100 Classic Boy Names & Their Meanings

Expecting a baby is a time of great joy and celebration in the family. As you prepare to welcome this ray of sunshine into your home and your life, picking a suitable name that feels relatable, unique, yet memorable is essential. As a parent with a handsome little one, you want to choose a traditional name with a modern twist, cute but time-honoured, and unique yet recognisable. With a never-exhaustive list of names, what could fulfil all these wants? Classic male names may be the answer! They are rooted in history, with a sense of strength and duty, and are the best way to embrace your traditions, cultures, beliefs, and history in one name! Here are some timeless classic boy names for your handsome bundle of joy.   

Best Classic Baby Boy Names of All Time  

Here are some top time-honoured, classic boy names of all time you can choose from for your little champ: 

1. Adam

This name has a Hebrew origin, meaning ‘to be red’ or ‘son of the red earth.’ It is a famous Old Testament name. 

2. Alexander

Alexander is a Greek name meaning ‘Defender of Man.’ Other short variants of the name include ‘Alec,’ ‘Alex,’ ‘Alexi,’ and ‘Xander.’

3. Andrew

This is another classic name derived from the Greek name ‘Andreas,’ which means ‘man,’ ‘manly,’ ‘warrior,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘brave.’ Another short variant is ‘Andy.’ 

4. Anthony

The name Anthony is a wonderful option with a Latin origin that means ‘priceless one.’ It can be shortened to ‘Anton’ and ‘Tony.’ 

5. Arthur

Arthur stands for one who is ‘courageous’ and ‘noble.’ It has been derived from the Roman name, ‘Artorius.’ 

6. Benjamin

Benjamin is a Hebrew name that means ‘son of the right hand.’ Other versions derived from this name are ‘Benji,’ ‘Benny,’ and ‘Ben.’ 

7. Caleb

Caleb is of Hebrew origin and translates to ‘faithful.’ The name has also been modified to shorter forms like ‘Cay,’ ‘Cale,’ and ‘Cal.’ 

8. Charles

For all the free spirits out there, Charles is the perfect name! Of French and German origin, this name means ‘free man.’ Short nicknames include ‘Chuck’ and ‘Charlie.’ 

9. David

David is a Hebrew name meaning ‘beloved’ or ‘uncle.’ A character from the Old Testament has inspired it. It has the nickname ‘Dave.’ 

10. Douglas

The name Douglas has Scottish roots. It is derived from the Gaelic name ‘Dubhglas,’ and it means ‘dark river,’ ‘dark water,’ or ‘dark stream.’ 

11. Francis

A classic name that means ‘Frenchman or free man’ and has Latin origins. Short forms for Francis include ‘Frankie’ and ‘Frank.’ 

12. Frederick

Borrowed from the German name ‘Friedrich,’ the meaning of this classic English name translates to ‘peaceful ruler.’ 

13. Geoffrey

Geoffrey is a classic boy’s name that has Anglo-Saxon and French origins. The meaning of the name is ‘pledge of peace.’ A modern variant of the name is ‘Jeffrey.’ 

14. George

George is a tailor-made name for all the handsome boys in tune with nature. This classic male name means ‘farmer’ or ‘tiller of the soil.’ A variant of the name is ‘Georgie.’ 

15. Harry

Harry is a modern form of the medieval name ‘Henry,’ but was initially derived from the German name “Heimerich”, where ‘heim’ means ‘home’ and ‘ric’ means ‘ruler’ or ‘power.’ So, Harry translates to ‘ruler of the home.’ 

16. Jack

A popular name worldwide, Jack is of English origin and means ‘God is gracious.’ 

17. Jacob

Jacob is a name with Hebrew roots and means ‘to be behind,’ ‘to follow,’ or ‘seizing by the heel.’ Variations include ‘Jakob,’ ‘Jack,’ or ‘Jake.’ 

18. John

Of Hebrew origin, this is one of the most classic male names used across cultures. The name John translates to ‘God is gracious.’ 

