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Forgotten Vintage Gems For Modern Baby Boys
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Bob
English, diminutive of Robert
"bright fame"
Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may…
Bobbie
Diminutive of Robert, English, Germanic "bright fame"
"bright fame"
While the spelling Bobby is far more popular for boys, ranking in the England and Wales Top 100 in a recent year, Bobbie is also perfectly familiar, in line with Albie, Reggie, and Ronnie. Currently…
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…
Burt
Burt is a masculine name with Germanic origins, typically serving as a shortened form of Burton, which meant 'fortified settlement' or 'fortress town.' The name gained notable popularity in the…
Burton
English
"fortified enclosure"
Burton originated as a habitation surname that now feels like a appropriate first. Actor Richard Burton, two-time husband of Elizabeth Taylor, was the most famous bearer. Burtie makes an adorable…
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…
Babe
Captain
English word name
"person in charge"
A commanding word name that feels occupational like Miller, Palmer, and Shepherd, while also fitting in with ambitious choices like Legend, King, Major, Maverick, and Saint. Referring to someone who…
Carey
Irish
"dark, black"
Carey is a surname name that works equally well on babies of all genders: Jazz great Carey Bell and motorcross champion Carey Hart are just two examples of how handsome this name can be for a boy.…
Carroll
Anglicized variation of Irish Cearbhall
"hacking with a weapon"
This name was consistently in the boys' Top 200 until WW2. It's a name with so many dimensions to it: the hyper-masculine meaning, the surname-as-firstname trendiness, and the softer sound and…
Celestino
Italian; Spanish; Portuguese, from Latin
"belonging to heaven"
Classic Italian name with celestial vibes.
Chas
Diminutive of Charles, French from German
"free man"
Retro nickname for Charles that has the potential for revival, a la Hal, Ike, and Gus. Ben Stiller played the high-strung but devoted Chas Tenenbaum in Wes Anderson’s 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums .
Chauncy
French
"gamble, fortune"
A popular American name in previous centuries in honor of famed Harvard President, Charles Chauncy. This name is burdened by an incredibly pompous sound and best left in the past.
Cicero
Latin
"chickpea"
Roman statesman's name with a cool and quirky sound. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman scholar, orator and lawyer who had an immense impact on the Latin language.
Clair
Clair as a masculine name has French origins, derived from the Latin 'clarus' meaning 'clear, bright, or famous.' While now more commonly used for girls in English-speaking countries (often spelled…
Cleve
Diminutive of Cleveland
Appealing short form of the stuffy Cleveland, occasionally used on its own.
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.
Colbert
English and French surname from German
"bright helmet"
Associated with comedian Stephen Colbert, who uses the French pronunciation of his name as a bit (the rest of his family of origin use the English pronunciation).
Colonel
Colonel is an unusual masculine name derived directly from the military rank, which ultimately comes from the Italian word "colonnello," meaning the commander of a column of soldiers. As a given…
Columbus
Variation of Columbo or Columbia, Latin
"dove"
This is a big name, both in heritage and sound. On the right child, this could be inspired, but others may shrink from all the connotations. While your preferred nickname for this option might be Col…