Old-Fashioned and Extraordinary

“Old-fashioned” is certainly a subjective word. While Oliver and Williams may be traditional names to some, they still landed among the top 10 most popular boy names in the US for 2021. However, there are a few golden oldies that are less than common—and deserve some newfound recognition.

If you’re a fan of antique markets or historical fiction, revive these unique old-fashioned names:

1. Howard – From the Middle English word ewehirde or “ewe herder”
2. Abel – A biblical Hebrew name meaning “breathe”
3. Otto – A derivative of the Old High German word ot, which means “wealth”
4. Rufus – Meaning red-haired in Latin (but can belong to any hair color)
5. Arnold – An Anglo-Saxon name meaning “eagle power” in German
6. Orson – A name worthy of your bear cub (derived from ors, the French word for “bear”)
7. Elton – An early 20th-century Anglo name meaning “Ella’s town”
8. Fenway – A name meaning “through the marsh” (or a nod to a historic baseball park)
9. Jasper – Both Persian for “treasure bearer” and French for a red or brown gemstone
10. Hugo – A Latinized version of Hugh meaning “intellect”
11. Guy – French origin word for “leader” (can be pronounced GIE or GEE)
12. Walter – An Edwardian-era name meaning “power of the army” in Olde German
13. Amos – A Hebrew name meaning “load” or “burden”
14. Atticus – Referring to boys from the Ancient Greek city of Attica

Regal and Warrior-Like

Your baby boy is your little king—so let the world know it! Unique names with regal, stately, and strong origins will make a mark on any room. Better yet, they’ll remind your little boy of his inner power and potential throughout his entire life. Give him a name worthy of royalty and warriors, such as:

15. Reynold – an Anglo-Saxon and Germanic name for “king”
16. Griffith – A Welsh name meaning “chief” or “prince”
17. Rex – The Latin origin word for “king,” as popularized by Mozart’s Requiem
18. Amon – The name of the king of the gods in Egyptian mythology
19. Ferdinand – A Germanic and Spanish name for “courageous or brave traveler”
20. Saber – A double-edged name meaning “sword” in French or “enduring” in Arabic
21. Romulus – The name of the famed leader of Rome, meaning “strong” in Hebrew
22. Conan – A famous warrior name, Conan means “little wolf” in Gaelic Irish
23. Jarrell – An Olde English word meaning “mighty spearman”
24. Lord – A noble title still used in modern English
25. Timon – A Shakespeare warrior protagonist and a Greek name meaning “worthy”
26. Akshara – A Sanskrit name meaning “strong” or “holy presence”
27. Dirk – A German and Danish name meaning “ruler”

Naturally Beautiful

From the forests to the oceans, there are countless memorable names hidden within nature’s beauty. While seemingly new-fashioned, baby boy names related to the earth are as evergreen as a fir tree—they’ll never go out of style. Make your child feel one with the outdoors through these singular names:

28. Winter – An English origin name for the chilliest (and very beautiful) season
29. Birch – A beautiful white-barked tree with distinct dark spots
30. Cyan – A particular green-blue color akin to the ocean
31. Ember – The glowing coal or wood fueling a fire
32. Cypress – A type of evergreen tree with pinecones found in warmer areas
33. Basil – A delicious herb and a Greek word for “royal”
34. Forrest – A variation on the word “forest”
35. Reed – A type of tall grass and an Olde English word for “red-headed”
36. Cosmo – Like the universes stars (cosmos) or a Greek word for “beauty”
37. Sky – An upbeat and elegant name from the heavens
38. Wolf – The regal canine of forests or short for Wulfgang
39. Bronco – A strong name for a wild horse or a cowboy-in-training
40. Everest – The English name for the world’s tallest mountain
41. Timber – A sturdy type of wood used for building homes or other creations
42. Rainn – A variation of the word “rain”

Contemporary and Chic

While hard to believe, there are some names that are practically still in their toddler years. A contemporary 21st-century name may not possess the etymological roots of older names, but they make up for it with their creativity and individuality, including unique genderfluid names that blur traditional boundaries. Look towards the future with these uniquely modern names for your little guy:

43. Oaklyn
44. Cason
45. Seven
46. Braylon
47. Jaxon
48. Deckler
49. Tevin
50. Beren
51. Dax
52. Blaze
53. Crue
54. Ryder
55. Deveron
56. Zabe
57. Cayman
58. Jareth

Olde English Names (or Titles)

Don your favorite pantaloons and pour yourself a cuppa—these English names of yore are equally distinct and distinguished. From Beowulf to the Magna Carta, the rich culture of Britain is filled with memorable names that will set the stage for a rich life.

