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Vintage Nicknames for Boys

  1. Laurie

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Laurence

    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum or bay laurel"

    • Description:

      A sweet and sophisticated nickname which feels fresh again after many years in style limbo. For literature lovers, it brings to mind Theodore "Laurie" Laurence from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Another famous bearer is English actor Hugh Laurie.
  2. Cy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cyrus, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      This evocative short name is suddenly chic — it was recently chosen by Jennifer Lawrence for her baby boy. JLaw's son's name honors Cy Twombly, the influential mid-century American artist. Born Edwin Parker Twombly Jr., both Cy Twombly and his father shared a nickname after baseball player Cy Young (himself born Denton True Young).
  3. Mac

    • Origin:

      Scottish or Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of"

    • Description:

      In Ireland and Scotland, Mac and Mc mean "son of"; here, Mac is a generic fella, or a short form cooler than either Matt or Max. Mac can be a nickname of any longer Mac or Mc starting name such as McCoy or Macalister. If you want to make it feel more complete, you can always spell it Mack.
  4. Rye

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Ryder or Riley; word name; British surname

    • Meaning:

      "cavalryman, messenger; rye"

    • Description:

      Rye has the potential to become the masculine version of Rue—a short and sweet name for nature lovers (and whiskey fans too!). Rye might be short for Ryder or Riley or Rylan or any Ry-beginning name, but increasingly it stands on its own. It can also be considered a place name, after the town in England.
  5. Billy

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Cute kid with freckles, bouncing a Spalding ball. Cool couple Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton put the name Billy Burton on their son's birth certificate. While the classic William, name of the future king of England, may in fact be German, the nickname Billy along with such other classic short forms as Jim and Joe are authentically English names for boys.
  6. Fitz

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of"

    • Description:

      Any number of Fitz names -- Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Fitzroy, Fitzwilliam -- have been used as Christian names, in fact Fitzwilliam was the given name of the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Fitz can be a short form of any of them and is often, like Mac, a nickname drawn from a surname.
  7. Ned

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Edward

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy guardian"

    • Description:

      Ned is a gently old-fashioned Nancy Drew-Bobbsey Twins-era short form for Edward that sounds cooler than Ed and is enjoying a small style renaissance.
  8. Ike

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Isaac, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "laughter"

    • Description:

      Ike, once the quirky one-person nickname of President Dwight Eisenhower, has morphed into a cool kid nickname of the early 21st century.
  9. Fritz

    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Friedrich or Frederick

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"

    • Description:

      Since female cousins Mitzi and Fritzi have entered the realm of possibilities, there's a chance that Cousin Fritz could as well. Fritz is the name of several notables, from early German-born film director Lang to early footballer Fritz (born Frederick) Pollard, the first African-American to play in the Rose Bowl in 1916.
  10. Huck

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Huckleberry, word name

    • Description:

      Though forever tied to Huck, short for Huckleberry, Finn, this is an undeniably cute short form that may have some life as part of the hipster taste for names like Duke and Bix.
  11. Ollie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Oliver, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      Down-home nickname name once associated with the friendly dragon on kids' TV. As Oliver rises, we may well hear more Ollies.
  12. Jonty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jonathan

    • Meaning:

      "gift of Jehovah"

    • Description:

      Jaunty, to say the least, Jonty might be an option if Johnny feels too old school. It has been noticed most often on the playing fields, as in U.K. rugby player Jonty Parkin (born Jonathan) and South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes (Jonathon).
  13. Gene

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Eugene, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wellborn, noble"

    • Description:

      Like Ray, a formerly funky nickname name that is newly cool. Comedian Amy Schumer used it for her son.
  14. Bobby

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Bobby is the quintessential mid-century nickname, the name of the son on Mad Men and overused to the point of cliche. Though Robert is still a highly popular choice, most Roberts today are called by their full name or Rob or Robbie rather than Bob or Bobby.
  15. Dick

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Richard

    • Meaning:

      "dominant ruler"

    • Description:

      Dick was a once-common short form of Richard; replaced by Rick or Richie, and finally by the full name itself. Rude meaning -- make that two rude meanings -- pretty much knocks this one out of consideration.
  16. Hal

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Harold and Henry

    • Description:

      Could Hal be the Jack, Max, or Gus of the future? It just might happen in the new nickname environment. Hank Azaria put it on his son's birth certificate.
  17. Benny

    • Description:

      Benny is traditionally a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Benjamin, which comes from Hebrew and means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south." Benny can also serve as a nickname for other names like Benedict, Bennett, or Bentley. Throughout the 20th century, Benny gained recognition through notable figures like bandleader Benny Goodman and comedian Benny Hill. The name has a friendly, approachable quality that has maintained modest popularity over the decades. While some parents choose Benny as a given name, it more commonly serves as an affectionate nickname that conveys warmth and familiarity.

  18. Buster

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle name of Timothy.
  19. Artie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Arthur, Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "bear"

    • Description:

      Artie is a cute short form rarely given on its own, unlike the more grownup Art. But for a young Arthur, it's adorable.
  20. Bix

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      Bix is a cool and jazzy nickname name, thanks to that final x. It's largely associated with the legendary and influential cornet player (and inspiration for the novel Young Man With a Horn), Bix Beiderbecke. He was born Leon Bismark Beiderbecke and his nickname derived from his middle name.