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Boy names from vintage baby name book

Summma
By Summma
Updated Sat May 20 2023
I have a vintage baby name book with many unusual names. Many of them are traditional forms of names that are more common today, traditional name lovers might find some unused gems! I included just a selection of what the book contains, and intentionally left out some funnier names such as Diccon, Everard and Willibald.
  1. Aelfric

    • Origin:

      Anglo-Saxon

    • Description:

      Properly written Ælfric, this Anglo-Saxon name derives from Old English name elements meaning "elf" and "power". It belonged to several notable medieval churchmen, and is thought to be the origin of the English names Auberon and Aubrey.
  2. Alaric

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "all-powerful ruler"

    • Description:

      Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
  3. Alban

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "white, or, man from Alba"

    • Description:

      An ancient and highly unusual name; St. Alban -- sometimes also called Albinus or Aubin -- was an early martyr in Roman Britain. Using an alternate spelling, Alben Barkley was the 35th U.S. Vice-President, serving under Harry Truman. And Albin is popular in modern Sweden. But only the form Alban has the alternate meaning "from Alba".
  4. Algernon

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "moustached man"

    • Description:

      While this name came into being in the Victorian era as a nickname for a man with whiskers, the name was quickly embraced as a true name by the Victorians and is likely most familiar to you as the name of Oscar Wilde's fabulous character in The Importance of being Earnest . However, Algernon is not confined to the fictional world of satire; many real world namesakes exist including US footballer Algernon Crumpler (aka Alge Crumpler), British impressionist painter Algernon Talmage, and Canadian astrophysicist Joseph Algernon Pearce, who discovered many thinks about the Milky Way. Plus, who can go past the adorable nickname Algie?
  5. Amias

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "loved"

    • Description:

      Amias or Amyas is a unique name with an attractive sound and feel and a lovely meaning. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, it is not, but is a surname that may be related to Amadeus or even be a male version of Amy--which would make it one of the few boys' names to be derived from a girls'.
  6. Asa

    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "healer; born in the morning"

    • Description:

      A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame.
  7. Aylmer

    • Description:

      Aylmer is a masculine name of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English elements "aeðel" meaning "noble" and "maer" meaning "famous" or "renowned." This aristocratic name carries historical significance, particularly in Britain where it has been used since medieval times. Aylmer was moderately common among the English nobility and gentry during the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. The name has a distinctly old-world, sophisticated quality that evokes images of historical estates and ancestral titles. Despite its distinguished heritage, Aylmer has become quite rare in modern usage, appearing infrequently in contemporary birth records. For parents drawn to uncommon names with historical depth and aristocratic associations, Aylmer offers a distinctive choice with genuine historical roots.

  8. Adelgar
    • Aethelbright
      • Anastasius
        • Beaumont

          • Origin:

            French

          • Meaning:

            "beautiful mountain"

          • Description:

            Beau is now in now in the Top 200 boys' names, and this is a more elaborate way to get there. Comic power couple Jordan Peele and Chelsea Peretti named their first son Beaumont Gino in July 2017. Monty is another possible nickname. As French baby names go, this one might provide the perfect balance of effete and approachable.
        • Bram

          • Origin:

            Dutch variation of Abraham, Hebrew

          • Meaning:

            "father of multitudes"

          • Description:

            Bram has an unusual measure of character and charm for a one-syllable name; it started as a hipper-than-Abe diminutive of the biblical Abraham, but is also an independent Irish and Dutch name, made famous by Irish-born Dracula creator Bram (nee Abraham) Stoker. Bram is currently Number 16 in the Netherlands; Bram Howard was a character on The West Wing.
        • Bran

          • Origin:

            Diminutive of Brandon

          • Meaning:

            "broom-covered hill"

          • Description:

            A little heavy on the fiber content; we prefer Bram. But Bran is also the Celtic god of the underworld, whose symbol is the raven.
        • Banquo
          • Bodil
            • Calisto

              • Description:

                Calisto is a masculine name derived from Greek mythology, where Callisto was a nymph who was transformed into the constellation Ursa Major. The masculine form shifts the mythological association while maintaining the celestial connection. The name comes from Greek 'kallistos' meaning 'most beautiful.' While the feminine form Callista is more common in English-speaking countries, Calisto offers a distinctive alternative for boys. The name carries an artistic, sophisticated quality with its classical roots and melodic sound. Popular in some Latin cultures, Calisto provides a unique option that balances exotic appeal with historical depth. Its connection to the stars gives it an aspirational, expansive quality that many parents find appealing.
            • Caradoc

              • Origin:

                Welsh

              • Meaning:

                "amiable, beloved"

              • Description:

                Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys, Caradoc is ultimately derived from the Brythonic name Caratācos meaning "loved", itself originating from the Celtic karu.
            • Clovis

              • Origin:

                Teutonic, French, early form of Ludwig or Louis

              • Description:

                An aromatic, unconventional name.
            • Constant

              • Origin:

                French from Latin

              • Meaning:

                "steadfast"

              • Description:

                A traditional French male name that could, with American pronunciation, become an admirable word name.
            • Cymbeline

              • Origin:

                Celtic

              • Meaning:

                "sun lord or sun hound"

              • Description:

                The title of a Shakespeare play based on legends featuring the early Celtic King Cunobelinus, whose name derives from the Gaulish sun god Belenus.