Are you looking for a classic name that is not that popular? This list of great uncommon vintage names for boys will help you find the perfect name for your new son!
Vintage Girl Names
Are you searching for the perfect traditional name that isn’t overused? The search for the perfect name is a lot more difficult than five or ten years ago.
Vintage and old fashioned names have become popular for the last decade, but many vintage names, such as Oliver, Theodore, Leo and Henry become extremely common; some might say overused.
So what should you do if you love the vintage baby name trend, but you want to avoid giving your baby an overused name?
Uncommon Vintage Names for Boys
If you’re searching for a unique old fashioned name, I’ve done the legwork for you! I’ve scoured the baby name charts for the most uncommon vintage names. These vintage names were popular in the past, but you just don’t hear them anymore.
I’ve compiled a list of boy names that were popular in the 1800s, but are still relatively uncommon today. None of the vintage boy names below are among the top 200 most popular baby names this year (according to Social Security).
This means you’ll be unlikely to encounter another baby given the same name, and your son will not have another child with the same name in their class in elementary school.
Some names are uncommon, but still familiar, hovering in the 300-400 range on baby name charts this year, while others are not even in Social Security’s records of the top 1000 baby names this year. You’ll have lots of choice for an uncommon name for your baby boy.
If you choose any name on this list, you can be assured that your baby will have a traditional, but uncommon baby name that you just don’t hear much anymore
Related Posts:
Bridgerton-Inspired Vintage Names from the 19th Century
Vintage Boy Names with Nicknames You’ll Love!
Adorably Old Fashioned Boy Names from the 1800s
Adorable Boy Names Similar to Oliver
So without further ado, let’s get to the names!
Unique Vintage Names for Boys
Albert
Meaning ‘noble’ and ‘bright’, Albert is a Germanic name that became especially popular in the Victorian era, as Queen Victoria’s husband was named Albert.
Alfred
Alfred is an English baby name stemming from the old English Aelfraed. It means ‘elf and counsel’.
Allen
Allen is a Celtic name meaning ‘noble’ or ‘fair.
Alonzo
Alonzo is a super unique boy names from the 1800s. It’s an Italian and Spanish variant of the Germanic name, Alfonso. Alfonso means ‘noble’ and ‘ready’.
Alvin
Alvin is an English name meaning ‘wise friend’.
Amos
Amos means ‘load’ or ‘burden’. Amos was one of the 12 minor prophets in the Old Testament.
Anton
Anton is an English boy name which means ‘highly praiseworthy’.
Archie
A shortened form of Archibald, meaning ‘genuine’ and ‘bold’. Archie is a super cute Scottish boy name.
Arthur
The meaning of the name Arthur is unknown, but is perhaps from the Celtic meaning ‘bear’ and ‘man’ or ‘king’. Arthur is the mythic king of Britain renown in legend.
Asa
Asa, pronounced (AY-sa) comes from Hebrew origins and meaning ‘healer/doctor’. It’s one of the most forgotten names that you simply don’t hear anymore.
August
August comes from the Latin and literally means ‘to increase’. As a name, it mans ‘venerable’ or ‘esteemed’ and was given to emperors.
Augustus
Augustus is another name with Latin origins referring to emperors.
Bernard
Bernard comes from Germanic and combines the elements ‘bear’ and ‘brave’.
Bert
Shortened form of Albert, meaning ‘noble’ and ‘bright’.
Carl
The German form of Charles, meaning ‘man’.
Chester
Chester originally was a last name which referred to a Roman town in Britain, and means ‘camp, fortress’.
Clarence
Clarence was derived from a Latin title for members of the British family.
Claude
Clause is a French baby name that originates from the Latin name, Claudius. It means ‘stuttering’ or ‘limping’.
Clayton
Clayton was originally a surname meaning ‘clay settlement’ in Old English.
Cleveland
Cleveland is a name that originated as a surname, loosely translating from ‘cliff lane’.
Clinton
Clinton is a name that originated as an English surname. It means a settlement on a hill.
Clyde
The name Clyde is Gaelic in origin and comes from the Clyde river, in Scotland.
Cornelius
Cornelius originally means ‘horn’. It is a Latin baby name.
Curtis
Curtis is an English baby name which originally came from Norman French. It means ‘courteous’.
Denis
Denis is the medieval French form of Dionysius, a common name for early saints in the Bible.
Earl
Originally an aristocratic title meaning ‘nobleman’ or ‘warrior’.
Edgar
Edgar is an English baby name which means ‘fortunate and powerful’.
Edmund
Edmund can be a given name or surname. It comes from Old English and means ‘prosperous’.
Edward
Edward means ‘rich guard’ and was the name of many kings.
Edwin
Edwin means ‘rich friend’ and comes from Old English.
Elbert
Elbert means ‘noble’ and ‘bright’. It is a variation of Albert and comes from Old English.
