Many vintage boys names with timeless appeal are over popular these days and it can be hard to find an old fashioned name for your baby boy that’s still a bit unusual.
However there are great classic boys names that are wonderfully rare or uncommon but just getting cool and I have a big guide to them here.
In the guide you will find rare alternatives to traditional names like Edward and inspiring old school names from forgotten Kings, explorers, scientists, sportsmen, musicians and poets!!
There are 40 featured names PLUS 200 more ideas for you to pick from.
I hope you find the perfect vintage name for your son in the collection.
Do let me know what you choose.
And don’t forget to bookmark or save for future reference.
40 Cool Classic Boys Names
Albert
Meaning : Noble, Bright
Originally a German name, Albert soared in popularity as a baby boy’s name in both the UK and USA after the marriage in 1840 of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Saxe Gotha. Queen Victoria’s son, Edward VII, and great grandson, George VI, were both baptised Albert but it fell out of fashion in the 1950s and 60s.
Diminutives : Al, Bertie, Bert
Amos
Meaning : Born By God
The name Amos comes from the prophet Amos in the Bible and was traditionally a popular name in Britain and America from the 1600s.
Amos became less common in the US and rare in Britain after WW1 but in the last 10 years started trending again and has a cool edge.
Famous men in history called Amos include baseball star Amos Otis, Amos Stagg the great sports coach, and Amos Alcott father of Little Women author Louisa May.
Diminutives : Ame
Augustus
Meaning : Majestic & Venerable
The boy’s name Augustus comes from the first Emperor of Rome. It was primarily a German name until the 18th Century when it came to Britain with King George II.
Augustus declined in popularity at the end of the 19th Century but has had a revival in the last 10 years in it’s full form and as Gus and August which was chosen by Princess Eugenie for her eldest son in 2021.
Diminutives : Gus
Basil
Meaning : Brave, Valiant, Kingly
The boy’s name Basil comes from an old Greek word for King. It became popular in the United States in the late 19th Century but is very rare now so a good choice for a practically unique boys name.
Famous Basils from the past include Basil Rathbone the movie star who played Sherlock Holmes and Basil D’Olivera the international cricketer.
Diminutives : Baz
Bertram
Meaning : Bright Raven
Bertram has been used as a boy’s name in English since Anglo Saxon times and was the name of an old English saint associated with holy waters. Similar names include Bertrand as in Bertrand Russell.
Bertram had a little wave of popularity from the 1890s to 1940s but is now a very rare vintage name.
Significant men in history called Bertram include Bertram Ramsay a naval officer who led the D Day landings in World War 2.
Diminutives : Bert, Bertie, Ram
Cecil
Meaning : Loyal Friend
Cecil was originally an old Welsh family name but has been used as a baby boy’s name in English since at least the 1500s. It peeked in popularity in the 1890s and 1900s but is now rare so a good choice for an unusual vintage boy’s name.
Famous men from the past called Cecil include Hollywood film director Cecil B DeMille.
Alternatives : Cicil, Cesil
Cedric
Meaning : Well Loved
The vintage boy’s name Cedric now closely associated with Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter, was actually invented and made popular by the author Walter Scott in 1819 with his best selling book Ivanhoe in which Cedric was a major character.
Scott adapted the name from Cerdic a 6th Century King from whom King Charles III is directly descended.
Cedric became even more popular as a baby boy’s name in the USA and UK after publication of Little Lord Fauntleroy in the 1880s whose heroic main character was Cedric.
Diminutives : Ced, Rick
Cuthbert
Meaning : Brilliant, Bright, Well Loved
Cuthbert is the name of England’s much beloved old patron saint who lived in the 7th Century. He was known as both a wise and noble leader and a great lover of the natural world and animals.
Cuthbert has long been used as a boy’s name in Northumberland and Ireland but was always rare in the United States so a good choice for a really unusual vintage boy’s name.
Diminutives : Bert, Bertie, Cuddy
Cyril
Meaning : Leader
Cyril is a classic boy’s name with Greek origins in the early Christian church but was a rare boys name outside Eastern Europe until the early 20th century when it spiked in popularity in the USA and Britain.
