Classic Boy Names
897 classic boy names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Looking for girl names instead? Classic Girl Names →
Some names do not need to announce themselves. You hand one to a boy and it simply fits — at four, at fourteen, and on a business card thirty years later. That is the working definition of Classic boy names, and the short, blunt ones make the case fastest: Mark, a single confident syllable with no wasted motion; Paul, spare and steady and impossible to mispronounce; Martin, which has been quietly respectable in half a dozen languages for centuries. Add Walter, once firmly a grandfather name and now the sort of choice that makes other parents wish they had thought of it first, and you have a whole personality with almost no letters.
Push past the English-language shortlist and the category gets far more interesting. Omar, Ali and Muhammad are among the most enduring given names on earth, carried by millions and instantly readable almost anywhere you travel. Francisco and Jorge bring that same deep-rooted familiarity across the Spanish-speaking world, with rhythm to spare. And if you want a traditional name wearing slightly newer clothes, Mathias and Colin land right in the pocket — recognized on sight, still uncommon enough to feel chosen rather than inherited.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
Classic Boy Names — Page 2
Joan#987 in the U.S.Spanish masculine form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning Yahweh is gracious; in Spanish-spe▶Blaine#992 in the U.S.From Scottish Gaelic Blaen or the personal name Blaan, possibly meaning yellow or possibly lean▶Joe#994 in the U.S.Short form of Joseph, from Hebrew Yosef meaning he will add or God will increase, expressed thr▶Ronnie#995 in the U.S.Ruler's counsel; wise ruler; an English pet form of Ronald, from Old Norse Rögnvaldr (regin: co▶Mike#1011 in the U.S.Who is like God? — English short form of Michael, from Hebrew mi-ka-el (who is like God?)▶Carl#1033 in the U.S.Free man; strong; from Germanic karl (free man, man, fellow) — the same root as Charles, Carlos▶Billy#1047 in the U.S.Resolute protector; English pet form of William, from Germanic Willahelm (wil: will, desire + h▶Howard#1056 in the U.S.High guardian or sheep herder; from Old Norse Hávarðr (hay guardian, yard guardian) or Old Germ▶Rodney#1085 in the U.S.Hroda's island; or island of reeds; from Old English Hroda + eg (island), a Somerset place name▶Gordon#1089 in the U.S.Great hill; spacious fort; from Scots Gaelic Gordan, from a Berwickshire place name, possibly f▶Cory#1093 in the U.S.Hollow; god's peace; from Irish Gaelic coire (hollow, cauldron) or Old Norse kori (hollow); als▶Gary#1130 in the U.S.Spear ruler; from Germanic Garhard (gar: spear + hard: brave, hardy) or a short form of names c▶Jean#1139 in the U.S.God is gracious; French masculine form of John, from Hebrew Yohanan (Yahweh is gracious)▶Ralph#1152 in the U.S.Wolf counsel; advice from the wolf; from Old Norse Ráðúlfr (ráð: counsel + úlfr: wolf)▶Gerald#1167 in the U.S.Spear ruler; from Germanic Gerwald (ger: spear + wald: ruler, to wield power)▶Terry#1186 in the U.S.Power of the tribe; English form of the Germanic name Theodoric or a pet form of Terence, from ▶Marc#1191 in the U.S.Of Mars; warrior; French form of Mark/Marcus, from Latin Marcus (of the god Mars, the Roman god▶Markus#1229 in the U.S.Of Mars, dedicated to the god of war▶Kendall#1231 in the U.S.Valley of the River Kent▶Niklaus#1232 in the U.S.Victory of the people, people's triumph▶Francesco#1241 in the U.S.Frenchman, free man▶Perry#1242 in the U.S.Pear tree, one who lives near a pear tree▶Emil#1248 in the U.S.Rival, eager to excel, industrious▶Gianluca#1249 in the U.S.God is gracious and light — grace and