The “old” names are becoming popular again. Browse this list of the best old fashioned boy names full of vintage charm, perfect for your child!
What was old is new and that goes for baby names. Classic vintage names that were previously reserved as “grandfather” names are again seen as bold and cool.
Maybe parents are looking for a unique and rare name, but still want that traditional touch on their child’s name. The names of the elderly are no longer reserved for the elderly. These old-fashioned names have proven to stand the test of time.
Most people have heard of these names, so pronunciation isn’t a big deal. They are also unique enough to be unusual names in the class.

What Are Some Old Boy Names?
Old-fashioned names mean different things to different people. Some consider it old-fashioned at least a century earlier, such as Cecil or Sherman. Others may consider old names that were popular 50 years ago, such as Russell or Elvis. Others may consider old-fashioned names in the Bible, such as John or Mark.
Older names have been in fashion for boys for so long that many of them have become popular first names: Henry and Samuel are among the biggest names in the US, while in the UK Harry, Leo and Oscar are all among their most popular baby names.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of other alumni names out there where they came from! To qualify as a cool old man’s name, a name has to have a classic twist and a little bit moth-eaten, like a perfect vintage cardigan.
Along with Henry and Samuel, other senior names in the American Top 500 include Arthur, Cyrus, Theodore, Otto, Silas, Harvey, Victor and Frederick. Seniors’ names more common in the UK than in the US include Albert, Ralph, Stanley, and Wilfred.
Like Biblical boy names, old names for old people are constantly revived by parents. Today’s more old-fashioned boy names include relics like Herbert, Harold, and Clyde.
For inspiration, below is a list of the best old historical names that you don’t really hear anymore. You can only find the perfect name for your child below!

Cool and Classic 111+ Old Fashioned Boy Names
Name | Meaning |
---|---|
Abraham | Father of Multitudes |
Albert | Noble, Bright |
Alexander | Defending Men |
Archie | Truly Brave |
Augustus | Magnificent |
Benjamim | Favorite Son |
Bernard | Strong, Brave as a Bear |
Bruce | Ancient |
Calvin | Bald, Hairless |
Cecil | Blind |
Charles | Free Man |
Chester | Fortress, Walled-town |
Clark | Scribe, Secretary, Cleric, Scholar, Clerk |
Conrad | Bold ruler; Brave |
Edgar | Wealthy Spearman |
Edison | Son of Edward |
Elijah | My name is Yahweh |
Elliot | My name is Yahweh |
Elvis | All-Wise |
Emmett | Truth |
Everett | Brave as a Wild Boar |
Ezra | Help |
Felix | Happy and Lucky |
Frank | Frenchman or Free Man |
Frederick | Peaceful Ruler |
Garfield | Triangular Field |
Garrett | Spear rule |
George | Farmer |
Gerald | Ruler with the Spear |
Gregory | Watchful |
Hamilton | Treeless Hill |
Harold | Army Ruler |
Harvey | Battle Worthy |
Henry | Estate Ruler |
Ira | Watchful |
Isaac | He will laugh |
Jack | God is Gracious |
James | Supplanter |
Jasper | Bringer of Treasure |
Jeffrey | Pledge of Pease |
Jeremiah | God will exalt |
John | God is Gracious |
Jonah | Dove |
Josiah | Josiah |
Kelvin | Ship, Friend |
Kenneth | Of Fire; Handsome |
Kirk | Church |
Lamar | Dweller by a Pool |
Lawrence | from the ancient Roman town of Laurentum |
Leo | Brave Lion |
Leonard | Brave Lion |
Louis | Famous warrior |
Luther | Army People |
Malcolm | disciple of Columba |
Marshall | One Who Looks After Horses |
Max | Greatest |
Micah | One who is like God |
Michael | Who is like God |
Mickey | Who is like God |
Miles | Soldier |
Mitchell | Who is like God |
Morris | Dark-skinned |
Morton | Town Near the Moor |
Moses | Delivered from the Water |
Murray | Seafarer |
Newton | New Town |
Noah | Rest, Wandering |
Norris | Northerner |
Oliver | Olive Tree |
Oscar | Friend of Deer |
Orville | Gold Town |
Othello | He has the Sound of God |
Otis | Wealth |
Otto | Wealth |
Owen | Young Warrior, Well-Born |
Peter | Stone |
Phillip | Horse Lover |
Presley | Priest’s Meadow |
Preston | Priest’s Estate |
Quentin | Fifth |
Rainer | Wise Army |
Ralph | Wolf-Counsel |
Randall | Randall |
Raymond | Trusted Advisor |
Reuben | Behold, a son |
Rhett | Advice |
Robert | Bright Fame |
Rodney | Island Near the Clearing |
Roland | Famous Throughout the Land |
Royce | Son |
Russell | Redhead, Fox-Colored |
Samson | Sun |
Samuel | Name of God |
Saul | Prayed for |
Sherman | Shearer of Woolen Cloth |
Sigmund | Victorious Protection |
Silas | Man of the Forest |
Simon | Simon |
Spencer | House Steward, Dispenser of Provisions |
Stanley | Near the Stony Clearing |
Sullivan | Dark Eyed |
Thane | Clan Chieftain |
Theodore | Gift of God |
Thomas | Twin |
Timothy | Honoring God |
Tony | Priceless One |
Troy | Descendant of Foot Soldier |
Vaughn | Little |
Victor | Champion |
Vincent | Conquer |
Waldo | To Rule |
Warren | Park-Keeper |
Werther | Worthy Warrior |
Whitman | White Man |
Wiley | From Wylye |
Wilkes | A Contraction of Wilkins |
William | Resolute Protection |
Wilson | Son of Will |
Wilton | Place by a Stream |
Windsor | Riverbank with a Winch |
Winslow | Friend’s Hill or Burial Mound |
Wyatt | Brave in battle |
Zachariah | The Lord recalled |
Alfred | elf counsel or wise counsel |
Alvin | noble friend |
Amos | burdened or troubled |
Archibald/Archie | bold |
Basil | royal, kingly |
Benjamin | son of my right hand |
What do you think of our list of old names? What are some old boy names that we forget ??