125 Beautiful Old Fashioned Boy Names to Adore
Even with the title of ‘old-fashioned’, it’s clear to see that many of these names still hold a special place in our hearts and can remain trendy and popular to this day. Rich in history and with namesakes that inspire strength of heart, mind and body, you’re sure to find an old-fashioned boy name to suit your classic little man.
Popular Old-Fashioned Boy Names
Many old-fashioned boy names are rising in the ranks, so, it’s easy to give your baby boy a classic title whilst still keeping up with the trends. The following are the most popular traditional boy names in the UK in recent years.
1. Noah. Coming from ancient Hebrew, Noah means ‘rest’ and ‘repose’. In the Bible story, Noah was the famous builder of the ark that helped all animal species survive the Great Flood.
2. Oliver. You can find the name Oliver in numerous languages across Europe, making it an internationally recognisable name. It originates from the Germanic and Old Norse languages and means ‘olive tree’. Although at its peak in the Middle Ages, it has yet to lose its steam in the United Kingdom.
3. George. It doesn’t get more classic than George, and the name is certainly one of the most iconic and old-fashioned English boy names. There are almost too many Georges to note! There was the first U.S. president George Washington, the composer George Frideric Handel, the explorer George Vancouver, and the author George Orwell, not to mention the numerous British kings, saints, and rulers across Europe.
4. Arthur. With classic namesakes for days – Including King Arthur whose legend lives on in Arthurian tales – Arthur is certainly a classic amongst the Old English boy names. Imagine your tiny knight wielding his wooden sword and defending his imaginary land with this strong name. And as the cherry on top, this name means ‘bear’.
5. Harry. It’s not surprising that many of our popular old-fashioned boy names have ties to royalty, and Harry is no different with Prince Harry being a popular namesake. This is the medieval English form of another of our popular names, Henry, meaning ‘home ruler’. And for something a little more magical, you may recognise this name from the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
6. Oscar. With a rich history and potential links to Viking invaders and settlers, it’s no wonder Oscar is still popular. It might derive from the Old English name Osgar or the Old Norse name Ásgeirr. Oscar has the sweet and mystical meaning of ‘friend of deers’, and some namesakes include the Irish writer Oscar Wilde and the grandson of legend Fionn mac Cumhaill in Irish mythology.
7. Archie. Short for Archibald, Archie has been popular in the UK since the beginning of the century and was chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their firstborn son. Archibald is Germanic and means ‘genuine’ and ‘bold’.
8. Henry. From the Germanic name Heimirich, Henry means ‘home ruler’. It’s no wonder that many kings bear the name Henry! The French introduced the English to the name from their version, Henri. You can give your boy the nickname Harry.
9. Theodore. If you’re looking for a title with great options for nicknames, you might consider Theodore, which can be Theo, Teddy, or Ted. It means ‘gift of god’ and comes from the Greek name Theodoros. It’s the name of numerous saints, monks, popes, and Russian czars, as well as the US President Theodore Roosevelt.
10. Freddie. This old-fashioned boys’ name can be both masculine and feminine. The male version is a fun and less formal diminutive of Frederick meaning ‘peaceful ruler’ and was brought to England by the Normans in the eleventh century.
11. Jack. Jack is a form of John, meaning ‘to be gracious’. Jack has been a staple among old-fashioned English boy names for many years. It peaked in popularity in the 1920s and started making the rounds again in the early 2000s.
12. Charlie. You may have noticed the popularity of cute and playful diminutives of more formal names, such as Freddie and Archie, and now Charlie. This diminutive of Charles, meaning ‘man’, is a friendlier version with namesakes such as Charlie Chaplin and the comic strip character Charlie Brown.
13. Alfie. If Alfred seems a little stuffy for you, try the cute diminutive, Alfie. This Old English name has the irresistible meaning of ‘elf counsel’, and gains strength from the ninth-century king, Alfred the Great. On the other hand, the movie Alfie starring Michael Cain, and later, Jude Law gives this name a loveable rogue image.