19. Jonathan

Another widespread classic name for your charming boy, Jonathan, stands for ‘God has given.’ Related names include ‘Jonatan,’ ‘Jon,’ and ‘Nathaniel.’ 

20. Joseph

A Biblical name of Hebrew origin, this name means ’Jehovah increases.’ Variations of the name include ‘Joe’ and ‘Joey.’ 

21. Kenneth

With a Scottish-Irish origin, the name Kenneth means ‘handsome’ or ‘born of fire.’ Nicknames include ‘Kenny’ and ‘Ken.’ 

22. Leo

This Latin name means ‘Lion.’ In German, it is the short form for ‘Leopold.’ or ‘Leon’ in Latin American regions. 

23. Liam

Liam is a shorter form of the Irish name ‘Uilliam’ and means ‘helmet of will.’ It is also a version of the English name ‘William.’ 

24. Louis

The name Louis is perfect for all the young, solid men out there! With French and German roots, it translates to ‘renowned warrior.’ 

25. Lucas

Lucas is a Latin variation of the Greek name ‘Loukas,’ meaning ‘man from Lucania.’ ‘Luke’ is another variation of this name. 

26. Martin

The name Martin is of Latin origin and means ‘God of War’ or ‘Servant of Mars.’ 

27. Matthew

Matthew is a traditional boy name derived from Hebrew, and it means ‘gift from God.’ 

28. Michael

Michael is a name full of blessings that means one ‘who is like God’ and is of Hebrew origin. It has been borrowed from a Biblical character of the same name. 

29. Nathan

With a Hebrew origin, the name Nathan stands for ‘given.’ It was the name of a prophet in the Old Testament. 

30. Nicholas

This is a Greek name meaning ‘people of victory.’ Nathan is derived from the Greek word ‘Nikolaos.’ 

31. Oliver

Oliver is an Old English name that refers to ‘The Olive Tree.’ The olive tree symbolizes beauty and fruitfulness. 

32. Patrick

This Latin boy name means ‘patrician’ or ‘noble’ and is a classic option for your little one. 

33. Paul

Paul is derived from a Roman family name, ‘Paulus,’ and means ‘small or humble’ in Latin. 

34. Peter

The name Peter translates to ‘stone.’ It is derived from the Greek word ‘Petros,’ and variations of the name include ‘Petey’ and ‘Pete.’ 

35. Philip

This charming and classic male name is of Greek origin, and the meaning of the name is ‘lover of horses.’ 

36. Raymond

The name was derived from the Germanic “Raginmund”, where “Ragin” means “judgment” or “advice” while “Mund” means “protection” or “hand”. 

37. Richard

Richard is a commanding name for your baby boy! It means ‘strong’ or ‘brave leader.’ Nicknames for it include ‘Rick,’ ‘Richy’,’ and ‘Rich.’ 

38. Robert

Robert is a popular English name of German origin. It translates to ‘bright fame’ and was derived from the classic German name ‘Hrodebert.’ 

39. Samuel

Samuel is a Hebrew name meaning ‘God-heard” or ‘name of God.’ The name is often shortened to ‘Sam.’ 

40. Sebastian

A timeless Latin baby boy name that means ‘revered’ or ‘venerable.’ Cool nicknames for the name include ‘Bash,’ ‘Seb,’ and ‘Bastian.’ 

41. Stephen

With Greek roots, the meaning of this cool and classic name is crown.’ 

42. Thomas

Just like the tank engine, Thomas is a trusty and reliable name. It is a variation of the Aramaic name “’a’oma’ and it means ‘twin.’ 

43. Timothy

Timothy is a wonderful English name and it means ‘one who honors God.’ 

44. Victor

A classic and short name for your little one, Victor, is of Latin origin and means ‘conqueror.’ 

45. Vincent

Vincent is taken from the Latin name ‘Vincentius’ and means ‘conquering.’ 

46. Walter

This German name means ‘army ruler’ and is a strong option for naming your son. 

47. William

You cannot go wrong with this timeless gem of a name! William stands for ‘resolute protector.’ 

