50 old-fashioned baby boy names that are cool again
50 cool, retro names for your baby son.
From Prince George to Prince Louis, the old-fashioned baby boy names that are cool again
What’s old is new again, especially when it comes to baby names.
If you’re expecting a little boy and love the idea of something timeless, traditional and full of character, an old-fashioned name could be the perfect fit. Those once “grandpa” names are making a serious comeback, bringing with them charm, strength and a sense of history that never goes out of style.
Whether you want to honour a beloved great-grandfather, revive a treasured family name, or simply choose something classic that will grow beautifully with your child, these vintage picks tick all the boxes.
Here are 50 of our favourite old-fashioned baby boy names that feel fresh, cool and ready for a new generation.
50 classic “old man” names that are perfect for modern boys
Albert has German origins meaning ‘noble, bright.’
Famous namesakes: Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein and British actor Albert Finney.
This name is of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘carried by God.’
Famous namesakes: Amos ‘n’ Andy was a popular show back in the 1950s and 60s. ALso, singer Tori Amos.
A name of Celtic origin meaning ‘bear’.
Famous namesakes: Playwright Arthur Miller and tennis great Arthur Ashe.
This sweet name means ‘son of comfort.’
Famous namesakes: American actor Barney Martin and jazz guitarist Barney Kessel.
Of German origin, meaning ‘strong as a bear’.
Famous namesakes: Powderfinger singer Bernard Fanning and actor Bernard Hill.
Charles is of French and German origin meaning ‘free man.’
Famous namesakes: Actor Charlie Chaplin, Charlie Sheen, and King Charles.
A name of Latin origin meaning ‘fortress, walled town.’
Famous namesakes: Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have a son named Chester.
A name with Latin origin meaning ‘bright.’
Famous namesakes: Dutch footballer Clarence Seedorf, Robert Clarence Irwin, the late Steve Irwin’s son.
An English name simply meaning ‘ford by the cliff.’
Famous namesakes: British pop singer Cliff Richard, musician Cliff Burton from Metallica.
A Scottish name from the name of the river Clyde.
Famous namesakes: Infamous outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde. Actors Catherine Keener and Dermot Mulroney have a son named Clyde.
An Irish name meaning ‘from South Munster’.
Famous namesakes: Reggae singer Desmond Dekker, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Bishop Desmond Tutu.
A popular English name meaning ‘warrior’ or ‘nobleman.’
Famous namesakes: American actor James Earl Jones and British/Australian actor Earl Cave, son of musician Nick Cave and model Susie Bick.
This name is of English origin meaning ‘serious, resolute’.
Famous namesakes: Novelist Ernest Hemingway. The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde.
An English name meaning ‘wealthy spearman’.
Famous namesakes: Author and poet Edgar Allan Poe, Kind Edgar of Scotland.
Of English origin meaning ‘fortunate protector’.
Famous namesakes: New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and English astronomer Edmund Halley, after whom the comet was named.
This name is of English origin and means ‘wealthy guardian’.
Famous namesakes: Actor Edward Norton and Edward Cullen from the Twilight movies.
Another English name, meaning ‘wealthy friend’.
Famous namesakes: Astronaut Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin.
Elmer is of English origin meaning ‘noble and renowned’.
Famous namesakes: Playwright Elmer Rice and composer Elmer Bernstein.
A German name meaning ‘powerful’.
Famous namesakes: Irish actor Emmett Scanlan. Fictional characters Emmett Cullen from Twilight and Dr Emmett ‘Doc’ Brown from Back to the Future.
A name with Greek origins meaning ‘wellborn, noble’.
Famous namesakes: Playwright Eugene O’Neill, also lead singer of rock band Kiss, Gene Simmons.
A sweet name of Latin origin meaning ‘happy, fortunate’.
Famous namesakes: Cartoon character Felix the cat. Actress Elizabeth Banks named her son Felix.
Finley has Celtic origins meaning ‘fair-haired hero’. Famous namesakes: Reggae musician Finley Quaye.