Elmer
Elmer is an Old English name that means ‘noble, famous’.
Emil
Emil comes from the Latin and means ‘excellent’. It’s a super unique boy name from the 1800s.
Ernest
Ernest from from the Germanic name and means ‘serious’.
Eugene
Eugene means ‘well born’. It is the English version of an old Greek name.
Felix
In Latin, Felix means ‘lucky’ or ‘successful’. Felix is not overused, but has a vintage flair that is very trendy. It makes a great alternative to an overused name like Oliver or Milo.
Floyd
Variation of Lloyd, meaning ‘grey-haired’ in Welsh.
Francis
Originally from the Latin name, Franciscus, this name means ‘Frenchman’.
Frank
Referring to a Germanic tribe, the Franks. Frank is one of many strong one syllable boy names you might just fall in love with.
Franklin
Franklin means ‘landowner’. It’s an old English name.
Frederick
Frederick is the English version of a German name meaning ‘peaceful ruler’.
Gilbert
Gilbert comes from the Germanic and means ‘bright pledge’. Anne of Green Gables-lovers will have fond memories of this underused vintage name.
Glenn
Originally a Scottish surname from the Gaelic word for ‘valley’.
George
George is originally from the Greek and means ‘farmer’.
Gus
Shortened form of Angus or Augustus, meaning ‘one choice’. I love this popular boy name from the 1800s. Gus is such a cute three letter name for boys!
Guy
From the Norman French name, Wido, or a Hebrew variant of Gai.
Harley
Harley seems like it might be a modern name, honouring the Harley Davidson brand, but actually it’s a very old name, originally meaning ‘hare’s meadow’ in old English.
Harold
Harold is an English name coming from Germanic elements meaning ‘power’ or ‘ruler’.
Harvey
Harvey is an English baby name that stems from an old Breton name meaning ‘blazing’.
Herbert
Herbert was originally a German baby name, which means ‘illustrious army’.
Herman
Herman is another Germanic baby name, meaning ‘soldier’.
Hiram
Hiram is a Hebrew baby name which literally means ‘my brother is exalted’. Hiram is a very underused boy name from the 1800s, so if you’re looking for a unique name, this could be it.
Homer
Homer was an ancient Greek name which means ‘hostage, pledge’. Homer was the famed poet who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Horace
Horace is an English baby name, meaning ‘timekeeper’.
Howard
Howard is an English baby name, that comes from Normandy. It means ‘brave heart’.
Hugh
Originally stemming from the Germanic, Hugh means ‘heart, spirit, mind’.
Ira
Ira means ‘watchful’ in Hebrew.
Irvin
Variant of Irving, meaning ‘green water’, this was originally a surname.
Jake
This one syllable baby name was is a variation of Jack, or a shortened form of Jacob, meaning ‘supplanter’.
Jay
Nickname for names like James or Jason.
Jerry
Jerry is a shortened form of Gerald. It is an English baby name and means ‘ruling spear’.
Jesse
Jesse is a Hebrew name, meaning ‘gift’.
Jim
Nicknames for James, which is the English form of the Latin name, Iacomus and the name of two apostles from the New Testament. Jim can also be a stand alone name, which makes it both old fashioned and unique.
Joe
Shortened version of Joseph, meaning ‘God will increase’.
Julius
Julius is a Roman name meaning either ‘downy-bearded’ or related to the Roman God, Jupiter.
Lawrence
This two syllable name comes ‘from Laurentum’ (a city in the Roman Empire) in Latin. Lawrence is the Anglicized spelling of the name.
Lee
Originally a surname meaning ‘clearing’.
Leonard
Leonard is a Germanic name meaning ‘brave lion’.
Leroy
This French name means ‘the king’ which is its literal translation (le roi).
Leon
Leon is a French baby name that means ‘lion’. It’s a great underused alternative to Leo, which has become overused.
Lester
Lester is an English baby name meaning ‘fortified place’.
Lewis/Louis
Lewis is the English spelling, Louis is the French. Both mean ‘famous warrior’. Both were popular boy names in the 1800’s.
Lon
Lon is a Gaelic name that means ‘fierce’. It’s a really unique old fashioned name with tons of character!
Luther
Luther is most commonly associated with the German surname. It can also be an English surname meaning ‘lute player’.
Mack
This one syllable boys name comes from a number of Scottish surnames, all beginning with Mac. Mac is the Gaelic word meaning son, and can also be used as a general slang term for ‘man’. If you like simple, unfussy names, Mack might be perfect for you!
Manuel
Manuel comes from the Hebrew name Emmanuel. It means ‘God with us’.
Marshall
Marshall is an Old French baby name meaning ‘a person who tends to horses’.
Martin
Martin is originally from the Roman name, Martinus, which honoured the Roman god of war, Mars. Martin is a classic name that you don’t hear much anymore, but is due for an increase in popularity like Henry and William.