14. Jacob. Jacob is a Hebrew name that can be found in the Old Testament and was often regarded as a Jewish name in the Middle Ages. After the Protestant Reformation, Jacob became more popular as a Christian name.
15. Thomas. A classic boys’ name that might be a good twin baby name due to its meaning of ‘twin’. Thomas is also a biblical name used by several saints, as well other famous bearers like inventor Thomas Edison, US president Thomas Jefferson and everyone’s favourite character, Thomas the Tank Engine.
16. William. Classic, strong and resilient, William has really stood the test of time. The eleventh-century king, William the Conqueror, popularised this name, and it’s been popular ever since. It has also been borne by several English kings, Scottish hero William Wallace, and several writers, including William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William Blake, and William Butler Yeats. Whose footsteps will your little one follow in?
17. Alexander. Latinised from the name Alexandros in Greek, Alexander means ‘defending men’. It’s one of those fun old-fashioned baby boy names with a unique origin story. In Greek mythology, Alexander shares the same name as the hero Paris. He’s known for being fair in his judgment, fighting in the Trojan War, and shooting Achilles in his heel.
18. Edward. Edward is certainly not short of kingly namesakes, so why not crown your baby boy with this traditional name? It means ‘rich guard’ in Old English.
19. James. This simple and classic boys’ name can be found in the bible and has been used in England since the thirteenth century, increasing in popularity after the ruling of the Scottish king James VI in the seventeenth century. Some inspirational namesakes include explorer Captain James Cook, Irish writer James Joyce, Scottish inventor James Watt, and not forgetting the tenacious spy, James Bond.
20. Joshua. A very popular name, Joshua (or Josh for short) comes from Hebrew and means ‘Yahweh is saviour’. The name Jesus is actually a contracted form of Joshua, as the original name of Joshua was Hoshea, and the name Jesus is a translation of Yeshu'a.
BABY NAME GENERATOR TOOL
Baby name generator
By gender:
By theme:
Cute Old-Fashioned Boy Names
Although some vintage boy names can sound stuffy, many can turn out to be cute or sweet baby names. Below you’ll find some options for gentle and cute old-fashioned boy names.
21. Ansel. Ansel comes from the Germanic name Anselm, which means ‘God’ and ‘protection’. One of the most famous bearers of the name is the photographer Ansel Adams, but a popular eleventh-century saint born in Italy also bore the name.
22. Atlas. As one of the most historic old-fashioned baby boy names, Atlas comes from ancient Greek mythology. Atlas was a Titan who was punished by Zeus and forced to support the entire heavens on his shoulders. His name means ‘enduring’ or ‘to endure’.
23. Caleb. Related to the Hebrew word kelev, Caleb means ‘dog’. However, some believe it’s a combination of the two words kal and lev, which mean ‘whole’ and ‘heart’. The latter meanings alone make this a favourite among cute old-fashioned boy names!
24. Chester. Coming from an Old English last name, Chester meant someone from the village of Chester, which was once a Roman settlement and is now a beautiful northern city. In Latin, it means ‘camp’ or ‘fortress’.
25. Demetrius. Derived from the Greek goddess Demeter, this ancient Greek name is the masculine version of the meaning ‘earth mother’. You’ll find the name throughout Europe, and it was once a popular title for early saints.
26. Elias. Elias is a form of Elijah, which is another old-fashioned boy name and means ‘my God is Yahweh’. You’ll find Elias in Dutch, Greek, Hungarian, Finnish, French, and nearly every other European language, plus Arabic.
27. Ezra. Ezra means ‘help’ in Hebrew, which is quite a cute name for a baby boy. Ezra was a priest and prophet in the Old Testament, and the poet Ezra Pound is a well-known bearer of the name.
28. Felix. In Latin, Felix means ‘lucky’ or ‘successful’. Early on it was commonly used as a nickname, starting with the Roman general Sulla in the first century BCE. You’ll also find it in the Bible and used by several saints and popes. It was historically a very popular name in Spain but started to dip in the early twentieth century.
