Boy names from vintage baby name book

Junius is one of those names that's growing on us, along with many of its Roman countrymen such as Julius and Atticus. We once thought it was a combination of the least attractive elements of Junior and Julius but now we think...well, we think it's okay. Not great, but okay.

Nearly unknown outside the British Isles, this old Scottish variation has a sleek surname feel that can make an excellent update of the flagging Christopher.

Actor Kit Harington, aka the dreamy Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, has given this nickname-name new style and appeal for boys. Actress Jodie Foster used it for her son.

Ancient saint's name used for cowardly cartoon lion.

The additional syllable makes Lark a masculine surname name.

Leander was once an almost unknown name, however, with the popularity of Leo and the rise of Leandro, it now feels like a perfectly accessible alternative to Leon or Alexander. In Greek legend, Leander was the powerful figure who swam across the Hellespont every night to visit his beloved Hero, a priestess of Venus.

The name and story of Shakespeare’s King Lear is based on that of Leir — a legendary king of the Britons, who supposedly reigned around the 8th century BC. According to 12th-century historian, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Leir’s name derives from the Brythonic word for the River Soar.

Lionel is one leonine name that hasn't taken off as cousins Leo and Leonardo have, though it did reenter the Top 1000 in 2010 after several years away; it was at its highest point in the 1920s and 1930s.

Lucan is a rarely heard Irish name, a Luke form with the trendy an ending.

The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider.

This name of the famous fifth-century sorcerer and mentor of King Arthur may or may not be a bit wizardy for a real-life modern child. Its most noted modern bearer: football star turned actor Merlin Olsen, whose father was named Merle.