Marvin
Marvin is a Welsh name which means ‘sea hill’.
Maurice
Maurice is a Latin baby name which refers to a Moor.
Melvin
Melvin is a Gaelic name that was originally a surname. It means ‘gentle chieftan’.
Milton
Milton is an English name that means ‘settlement by a mill’.
Morris
Morris is an English version of Maurice, a French name which refers to Moorish people.
Moses
Moses is a biblical name, which refers to a central figure of the Old Testament. Literally, Moses comes from the Hebrew word for ‘draw out/pull out’.
Nelson
Nelson is an English name meaning ‘son of Neil.’
Newton
Newton is a great nerdy-chic name that is quirky and unique. It was originally a surname (Isaac Newton is the most famous forbearer) and literally means ‘new town’.
Norman
Norman is a Germanic name meaning ‘North man’, referring to the Vikings.
Oscar
Oscar is derived from Gaelic and means ‘dear friend’. Oscar declined in popularity for a few decades, but is a fun, quirky old fashioned name due for a comeback
Otis
An English name originally stemming from the name, Otto, meaning ‘wealth’. If you like the name Milo, but fear it is too popular, Otis is a great alternative, but is much more unique.
Otto
Otto is a German baby name meaning ‘wealthy’ or ‘prosperous’. It can also be a surname.
Patrick
Patrick originally comes from the Latin and means ‘nobleman’. For decades, Patrick was a very popular name, but has fallen in popularity lately. It’s a timeless boy name that is due for a comeback.
Paul
Meaning ‘small’ or ‘humble’ in Latin, Paul comes from the Paulus family, an important Roman family. Paul was an important early Christian leader. Paul is a classic name that is simple and straightforward.
Perry
Perry comes from a Welsh or English name that originally refers to a pear tree.
Peter
Peter comes from the Greek word, petros, meaning ‘stone’. This is another classic name that is due for a comeback.
Philip
Philip comes from the Greek and means ‘friend to horses’. Philip is a classic vintage boy name that still holds up today.
Ralph
Originally Ralph was a Scandinavian name, which was brought to England by the Normans. Originally it meant ‘consel’ and ‘wolf’ in Old Norse.
Ray
A shortened form of Raymond, coming from Old German and meaning ‘advice’ and ‘protector’.
Raymond
Meaning ‘advice’ and ‘protector’, Raymond has Germanic roots.
Ruben
Ruben is Hebrew boy name that means ‘behold, a son’.
Richard
Richard is a popular traditional English baby name, originally meaning ‘brave power’ from Germanic. It’s been the name of a number of kings of England.
Roscoe
Roscoe is a Norse baby name. It means ‘deer forest.’ Roscoe is a very underused boy names from the 1800s that could be perfect if you’re looking for an uncommon vintage boy name.
Ross
A Scottish surname, coming from the Gaelic word for ‘headland’.
Roy
Anglicized version of Scottish name meaning ‘red’ or anglicized version of the French word for king.
Rufus
Rufus is a Latin baby name which means ‘red headed’. Rufus is the perfect quirky boy name from the 1800s that is super cute and different!
Russell
Russell was originally a surname. It comes from the French and refers to someone with red hair.
Sidney
Sidney was originally an English surname.
Simon
Simon is the Greek form of a Hebrew name meaning ‘he has heard’.
Solomon
Soloman is a biblical name. In Hebrew it means ‘peace’.
Stanley
Stanley was originally a surname meaning ‘stone clearing’.
Stephen
Stephen comes from the Greek and means ‘crown’.
Sylvester
Sylvester is a Latin baby name and means ‘wooded’ or ‘wild’.
Victor
Victor is a Roman name, referring a victory or conquering.
Virgil
Virgil comes from the Latin. It is derived from a Roman clan name, Vergilius.
Wallace
A Scottish or English surname, originally meaning ‘Welsh’ or ‘foreigner’. William Wallace was a 13th century Scottish hero who is a symbol of Scottish freedom and whose story was featured in the movie, Braveheart.
Walter
Walter means ‘ruler of an army’ and comes from the Germanic.
Warren
Warren comes from Norman French and refers to an ‘animal enclosure’.
Wilbur
Wilbur was originally a surname which means ‘wild boar’.
Wiley
Wiley is an English name meaning ‘crafty’. It can also be a Scottish diminutive for William.
Willard
Williard is an English name derived from the Germanic. It means ‘desire’ and ‘brave’.
Willis
Willis is a variant of William, meaning ‘resolute protector’ from Old German.
Wilson
Wilson was originally an English surname meaning ‘son of William’.
Winfield
Winfield is a really underused name that would be perfect for anyone who likes the surname as first name trend. Winfield literally means a meadow or field, and is of English origins.
Well, those are my favorite unique and underused vintage names. I hope this helps you on your quest of finding a perfect old fashioned name! Happy baby name hunting!
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Name meanings sourced from Behind the Name.
