Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:06 pm
If you know me, then you know that old-fashioned, vintage inspired names have a soft spot on my heart. There is just something about a cute “old man” name on a little boy that just makes me melt. These names are definitely becoming more popular as parents are looking for a more unique moniker for their little ones.
Looking for a vintage inspired boy’s name of your own? Or maybe you are wanting to honor a family member with your own modern twist? Here is a list of more traditional, old-fashioned names that aren’t overused.
For this list, I looked at the Social Security Administration list of popular names from 1880’s to 1950’s for each decade. There are plenty of names on there that won’t be popular again anytime soon, but there are several hidden gems. Scroll through these and maybe something will stand out to you!
Looks for girl’s names as well? Check out our list of Old Fashioned Girl Names That Aren’t Overused!
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A
Aaron – this boy name of Hebrew origin means ‘exalted’ or ‘strong’
Abel – also of Hebrew origin, this boy name means ‘a breath’
Abraham – this classic Hebrew name means ‘father of nations’
Adam – this strong boy name of Hebrew origin means ‘man’ or ‘of the Earth’
Alaric – this Old German boy name means ‘noble’ or ‘regal ruler’
Albert – this name means ‘noble’ or ‘bright’ and is of English roots
Alistair – this boy name of Scottish origin means ‘defender of men’
Allen – this Irish boy name means ‘handsome’
Alvin – this name of English origin means ‘noble friend’ or ‘friend of the elves’
Amos – this strong name of Hebrew origin means ‘to carry’ or ‘borne by God’
Andrew – this name is a variant of the Greek name Andreas meaning ‘strong and manly’
Anders – this Greek name means ‘lion man’
Anthony – another Greek name that means ‘priceless one’
Anton – this name of German, Slavic, and Latin origin means ‘priceless, inestimable or praiseworthy’
Ansel – this name of German origin means ‘God’s protection’
Archie – a name of German origin meaning ‘truly brave’
Arnold – this classic German boy name means ‘eagle ruler’
Arthur – this name is of Celtic origin and means ‘bear’
Atticus – this classic Greek name means ‘man from Attica
Augustus – this name of Latin and Slavic roots means ‘great’ or ‘magnificent’
B
Bailey – this Old English name means ‘bailiff’ or ‘steward’
Barney – this boy name means ‘strong as a bear’ and is of English origin
Beau – this darling French name means ‘handsome’
Benedict – this Latin boy name means ‘blessed’
Benjamin – this biblical boy name means ‘son of my right hand’ and is of Hebrew origin
Bennett – this sweet name with Latin roots means ‘little blessed one’
Bernard – this French boy name means ‘bold as a bear’
Bobby – this name is short for Robert meaning ‘bright fame’
Bradley — this Old English boy name means ‘from the broad meadow’
Bruce – this bold English boy name means ‘thick brush’
Bruno – this name means ‘brown’ and has Old German roots
Buford – this unique name of Old English roots means ‘ford near the aviary’
Byron – this boy name means ‘at the byres (barn)’ and is of Old English origin
C
Caleb – this Hebrew boy name has several meanings including ‘faithful’, ‘devotion’, and ‘brave’
Calvin – this English baby name means ‘bald one’
Carl – this oldie name of German origin means ‘free man’
Casper – this name has several roots in German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Persian and means ‘treasurer’
Cecil – this name is of both Latin and Old Welsh origin and means ‘blind’ or ‘sixth’
Cedric – this unique name of Old English Origin means ‘kind and loved’
Charles – this baby name of German and French roots and means ‘free man’
Christopher – this boy name of Greek origin means ‘bearer of Christ’
Clarence – this strong boy name means ‘British title’ and is of English origin
Clark – this English boy name means ‘clerk’
Clayton – another boy name of English origin means ‘the town on the clay land’
Clifford – this Old English name means exactly how it sound, ‘cliff-side ford’
Clinton – this name means ‘fenced settlement’ and is of Old English roots
