105 old man names that are classic for baby boys
When it comes to baby-naming trends, old man names are on the rise, so if you like the idea, you might have trouble finding one that isn't already insanely popular.
According to Laura Wattenberg, creator of Namerology, historically, boys name didn’t come in and out of fashion in the same way that girls names did.
“If you look back at any given period, it’s going to be John, William and James," she tells TODAY.com.
The Social Security Administration confirms it.
The top names for boys in the early 20th century included John, William, James, George, Robert and Richard.
But parents set on reviving a so-called “old man name" should take heart — there are still plenty of interesting, old-fashioned choices that feel fresh and modern.
“Names today are all about sound,” Wattenberg explains. “It’s a very smooth, light and vowel-driven sound. That’s why you see so many Amelias and Olivias and so few Gertrudes and Mildreds.”
In 2021, the name Mac rose in popularity 260 spots and Harold, Carol and Arthur all secured top-100 ranking.
Wattenberg, author of the “Baby Name Wizard," notes that some parents aren't opposed to big groups of voiced consonants.
“Those heavier names stand out more today,” she says. “For instance, Conrad will stand out in a sea of names rhyming with Aiden.”
Wattenberg says one option for old man names is to choose one that's tied to a historical figure, such as Woodrow, after former President Woodrow Wilson, who served from 1913 to 1921. Or research your own family tree for unexpected gems.
105 Old Man Names For Boys
Whether you are inspired by old-fashioned names for boys or simply want to revive a vintage name, here are 105 old man names to consider for your son:
Albert
Alfred
Alvin
Amos
August
Archibald
Arthur
Barney
Beau
Bartholomew
Bernard
Bertram
Buck
Calvin
Cecil
Chester
Clifford
Clyde
Conrad
Cyril
Clarence
Cyrus
Desmond
Duane
Dwight
Edmund
Edwin
Edward
Edgar
Ernest
Earl
Ferdinand
Floyd
Franklin
Frederick
Gerald
Gideon
Grover
Graham
Gilbert
Gus
George
Grady
Hardy
Harlan
Herman
Harold
Harris
Horace
Herschel
Irving
Ira
Jules
Lionel
Lloyd
Louis
Luther
Marshall
Marvin
Martin
Morris
Maurice
Melvin
Milton
Ned
Nelson
Norman
Orson
Orville
Otis
Oscar
Otto
Palmer
Percy
Perry
Prescott
Quincy
Ralph
Rufus
Roderick
Roland
Roy
Rudy
Rupert
Rutherford
Silas
Stanley
Stanton
Seymour
Saul
Sylvester
Theodore
Thomas
Vernon
Victor
Virgil
Wallace
Walton
Wendell
Ward
Warren
Wyatt
Wilbur
Winfield
Woodrow
This article was originally published on TODAY.com