157 Charming Vintage Baby Names (With Meanings)

If you’ve ever caught yourself falling for baby names that sound like they belong in an old black-and-white movie, trust me — you’re not the only one. I’ve been noticing something lately. More and more people (myself included) are falling back in love with vintage names — you know, those classic, elegant names that once filled our family trees and history books and are now quietly making a graceful comeback.

But what exactly makes a name feel vintage? For me, it’s those names that were popular before the mid-1900s. The kind of names our grandparents — or even our great-grandparents — might have had. They’re names that carry history, elegance, and a deep sense of nostalgia. And honestly, that’s a big part of why I think they’re so special. When you give a child one of these names, you’re not just picking something stylish — you’re giving them something that comes with roots and a story.

Why I Personally Love Vintage Names

I’ll be honest with you — one of the biggest reasons I’m drawn to vintage names is because they feel different from all the super trendy and modern names you hear everywhere right now. Vintage names don’t shout for attention, but they stand out anyway. There’s this quiet strength about them… a timeless charm that just feels right.

I also love how many of these names are tied to rich meanings, history, literature, or even beloved family members. When you choose a vintage name, you’re not just giving your child a label — you’re passing down a legacy. And to me, that’s incredibly beautiful.

Whether you’re looking for something classic, romantic, strong, or elegant, I’ve gathered 157 of my favorite vintage baby names for boys (plus their meanings). I hope this list sparks just as much inspiration and joy for you as it did for me while putting it together.

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Vintage Boy Names (And What They Mean)

Adrian – Man of Adria

Albert – Noble and bright

Alfred – Wise counselor

Ambrose – Immortal

Amos – Carried by God

Archibald – Genuine and bold

Arnold – Eagle power

Arthur – Bear

Augustus – Great, magnificent

Barnabas – Son of encouragement

Bartholomew – Son of the furrow

Basil – Kingly

Benedict – Blessed

Bernard – Brave as a bear

Byron – From the barns

Calvin – Bald, hairless

Cedric – Kindly, loved

Cecil – Blind

Charles – Free man

Clarence – Bright, clear

Claude – Lame

Clement – Merciful

Clifford – Ford near the cliff

Cornelius – Horn

Cyrus – Sun, throne

Daniel – God is my judge

David – Beloved

Desmond – From South Munster

Donald – World ruler

Douglas – Dark stream

Duncan – Dark warrior

Edgar – Wealthy spear

Edmund – Wealthy protector

Edward – Wealthy guardian

Edwin – Wealthy friend

Elias – Yahweh is God

Elmer – Noble and famous

Emanuel – God is with us

Emmett – Universal

Ernest – Serious, determined

Eugene – Well-born

Everett – Brave boar

Felix – Happy, fortunate

Ferdinand – Bold voyager

Francis – Free man

Franklin – Free landowner

Frederick – Peaceful ruler

Gabriel – God is my strength

Gareth – Gentle

Gideon – Hewer; great warrior

Gilbert – Bright pledge

Graham – Gravelly homestead

Grover – Grove of trees

Harold – Army ruler

Harrison – Son of Harry

Hector – Steadfast

Henry – Estate ruler

Herbert – Bright army

Herman – Soldier

Horace – Timekeeper

Howard – High guardian

Hubert – Bright heart

Hugh – Mind, intellect

Ignatius – Fiery

Ira – Watchful

Isaac – Laughter

Jasper – Treasurer

Jerome – Sacred name

Jesse – Gift

Joel – Yahweh is God

John – God is gracious

Jonathan – God has given

Joseph – God will increase

Josiah – Healed by God

Julius – Youthful

Laurence – From Laurentum

Lawrence – Laurel-crowned

Leonard – Brave lion

Leopold – Bold people

Leslie – Garden of holly

Lionel – Little lion

Louis – Renowned warrior

Luther – Army of people

Malcolm – Disciple of Saint Columba

Manfred – Man of peace

Marcus – Warlike

Martin – Warlike

Marvin – Sea friend

Maurice – Dark-skinned

Maxwell – Great stream

Melvin – Gentle lord

Meredith – Great ruler

Miles – Soldier

Milton – Mill town

Montgomery – Mountain belonging to Gomeric

Mortimer – Dead sea

Moses – Drawn out

Nathaniel – Gift of God

Neville – New town

Norman – Northman

Vintage Boy Names (For You to Fall in Love With)

When I first started making this list, I didn’t realize just how many incredible old-school names were out there. The deeper I dug, the more I kept finding hidden gems — strong, classic, and full of character. So here’s the next round of vintage boy names I pulled together for you. Maybe one of these will feel just right for your little one.