29. Jasper. From the Hebrew word gizbar, Jasper means ‘treasurer’. You might also see derivatives spelt with a C or K, as in Casper. It was the name of one of the biblical Magi and has been used in the English-speaking world since the Middle Ages.
30. Jonah. Another Hebrew name, Jonah comes from the word Yonah, which means ‘dove’. In the Old Testament story, Jonah was a prophet who was swallowed by a fish but was able to escape a few days later. The name was popular in the Middle Ages, and you might also see the derivative Jonas.
31. Leopold. From two Germanic words, Leopold means ‘people’ and ‘bold’. In Germany, the name was quite popular with royalty and noble families, in particular the Babenbergs and Hapsburgs. You may also recognise Leopold Bloom from the James Joyce novel Ulysses. Poldi, which is used in German, could be a cute nickname.
32. Lucas. The name Lucas comes from the name Luke, which means ‘from Lucania’, a region in southern Italy. It’s another name you’ll find throughout European culture and also appears in the Bible. According to tradition, Luke travelled with the apostle Paul and wrote one of the four gospels.
33. Maxwell. Max is a cute nickname for Maxwell, but the name is actually related to the Scandinavian name Magnus, which means ‘great’ in Latin. Max also comes from the Scottish name Mack, and when combined with the Old English word wella, you get ‘Mack’s stream’.
34. Miles. Originally the Germanic name Milo, Miles comes from the Normans. Although the meaning isn’t completely known, many believe it’s connected to the Latin word of the same spelling meaning ‘soldier’, or the Slavic word milu, meaning ‘gracious’.
35. Quincy. Quincy is also a girl’s name in the Netherlands. It may be connected to the Roman name Quintus meaning ‘fifth’ in Latin and/or is associated with the French village of Cuinchy.
36. Robin. As a unisex name, Robin comes from the medieval name Robert, which means ‘bright fame’. Robin Hood is a famous bearer of the name, a legendary hero known for stealing from the rich to give to the poor. The name can also be in reference to the red-breasted bird.
37. Rufus. Meaning ‘red-haired’ in Latin, Rufus is the name of several saints. William II, a king of England, adopted it as a nickname because of his red hair. Not only is it a cute and old-fashioned boy name in England, Wales, and the United States, but it’s also the perfect name for a redhead.
38. Samuel. Another name perfect for shortened titles (think Sam or Sammy), Samuel is Hebrew and means either ‘God has heard’ or ‘name of God’. In the Bible, Samuel was a ruling judge, but you might also think of the Irish writer Samuel Beckett or the American writer Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain.
39. Zebedee. As the ancient Greek form of Zebadiah from the New Testament, Zebedee shares the meaning of ‘Yahweh has bestowed’ in Hebrew.
Short Old-Fashioned Boy Names
There’s a lot to think about when choosing a name, including its length. Short titles are great options for classic old-fashioned baby boy names, and they pair well with longer or more popular middle names for boys.
40. Amis. As a medieval name, Amis comes from the French name Amice, which means ‘friend’. Neither has truly bounced back from its popularity in the Middle Ages, so it’s certainly a rare old-fashioned mens’ name.
41. Beau. Meaning ‘beautiful’ in French, Beau is a unisex name that came into popularity in the twentieth century. It’s famously the name of Ashley and Melanie’s son in Gone With the Wind. Boys and girls can share this name.
42. Eli. As Eli is one of the more popular short, old-fashioned boy names, you may think that it is related to Elijah, but it’s actually a name on its own. It means ‘ascension’ in Hebrew, with one famous bearer being Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin.
43. Edgar. Together, the Old English elements ead and gar make up Edgar and mean ‘wealth’ or ‘fortune’ and ‘spear’. It was one of the more popular old-fashioned boy names in the 1800s and even made a quick appearance as a girl’s name but has since waned. Cute and even shorter nicknames include Ed or Eddy.
