Blast-from-the-past picks are dominating baby name charts, and the appeal of 1920s boy names is undeniable. These names evoke a sense of nostalgia, capturing the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with their unique blend of energy, charm, and wit. Let’s explore some captivating 1920s boy names, ranging from familiar classics to more obscure, yet equally delightful, finds.
The Enduring Popularity of 1920s Boy Names
It might surprise you to learn that many of today’s trendy baby names were actually quite popular a century ago. This includes timeless treasures like John, William, and James, names that have consistently graced the popularity charts for generations.
According to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the popularity of names in the 1920s was on a different scale than what we see today. In 1920, the top boy name, John, was given to an astounding 56,914 American boys. To put that into perspective, Liam, the top boy name in 2020, was used only 19,659 times. This stark difference highlights just how much naming trends have evolved over the decades. Other classic 1920s boy names that remain well-known today include Michael, Thomas, and Robert.
Rediscovering 1920s Gems: Names Making a Comeback
Some 1920s boy names have experienced fluctuating popularity over the years but are currently enjoying a resurgence. These include names like Henry, Benjamin, and Jack, which are now climbing the charts. Theodore, meaning "God’s gift," is another excellent example. This Greek name boasts a rich history and a pleasing sound, offering versatile nickname options such as Theo, Teddy, and Ted. Samuel, Leo, and Charlie are also common 1920s names currently experiencing a surge in popularity.
Old-Man Chic: The Appeal of Vintage Names
Many parents are drawn to vintage boy names for their unique "old-man chic" aesthetic. Franklin is a prime example of a roaring 1920s boy name that embodies this quality. With its presidential association and polished sound, it’s a name that feels both sophisticated and youthful. The nicknames Frank and Frankie offer a more casual touch.
Similarly, Walter, a German name with a strong, classic feel, can be dressed down with nicknames like Walt or Wally. Albert, with its charming nickname Albie, also exudes this vintage charm. Other names in this category include Stanley, Ernest, and Howard. The 1920s offered a wealth of sophisticated yet approachable names.
Exploring the List of 1920s Boy Names With Lasting Charm
Here’s a curated list of 1920s boy names, complete with their meanings and origins, to inspire your baby name search:
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron | High mountain | Hebrew | |
| Abraham | Father of nations | Hebrew | |
| Albert | Noble, bright, famous | German | |
| Alex | Defender of man | Greek | ✓ |
| Alexander | Defender of man | Greek | |
| Alfred | Elf or magical counsel | English | |
| Allen | Little rock | English | |
| Alton | Old town | English | |
| Alvin | Elf or magical being, friend | English | |
| Andrew | Manly and powerful | Greek | |
| Angelo | Messenger of God | Italian | |
| Anthony | Unknown meaning | Latin | |
| Antonio | Unknown meaning | Italian | |
| Archie | Diminutive of Archibald | English | |
| Arnold | Eagle ruler | German | |
| Arthur | Bear | Celtic | |
| Ben | Son | Hebrew | |
| Benjamin | A favorite son | Hebrew | |
| Bennie | Son; blessed; son of the right hand | Latin | ✓ |
| Bernard | Strong, brave bear | German | |
| Bill | Diminutive of William | English | |
| Billy | Will helmet, protection | German | ✓ |
| Bob | Diminutive of Robert | English | |
| Bruce | From the brushwood | Ancient | |
| Calvin | Hairless one | English | |
| Carl | Variant of Charles | German | |
