Historic and Vintage Names · Cool Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 3 pages
of 3
German, diminutive of Walter
A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.
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.,…
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…
English
"pasture, meadow"
The original brief, breezy name is somewhat out of favor now even as a middle name. The Leigh spelling has more substance and is more identifiable as female.
English, diminutive of Dorothy
Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name.
Short form of Stanley
"near the stony meadow"
One of the old-school nicknames -- think Ray, Vince, Frank -- that's on the brink of coming back into style. Name him Stanislav or Constantine and he'll have a groovier long form to fall back on.
Diminutive of Desmond
The cool clipped Des may be the part of the name wave of the future, with midcentury names like Des and Vic and Stan riding back into style on the heels of big brothers Max and Sam and Ray.