44. Evan. Evan is the Welsh form of John, a Hebrew name meaning ‘Yahweh is gracious’. You’ll find Johns and variations of John nearly all over the world, and other common diminutives include Ivan, Jack, Ian, Sean, Johannes, Joni, and more. So, a baby boy with the name Evan is in good company!
45. Finn. Currently popular in the United States, Ireland, Switzerland, and even Germany, Finn originated from the Old Irish name of Fionn. Meaning ‘fair’ or ‘white’, Fionn mac Cumhail, or Finn McCool, was a famous mythological hero who gained wisdom from eating an enchanted salmon. It’s a favourite among old-fashioned one-syllable boy names.
46. Gael. The name Gael refers to Gaelic speakers but has earned some modern popularity as a first name in both Spanish and English. In French, it’s a unisex name and occasionally includes an accent, Gaël.
47. Gil. On its own, Gil means ‘joy’ or ‘happiness’ in Hebrew, but there are other associations as well. Gil can also be the shortened version of Gilbert, which means ‘pledge bright’ from its Germanic origins, or it can be the Spanish and Portuguese variation of Giles, which means ‘young goat’ in Greek.
48. Guy. Among short, old-fashioned boy names, this is a worthy option for your little Guy! It’s a variation of the Hebrew name Gai, which means ‘valley’ or ‘ravine’. But it’s also the Norman French form of the name Wido, which is ancient Germanic for ‘wood’ or ‘wide’. One of the most famous bearers is the revolutionary Guy Fawkes who planned, unsuccessfully, to blow up the British Parliament.
49. Hugh. In German, Hugh means ‘heart, mind, spirit’, making it one of the more endearing vintage boy names. It was common among French nobility, originating with the tenth-century French king, Hugh Capet.
50. Hugo. Hugo is actually the Latinised form of Hugh, listed above. It’s used throughout Europe, English-speaking countries, and countries with a Latin-based language. Like Hugh, it means ‘heart, mind, spirit’.
51. Ivan. Although it’s a popular name globally, Ivan originates from an old Slavic name inspired by the Greek name Ioannes. As a derivative of John, it means ‘Yahweh is gracious’. You may recognise some historic Eastern Europeans with the name, including Ivan the Great and Ivan the Terrible, two Russian rulers.
52. Jude. A variant of Judas (which is a variant of Judah), Jude means ‘praise’. It’s a popular name in the English-speaking world, especially in the United States and United Kingdom. If you like the biblical or Hebrew names but want to keep it short, this is one to consider among old-fashioned boy names.
53. Leo.You may think Leo comes from Leonardo, but it actually derives from the name Leon, which means ‘lion’ in Latin. Leo has been a very popular name through the centuries, with popes, bishops, emperors and kings all sharing the name. Leo is also one of the Zodiac signs and the name of the Russian author Leo Tolstoy.
54. Lou. Used as a shortened form of Louis, Lou comes from the Germanic name Ludwig, which means ‘famous battle’. German composer Ludwig von Beethoven was probably the most celebrated bearer of the name, as were many kings of England and France.
55. Omar. You can take your pick with the meaning of Omar. It’s a biblical name from the Old Testament and means ‘speaker’ in Hebrew. But it also comes from the Arabic name Umar, which means ‘populous’, ‘flourishing’ and ‘life’. Umar was an important supporter of the Prophet Muhammad.
56. Otto. A cute option for a short old-fashioned boy name, Otto means ‘wealth’ or ‘fortune’. Your baby boy would share the name with the four kings of Germany, including the first Holy Roman emperor known as Otto the Great.
57. Otis. Otis is related to Otto from above, but it’s more typically used as a last name. It comes from the medieval first name Ode, which, like Otto, means ‘wealth’ or ‘fortune’. In the United States, it has been used as a first name to honour James Otis, a revolutionary who opposed slavery.
58. Remy. Considered a modern English name, Remy comes from the French name Rémy, which means ‘oarsman’ or ‘rower’. But you can also use it as a shortened form of the English unisex name Remington, which represents an area of England.