Dougal
Meaning : Mighty
Dougal is a now rare traditional Scottish boys name which makes a more unusual alternative to Douglas
Diminutives : Doug, Dougie
Earl
Meaning : Noble Warrior
The old English word for a local leader Earl has been used as a boy’s name in the United States since the 1600s. Famous men called Earl include Supreme Court judge Earl Warren and jazz musician Earl Hines.
Edgar
Meaning : Wealthy Warrior
Edgar was a traditional Anglo-Saxon boy’s name that was fairly unusual in both the USA and Britain until the late 19th Century when it was very popular for about 20 years.
Famous men called Edgar include King Edgar The Peaceful who was buried at Glastonbury and became a saint plus the writer Edgar Allan Poe and the painter Edgar Degas. Edgar is a major and very noble character in Shakepeare’s King Lear.
Diminutives : Ed, Eddie, Gary
Edmund
Meaning : Wealthy Protector
Edmund is a timeless boys name that goes back over 1,000 years to the English kings St Edmund and Edmund Ironside. Other famous men called Edmund in history were Edmund Hillary who first climbed Everest, Edmund Halley who identified Halley’s comet and Edmund Spenser the poet.
Edmund has always been fairly uncommon in the USA and Britain and makes an unusual old fashioned alternative to Edward.
Diminutives : Ed, Eddie
Edwin
Meaning : Fortunate Friend
Edwin is another timeless boys name from English history that is still rare in the USA and Britain and makes a great unusual alternative to Edward as a traditional boys name.
Famous Edwins in history include King Edwin the founder of Edinburgh plus astronomer Edwin Hubble and astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.
Diminutives : Ed, Eddie
Elmer
Meaning : Noble, Eminent
Elmer is a traditional English boys name that comes from the old Anglo Saxon names Aylmer and Aelmer. It started to become popular for boys in the USA in the mid 19th Century but slipped away again in the 1950s.
Famous men called Elmer include the American inventor Elmer Sperry and scientist Elmer Merrill.
Diminutives : Elm
Emmett
Meaning : Truth Teller
The traditional boys name Emmett has roots in Irish, German and Hebrew. It’s always been a fairly uncommon baby boy’s name but had a little burst of popularity in the 1930s and 40s so is a great vintage choice but still rare.
There aren’t many super famous Emmett’s in history but Legally Blonde fans will remember that Elle’s husband was an Emmett!
Diminutives : Met
Ernest
Meaning : Serious, Vigorous
Ernest is an old fashioned boys name with German origins that became super popular in the early 19th Century but is now pretty uncommon. However, it is sneaking back into fashion and Princess Eugenie named her second son Ernest in 2023.
Famous men called Ernest include writer Ernest Hemingway, physicist Ernest Rutherford and antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.
Diminutive : Ernie, Ern
Frederick
Meaning : Peaceful Ruler
Frederick is an old fashioned German boy’s name that became fashionable in Britain after the birth of Prince Frederick of Wales in the 18th Century who died before becoming King. Frederick continued to be a popular classic boys name in the USA and Britain all the way through to the 1950s when it fell out of fashion, but it is on the rise again in the UK as a classic but rare enough to be cool baby boys name.
Famous Fredericks include Frederick Douglass and Fred Astaire.
Diminutive : Fred, Freddy, Freddie
Gilbert
Meaning : Noble Promise
Gilbert is a timeless boys name with German and Norman origins that was used throughout British and American history but has been fairly uncommon since the beginning of the 20th century.
Famous Gilberts include American Revolution leader Gilbert La Fayette and musician Gil Scott Heron. In literature Gilbert Blythe was Anne of Green Gables great love.
Diminutive : Gil, Bert, Bertie
Harold
Meaning : Heroic Leader
Harold is a classic boys name with Norse and old English origins. It was very rare for 800 years (!!!) in Britain after the defeat of King Harold by the Normans in 1066 but roared back into fashion in the 1800s when the UK and USA fell in love with old Anglo-Saxon names and Harold hit the top 20 boys names.
Harold has slipped out of the charts since the 1950s so is a good choice if you want an old fashioned but rare name for your baby boy.
Diminutive : Harry
Herbert
Meaning : Shining Warrior
Herbert is a traditional boys name with German origins that was incredibly popular in the late 19th Century but became very uncommon after the 1940s.
