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Forgotten Vintage Gems For Modern Baby Boys

turnip
By turnip
Updated Thu May 25 2023
These vintage names were once in the top 1000 between the years of 1880-1930. Since then, they have plummeted and have yet to make a comeback. All names have not appeared within the top 3000 since the year 2010. Listed under each name is the most recent ranking in 2018. Grab them while they last!
  1. Adams

    • Description:

      Adams originated as a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam,' derived from the Hebrew name Adam ('man' or 'earth'). As a given name, Adams represents a modern trend of using surnames as first names, projecting strength and tradition. While primarily masculine, it sometimes appears as a middle name for both genders. In the United States, Adams carries historical significance through founding father John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, both presidents. The name has never been highly common as a first name but has steady, modest usage. It appeals to parents seeking a distinguished, intellectual-sounding name with historical resonance. Adams possesses a dignified, refined quality while maintaining simplicity and clear pronunciation.

  2. Admiral

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "a high rank in the navy"

    • Description:

      This title name definitely makes a statement. Will Admiral fit in with the Saints, Kings, and Knights joining the playground?
  3. Alto

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "high"

    • Description:

      With its musical allusions, a harmonious possibility.
  4. Alva

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "his highness"

    • Description:

      Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think that it has become too corporate with the advent of Elon Musk's company.
  5. Alwin

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble friend, friend of the elves"

    • Description:

      Softer, milder, and sans chipmunk references, Alwin is a likable alternative to Alvin. Win makes a nice nickname.
  6. Anatole

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from the east, rising sun"

    • Description:

      Anatole is one of the unique boys' names with an unusual-ish feel but an uncertain provenance, with a meaning related to sunrise and thus to fire. While it's Greek in origin, it is associated more closely with France. Anatole Kuragin is a dashing, roguish prince in Tolstoy's War and Peace.
  7. Arch

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Archibald, Teutonic

    • Meaning:

      "truly brave"

    • Description:

      Arch can be used as a nickname for Archibald or a stand-alone word name — perhaps for the child of an architect.
  8. Art

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Arthur

    • Meaning:

      "noble one; bear man"

    • Description:

      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., coming from an ancient word for ""a bear,"" and used in the sense of ""outstanding warrior"" or ""champion."" A pagan High King of Ireland, Art’s rule was so honest that two angels hovered over him in battle.
  9. Ashby

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree farm"

    • Description:

      This Ashley-like surname name actually made the US Top 1000 around the turn of the 20th century. Used very quietly today in equal numbers -- about a dozen each -- for boys and girls. Ashby is a major thoroughfare in Berkeley, California.
  10. Baldwin

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "brave friend"

    • Description:

      One "bald" name we can get behind, thanks to pioneering African-American author James Baldwin – though the name is now also associated with the Baldwin brothers, particularly Alec.
  11. Ballard

    • Description:

      Ballard is a masculine name of English origin functioning primarily as a surname before its adoption as a given name. Derived from the Old English 'bal' (ball) and 'heard' (hard), it historically referred to a bald-headed person. As a first name, Ballard emerged in the United States during the trend of using family surnames as given names. It carries an aristocratic, distinguished quality with connections to notable landmarks like Ballard County, Kentucky, and the Ballard neighborhood in Seattle. While never extremely common, it appeals to parents seeking a name with historical gravitas and a refined sound. Ballard projects strength and stability, with a timeless quality that avoids trendy phonetic patterns.
  12. Barney

    • Origin:

      Variation of Barnabas

    • Meaning:

      "son of comfort"

    • Description:

      The name Barney is hot among hip Londoners and it has been above the Top 500 in the UK since 2012. You can see why - it's got a friendly happy sound and a lovely meaning and is more easily worn than Barnabas. However, Barney is a more difficult sell in America, due to Barney the Dinosaur and Barney Gumble, the loveable lout from The Simpsons. In the positive column for Barney are jazz clarinetist Barney Bigard and guitarist Barney Kessel. For those who love the name but can't get past the dinosaur, may we suggest the related names Bernard or Barnaby?
  13. Bart

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bartholomew, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "son of the earth"

    • Description:

      Permanent property of that devilish little Simpson kid.
  14. Bernie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Bernard, English

    • Meaning:

      "strong; brave as a bear"

    • Description:

      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 (albeit, to a peak of only 21 baby boys given the name). By 2017, Bernie has decreased in usage by almost 60%.
  15. Bert

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Albert and Bertram

    • Description:

      A once-popular nickname for Albert and Bertram now being polished up by hip Brits, but still hibernating in the Land of Nerd over here.
  16. Bertrand

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "magnificent crow"

    • Description:

      This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director and screenwriter Bertrand Tavernier.
  17. Billie

    • Description:

      Billie as a masculine name originated as a diminutive form of William, derived from Germanic elements meaning "will" or "determination" and "helmet" or "protection." While more commonly recognized as a feminine name today, Billie has historical precedence as a male name, particularly in the early to mid-20th century. Notable male bearers include jazz musician Billie Holiday (born Eleanora but adopted the masculine spelling) and various athletes and musicians. The name conveys a friendly, approachable quality with vintage charm. Though its popularity for boys has declined significantly since the 1960s, it maintains appeal for parents drawn to gender-neutral naming options with traditional roots and a casual, unpretentious character.
  18. Bird

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      A name that's unusual in that changing the i to a y -- as in Byrd -- makes it more masculine.
  19. Blanchard

    • Origin:

      French surname

    • Meaning:

      "white deer"

    • Description:

      This name is usually seen as a surname, but could be used as a first in the tradition of Cooper, Sawyer etc.
  20. Bliss

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "intense happiness"

    • Description:

      If you use this for a boy, it had better be a family name, hidden away in the middle.