Vintage Nicknames for Boys

Lauro

Diminutive of Laurence

A heck of a lot cooler than Larry.

Augie

Short form of August and variations

Augie is an adorable and, at this point, fresher sounding short form than Gus of the rising August and all its variations, from Augustine to Augustus. The Adventures of Augie March is a 1953 novel by…

Ernie

Variation of Ernest, English from German

"serious, resolute"

Not too long ago, Ernie may have felt totally out of style: a clunky old man nickname, best reserved for grandpa alongside Merle, Errol, and Barney. Now however, it's a rising star, a vintage revival…

Odie

Diminutive of Odell, Otis; English, German

"of the valley; wealthy"

This old-timey nickname for Otis and Odell is strongly tied to Garfield’s canine companion in the Garfield comic, movie, and TV franchise. Actress Ashley Williams gave it signs of life when she used…

Wally

English, diminutive of Walter or Wallace

A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?

Baz

Diminutive of Sebastian or Basil; Kurdish

"regal; falcon"

As Bas, it's a popular name in The Netherlands, but Baz, as in director Luhrmann, has potential for independent life too. Curiously, Australian-born Moulin Rouge director Luhrmann was born neither…

Rollie

Diminutive of Roland, German

"famous throughout the land"

As its parent name Roland comes back into style (yep, it’s happening), could there be an uptick in baby Rollies? Certainly as a pet form.

Buster

Modern nickname

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…

Newt

English

"a small salamander"

Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.

Sandy

Scottish and English diminutive of Alexander

"defending men"

A sweet Scottish short form of Alexander which is feeling newly appealing now the era of Sandra is far behind us. Sandy would also work well as a nickname for a child with pale red or dark blond hair.

Zeb

Diminutive of Zebediah or Zebulon, Hebrew

"gift of God, exaltation, or little dwelling"

Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy.

Les

Les is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and a familiar shortening of longer names like Lester, Leslie, or Leszek. Compact and straightforward, it carries a no-nonsense…

Tad

Diminutive of Thaddeus, Aramaic

"gift of God"

An approachable mini name that could go on the birth certificate, but may work best as a nickname. Full name options include Thaddeus, Theodore, and Thomas, which was the given name of Abe's son Tad…

Artie

Diminutive of Arthur, Celtic

"bear"

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

Obie

Obie has multiple origins, functioning as both a standalone name and a nickname. It emerged as a traditional diminutive for names like Obadiah, a Hebrew biblical name meaning 'servant of God.' It's…

Sly

English word name, diminutive of Sylvester

A bit too cunning.

Bernie

Diminutive of Bernard, English

"strong; brave as a bear"

It's been shown that notable political figures often impact the use of their names, and the same can — sort of — be said about Bernie Sanders. His name increased in use by 47% between 2015 and 2016…

Chuck

Diminutive of Charles

So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.

Del

English, diminutive

"small valley"

The kind of name last found in northern Wisconsin in the 1950s, and even then it was probably a nickname for Delbert.

Maury

Diminutive of Maurice

"dark skinned"

Old-man name, soft as a fraying gray cashmere cardigan, that would be even cuter for a girl.