Famous men called Herbert include US leader Herbert Hoover and British leader Herbert Asquith, science fiction writer HG Wells and jazz musician Herbie Hancock.
Diminutive : Herb, Bert, Bertie
Hereward
Meaning : High Guardian
Hereward is a rare traditional boys name most commonly associated with an Anglo Saxon warrior Hereward the Wake who defended England against the brutality of the Norman Conquest.
A very popular novel written about Hereward in the 19th Century prompted a revival but it is now incredibly uncommon so an inspiring historical choice for a unique boys name for your baby.
Diminutive : Harry, Ward
Horace
Meaning : Through The Ages
The classic boys name Horace goes all the way back to Roman times. It was one of the top 100 boys names in the USA in the 1890s but no longer makes the top 1,000 so a good choice if you want a very rare timeless boys name for your baby.
Famous men in history called Horace include Horace Greeley a campaigner against slavery and leading jazz pianist Horace Silver.
Diminutive : Horry, Ace
Hubert
Meaning : Bright Heart & Mind
Hubert is an old boys name popular in English and French in medieval times in honour of St Hubert that was uncommon but had a revival in the late 19th Century hitting the top 200 boys names in the USA.
Famous Huberts from the past include record breaking aviator Hubert Latham and major jazz musician Hubert Laws.
Diminutives : Bert, Bertie
Jameson
Meaning : Son of James, Protected By God
The traditional British family name Jameson was used as a boys name in Britain and Ireland from the 19th Century. It was rare but has become very cool in the last 10 years in the USA as an edgy alternative to James.
There are few famous Jamesons from the past but Jameson Adams was a South Pole explorer if you want some historical inspiration for your baby boy’s name.
Diminutive : Jamie, Jim, Jimmy
Moses
Meaning : Saviour, Leader
Moses is a well known Hebrew name from the old Testament that became popular in England with Puritans after the Civil War and was a classic boys name in the USA from near enough the Mayflower onwards!!
Moses is less common these days but still a top 500 boys name in the USA so a good choice for a more unusual but not super rare traditional boys name for your baby.
Other inspiring men from history called Moses include baseball player Moses Fleetwood Walker.
Diminutives : Mo
Norman
Meaning : Northman, From Normandy
Norman was a traditional boys name in the USA and Britain back into the 17th Century but rare until a wave of popularity starting in the 1890s took it into the top 40 in the 1930s.
It is now super rare again so a near enough unique classic boys name.
Famous men in history who were called Norman include writer Norman Mailer and US Army General Norman Schwarzkopf.
Diminutives : Norm
Oswald
Meaning : Divine Power
Oswald is a very old-fashioned British name stretching right back to King Oswald of Northumbria who was the original inspiration for Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings.
Oswald was rare as a boy’s name outside Northumbria until the late 19th Century when it became fashionable in Britain and the USA.
Inspirational Oswalds in history include scientist Oswald Avery who isolated DNA and leading mathematician Oswald Veblen.
Diminutives : Ossie, Ozzie, Waldo
Percy
Meaning : Pierce The Valley
Percy is a traditional diminutive of the family name Percival which has ancient French and Welsh origins. The Percy family have been one of the most powerful aristocratic families in England since 1066 as Dukes of Northumberland.
Famous men called Percy include the poet Percy Shelley, soul singer Percy Sledge and Percy Faith the band leader who wrote Moon River.
The Percy Jackson books for kids revived use of the name and Percy has jumped 600 places in the boys names rankings in the UK so is a still pretty uncommon but trending name for baby boys right now.
Rufus
Meaning : Red Haired
Rufus is a timeless boys name with Latin origins that can be found in American baptismal records right back in the 1600s. It surged in popularity before both WW1 and WW2 but has now fallen from the top 1,000 so another great choice for an unusual traditional boys name.
Famous men called Rufus include singer Rufus Wainwright and actor Rufus Sewell a star of Victoria.
Sidney
Meaning : Dweller By The Well Watered Land
Sidney is a classic English boys names adapted in the 1700s from the traditional family name Sydney and became increasing popular hitting the top 100 boys name in the USA in the 1890s. Right now it’s uncommon enough to be a classic but cool boys name.
Famous men called Sidney include Oscar winning actor Sidney Poitier.