| Cecil | Blind; sixth | Welsh | ✓ |
| Charles | Free man | German | |
| Charlie | Free man | English | ✓ |
| Chester | Camp of soldiers | Latin | |
| Clarence | Near River Clare | Latin | |
| Claude | Lame | Latin | ✓ |
| Clayton | Clay settlement | English | |
| Clifford | Cliff-side ford | English | |
| Clifton | Town by the cliff | English | |
| Clinton | Fenced settlement | English | |
| Clyde | Keeper of the keys | Scottish | |
| Curtis | Courteous, polite | French | |
| Dale | Valley | English | ✓ |
| Dan | Judge; God is my judge | Hebrew | |
| Daniel | God is My Judge | Hebrew | |
| David | Beloved | Hebrew | |
| Dean | Valley | English | |
| Delbert | Day-bright | English | |
| Don | A lord | Welsh | |
| Donald | Great chief; world mighty | Scottish | |
| Douglas | Black river | Scottish | |
| Earl | Nobleman, warrior, prince | English | |
| Earnest | Serious; battle to the death | German | |
| Eddie | Wealthy guard | English | ✓ |
| Edgar | Wealthy spear | English | |
| Edmund | Wealthy protector | English | |
| Edward | Wealthy guard | English | |
| Edwin | Wealthy friend | English | |
| Elbert | Noble, bright, famous | English | |
| Ellis | My God is Yahweh | English | |
| Elmer | Noble, famous | English | |
| Emil | Eager | Latin | |
| Ernest | Serious; battle to the death | German | |
| Ervin | Beautiful | Scottish | |
| Eugene | Well-born, noble | Greek | |
| Everett | Brave boar | English | |
| Felix | Happy and lucky | Latin | |
| Floyd | Gray-haired | Welsh | |
| Forrest | Woodsman; woods | French | |
| Francis | Frenchman; free man | Latin | |
| Frank | Frenchman | English | ✓ |
| Franklin | Free landholder | English | |
| Fred | Elf or magical counsel; peaceful ruler | German | ✓ |
| Frederick | Peaceful ruler | German | |
| Gene | Well-born, noble | Greek | ✓ |
| George | Farmer | Greek | |
| Gerald | Spear ruler | German | |
| Gilbert | Bright promise | French | |
| Glen | Glen | Irish | ✓ |
| Glenn | Glen | Irish | ✓ |
| Gordon | Large fortification | Scottish | |
| Grover | Grove of trees | English | |
| Guy | Wood | German | |
| Harold | Army ruler | Scandinavian | |
| Harry | Home ruler | German | |
| Harvey | Battle ready | English | |
| Henry | Home ruler | English | |
| Herbert | Illustrious warrior | German | |
| Herman | Soldier | German | |
| Homer | Security, pledge; hostage | Greek | |
| Horace | A maker of timepieces | Latin | |
| Howard | Noble watchman | English | |
| Hubert | Bright or shining intellect | German | |
| Hugh | Soul, mind, intellect | German | |
| Ira | Full-grown; watchful | Hebrew | ✓ |
| Irvin | Green or fresh water | Gaelic | |
| Irving | Green or fresh water | Gaelic | |
| Isaac | He will laugh | Hebrew | |
| Ivan | God is gracious | Slavic | |
| Jack | God is gracious | English | |
| Jacob | Supplanter | Hebrew | |
| James | Supplanter | English | ✓ |
| Jay | To heal | English | ✓ |
| Jerome | Sacred name | Greek | |
| Jerry | Diminutive of Jeremiah and Jerome | English | ✓ |
| Jesse | Gift | Hebrew | ✓ |
| Jessie | The Lord exists | Hebrew | ✓ |
| Jim | Diminutive of James | Hebrew | |
| Jimmie | He who supplants | Hebrew | |
| Joe | Diminutive of Joseph | English | |
| John | God is gracious | Hebrew | |
| Johnie | God is gracious | Hebrew | |
| Johnnie | God is gracious | Hebrew | ✓ |
| Johnny | God is gracious | Hebrew | |
| Jose | Jehovah will increase | Spanish | |
| Joseph | Jehovah will increase | Hebrew | |
| Julian | Young at heart | Latin | |
| Julius | Youthful and downy | Greek | |
| Junior | The younger one | Latin | |
| Keith | Woodland, forest | Scottish | |
| Kenneth | Handsome | Scottish | |
| Lawrence | From Laurentum | Latin | |
| Lee | Pasture or meadow | English | ✓ |