Abbott – Father; an old English surname with a warm, grounded vibe.

Abram – Exalted father; a sturdy, biblical classic that feels solid and timeless.

Adlai – God is just; rare, elegant, and packed with history (Adlai Stevenson, anyone?).

Alban – White, fair; sleek and ancient, with Roman roots.

Alcott – Old cottage; literary, thanks to Louisa May Alcott, but crisp and cool for a boy.

Alger – Spear warrior; bold, medieval, and strong.

Alston – Noble stone; polished and gentlemanly, with surname-style charm.

Ambrosius – Immortal; the Latin cousin of Ambrose, rare and regal.

Anatole – Sunrise; French and sophisticated, with a poetic feel.

Anders – Manly; Scandinavian twist on Andrew that’s sharp and modern-vintage.

Ansel – God’s protection; clean, strong, and artistic (think Ansel Adams).

Arlo – Fortified hill; charming, quirky, and fast becoming a vintage revival favorite.

Auberon – Noble bear; majestic and medieval, with a touch of fairytale magic.

Audric – Old, wise ruler; powerful, unusual, and rooted in French history.

Barden – Barley valley; warm, rustic, and quietly strong.

Benedetto – Blessed; Italian spin on Benedict, smooth and refined.

Bertrand – Bright raven; scholarly, with deep French roots.

Boaz – Swiftness; strong biblical name with punch and simplicity.

Boyce – Woodland; nature-inspired and rugged, with vintage flair.

Branson – Son of Brand; surname-style with strong presence.

Brewster – Brewer; quirky, occupational name that feels cozy and vintage.

Broderick – Brother; Celtic classic with a sturdy, noble ring.

Cadmus – One who excels; ancient, mythological, and undeniably bold.

Caius – Rejoice; Latin-rooted name that feels sharp and rare.

Caradoc – Beloved; Welsh and full of medieval knightly charm.

Carlisle – From the walled city; polished, aristocratic, and cool.

Carver – Wood carver; artistic, vintage Americana name.

Cassian – Hollow; sleek, Roman, and deeply historical.

Cecilton – Little blind one’s town; rare twist on Cecil, with old-English grandeur.

Chapman – Merchant; vintage surname with businesslike charm.

Clancy – Red warrior; Irish, sprightly, and full of character.

Clarimond – Bright protector; medieval French name that’s both lyrical and strong.

Clementius – Merciful; Latin embellishment of Clement, polished and stately.

Colman – Little dove; soft, warm, and saintly.

Cuthbert – Famous, bright; sweetly clunky, vintage British charm.

Darwin – Dear friend; strong and intellectual (yes, that Darwin).

Devereux – Riverbank; aristocratic French surname with striking elegance.

Digby – Town by a ditch; quirky, adorable, and unmistakably vintage-English.

Dorset – From the county of Dorset; place-name with country nobility.

Durand – Enduring; French, stately, and uncommon.

Eber – Beyond, the other side; ancient biblical name with weight and rarity.

Eldon – Ella’s hill; gentle, old-school, and quietly refined.

Elwood – Elder tree forest; warm, rustic, and packed with vintage cool.

Emmerich – Ruler, work power; Germanic, powerful, and sophisticated.

Ephron – Fawn-like; sleek, ancient, and gently masculine.

Errol – Nobleman, warrior; dashing, retro-Hollywood flair (hello, Errol Flynn).

Esau – Hairy; rugged biblical name with vintage grit.

Esmond – Graceful protection; stately, medieval, and full of quiet strength.

Eustace – Fruitful; rare, aristocratic, and charmingly old-world.

Everard – Brave boar; solid and knightly, with deep historic roots.

Fabian – Bean grower; soft, Roman name with literary polish.

Fenton – Marsh town; cool, smooth, and old-English chic.

Fitzroy – Son of the king; aristocratic surname with undeniable swagger.

Florian – Blooming, flowering; gentle, continental, and quietly artistic.

Forrest – Of the woods; nature-rich, vintage Americana.

Foster – Forester; simple, clean, and classic occupational name.

Gervase – Spear servant; rare, medieval name with scholarly elegance.

Godfrey – God’s peace; sturdy, medieval, and richly historic.

Granville – Large town; grand and upscale, with vintage nobility.