59. Saul. A Hebrew name from the Old Testament, Saul means ‘asked for’ or ‘prayed for’. You can opt for the Spanish spelling, which is Saúl with the accent over the letter U.
60. Silas. Another biblical name, Silas is the shortened version of Silvanus, who was a companion of Saint Paul. The name also has a connection to ancient Rome, as silva means ‘wood’ or ‘forest’ and Silvanus was the Roman god of forests.
Unique Vintage Boy Names
Although old-fashioned titles can overlap with unique boy names, there are still some that are more unusual than others. Try one of these names if you’re looking for vintage and unique boy names that you don’t hear anymore.
61. Alf. Although mostly used as the shortened version of Alfred, Alf has ties to the Old Norse language and means ‘elf’ or ‘elf counsel’. It can also be shorthand for Adolf, which means ‘noble’, or as a variation of the popular name Alfie.
62. Ambrose. With Latin and Greek origins, Ambrose means ‘immortal’. It was a popular name in Christian Europe, thanks to theologian and bishop Saint Ambrose.
63. Aurelius. An ancient Roman name, Aurelius comes from the Latin word aureus, which means ‘golden’ and ‘gilded’. Many early saints shared this name, as did a second-century Roman emperor.
64. Aulus. From the Latin word avulus, Aulus means ‘little grandfather’. This old-fashioned boy name could be perfect to honour your baby’s grandad or to channel wisdom.
65. Barnaby. Both cute and unique, Barnaby is an old-fashioned boy name that comes from the German and biblical name Barnabas. It means ‘son of the prophet’ or ‘son of encouragement’. Somewhat common in the twelfth century, Barnaby is rarely used today.
66. Bartholomew. With the nicknames Bart or Tolly, Bartholomew walks the line between cute and unique for old-fashioned mens’ names. It means ‘son of Talmai’, which is a biblical Hebrew name meaning ‘furrowed’.
67. Cassian. This is a unique, old-fashioned boy name that comes from the name Cassius, which means ‘vain’ or ‘empty’. Although you probably don’t want those words representing your baby, this is the original name of the boxer Muhammad Ali, who began life as Cassius Clay.
68. Cecil. Pronounced either SEE-sehl or SAY-sehl (your choice), Cecil comes from two Roman names: Cecilia and Sextus. Cecilia is a feminine name meaning ‘blind’ and Sextus is an old male name meaning ‘sixth’ in Latin. If you want to follow ancient Roman tradition, you’d give this name to your sixth child!
69. Jethro. A unique vintage boy name, Jethro is an ancient Hebrew name meaning ‘abundance’. You may have heard of Jethro Tull, a famous agricultural pioneer whose name was adopted by the popular British rock band!
70. Linus. Linus comes from a Greek name meaning ‘flax’. In Greek mythology, Apollo had two sons named Linus, and one was Herakles’ music teacher. You might recognise the name as Charlie Brown’s friend in the comic Peanuts.
71. Malachi. Meaning ‘my messenger’ or ‘my angel’, Malachi is a Hebrew name of a prophet from the Old Testament. The Book of Malachi predicts the coming of Christ.
72. Maximilian. Although longer than its origin name, Maximilian comes from Maximus, which is Latin for ‘greatest’. It’s a fairly common name in German-speaking regions and the short form Max is pretty popular here.
73. Rainier. As a unique French name, Rainier comes from Rayner, which means ‘advice’ and ‘army’. It’s also one of the active volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain Range, named Mt. Rainier after a British naval officer.
74. Reginald. The Latin form of Reynold (meaning ‘advice’ and ‘rule’), Reginald is pretty uncommon. Although it falls into the category of unique old-fashioned baby names, it also offers a couple of cute and slightly more popular nicknames, such as Reg or Reggie.
75. Silvester. Like Silas from above, Silvester also comes from the Roman ‘of the forest’ and Latin ‘woods’ or ‘forest’. In Polish, the word sylwester is used to describe the celebrations and festivities of New Year’s Eve, as it’s named after the patron saint of the last day of the year.
