Vintage baby names for boys are making a stylish comeback; blending history, character and timeless cool. These old-fashioned baby names carry strong roots, gentle charm and a quiet confidence that appeals to today’s parents.

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Whether you're inspired by literary heroes, family heritage, or simply want a name that stands out without being trendy, classic baby names from the early 20th century offer a goldmine of options. Many are tied to noble meanings and enduring traditions, making them feel both distinctive and deeply grounded.

We’ve grouped 50 of our favourite vintage boy names into themed sections, from bold and strong to gentle and quirky. Use the jump links below to explore each section and find a traditional baby name that feels just right for your little one.

Still looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out our other lists, including double-barrel names for boys and girls, 24 of the best royal baby names for boys and 100 fantasy baby names for girls and boys.

Jump to:

Strong & noble vintage boy names

Bold, confident and full of heritage, these names carry timeless strength and dignity.

1. Albert

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘noble, bright’
  • Trend: classic return

2. Alfred

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘elf counsel’
  • Trend: steady revival

3. Arthur

  • Origin: Celtic
  • Meaning: ‘bear king’
  • Trend: firmly established

4. Edgar

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘prosperous spear’
  • Trend: poised for return

5. Edmund

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘wealthy protector’
  • Trend: quiet comeback

6. Edward

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘wealthy guardian’
  • Trend: enduring favourite

7. Ernest

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘serious, determined’
  • Trend: classic revival

8. Fredrick

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘peaceful ruler’
  • Trend: classic return

9. Harold

  • Origin: Old Norse
  • Meaning: ‘army ruler’
  • Trend: vintage return

10. Victor

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘conqueror’
  • Trend: rising steadily

Gentle and soft-sounding vintage names

These classic baby boy names offer a softer, more lyrical feel while still feeling vintage and grounded.

11. Amos

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘carried by God’
  • Trend: rising quietly

12. Archie

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘genuine, bold’
  • Trend: modern classic

13. Bernard

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘brave as a bear’
  • Trend: due a comeback

14. Clarence

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘bright, clear’
  • Trend: traditional revival

15. Eugene

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘well-born’
  • Trend: traditional comeback

16. Felix

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘happy, fortunate’
  • Trend: rising steadily

17. Floyd

  • Origin: Welsh
  • Meaning: ‘grey-haired’
  • Trend: rare vintage choice

18. Hector

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: ‘holding fast’
  • Trend: distinctive revival

19. Ira

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘watchful’
  • Trend: quiet resurgence

20. Otis

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘wealth’
  • Trend: steadily rising

Quirky and underused vintage picks

Unexpected, rare and full of retro charm, these vintage names stand out from the crowd.

21. Cecil

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘blind’
  • Trend: niche revival

22. Chester

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘fortress or camp’
  • Trend: quietly rising

23. Clyde

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: ‘from the River Clyde’
  • Trend: rare vintage pick

24. Elmer

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘noble and famous’
  • Trend: niche revival

25. Grover

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘from the grove’
  • Trend: uncommon comeback

26. Horace

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘timekeeper’
  • Trend: classic revival

27. Lester

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘from Leicester’
  • Trend: underused revival

28. Lionel

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘young lion’
  • Trend: stylish return

29. Melvin

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: ‘gentle chieftain’
  • Trend: quiet comeback

30. Orson

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘bear cub’
  • Trend: distinctive comeback

Surname-style vintage choices

Surnames-turned-first-names that feel especially traditional, sturdy and cool again.

31. Franklin

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘free landowner’
  • Trend: traditional revival

32. Gilbert

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘bright pledge’
  • Trend: gentle revival

33. Howard

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘high guardian’
  • Trend: traditional return

34. Irving

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: ‘green river’
  • Trend: rare vintage pick

35. Laurence

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘from Laurentum’
  • Trend: elegant revival

36. Leonard

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘brave lion’
  • Trend: classic comeback

37. Louis

  • Origin: French/German
  • Meaning: ‘famous warrior’
  • Trend: modern classic

38. Milton

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘mill town’
  • Trend: traditional revival

39. Morris

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘dark-skinned, Moorish’
  • Trend: vintage return

40. Murray

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: ‘settlement by the sea’
  • Trend: uncommon revival

Other charming vintage classics

These don’t fit one theme — but they all deserve a second look.

41. Oscar

  • Origin: Irish/Old English
  • Meaning: ‘champion warrior’
  • Trend: established favourite

42. Raymond

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘wise protector’
  • Trend: classic revival

43. Reuben

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: ‘behold, a son’
  • Trend: traditional return

44. Roland

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘famous throughout the land’
  • Trend: due a comeback

45. Rufus

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: ‘red-haired’
  • Trend: bold vintage choice

46. Sidney

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: ‘wide meadow’
  • Trend: gentle revival

47. Stanley

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘stone clearing’
  • Trend: traditional return

48. Wallace

  • Origin: Old English/Scottish
  • Meaning: ‘Welshman’
  • Trend: rare vintage revival

49. Leonard

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: ‘brave lion’
  • Trend: enduring vintage

50. Elmer

  • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: ‘noble and famous’
  • Trend: comeback in progress

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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