illumination▶Giovani#1250 in the U.S.God is gracious, beloved of God▶Pierre#1253 in the U.S.Rock, stone, the rock▶Bailey#1266 in the U.S.Bailiff, steward, officer of the law▶Viktor#1276 in the U.S.Victor, conqueror, one who wins▶Will#1283 in the U.S.Resolute protector, strong-willed guard▶Terrance#1298 in the U.S.From the Terentius clan; smooth, polished▶Bernard#1318 in the U.S.Strong as a bear; brave as a bear▶Harris#1319 in the U.S.Son of Harry; son of the heir▶Hans#1324 in the U.S.God is gracious, God is good▶Jerome#1335 in the U.S.Sacred name; holy name▶Saif#1356 in the U.S.Sword, blade, a sharp sword▶Ross#1359 in the U.S.Headland, promontory; high cape of land▶Glenn#1362 in the U.S.Valley; narrow mountain valley▶Octavio#1366 in the U.S.Eighth; the eighth son▶Sidney#1374 in the U.S.Wide island; Saint Denis's island▶Giancarlo#1404 in the U.S.God is gracious and free man▶Dwayne#1423 in the U.S.Little dark one; dark-colored▶Maxim#1446 in the U.S.Greatest, the greatest▶Vince#1452 in the U.S.Conquering, victorious▶Lars#2244 in the U.S.crowned with laurel▶Roel#2250 in the U.S.famous ruler▶Whitaker#2253 in the U.S.white field, pale meadow▶Clement#2260 in the U.S.merciful, gentle, mild▶Josef#2286 in the U.S.God will add, God will increase▶Rui#2297 in the U.S.famous ruler▶Stefano#2301 in the U.S.crown, garland▶Jacques#2375 in the U.S.Supplanter; God is gracious; French form of James/Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov (supplanter) via La▶Ewald#2709 in the U.S.Ewald is a Germanic name from ewa 'law' and wald 'rule, power', giving 'law-power' or 'one who ▶Murad#2975 in the U.S.Wish, desire, or intended goal; from the Arabic root arada meaning to want or to intend▶Ramy#2980 in the U.S.Archer or one who throws; from the Arabic Rami meaning archer or bowman, also used to mean lovi▶Rick#2981 in the U.S.Powerful ruler; a short form of Richard, from the Old High German Richart composed of the eleme▶Asim#2992 in the U.S.Protector or guardian; from the Arabic root asama meaning to protect or guard▶Bradford#2994 in the U.S.Broad ford; a wide river crossing place▶Cliff#2995 in the U.S.Ford by the cliff; cliff slope▶Cyril#2997 in the U.S.Lord; master▶Hamdan#3005 in the U.S.Praiseworthy; one who praises▶Leslie#3016 in the U.S.Garden of hollies; grey fortress▶Levin#3017 in the U.S.Dear friend; beloved friend▶Mateus#3019 in the U.S.Gift of God▶Saeed#3030 in the U.S.Happy, fortunate, blessed▶Timoteo#3032 in the U.S.Honoring God; one who gives honor to God▶Willard#3034 in the U.S.Resolute and brave; strong-willed and hardy▶Ely#3054 in the U.S.A variant of Eli, from the Hebrew word eli meaning my God or height, with strong biblical roots▶Geoffrey#3056 in the U.S.A Norman French form of the Germanic name Godfrey or Gottfried, from elements meaning God or tr▶Holton#3057 in the U.S.An Old English habitational surname from a place called Holton, combining hol (hollow or low-ly▶Ousmane#3074 in the U.S.West African (Wolof, Mandinka, Fula) form of Uthman, from Arabic uthman meaning young bustard b▶Pete#3076 in the U.S.Short form of Peter, from Latin Petrus and Greek Petros, meaning rock or stone, a translation o▶Silvio#3083 in the U.S.Italian and Spanish form of Silvius, from Latin silva meaning forest or woodland, suggesting on▶Yonathan#3092 in the U.S.Hebrew form of Jonathan, from Yehonatan, composed of YHWH (God) and natan (has given), meaning ▶Abdulloh#3093 in the U.S.Central Asian (Uzbek, Tajik) spelling variant of Abdullah, from Arabic abd (servant) and Allah ▶Abdurrahman#3094 in the U.S.From Arabic 'Abd al-Rahman, a compound of 'abd (servant, worshipper) and al-Rahman (the Most Me▶Arsen#3097 in the U.S.From Greek Arsenios, derived from arsen (male, virile, strong), used as a given name in Greek, ▶Claudio#3102 in the U.S.Italian and