76. Socrates. If you really want a rare and unique name, consider Socrates. It consists of ancient Greek elements meaning ‘whole’, ‘unwounded’, ‘safe’ and ‘power’. You'll know of the Greek philosopher, whose ideas were communicated by his pupil, Plato.
77. Solomon. Connected to the well-known Hebrew word shalom, Solomon means ‘peace’. In the Old Testament, Solomon was the King of Israel and revered for his wisdom. Although not necessarily rare, the name is still unique and not commonly used.
78. Titus. An ancient Roman name meaning ‘title of honour’, Titus was mentioned in the New Testament. Shakespeare used it in his play Titus Andronicus.
79. Wilfred. Despite its rarity, the nicknames of Wilfred are all quite popular, including Wil (or Will), Willie and Fred. Wilfred means ‘desiring peace,’ and the name's popularity peaked in the early 1900s.
80. Zebulon. Also spelt Zebulun in ancient Hebrew, Zebulon is a biblical name from the Old Testament. It has two potential meanings, either ‘to dwell’ or ‘gift’. Although it sounds similar, it’s not related to Zebedee (and, therefore, Zebediah) from above.
More Old-Fashioned Hebrew and Biblical Boy Names
Many of the names already listed come from Hebrew or biblical backgrounds, and many unique old-fashioned boy names originate in this way. These names are an excellent choice if you’d like to combine religious and old-fashioned themes. Here are a few more biblical names to consider.
81. Abraham. As a quintessential biblical boy name, Abraham means ‘father of many’ in Hebrew. Jews consider him to be the founder of the Hebrews via his son Isaac, while Muslims consider him to be the founder of the Arabs via his son Ishmael. The United States President Abraham Lincoln is probably the name's most famous bearer.
82. Christian. Coming from the Greek name Cristos, Christian means ‘anointed’. Early Greek-speaking Christians gave this name to Jesus, who is also referred to as Christ. In Latin, the name simply means ‘a Christian’.
83. Ezekiel. Meaning ‘God will strengthen’, Ezekiel was an important prophet in the Old Testament. A cute nickname is Zeke, which is pronounced ZEEK.
84. Gabriel.Although you’ll find Gabriel in nearly every European language, it wasn’t popular in English-speaking countries until the late twentieth century. It’s a Hebrew name meaning ‘God is my strong man’ and is most notably associated with the archangel and messenger of God in the Bible.
85. Isaiah. A Hebrew name meaning ‘Yahweh is salvation’, Isaiah was one of the Old Testament’s four main prophets. The name has been steadily increasing in popularity since the early 1990s.
86. Jeremiah. Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was an important Old Testament prophet. The name means ‘Yahweh will exalt’. There are a few nicknames and variants you can use, including Jerry, Jeremy, and Jem.
87. Josiah. This ancient Hebrew name means ‘Yahweh supports’, and Josiah was a king of Judah. It’s more traditional to pronounce the J with an H sound. But in English, you can pronounce the name with the J sound and opt for Jo or Joe as a nickname.
88. Micah. One of the minor prophets in the Old Testament, Micah comes from the name Micaiah, which means ‘Who is like Yahweh?’ in Hebrew. It became common near the end of the twentieth century.
89. Nathaniel. Although it’s an ancient Hebrew name, meaning ‘God has given’, Nathaniel or Nathanael appears in many different cultures. You can opt for Nate or Nathan as a variation.
90. Tobias. Tobias is the Greek form of the name Tobiah, which means ‘Yahweh is good’ in ancient Hebrew. The name has remained in the Top 200 boy names in the United Kingdom since the 1990s. With the nickname Toby, you can easily add this moniker to the list of cute and short old-fashioned boy names.
91. Zachariah. Spelt Zechariah in the Old Testament, the name means ‘Yahweh remembers’. In the New Testament, Zechariah was John the Baptist’s father. To mix it up a bit, you can use the Greek variant Zacharias or go with the English Zachary, or Zach/Zack for short.