48. Wyatt

A powerful option for your little one, this Old English name means ‘brave in war.’ 

49. Zenon

This classic yet warm name is of Greek origin and means ‘friendly.’ 

50. Zion

Another classic name with the letter ‘Z.’ Zion is a name of Hebrew origin and translates to ‘highest point.’ 

Unique Classic Names for Boy Babies 

Unique baby names are attractive, intriguing, and always spark conversations. If you wish for something unique and outstanding, here are a few unique classic names for your little boy. 

1. Elias

The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘the Lord is my God.’ 

2. Ernest

Ernest is of English origin, and this classic, unique boy name means ‘resolute’ and ‘serious.’ A short variation of the name includes ‘Ernie.’

3. Jeremiah

This name is of ancient Hebrew origin and means ‘God is high.’

4. Lionel

For the ferocious balls of energy, the name Lionel has been specially crafted! This name is of Latin origin and means ‘little lion.’

5. Maxwell

This classic name is also serene. It means ‘stream.’

6. Nathaniel

The name Nathaniel has Hebrew roots and means ‘Gift of God.’

7. Russel

A modification of the name Russell, this name stands for ‘little red.’

8. Russell

Another popular, classic name of French origin, Russell, means ‘red-haired.’

9. Tobias

The name Tobias has Hebrew and Greek roots. It means ‘God is good.’ 

10. Zachary

This is an English name derived from the Hebrew name ‘Zekharyahu.’ The meaning of Zachary is ‘Yahweh remembers.’ 

Popular Classic Names for Boys 

Classic names do not mean forgotten relics; they are diamonds in the rough! Here are our most popular classic male names that are evergreen and stylish! 

1. Abraham

The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘father of many.’

2. Alvin

From Old English origin, Alvin is a popular and cute name for boys, which stands for ‘noble friend’ or ‘old friend.’

3. Calvin

Calvin is a name of French origin and means ‘little bald one.’ It is shared by the renowned DJ Calvin Harris!

4. Christian

Originating from the Greek name ‘Cristos,’ Christian is a quintessential name for boys. It stands for ‘Christ’s follower.’ Christian will make a great choice if you want a traditional or religious name! 

5. Daniel

Daniel is a Hebrew name and translates to ‘God is my judge.’ The short form of the name is ‘Dan.’

6. Frank

Frank is the ideal name for independent little tots! The name is of German origin and means ‘free.’

7. Levi

This name is a time-honored classic made famous by the denim brand Levi’s! The name means ‘joined.’ 

8. Mark

Mark is a Latin name that means ‘Consecrated to the god Mars.’ It also means ‘to be warlike’ and ‘God of war.’

9. Phillip

A name of German and Greek origin, Phillip stands for ‘horse-lover.’

10. Steven

Another well-known name favored by parents worldwide, Steven, translates to ‘reward’ or ‘fame.’ 

Cute Classic Boy Names 

Names that are classic and cute might sound like a unique combination, but it’s undoubtedly well-liked all around! Here are some handpicked cute, traditional boy names for your little champ. 

1. Aaron

The name is of Hebrew and Greek origin. It means ‘exalted’ and ‘strong.’

2. Bradley

Bradley is a name of Old English origin and means ‘broad meadow.’

3. Eliott

The name Eliott is of Hebrew origin and means ‘the Lord is my God.’ 

4. Ethan

The name has Hebrew roots, and it means ‘firm,’ ‘strong,’ ‘long-lived,’ and ‘enduring.’ This is a lovely classic boy name.

5. Henry

Made famous by many medieval Anglo-Saxon kings, Henry is a royal choice for your little prince! It is of German origin and means ‘house ruler.’

6. Isaac

Issac is a fitting name for all the cheery boys out there! It is of Hebrew origin that means ‘he will laugh.’

7. Joshua

Joshua is another classic male name that is loved by parents everywhere. The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘God is salvation.’