Clive – this baby name of Old English roots means ‘cliff’ or ‘slope’
Clyde – this Scottish boy name comes from the name of the River Clyde
Conrad – this vintage English boy name means ‘bold counsel’
Curtis – this name of Greek origin means ‘lordly’ or ‘masterful’
D
Dale – this baby name of English origin means ‘valley’
Daniel – this biblical name of Hebrew origin means ‘God is my strength’
Darwin – this Old English boy name means ‘dear friend’
Daryl – this boy name means ‘open’ or ‘from Airelle’ and is of Old French and Old English origin
David – another classic biblical name, this boy moniker means beloved in Hebew
Dean – this classic English name means ‘from the valley’
Dennis – this Greek boy name means ‘devotee of Dionysos (Greek god of wine)’
Desmond – this Irish baby name means ‘one from South Munster’
Dexter – this name means ‘beloved’ and is of Welsh roots
Donald – this cute boy name is of Scottish origin and means ‘world ruler’
Donovan – this name is of Irish origin and means ‘little brown one’
Douglas – this baby name has Scottish roots and means ‘black, blue’
Duke – this darling boy name is and English title of nobility
Duncan – this Irish baby name means ‘dark skinned warrior’
Dwayne – this English boy name means ‘dark, black’
Dwight – this boy name of English origin means ‘fair one’ or ‘god of wine’
E
Earl – this boy name of German roots means ‘warrior’
Edgar – this English baby name means ‘rich spear’
Edmund – a similar English boy name that means ‘rich protector’
Edward – this baby name means ‘wealthy guardian’ and is of English roots
Edwin – this English boy name means ‘rich or prosperous friend’
Eli – a name of Hebrew origin that means ‘height’
Elias – this strong name of English origin means ‘the Lord is my God’
Ellis – this name also means ‘the Lord is my God’ and is of English roots
Elton – this Old English boy name means ‘the old town’
Elvis – this retro Scandinavian name means ‘all wise’
Emmanuel –this name means ‘God is with us’ and is of Hebrew origin
Ephraim – this boy name of Hebrew origin means ‘fertile’ and ‘productive’
Ernest – this German baby name means ‘warrior
Erwin – also of German roots, this boy name means ‘respected friend’
Eugene – this name of Greek origin means ‘noble’
Everett – this name means ‘brave as a wild boar’ and is of German and English roots
F
Felix – this unique English boy name means ‘lucky’ or ‘successful’
Ferris — this Irish baby name means ‘rock’
Fletcher – this name has English, Irish, and Scottish roots, and means ‘arrow-maker’
Floyd – this boy name of English origin means ‘gray’
Francis – this Latin name means ‘from France’ or ‘free’
Frank – similar to Francis, this name also means ‘from France’ or ‘free’
Franklin – this name of English origin means ‘free man’
Frederick – this strong English boy name means ‘peaceful ruler’
G
Gabriel – this Hebrew boy name means ‘God is my strength’
Geoffrey – this French boy name means ‘ruler of an army’
George – this name of Greek roots means ‘farmer’
Gene – this gender-neutral name of English origin means ‘well born
Gerald – this English baby name means ‘rules with spear’
Gideon – this Hebrew boy name means ‘great warrior
Glenn – this name means ‘from the wooded valley’ and has Scottish roots
Gilbert – this English name means ‘bright pledge’
Gordon – this Old English classic means ‘hill near meadows’
Grady – this spunky name with Gaelic roots means ‘noble’
Graham – this name of Scottish and English origin means ‘gravelly homestead’
Gregory –this Greek boy name means ‘watchful’
Grover – this name of English origin means ‘lives near a grove of trees’
Gus – this cute boy name is of Latin and Celtic origin and means ‘great’ or ‘magnificent’
H
Hank – this name of English origin means ‘estate ruler’
Harold – this Old English classic boy name means ‘army power’
Harris – this name of English roots means ‘home ruler’
Harvey – this boy name of English origin means ‘blazing iron’
Heath – is a baby name of English roots means ‘land of heather and grass’
Henry – this cute boy name means ‘ruler of the home’ and is of German roots
Hiram – this unique Hebrew boy name means ‘exalted brother’
Homer – is a Greek boy name that means ‘pledge
Howard – this English boy name means ‘heart brave’