Diminutives : Sid
Silas
Meaning : Of The Forest & The Woods
Silas is a very traditional boys name with Latin origins that was uncommon for many years but has zoomed into the top 100 boys names in the last 10 years.
Famous men in history called Silas include Silas Deane a major figure in the US War of Independence and Silas Soule who fought slavery.
Diminutives : Si
Solomon
Meaning : Peace Bringer
Solomon, a traditional Hebrew name from the Bible, was a popular boys name in Britain and the USA from the 1600s until World War One when it became less common.
Solomon has had a revival in this century so is another more unusual classic boys names that is starting to trend and has a cool edge to it.
Well known Solomons right now include footballers Solomon Thomas and Solomon Byrd.
Diminutives : Sol, Solly
Spencer
Meaning : Steward
Spencer is a traditional English family name e.g. Diana Spencer, that became a classic but unusual boys name in Britain and the USA. Both Spencer and Spenser have risen in popularity since the 1970s and now hover on the edge of the top 100 so are good choices for a classic but not crazily over common boys name.
Famous Spencers include Hollywood star Spencer Tracey.
Diminutives : Spence, Spense
Stanley
Meaning : Foundation Stone
Stanley is another traditional English family name, connected to the aristocracy, that became a popular boys name in both Britain and the USA peeking during World War One.
Stanley had become uncommon but rocketed back into the British top 100 in the last 10 years as a cool but classic baby boy’s name.
Famous Stanleys from the past include Stanley Matthews one of Britain’s greatest footballers and film director Stanley Kubrick.
Diminutives : Stan
Theodore
Meaning : Gift From God
Theodore is a traditional boys name with Greek origins that became very popular in the early 20th Century with the rise of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the USA.
It had become much more uncommon but is right now a super cool classic boys name in the top 10 in both Britain and the USA.
Diminutives : Theo, Teddy, Ted
Walter
Meaning : Powerful Warrior or Leader
Walter has old German origins but has been a timeless boys name across Europe for many centuries.
Walter became uncommon after World War 2 but has raced up the charts in Britain into the top 300 so a great choice for a classic boys name that’s trending but still edgy.
Famous Walters in history include Tudor explorer Walter Raleigh, novelist Walter Scott, poet Walt Whitman and of course Walt Disney.
Diminutives : Walt, Wally
Wilbur
Meaning : Resilience
Wilbur is a traditional boys name with German origins popular in the USA from the 1890s until WW2. It is much more unusual as an American boys name these days but having been very rare previously in Britain Wilbur is now trending fast.
Inspirational men called Wilbur from the past include Wilbur Wright one of the Wright brothers who flew the first aeroplane. Wilbur was also the adorable little hero of Charlotte’s Web.
Diminutives : Will, Willie
Wilfred
Meaning : Courageous Peace Bringer
Wilfred is a classic English boys name with Anglo-Saxon origins that go back to St Wilfrid in the 7th Century. Like many Anglo-Saxon names Wilfred stormed back into popularity in Britain and the USA with the Victorians who loved everything Anglo-Saxon but became unusual again after WW2.
Wilfred is now having another revival in Britain with influencers such as Dr Who actor David Tennant choosing it for their sons. Famous Wilfreds from the past include soldier and poet Wilfred Owen and record breaking English cricketer Wilfred Rhodes.
Diminutives : Wilf, Will, Fred
Willard
Meaning : Strong Will
Willard is a traditional English boys name that can be found among the first English settlers in the USA. It became a classic boys name in America hitting the top 100 but it remained rare in Britain and is now unusual in both countries so a good choice for a strong but unusual classic boys name.
Famous men called Willard include baseball player Willard Brown who was the first African-American to hit a home run in major league baseball and fought in the D Day landings.
Diminutives : Will, Willie
And there you go, 40 vintage boys names that are still uncommon.
For even more ideas for old fashioned names for boys read on.