Old-Fashioned French and Spanish Boy Names
Perhaps you’re looking for good old-fashioned boy names that honour your family heritage or you'd like to find an international name. Luckily, there are vintage names to choose from in every language and culture. We’ve added some old-fashioned French and Spanish boy names to consider.
92. Adelardo. This name is the Spanish and Italian version of the German name Adalhard, which means ‘noble’, ‘brave’ and ‘hardy’. You can also use the French variant, Adélard.
93. Agapito. From the Latin name Agapitus and Greek Agapetos, Agapito is a rare Spanish name meaning ‘beloved’. It’s one of the sweetest old-fashioned Spanish boy names.
94. Atilio. Atilio is the Spanish version of a well-known Roman family name, Attilius (also spelt Atilius). Although its origins are unknown, the name has a famous bearer. The Roman consul Marcus Atilius Regulus was a hero in the First Punic War.
95. Claude. The name is rooted in both French and British culture, and comes from Claudius, which means ‘crippled’. Many saints had this name, but probably the most famous bearer is the French painter, Claude Monet.
96. Dorian. Another French-turned-English name, Dorian was used by Oscar Wilde in his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. The name doesn't have a specific meaning, although it probably stems from the Dorian tribe in ancient Greece.
97. Faustino. In terms of old-fashioned Spanish boy names, Faustino is a rare beauty. It comes from the Roman name Faustus, meaning ‘auspicious’ or ‘lucky’. You can also use the Spanish nickname, Fausto.
98. Ferdinand. Although this name is found in many cultures and languages, it came to Europe via the Iberian Peninsula (present-day Spain and Portugal). It means ‘journey’, ‘daring’ and ‘brave’.
99. Gaston. Don’t let the character from Beauty and the Beast deter you from this one! Gaston is an old-fashioned French boy name meaning ‘guest’ or ‘strangers’. One of the language’s more subdued vintage boy names, it began a small comeback in the early 2010s.
100. Ignacio. As the Spanish form of the Roman name Ignatius, Ignacio means ‘fire’ in Latin. Many saints share this name, among them Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order.
101. Lorencio. Lorencio is the Old Spanish form of Laurence, which is a place name. It means ‘from Laurentum’, an ancient Italian city. Saint Laurence was a well-known martyr from Rome, and you can find this name around the world.
102. Maël. From the Breton name Mael, this title comes from a Celtic word meaning ‘prince’ or ‘chieftain’. Considered a formal name, Maël (pronounced MA-EHL) makes for an elegant old-fashioned French boy name.
103. Manu. Short for Manuel, Manu comes from the classic Spanish name Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us’. You can also use Manolo.
104. Marcel. In its French form, Marcel is pronounced MAR-SEHL and comes from the name Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus. These names connect back to the Roman god Mars, which means ‘male’ in Latin.
105. Maurice. A French name from the Roman Maurus, Maurice means ‘dark-skinned’ and ‘Moorish’. The Moors were people from Northern Africa who most famously entered Europe through the Iberian Peninsula.
106. Nestor. Nestor might come from Greek mythology, but the name has been popular in Spain as Néstor. It means ‘returner’ or ‘homecomer’, and you might recognise it (from Homer’s Iliad) as the King of Pylos known for his wisdom.
107. Pascal. This French name has Latin origins and means ‘relating to Easter’. In Hebrew, it comes from the word pesach, which means Passover. Pascal has been most often used as a last name, such as with the French philosopher Blaise Pascal.
108. Romuald. Pronounced RAW-MUY-ALD in French, this name means ‘fame’ and ‘rule’. Although it's largely a French name, you can find variants in Italy and the Baltic region of Europe.
109. Raúl. As the Spanish version of Ralph, Raúl is connected to the Old Norse name Ráðúlfr, which combines the words for ‘counsel’ and ‘wolf’. You’ll also find it as Raoul in French.
