Retro-Cool, Vintage Baby Names for Boys

Just as hemlines rise and fall and lapels widen and shrink, names go in and out of fashion. Names that sound new, fresh and exciting eventually become overused, go out of style or otherwise lose their appeal. But like bell bottom jeans and double-breasted suit coats, if you wait long enough they eventually come back in style.

Choosing a “retro” baby name can be the perfect solution for parents who want to give their baby boy a traditional yet unique name. Back in the day when the names on this list were popular, the practice of making up names was basically unheard of. So, retro names for the most part are traditional in the sense that they have been around for centuries and have Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Celtic or Germanic roots and meanings attached to them. Because they’re rarely used these days, these names offer parents a virtual goldmine of unexpected choices that won’t be scrawled in crayon on every art project posted on the kindergarten classroom wall. Not only are these names currently underused, they allow you to choose a "unique" name yet avoid making up something silly, such as Jermajesty, or a meaningless name that sounds like the next arthritis medicine, for example, Breylon.

Another nice thing about a "vintage" or "retro" name is that you can mine your family tree and name your baby boy after a beloved grandfather, great-grandfather or great uncle. Your child's namesake (or his relatives, if he is no longer living) will be thrilled, and your son will have a classic, traditional name that he doesn't have to share with half the boys in his kindergarten class.

Keep in mind that the "retro" name trend is catching on, for the reasons I've written about above. Many of these names now sound just right for the times and have already made it onto the list of the top 100 most popular boys' names.

With a retro name, the trick is in the timing. If you use the name too soon, before its time has come has begun to come around again, it can sound awfully nerdy or "geriatric," as some humorously have put it. On the other hand, if you wait too late and the name experiences a huge surge in popularity, half the kids in town will be sharing the name with your son, and your “original, unique” name will be anything but.

The following "vintage" or "retro" names have already made their way to the top 100 name list for 2011. This means that in the United States, these were the names most often given as first names to baby boys that year.
Noah (#8)
Owen (#34)
Henry (#41)
Eli (#42)
Joseph (#43)
Isaac (#45)
Samuel (#46)
Isaiah (#53)
Levi (#54)
Oliver (#56)
Charlie (#63) (Not Charles)
Julian (#72)
Sebastian (#79)
Jeremiah (#87)
Josiah (#94)
Nathaniel (#96)

These names sounded very outdated a generation ago, but today are sounding very vintage and retro-cool to many modern parents and parents-to-be. Obviously all names aren't right for every person. However, you may find a few ideas you like here, or maybe even the perfect name you've been looking for your your baby boy.
Abe
Albert
Ambrose
Archie
Artie (Arthur)
Calvin
Carlisle
Cecil
Ches, Chet, Chester
Cleo
Cliff, Clifford
Clive
Dashiell
Dominic
Edgar
Edwin
Emmett
Ephrem, Ephraim
Ezra
Felix
Frederick
Gabe
George
Gideon
Gil (Gilbert)
Gordon, Gordy
Graham
Gus
Hank
Hal
Harry
Harvey

These classic names show up on the top 100 list year after year, and never seem to sound outdated. They could be considered "retro" or "vintage" by some, so I went ahead and included them in this list, along with their place on the 2011 Top Baby Boys' Name list.

Michael (#16)
Benjamin (#19)
William (#22)
James (#24)
Andrew (#30)
Daniel (#35)
Anthony (#47)
David (#50)
John (#52)
Thomas (#67)

These names from back in the day don't sound right at the moment. But who knows? They might be the "it" names of tomorrow.

Alvin
Archibald
Bertram
Buford
Clarence
Claude
Clyde
Elbert
Elmer
Eugene
Floyd
Frances
Gene
Hannibal

Do you have a "retro" name? What names are your favorites? What names do you think still sound outdated? Did I leave any great names off the list? Let me know! If you have chosen one of these names for your son, I'd love to hear which one and the middle name you chose to go along with it. Please leave a comment in the comments box, below the Amazon ads.

MORE BABY NAME LISTS: You may also want to read my other list of baby names:
Retro-Cool, Vintage Baby Names for Girls
Unisex Baby Names for Boys
Names Not to Give Your Baby
Romantic, Feminine Baby Names for Girls
Unisex Baby Names for Girls
Cute Baby Names for Girls