Hugh – this English boy name means ‘bright in mind and spirit
Hugo – another name meaning ‘bright in mind and spirit’, this boy name is of German
I
Ira – this unique name means ‘watchful’ and has Hebrew roots
Isaac – this Hebrew boy name means ‘he will laugh’
Irvin – is a Gaelic name meaning ‘high cliff’
Irving – also of Gaelic origin, this name means ‘fresh, green water’
Isaiah – this biblical name of Hebrew origin means ‘God is salvation’
Ivan – this boy name is of Russian origin and means ‘God is gracious’
J
Jacob – this classic name of Hebrew origin means ‘supplanter’
Jack – this English boy name means ‘God is gracious’
James – is another name of Hebrew origin and means ‘supplanter’
Jasper – this classy English boy name means ‘treasurer’
Jeffery – this English name means ‘God peace’
Jeremiah – is a Hebrew baby name means ‘appointed by God’
John – this name of Hebrew origin means ‘God is gracious’
Jonah – this name has English and Hebrew roots and means ‘the Lord is gracious’
Joseph – another Hebrew name that means ‘God will increase’
Jude – this boy name means ‘praise’ and is of Hebrew roots
K
Kenneth – a name of Gaelic origin it means ‘born of fire’ or ‘handsome’
Kent – this English name means ‘high or costal lant’
L
Lawrence – this name means ‘laurel’ and is of English origin
Leo – this classic boy name is of Italian origin and means ‘lion’
Leon – this baby name also means ‘lion’ but is of Greek origin
Leonard – is of German and Greek roots and means ‘lion strength’
Leroy – this French name means ‘King’
Lester – is an Old English boy name and means ‘Roman fort’
Leslie – is an Old Irish name and means ‘garden of holly’
Lewis – this strong boy name means ‘renowned warrior’ and is of English origin
Lloyd – this boy name of Welsh roots and means ‘grey’
Luther – this English boy name means ‘army of the people’
Lyle – is an English name that means ‘from the island’
M
Malcolm – this Scottish baby name means ‘follower of St. Columba’
Marion – is a Hebrew name meaning ‘bitter’ or ‘from the sea’
Marshall – this French boy name means ‘horse keeper’
Martin – this boy name has Latin roots and means ‘God of War’
Marvin – this baby name means ‘great friend’ and is of German origin
Matthew – this Hebrew boy name means ‘gift of God’
Maurice – this classy French boy name means ‘dark skinned’
Melvin – this name is of German origin and means ‘friend of justice’
Michael – a classic boy name of Hebrew roots meaning ‘who is like God?’
Milton – an English boy name meaning ‘from the mill town’
Montgomery – this daring French baby name means ‘mountain belonging to the ruler’
Morris – another English boy name meaning ‘dark skinned’
Moses – this biblical name comes from Hebrew roots and means ‘savior’
pulvinar dapibus leo.
Related: 70+ Location-Inspired Names for Boys
N
Nathaniel – this Hebrew boy name means ‘gift from God’
Neil – this simple name has Irish roots and means ‘passionate’
Nelson – this English boy name means ‘son of Neil’
Nestor – this vintage Greek name means ‘traveler’
Nicholas – is a classic boy name that means ‘victory of the people’ and has Greek roots
Noah – this Hebrew boy name means ‘peace’
Norman – this baby name with English origin means ‘man from the North’
O
Oliver – this Latin boy name means ‘olive tree planter’
Oscar – this name has both English and Latin roots and means ‘champion warrior’
Oswald – this English boy name means ‘god rule’
Otis – another English boy name that means ‘wealth’
Otto – also meaning ‘wealth’, this name comes from German roots
Owen – this Irish baby name means ‘the Yew tree’ or ‘youth’
P
Palmer – this Old English boy name means ‘pilgrim’ or ‘palm branch’
Patrick – this boy name means ‘noble man’ and has English roots’
Paul – this name of Latin origin means ‘small’ or ‘humble’
Percy – this unique boy name means ‘one who pierces the valley’
Perry – This English baby name means ‘dweller by the pear tree’
Peter – this Greek boy name means ‘rock’
Philip – a name of Greek origin means ‘lover of horses’
Pierce – is a vintage boy name that means ‘rock’
Q
Quincy – an Old French name meaning ‘fifth’
Quinton – another Old French name that means ‘queen’s settlement’
R