Actor Chris O’Donnell also called his son Finley.
Frank has German origins meaning ‘Frenchman or free man’.
Famous namesakes: American singer Frank Sinatra and musicia Frank Zappa.
Frederick has German origins meaning ‘peaceful ruler’.
Famous namesakes: Actor and dancer Fred Astaire and Queen singer Freddie Mercury.
George has Greek origins meaning ‘farmer’.
Famous namesakes: Prince William and Kate Middleton’s son and actor George Clooney.
From the Latin name Augustus, meaning ‘majestic’.
Famous namesakes: American skier Gus Kenworthy, film director Gus Van Sant.
A name of French origin meaning ‘battle worthy’.
Famous namesakes: American actor Harvey Keitel. Plus, Suits character, Harvey Specter.
Henry has German origin meaning ‘estate ruler’.
Famous namesakes: British actor Henry Cavill,
Herman has German origins meaning ‘soldier, warrior’.
Famous namesakes: US novelist Herman Melville. Swiss poet and novelist Herman Hesse.
Horace has Latin origins meaning ‘timekeeper’.
Famous namesakes: American composer Horace Bing and English historian Horace Walpole.
Julius has Latin origins meaning ‘youthful, downy-bearded’.
Famous namesakes: Roman dictator Julius Caesar, basketball player Julius Thomas.
Of Latin origin meaning ‘from Laurentium’.
Famous namesakes: Actor Laurence Olivier.
Louis has French origins meaning ‘renowned warrior’.
Famous namesakes: Louis Tomlinson from One Direction and Prince William and Catherine’s son Louis.
Max has Latin origins meaning ‘greatest’.
Famous namesakes: I’m a Celeb TikTok star Max Balegde and The Wanted singer Max George.
Milton has English origins meaning ‘settlement with a mill’.
Famous namesakes: English poet John Milton. Milton ‘Mitt’ Romney, US football player.
Mortimer has European origins meaning “Dead Sea”.
Famous namesakes: Mortimer was also the original name of Disney’s Micky Mouse.
Murray has Scottish origins meaning ‘settlement by the sea’.
Famous namesakes: Wiggles member Murray Cook, US actor Bill Murray and tennis champ Andy Murray.
Oliver has Latin origins meaning ‘olive tree’.
Famous namesakes: American film director Oliver Stone. Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef.
An Irish name meaning “friend of deer” or ‘spear of God’.
Famous namesakes: Author Oscar Wilde and fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.
A German name meaning ‘wealthy’.
Famous namesakes: American soul singer Otis Redding.
An French surname from place name Perci-en-Auge.
Famous namesakes: Canadian actor Percy Hynes White and fictional character Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief.
An English name meaning ‘Wolf Counsel’.
Famous namesakes: Actor Ralph Fiennes and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
An German name meaning ‘wise protector’.
Famous namesakes: American short story author Raymond Carver, actor Ray Romano.
Of French and English origin meaning “Saint Denis”.
Famous namesakes: American actor Sidney Poitier, Australian painter Sidney Nolan.
An English name meaning ‘near the stony clearing’.
Famous namesakes: American film director Stanley Kubrick, actor Stanley Tucci.
A boy’s name of Greek origin meaning ‘gift of God’.
Famous namesakes: US President Theodore Roosevelt and actor Theo James.
An Scottish, English origin meaning ‘foreigner, stranger'”‘.
Famous namesakes: William Wallace, leader during Scottish wars of Independence.
A name of German origin meaning ‘army ruler’.
Famous namesakes: Fictional character Walter White from Breaking Bad and Walt Disney.
Wilbur has German origins meaning ‘resolute, brilliant’.
Famous namesakes: Television personality Wilbur Wilde and American Aviator Wilbur Wilde.
Willis is a diminutive of William, meaning ‘resolute protection’.
Famous namesakes: Actor Bruce Willis and American basketball player Willis Reed Jr.