110. René. René is the French and Spanish form of Renatus, a late Roman name meaning ‘born again’. One of the more famous bearers of the name is the French explorer René Descartes. It’s a great option if you want to combine French and Spanish old-fashioned boy names! The only difference is pronunciation, as in French, it’s RU-NEH and Spanish it’s reh-NEH.
111. Román. This old-fashioned Spanish boy name comes from the name Romanus or Roman. In Latin, it simply means ‘Roman’, so there were quite a few saints sharing this name. In French, it’s spelled Romain.
112. Rosendo. As a Spanish name from Spain, Rosendo was particularly popular in the Galicia region, where the tenth-century saint Rudesind (Rosendo) lived. Together, its elements mean ‘fame’ and ‘path’.
113. Sacha. This French name has an interesting background. It’s the French version of Sasha, which is a Russian nickname for Aleksandr (or Alexander). Alexander is one of the most popular old-fashioned boy names and means ‘defending men’ in Greek.
114. Sancho. Meaning ‘saintly’ and ‘holy’, Sancho is the Spanish version of the Latin name Sanctius. However, this name might have come from an even older Iberian name, as a ninth-century saint from Córdoba had this title, and it was also shared by many Spanish kings.
115. Santiago. Combing the Spanish word santo (saint) with the Old Spanish name for James (Yago), Santiago means ‘Saint James’. This is the patron saint of Spain and the capital city of Chile.
116. Xavier. From the Basque word Etxeberria, the name Xavier means ‘the new house’ in both French and Spanish versions – although it’s spelled Javier in Spanish. This is a very common name in the Catholic religion.
Traditional English Boy Names
Sometimes you're looking for good, old-fashioned, English boy names. These options can be both timeless and historic, and they have staying power from generation to generation.
117. Clement. Meaning ‘merciful’ and ‘gentle’, Clement comes from the Latin word Clemens. With the choice of one of the more historically popular old-fashioned English boy names, your little guy would share a name with 14 popes!
118. Dexter. As a Latin word, Dexter means ‘right-handed’ and ‘skilled’. But in Old England, it was also used commonly as an occupational last name for dyers, as it meant ‘one who dyes’.
119. Elmer. Elmer is old-fashioned, historic, and quite interesting! The name comes from the Old English elements æðel, ‘noble and mær ‘famous’, together creating the very rare name Æðelmær. You’ve probably heard of Elmer Fudd from Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny’s nemesis!
120. Franklin. Used as a last name, Franklin meant ‘freeman’ in Middle English. Two of the most famous bearers were Benjamin Franklin and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The name's popularity has been on the rise for many years now.
121. Frederick. From a Germanic name, Frederick means ‘peaceful ruler’. Rulers in almost all of the German-speaking regions, including Austria, Prussia and Scandinavia, have used it.
122. Laurence. This name comes from the Roman Laurentius, meaning ‘from Laurentum’, an ancient Italian city. It was a very common English name in the Middle Ages and peaked again in the late 1990s, and it’s still on the radar. A famous bearer of this name was the actor Laurence Olivier.
123. Lloyd. Although it was pretty common in the early twentieth century, Lloyd’s popularity has gradually been decreasing, however, it still remains in the top 1000 boy names. It comes from the Welsh word llwyd, which means ‘grey’. The famous composer Andrew Lloyd Weber shares this name.
124. Orson. Originally a Norman nickname from the word ors, Orson means ‘bear’. It’s about as old-fashioned as you can get, waning in popularity at the turn of the century and maintaining its rarity ever since.
125. Tristan. From the Celtic word drest, which means ‘riot’ or ‘tumult’, Tristan was a popular name for royalty. You might recognise the name from the legendary love story Tristan and Isolde.
The Bottom Line
With so many old-fashioned boy names out there, it can be a challenge to narrow down your choices. We hope this list helped, but you can also use our Baby Name Generator to zero in on your specific interests. To make searching easier, you can sort by filters, like letters or themes.
Or pick up more suggestions for old-fashioned baby boy names, such as how to name your baby after a family member; sort by letter, such as boy names that start with A; or explore the top 1,000 baby boy names.