Or for a modern gender neutral name to combine with your vintage boys name check out these lists :
Even More Old Fashioned Names For Baby Boys
If you want even more inspiration for vintage names for your baby check out these A-Z lists of even more traditional boys names from old British and American records …
Vintage Boys Names : A
- Adrian
- Alasdair
- Aled
- Allen
- Alexander
- Alfred / Alfie
- Algernon / Algie
- Alton
- Alvin
- Angus
- Anson
- Archibald / Archie
- Arnold
- Arthur
- Aubrey
- Avery
Vintage Boys Names : B
- Barnabas / Barnie
- Barnaby
- Barry
- Bartholomew / Barty
- Benedict / Ben / Benny
- Bennett
- Bernard / Bernie
- Bert / Bertie
- Boyd
- Brian
- Bryn
Vintage Boys Names : C
- Callum
- Calvin
- Cameron
- Carson
- Charles / Charlie
- Chester
- Clarence
- Clayton
- Clemence
- Cleveland
- Clifford / Cliff
- Clive
- Clyde
- Cornelius
- Curtis
Vintage Boys Names : D
- Daniel / Dan / Danny
- Delbert
- Dennis / Den
- Derby
- Desmond / Des
- Digby
- Donald
- Douglas
- Duncan
- Durham
- Dylan
Vintage Boys Names : E
- Elbert
- Elijah
- Elliot
- Ellis / Elis
- Elton
- Emanuel
- Eugene
- Everard
- Everett
- Ewart
Vintage Boys Names : F
- Felix
- Fergus
- Finn
- Fisher
- Fletcher
- Ford
- Forrest
- Francis / Frank / Frankie
- Franklin
Vintage Boys Names : G
- Gabriel
- Garrison / Gary
- Geoffrey / Geoff
- George / Georgie
- Gerald
- Gerard
- Giles
- Godfrey
- Gordon
- Gregory / Greg
- Griffin
- Griffith
- Grover
- Guy
Vintage Boys Names : H
- Hamilton / Ham
- Harley
- Harris
- Harrison
- Homer
- Horatio
- Howard
- Howell
- Hugh
- Humphrey
Vintage Boys Names : I
- Idris
- Irving
- Ivan
- Ivor
Vintage Boys Names : J
- Jake
- Jasper
- Jefferson
- Jenkin
- Jerome
- Jerry
- Jess
- Jonah
- Jordan
- Josiah
Vintage Boys Names : K
- Keith
- Kennard
- Kenneth / Kenny / Ken
- Kieran
- Kingsley
Vintage Boys Names : L
- Lambert
- Lancelot / Lance
- Leland
- Lennox
- Leonard / Leo / Leon
- Leopold
- Leroy
- Leslie
- Lester / Leicester
- Lewis
- Llewellyn / Llewi
- Lincoln
- Linus
- Lionel
- Lloyd
- Louis
- Lowell
Vintage Boys Names : M
- Magnus
- Malcolm
- Marmaduke / Duke
- Marshall
- Marvin
- Maurice
- Maxwell
- Melvin
- Miles
- Milton
- Monmouth
- Montague / Monty
- Montgomery / Monty
- Morgan
- Morris
- Murray
Vintage Boys Names : N
- Ned
- Nelson
- Neville
- Newark
- Newton
- Nye
Vintage Boys Names : O
- Oakley / Oak
- Oakland
- Oliver
- Orion
- Oscar
- Oswyn
- Otis
- Otto
- Owen
Vintage Boys Names : P
- Parker
- Paxton
- Perry
- Phineas
- Porter
- Preston
Vintage Boys Names : R
- Raleigh
- Ralph
- Raymond / Ray
- Rees / Rhys
- Reginald / Reggie
- Reynold
- Robin / Rob
- Robinson
- Rodney
- Roger
- Roland
- Royston / Roy
- Rupert
- Russell
Vintage Boys Names : S
- Samuel / Sam / Sammy
- Samson / Sampson
- Septimus
- Seymour
- Simeon
- Simpson
- Smith
- Stafford
- Sylvester
Vintage Boys Names : T
- Terrence / Terry
- Thomas / Tomos / Tommie
- Timothy / Timmy / Tim
- Tristram
Vintage Boys Names : V
- Valentine / Val
- Vernon / Vern
- Victor / Vic
- Vincent / Vinnie
Vintage Boys Names : W
- Wallace
- Walker
- Warin
- Warren
- Warwick
- Watkin
- Watson
- Wayne
- Wesley
- Wilbert
- William / Bill / Billy
- Willis
- Wilson
- Woodrow
- Wright
For more about the meanings, origins and popularity of these vintage boys name check out Behind The Name.
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Original image source : portrait of a school boy 1925