Even if you’re not an Anglophile, you may love some of these ancient offerings:

59. Briar – A “thorny patch” or heather, as found in the traditional English countryside
60. Remington – Originating from Lancashire, Remington means “town of the raven”
61. Byron – A lyrical name derived from the Olde English word brum (“cow sheds”)
62. Errol – A royalty-worthy name that means “nobleman”
63. Osmund – Meaning “inspired” or “divine” in Olde English
64. Dunstan – A soldier name meaning “from the fortress”
65. Wallis – Technically meaning “from Wales,” we think it’s a win for anyone—Welsh or otherwise
66. Larkin – A name as beautiful as its avian origins, the humble lark
67. Bligh – The male version of Blythe, meaning “joyous”
68. Morley – Recalling the roaming moors or uncultivated hills of England
69. Eaton – Related to the esteemed Eton College, this name refers to any settlement on a river or island
70. Lyman – A name fit for a boy “from the meadow”
71. Rhett – Meaning “enthusiastic” in Old Welsh or “stream” in Olde English
72. Harper – Another name for a harpist, fit for future musicians and artists

Greek Gods & Mythological Heroes

Strike lightning, harness the sun, stir the oceans—with a name from Greek mythology, your baby boy will be poised to feel all-powerful. Not only do these popular baby names sound beautiful, but they also instantly stand out from the crowd.

Consider these Ancient Greek names from literature and Greek mythology that are worthy of your little hero:

73. Zephyr – The god of the winds
74. Perseus – The demigod son of Zeus who slew Medusa
75. Ajax – A renowned Greek warrior who fought in the Battle of Troy
76. Kronos – The Titan father of all the Olympian gods
77. Zeno – Both meaning “of Zeus” and “foreigner”
78. Homer – The intelligent protagonist of The Odyssey, meaning “promise”
79. Castor – The first Gemini twin, born to King Tyndareus of Sparta and Leda
80. Pollux – The second Gemini twin, born to Zeus and Leda
81. Apollo – The chariot-riding Olympian god of the sun
82. Mars – The Roman name for Ares, the god of war
83. Lysander – A Spartan warrior and ruler
84. Themis – The god of law and divine order
85. Minos – The demigod King of Crete who could create gold with his touch
86. Atlas – The god of astronomy who holds the Earth on his shoulder

Worldwide Sensations

Whether you’re a multicultural family or an avid traveler, a name that works across languages is like a natural passport. These unique names are short and sweet, making them accessible to different cultures and tongues. To raise a world traveler, pick one of these uniquely global names:

87. Rami – A pan-Arabic name meaning “loving”
88. Han – Meaning both “steep incline” in Olde English or the Han state of China
89. Felix – With variations in Germanic and Latin languages, Felix means “happiness” in Latin
90. Kenji – A Japanese name meaning “intelligent,” traditionally given to second sons
91. Serge – A name meaning “wool seller” in French and “good looking” in Russian
92. Che – The Chinese word for “cart” and a nickname for the Spanish name Jose
93. Kel – A name meaning “clear spring” in Scandinavian languages and “church” in Irish
94. Kamal – A Muslim and Hindu name, meaning “perfection”, “integrity”, and “lotus”
95. Olaf – A nostalgic name meaning “ancestor” in Olde Norse
96. Davi – A name meaning “friend” in Scotland and “adored” in Portuguese
97. Liev – Meaning both “lion” in Russian and “heart” in Yiddish
98. Taj – A tall crown worn by male Indian nobles
99. Anh – Vietnamese for “friendly spirit”
100. Rye – A delicious bread, a settlement by a river, and a Norwegian city

Get to Know Your Little One by Name with SneakPeek

Picking a unique baby name for your growing baby forges a lifelong bond between you and your child. It’s also one of the many important questions you’ll face during this transformative and exciting time. How many hours should I sleep? What’s the right prenatal vitamin? Can I eat lunch meat?

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