by several Hollywood stars)
• August (Princess Eugenie’s pick)

Dealing with Vintage Name Challenges

Let’s keep it real – sometimes vintage names can be tricky. Here’s what you might run into:

• People might spell it wrong (looking at you, Beauregard)
• Some old names might feel too… well, old
• Certain vintage names might be hard to pronounce

What’s Next for Vintage Names?

I’m seeing some really interesting trends coming up! Just like how aesthetic group names keep evolving, vintage names are getting fresh twists.

Names to watch:

• Alastair – getting more popular every year
• Otto – making a surprising comeback
• Chester – climbing the charts

Wrapping It Up

Here’s what I love about vintage names – they’re like little time machines. They connect us to the past while feeling totally fresh for today’s world. Whether you go for something super traditional like William or a bit more unique like Cornelius, you’re giving your little one a name with real character.

Just remember – the perfect name is out there! Take your time, try different options, and pick something that makes both you and your future kiddo happy. After all, a good vintage name is like a good antique – it only gets better with time!

Want to explore more naming ideas? Check out our guides on family group names or classic team names for more inspiration!