Spanish form of Claudius, from the Roman family name Claudius, possibly derived fro▶Dewayne#3107 in the U.S.American elaboration of Wayne, from Old English or Welsh wain/waen meaning wagon or cart, with ▶Eduard#3110 in the U.S.German, Romanian, Catalan, and other European form of Edward, from Old English Eadweard compose▶Jakub#3114 in the U.S.Polish and Czech form of Jacob/James, from Hebrew Yaakov, meaning one who supplants or holds by▶Jhonatan#3116 in the U.S.Spanish-language respelling of Jonathan, from Hebrew Yehonatan or Yonatan, meaning Yahweh has g▶Kerem#3118 in the U.S.From Turkish kerem meaning generosity, nobility, kindness, also connected to Hebrew kerem (vine▶Minh#3125 in the U.S.From Sino-Vietnamese minh (明), meaning 'bright,' 'brilliant,' or 'clear'; associated with intel▶Nino#3129 in the U.S.Italian and Spanish short form of Giovanni/Antonino ('God is gracious' / 'priceless'), also a G▶Reza#3138 in the U.S.From Arabic riḍā (رضا), meaning 'contentment,' 'satisfaction,' or 'divine approval'; widely use▶Adel#3150 in the U.S.Arabic name meaning 'just' or 'fair', from the root adl (justice); also functions as a short fo▶Adil#3151 in the U.S.Arabic name from the root a-d-l (to be just, to act fairly), meaning 'just', 'righteous', or 'e▶Avrum#3158 in the U.S.Yiddish form of Avraham (Abraham), from Hebrew Avraham meaning 'father of multitudes' or 'fathe▶Charly#3160 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Charlie, diminutive of Charles, from Old High German Karl meaning 'free man▶Drue#3165 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Drew, a short form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas meaning 'manly' or 'virile▶Huzaifa#3171 in the U.S.Forbearing, patient, restrained; associated with wisdom and self-control▶Jostin#3179 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Justin, from Latin Justinus meaning 'just, righteous, upright'▶Lawton#3184 in the U.S.From the Old English hlāw (hill, burial mound) and tun (settlement, enclosure), meaning 'settle▶Niles#3189 in the U.S.English and Scandinavian surname form of Niel/Neil, from Old Norse Njal or Irish Niall meaning ▶Vidal#3200 in the U.S.Life, full of life and vitality▶Adams#3207 in the U.S.Son of Adam; from the Hebrew adam meaning man formed from the earth▶Akil#3208 in the U.S.Intelligent, wise, one who reasons carefully▶Alain#3209 in the U.S.French form of Alan; from Breton Celtic, possibly meaning little rock or handsome▶Dimitrios#3224 in the U.S.Devoted to Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain and the harvest; the standard modern Greek form ▶Qais#3251 in the U.S.Firm, steadfast (traditional gloss); an ancient Arabic name borne by the poet Qais, the Majnun ▶Stuart#3255 in the U.S.Steward, household guardian; from Old English stigweard, the occupational name that became Scot▶Ziyad#3262 in the U.S.Growth, increase, abundance; from the Arabic root z-y-d, 'to increase'▶Augusto#3268 in the U.S.Great, venerable, majestic; Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian form of Augustus, the title of Rom▶Farid#3281 in the U.S.Unique, singular, unrivaled — like a solitary precious gem; a classical Arabic and Persian name▶Giacomo#3282 in the U.S.Italian form of James/Jacob, from Hebrew Ya'aqov — traditionally 'supplanter, holder of the hee▶Leopoldo#3301 in the U.S.Bold people, brave among the people; Spanish and Italian form of Leopold, from Germanic liut, '▶Pavel#3308 in the U.S.Slavic form of Paul, from Latin Paulus, 'small, humble'▶Zubair#3318 in the U.S.Strong, brave, firm; a classical Arabic name borne by Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, companion of the Pro▶Zubayr#3319 in the U.S.Strong, brave, firm; the transliteration of the classical Arabic name closest to its original f▶Bartholomew#3323 in the U.S.Son of Talmai — an Aramaic patronymic, Talmai possibly meaning 'furrows'; the apostle's name in▶Boris#3328 in the U.S.From the Bulgar khan's name Boris, possibly Turkic for 'wolf' or 'short'; folk tradition links ▶Ioannis#3348 in the U.S.Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' — the name in its New Testament hom▶Nicola#3361 in the U.S.Italian masculine form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos, 'victory of the people'▶Waleed#3378 in the U.S.Newborn child, new arrival; from the Arabic root w-l-d, 'to be born'▶Giuliano#3402 in the U.S.Italian form of Julian — from Roman Julius, traditionally linked to 'youthful' — borne by Medic▶Mieczyslaw#3402 in the U.S.Mieczyslaw is a Polish given name usually explained as miecz, 'sword', joined to the old Slavic▶Jamaal#3406 in the U.S.Beauty, grace; double-a spelling of Jamal, from Arabic jamal▶Joseluis#3413 in the U.S.Fused spelling of the classic Spanish compound José Luis — Joseph, 'God will add', plus Luis, '▶Karlo#3415 in the U.S.Croatian, Slovenian, and Filipino form of Charles — Germanic karl, 'free man'▶Nasser#3427 in the U.S.Victorious, granting victory; from the Arabic root n-s-r, famous through Egyptian president Gam▶Nikita#3430 in the U.S.Russian masculine name from Greek Aniketos, 'unconquered, unconquerable'▶Fausto#3467 in the U.S.Fortunate, lucky; Italian and Spanish form of Latin Faustus▶Habib#3470 in the U.S.Beloved, dear, darling; from Arabic habib, a term of deep affection▶Rashaad#3492 in the U.S.Right guidance, good judgment, integrity, maturity; from Arabic rashad — a double-a spelling of▶Yoan#3512 in the U.S.A Bulgarian/French form of John — Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' — also a Breton/French spe▶Emad#3532 in the U.S.Pillar, support, mainstay, that on which something stands; from Arabic imad▶Fumio#3536 in the U.S.Fumio is a traditional Japanese boy's name written here in plain roman letters. It typically pa▶Rashid#3568 in the U.S.Rightly guided, of good judgment, mature; from Arabic rashid — one of the names of God (al-Rash▶Rodrick#3573 in the U.S.Variant of Roderick — from Germanic Hroderich, hrod, 'fame', plus ric, 'power, ruler' — 'famous▶Alasdair#3684 in the U.S.Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander — Greek Alexandros, 'defender of the people'▶Theodoros#3873 in the U.S.The original Greek Theodore — theos, 'God', plus doron, 'gift' — saints' and emperors' full for▶Valerio#3966 in the U.S.Italian-Spanish form of Valerius — Latin valere, 'to be strong' — patrician-clanned▶Caesare#4617 in the U.S.Caesare is a spelling of Cesare, the Italian form of Caesar, the famous Roman cognomen carried ▶Glendel#5195 in the U.S.Glendel is an early-to-mid-1900s name joining Glen, from a Gaelic word for a narrow valley, wit▶Helmut#6168 in the U.S.Helmut comes from the German elements helm, meaning helmet or protection, and mut, meaning cour▶Fredric#6254 in the U.S.A spelling of Frederick — from Germanic frid, 'peace', plus ric, 'ruler, power'; 'a peaceful ru▶Davied#6262 in the U.S.Davied is a spelling variant of David, from the Hebrew Dawid meaning beloved, the name of the s▶Olliver#6365 in the U.S.A spelling of Oliver — variously 'the olive tree' (Latin oliva, a symbol of peace) and an echo ▶Theodorus#6409 in the U.S.The Latinized form of the Greek Theodoros — 'a gift of God' (theos, 'God', plus doron, 'a gift'▶Trever#6476 in the U.S.Trever is a variant spelling of Trevor, from a Welsh place name and surname built on tref, 'hom▶Kenric#6722 in the U.S.Kenric is a variant of Kenrick / Kendrick, a surname and given name from Old English. It combin▶Jorma#6735 in the U.S.Jorma is a Finnish name, traditionally taken as the Finnish form of Jeremiah, from the Hebrew Y▶Benoit#6937 in the