8. Luke

For all the future sci-fan fans, this classic name won’t let you down! Like the character from Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, this name is of Latin origin and means ‘light-giving.’ 

9. Noah

Noah is a Biblical Hebrew name that means ‘rest’ and ‘comfort.’ This is an adorable classic boy name, perfect for your shining light.

10. Oscar

Oscar is the ideal name for the latest addition to your family. The name means ‘spear of Gods.’ 

Short Classic Boy Names 

Yes, there are well-favored classic names that are short and sassy! Try out these short classic boy names and see if they suit your little one.

1. Abel

The name is of Hebrew origin and means ‘breath’ and ‘vapour.’

2. Bert

Bert is a short form of the classic Germanic name Albert and means ‘bright’ or ‘noble.’

3. Bob

Bob is a well-known, short classic name. It is the short form of a Germanic name, Robert which stands for ‘fame.’

4. Dean

Dean is a name is of Greek origin and means ‘monk.’

5. Eric

The name is of Old Norse origin and means ‘forever ruler.’ 

6. Hugh

The name Hugh means ‘intellect’ or ‘mind,’ and it is of English, Irish, and German origin. The alternate versions of this name are ‘Hugo,’ ‘Hugues,’ or ‘Hauke.’ 

7. Ian

Ian is a Scottish name meaning ‘Lord is gracious.’ It is an Anglicization of the Gaelic Scottish name ‘Iain.’

8. Max

Short and sweet, the name Max is of Latin origin and means ‘the greatest.’

9. Owen

This legendary name means ‘young warrior.’ 

10. Sean

Sean is a name of Irish origin and means ‘God is gracious.’ 

Strong Classic Names for Boys 

Classic names with a hint of ruggedness and authority are ideal for your future pioneer. These names will interest you if you are looking for something bold and powerful and, at the same time, classic! 

 1. Christopher

A traditional yet steady name, Christopher is of Greek origin and means ‘bearer of Christ.’

2. Elijah

The name Elijah means ‘Yahweh is my God.’

3. Gabriel

Gabriel is an enduring name of Hebrew origin and means ‘God is my strength.’

4. Graham

The name is of Scottish, Irish, and English origin. Graham translates to ‘gray home.’

5. Johnathan

Jonathan is another significant classic name of Hebrew origin. It means ‘Gift from God.’ 

6. Simon

Simon is a Hebrew name that stands for ‘the listener.’ The moniker also belonged to a character in the bible. 

7. Theodore

A name perfect for your abundant blessing, Theodore is a name taken from the Greek ‘Theodoros’ and means ‘God-given’ or ‘Gift of God.’

8. Wallace

Wallace is a name of French origin and means ‘Welsh.’

9. Warren

The name is of French and English origin and means ‘park keeper.’ 

10. Wesley

The name Wesley is strong yet grounded in meaning. It represents a field to the west. 

FAQs 

1. How Can You Choose a Perfect Classic Boy Name For Your Child?

Our lives are a kaleidoscope of experiences, rich in culture, history, traditions and beliefs. When it comes to your bundle of joy, you want to select a name informed by those factors. ‘What you envision for your baby boy.’ ‘What culture or tradition you will draw from when selecting your boy’s classic name.’ ‘Do you want it to be cute, modern, strong, or unique?’ ‘How important the name’s meaning is to you.’ It is essential to consider all these facts together and go for something you feel best reflects your family and your baby boy. 

2. What Are Some Famous People With a Classic Boy Name?

Some of the most well-recognised famous people with classic boy names include DJ David Guetta, singer Sam Smith, actor Christian Bale, footballer John Terry, King Henry VIII, musician Bob Dylan, philosopher Francis Bacon, scientist Stephen Hawking, author Leo Tolstoy, playwright William Shakespeare, and painter Vincent van Gogh, to name a few! 

Classic names retain an unmatched charm! This list of classic, timeless names will help you find inspiration and select a name that encompasses your baby’s personality! 

Also Read:

Badass Boy Names
Elegant Names for Baby Boy
Strong & Powerful Baby Boy Names