Vintage Nicknames for Boys

Rye

Diminutive of Ryder or Riley or word name, English

"cavalryman, messenger; rye"

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,…

Cy

Diminutive of Cyrus, Persian

"sun"

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…

Fritz

German, diminutive of Friedrich or Frederick

"peaceful ruler"

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…

Cliff

Topographical name or short form of Clifford or Clifton

Cliff is a familiar, timeless short form -- never too popular, yet widely known -- that you might also think of as a geographical name ala Vale or Field.

Marty

Short form of Martin, Latin

"warlike"

Marty is one of those Old Man nicknames that's just starting to sound cute again.

Huey

Variation of Hugh, English

"mind, intellect"

Once upon a time, in the 1930s, Huey was a Top 250 name, given to nearly 500 babies in a singer year. Traditionally a nickname for Hugo, Hugh, or Hubert, Huey has been notably borne by actor and…

Jody

Variation or diminutive of Joseph

"Jehovah increases"

Quintessentially sweet and innocent unisex name of the 1960s and 70s, now gone the way of hot pants and disco balls.

Hal

Diminutive of Harold or Henry, English, Scandinavian, German

"army ruler or estate ruler"

Could Hal be the Jack, Max, or Gus of the future? It just might happen in the new nickname environment, especially with Cal and Cy feeling cool, and with the interest in vintage, cowboy-esque…

Walt

German, diminutive of Walter

A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.

Art

Diminutive of Arthur

"noble one; bear man"

Though short and brisk, no nickname name could have a more creative image. Comic actor Chris O'Dowd named his son Art, as in his native Ireland it's used as a name on its own, separate from Arthur.,…

Larkin

Irish

"rough, fierce"

The additional syllable makes Lark a masculine surname name, borne by poet Philip Larkin.

Fitz

Scottish

"son of"

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…

Oz

Hebrew, English, Irish

"strength, powerful, courageous; god's warrior; deer friend"

While some may think of ruby slippers and a yellow brick road, Oz is a legitimate Hebrew name denoting power. An element in a number of names including Ozni, Oziel, and Ozias, it may also be used as…

Eben

Hebrew, diminutive of Ebenezer

"stone of help"

Though most parents would shy away from Ebenezer, short form Eben is affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it. This also makes a fresh new spin on the very…

Albie

Diminutive of Albert or Albus, English, Germanic, Latin

"noble and bright; white, bright light"

Gentle and friendly, but also full of energy and spark, Albie is a bubbly diminutive, usually of Albert, but also of Alban, Albus, Albie has become a big favorite in England and Wales in recent…

Lonzo

Diminutive of Alonzo

"noble, ready"

Adds some dash and substance to Lon.

Mose

German variation of Moses, Egyptian

"delivered from the water"

Mose is the German variation of Moses, a widely familiar name thanks to the character in the Old Testament. Mose is also used a nickname for Moses. Fans of the American TV series The Office will…

Buddy

English, nickname name

Until recently it was rarely used as a proper name; Buddy Holly, for example, was christened Charles, and Salinger's Buddy Glass was born Webb. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver did name his fourth child…

Howie

Diminutive of Howard, English, Germanic, Norse

"high guardian; brave heart"

Old school Howard has fallen out of fashion in recent years, having been a Top 100 choice in the US from the 1880s until the 1960s. Short form Howie, however, might have more potential, with its…

Gil

Hebrew

"happiness"

Pronounced zheel, it's a dashing conquistador; as gill, it's the nice and slightly boring guy down the street.