U.S.Benoit (French Benoît) is the French form of Benedict, from Latin benedictus, 'blessed' — liter▶Garett#7037 in the U.S.A respelling of Garrett, itself from Gerald ('spear-rule') or Gerard ('spear-brave'), of German▶Lew#7127 in the U.S.Lew is a classic short form of Lewis or Louis, from the Germanic Ludwig, 'famous warrior; renow▶Remigio#7198 in the U.S.A Spanish and Italian form of the Latin Remigius, 'oarsman' (from remex, 'rower') - the name of▶Thomes#7209 in the U.S.Thomes reads as a spelling variant of Thomas, the English form of the Aramaic Toma meaning twin▶Jerzy#7479 in the U.S.The Polish form of George, from the Greek Georgios, 'farmer; earth-worker.' Borne by the writer▶Earlie#7545 in the U.S.Earlie is a vintage American given name, best read as an affectionate -ie form of Earl, from th▶Bertrand#7669 in the U.S.Bertrand joins the Old Germanic elements beraht, 'bright, famous,' and rand, 'rim of a shield' ▶Aleksi#7765 in the U.S.The Finnish and Russian short form of Alexis/Alexander, from the Greek alexein ('to defend') an▶Antonyo#7780 in the U.S.Antonyo is a respelled form of Antonio, itself the Italian and Spanish version of the Roman cla▶Daniell#7841 in the U.S.A respelling of Daniel, from the Hebrew Daniyyel, 'God is my judge' — a major biblical prophet.▶Delmer#7852 in the U.S.An English given name, likely a form of Delmar, itself often read as 'of the sea' (from the Spa▶Jacque#7938 in the U.S.Jacque is an American respelling of the French name Jacques, which is the French form of Jacob ▶Andron#7969 in the U.S.Andron is a genuine Greek name drawn from andros, the genitive of aner, meaning man. The same r▶Kostas#8016 in the U.S.Kostas is a Greek name, the common short form of Konstantinos (Constantine), from the Latin for▶Nicholi#8082 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Nikolai (a Slavic form of Nicholas), from the Greek Nikolaos, 'victory o▶Quinntin#8149 in the U.S.A respelling of Quentin, from the Latin Quintinus (from quintus, 'fifth') - traditionally a nam▶Andrus#8194 in the U.S.An Estonian form of Andrew, from Greek 'andreios' ('manly, brave'). Also found as a surname. A ▶Stefon#8215 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Stephen/Stefan — from the Greek stephanos, 'a crown; a garland; a wreath'▶Abas#8255 in the U.S.A form of the Arabic Abbas, 'lion; stern; austere.' Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib was an uncle of t▶Adriann#8269 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Adrian, from the Latin Hadrianus, 'from Hadria' (a town in northern Italy▶Zigmund#8283 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Sigmund — from the Germanic sigu, 'victory', + mund, 'protection; a protecto▶Alyster#8295 in the U.S.A respelling of Alister/Alastair, the Scottish/Gaelic form of Alexander, from the Greek 'defend▶Alphonsus#8318 in the U.S.A Latinized form of Alphonse/Alfonso — from the Germanic, 'noble and ready/eager' (adal, 'noble▶Alyxander#8322 in the U.S.A spelling of Alexander — from the Greek alexein, 'to defend', + aner/andros, 'man', hence 'a d▶Domanik#8322 in the U.S.Domanik is a modern respelling of Dominic (Dominik), from the Latin Dominicus, 'of the Lord', b▶Benjamim#8335 in the U.S.Benjamim is the Portuguese form of Benjamin, from Hebrew Binyamin, 'son of the right hand' (or ▶Gianluigi#8390 in the U.S.An Italian compound of Gianni (from Giovanni, John — Hebrew 'God is gracious') and Luigi (the I▶Denham#8410 in the U.S.An English place-and-surname, 'homestead in a valley' (from denu, 'valley', + ham, 'homestead')▶Clemens#8416 in the U.S.A German/Scandinavian form of Clement — from the Latin clemens, 'merciful; gentle; mild'▶Conrado#8423 in the U.S.A Spanish/Portuguese form of Conrad — from the Germanic kuoni, 'bold; brave', + rad, 