Randall – this English boy name means ‘shield wolf’
Raymond – another English baby name that means ‘counsel protection’
Ray – short form of Raymond, this name also means ‘counsel protection
Remington – this Old English gender-neutral name means ‘raven settlement’
Reuben – a name of Hebrew origin means ‘behold, a son’
Richard – this boy name of English roots means ‘brave ruler’
Robert – this English boy name means ‘bright fame’
Robin – this sweet boy name of English roots means ‘famed’ or ‘shining bright’
Roger – this baby name means ‘famous spear’ and is of English origin
Roland – this name is of Old German origin and means ‘renowned land’
Roscoe – this boy name has English roots and means ‘from the deer forest’
Ross – this strong name of Scottish origin means ‘headland’
Roy – this simple Scottish boy name means ‘red’
Royce – a English boy name meaning ‘famous kin’
Rufus – this Latin boy name means ‘red haired’
Russell – this name of English origin means ‘red’
Related: Nature Inspired Names for Baby Boys
S
Samuel – this traditional boy name of Hebrew origin means ‘told by God’
Sebastian – a classy boy name meaning ‘venerable’ and comes from Greek roots
Sidney – is an Old English name means ‘wide meadow’
Silas – a name of both English and Latin origin meaning ‘of the forest’ or ‘prayed for’
Simon – this Hebrew boy name means ‘God has heard’
Solomon – another name of Hebrew origin that means ‘peaceful one’
Stanley – this name of English origin means ‘from the stony field’
Stephen – this Greek boy name means ‘crown’
Sterling – this name of English origin means ‘starling’ and ‘little star’
Sylvester – another English boy name, meaning ‘of the forest’
T
Terrence – this name has roots in Gaelic meaning ‘from the knolls’ and Latin meaning ‘smooth’
Theodore – this Hebrew boy name means ‘God’s gift’
Thomas – a boy name of Greek origin meaning ‘twin’
Timothy – another Greek boy name that means ‘to honor God’
Tobias – this name with Greek and Hebrew roots means ‘God is good’
Truman – this strong boy name means ‘faithful man’ and is of English origin
V
Vance – this Old English baby name means ‘marshland’
Victor – this name of Latin roots means ‘winner’ or ‘conqueror’
Vincent – this boy name means ‘staff-bearer’ or ‘flourishing’
W
Wallace – this old-school boy name of English roots means ‘foreigner’ or ‘strange’
Walter – this German boy name means ‘ruler of the army’
Warren – this name of English origin means ‘guard’
Warner – another name of English origin meaning ‘army guard’
Wayne – is an English name meaning ‘wagon driver’
Wilbur – this vintage English name means ‘will fortress’
Willard – this English boy name means ‘will brave’
William – this name of English origin means ‘desire’
Willis – this unique boy name of English roots means ‘descendant or servant of Will”
Wilson – this name means ‘son of William’ and has English roots
Winston – is an Old English boy name meaning ‘wine’s town’ or ‘friend’s town’
X
Xavier – this name of Latin origin means ‘new house’ or ‘bright house’
Z
Zachary – this biblical name of Hebrew origin means ‘God remembers’
Well, that sums up our list of old-fashioned boy name that aren’t overused. Hopefully that gave you the inspiration you were looking for the choose the perfect name for your little guy! I love the meaning and the classic charm behind names that never go out of style.
If using these as a first name isn’t quite your style, a vintage inspired choice for a middle name adds that timeless effect. Whatever you choose, I know it will be amazing.
What were some of your favorite names from this list? Let me know in the comments below.
Still looking for the perfect name for your baby? Check out our other baby name lists here!
If you are pregnant, check out these blog posts to help you prepare for your baby:
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- Everything You Need to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
- The Ultimate Third Trimester Checklist
- Baby Medicine Cabinet Essentials
- How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
- Postpartum Must-Haves for a Vaginal Delivery
- How to Ask for Books Instead of Cards at a Baby Shower
- 33 Best Baby Shower Game Prize Ideas (That Aren’t Gift Cards)