| Leland | Plowed land | English | ✓ |
| Leo | Lion | Latin | |
| Leon | Lion | Greek | |
| Leonard | Lion strength | German | |
| Leroy | The king | French | |
| Leslie | Holly garden | Scottish | ✓ |
| Lester | From Leicester | English | |
| Lewis | Variant of Louis | German | |
| Lloyd | Gray-haired; sacred | Welsh | |
| Lonnie | Noble | German | ✓ |
| Louis | Famous warrior | French | |
| Lowell | Young wolf | French | |
| Luther | Soldier of the people | German | |
| Lyle | The island | French | |
| Manuel | God is with us | Spanish | |
| Marion | Form of Mary | Hebrew | ✓ |
| Marshall | Caretaker of horses | English | |
| Martin | Of Mars | Latin | |
| Matthew | Gift of God | Hebrew | |
| Maurice | Dark-skinned, Moorish | Latin | |
| Max | Greatest | English | ✓ |
| Melvin | The counseling friend | Irish | |
| Merle | Blackbird | French | ✓ |
| Michael | Who is Like God? | Hebrew | ✓ |
| Mike | Diminutive of Michael | Irish | |
| Milton | Mill town | English | |
| Morris | Variant of Maurice | Latin | |
| Nathan | He gave | Hebrew | |
| Nathaniel | God has given | Hebrew | |
| Nelson | The son of Nell or Neal | English | |
| Nicholas | Victory of the people | Greek | |
| Nick | Diminutive of Nicholas | Japanese | |
| Norman | Northerner | German | |
| Oliver | Olive tree | English | |
| Orville | Gold town | French | |
| Oscar | Friend of deer | Gaelic | |
| Otis | Wealth; son of Otto | German | |
| Patrick | Nobleman | Latin | |
| Paul | Small | Latin | |
| Pete | Rock | Greek | |
| Peter | Stone | Greek | |
| Philip | Horse lover | Greek | |
| Phillip | Horse lover | Greek | |
| Ralph | Wolf counsel | English | |
| Ray | Diminutive of Raymond | English | ✓ |
| Raymond | Protector | English | |
| Richard | Brave ruler | German | |
| Robert | Bright fame | German | |
| Roger | Famous spearman | German | |
| Roland | Renowned land | German | |
| Ronald | Ruler’s counselor | Scandinavian | |
| Roy | Red | Irish | |
| Rudolph | Famous wolf | German | |
| Rufus | Red-haired | Latin | |
| Russell | Little red | English | |
| Salvatore | Savior | Latin | |
| Sam | Short form of Samson and Samuel | American | ✓ |
| Samuel | Name of God | Hebrew | |
| Seymour | Saint-Maur | Latin | |
| Sidney | Wide meadow | English | ✓ |
| Stanley | Stony meadow | English | |
| Stephen | Crown | English | |
| Steve | Diminutive of Stephen | English | |
| Sylvester | Wooded | Latin | |
| Theodore | God’s gift | Greek | |
| Thomas | Twin | Greek | |
| Tom | Diminutive of Thomas | Aramaic | |
| Tony | Diminutive of Anthony | Latin | ✓ |
| Vernon | Alder grove | French | |
| Victor | Champion | Latin | |
| Vincent | Conquer | Latin | |
| Virgil | A man of authority | Latin | |
| Wallace | Welshman | French | |
| Walter | Commander of the army | German | |
| Warren | Game preserve | English | |
| Wayne | Wagon builder or driver | English | |
| Wesley | Western meadow | English | |
| Wilbert | Bright will | German | |
| Wilbur | Bright will | German | |
| Wilfred | Desiring peace | English | |
| Willard | Strong desire | English | |
| William | A willing protector | German | |
| Willie | Willing protector | English | ✓ |
| Willis | The son of Will(iam) | English | |
| Woodrow | Row of houses by the wood | English |
Browse this carefully curated collection of 1920s boy names with lasting charm and discover the perfect vintage-inspired name for your little one. Whether you are searching for a rare find like Cecil, a testament to the charm of 1920s boy names with lasting charm, or a classic choice like David, 1920s boy names with lasting charm are sure to appeal to your vintage-loving heart. The distinctive character of 1920s boy names with lasting charm make these names a unique and compelling choice for modern parents.