'counsel; ▶Denys#8454 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Denis/Dennis — from the Greek, 'a follower of Dionysus' (the god of wine and▶Grigor#8540 in the U.S.The Armenian/Bulgarian form of Gregory, from the Greek Gregorios, 'watchful; vigilant; awake.' ▶Jonus#8638 in the U.S.Jonus is a variant spelling of Jonas, the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew Yonah, 'dove,' the▶Martino#8677 in the U.S.Martino is the Italian (and Spanish/Portuguese-adjacent) form of Martin, from Latin Martinus, a▶Nicolaus#8716 in the U.S.Nicolaus is the Latinized (and German) form of Nicholas — Greek Nikolaos, from nikē 'victory' a▶Owin#8805 in the U.S.A spelling of the Welsh Owen (Owain), generally read as 'young warrior' or 'well-born; noble', ▶Shamus#8805 in the U.S.An Anglicized spelling of the Irish Seamus, itself the Irish form of James, from the Hebrew Jac▶Vincient#8816 in the U.S.Vincient is a misspelled or embellished form of Vincent, from the Latin vincens, 'conquering,' ▶Sophia#8822 in the U.S.Sophia is Greek for 'wisdom' (sophia). It is one of the most popular girls' names in the world ▶Yousof#8861 in the U.S.A spelling of Yusuf, the Arabic and Persian form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, 'God shall a▶Xoan#8879 in the U.S.The Galician form of John (Xoán), from the Hebrew Yohanan, 'God is gracious.' Pronounced roughl▶Hilbert#8896 in the U.S.Hilbert is an Old Germanic name from hild ('battle') and beraht ('bright, famous') — 'bright in▶Augustyn#8907 in the U.S.The Polish form of Augustine, from the Latin Augustinus (Augustus), 'venerable; majestic; great▶Darick#8908 in the U.S.Darick is a respelled form of Derek/Derrick, which descends from the Germanic name Theodoric, '▶Angelos#8967 in the U.S.The Greek Angelos, 'messenger; angel' - the very word that gives us 'angel.' A classic, resonan▶Anthoney#8974 in the U.S.Anthoney is a phonetic respelling of Anthony, the English form of the Roman clan name Antonius.▶Christion#9064 in the U.S.Christion is a respelling of Christian, from Latin Christianus, 'follower of Christ' — Christ b▶Cirilo#9065 in the U.S.The Spanish and Portuguese form of Cyril, from the Greek Kyrillos, 'lordly; masterful' (kyrios,▶Collyn#9071 in the U.S.A -yn respelling of Colin, which arose in medieval England as a pet form of Nicholas (Greek Nik▶Eulises#9085 in the U.S.A Spanish spelling tied to Ulises, the Latin Ulysses — the Greek Odysseus, the cunning, far-wan▶Chuong#9093 in the U.S.Chuong is a Vietnamese given name written here in plain Latin letters without tone marks. Depen▶Damyan#9094 in the U.S.A respelling of Damian, from the Greek Damianos, 'to tame; to subdue' (daman, 'to tame'). Borne▶Daymien#9105 in the U.S.A respelling of Damien, from the Greek Damianos, 'to tame; to subdue.' Borne by St Damian, an e▶Emmerick#9157 in the U.S.A form of Emeric/Emery, from the Germanic Emmerich, 'work-ruler' or 'home-ruler' (ermen/amal, '▶Gaspard#9187 in the U.S.The French form of Gaspar (Casper), from a Persian root often read as 'treasurer; keeper of the▶Josearmando#9196 in the U.S.Josearmando records two Spanish given names, Jose and Armando, written as one. Jose is the Span▶Casiano#9209 in the U.S.The Spanish form of Cassian, from the Latin Cassianus (a family name from Cassius) — borne by s▶
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Frequently Asked
What makes a boy name classic?
Longevity and legibility. A classic name has been in continuous use across generations and does not have to be spelled twice at the pharmacy counter — think Paul or Martin.
Are old-fashioned boy names popular again?
Yes. Names that felt strictly grandfatherly a generation ago, such as Walter, are rising fast as parents move away from invented spellings and back toward names with history.