Vintage Nicknames for Boys

One of the old-school nicknames -- think Ray, Vince, Frank -- that's on the brink of coming back into style. Name him Stanislav or Constantine and he'll have a groovier long form to fall back on.

Because it's a generic (and often derogatory) term for an Irishman, Paddy fell out of use as a diminutive or given name, though actress Mare Winningham used it not long ago.

Obie has multiple origins, functioning as both a standalone name and a nickname. It emerged as a traditional diminutive for names like Obadiah, a Hebrew biblical name meaning 'servant of God.' It's also used as a nickname for names beginning with 'O' such as Oscar, Osborne, or Oswald. In some cases, Obie derives from the German surname 'Obie,' which likely originated as an occupational name or location-based surname. The name has maintained consistent but low-level usage in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th century. Obie gained some cultural recognition through figures like American football player Obie Trotter and through the Obie Awards in theater. The name's short, straightforward phonetic structure gives it a friendly, approachable quality. Its versatility as both a formal name and nickname has contributed to its endurance, though it has never been among the most popular masculine names in recorded statistics.

Laid-back and humble, with a distinctive down-home charm.

This quirky Old Testament name has potential, as parents are digging deeper into the Bible to find names for their children. It has also been used as a nickname for Obediah.

Until recently, Vernon and its short form Vern seemed like grandpa names not ready for revival, but now we can see it happening. Never the popular, Vern works particularly well as a middle name.

Though rarely heard now, Coy has been around for a century and was not an uncommon name a hundred years ago. There have been a couple of NFL players named Coy, Coy Bowles is in the Zac Brown band, and of course there was Coy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard. Due to the flirty connotations of the word "coy", McCoy is a more popular and recommended choice today.

In the 18th century, Lafe was the common short form of the French surname name Lafayette. A notable bearer was Lafe McKee, who acted in over 400 films during the first half of the 19th century.

Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word name among English speakers, akin to Destiny, Chance, Blessing, and Chosen. Around six boys are given the name Fate each year in the US, though 2023 saw it rise a little, with ten babies receiving the name.

Sixties-style short form that sounds cool again -- though the unscrupulous Pete on "Mad Men" is not a character to emulate.

Minimalist nickname via XXX star Diesel (born Mark Vincent).

Archie, Albie, and Alfie are coming back into style, so naturally, we think Alvie could be next. Alternate spelling Alvy was used by Woody Allen for his character in Annie Hall.

Drawn from old record books, Kiah is an antiquated nickname that feels perfectly appropriate for modern times -- maybe more so than father name Hezekiah.

Drawn from old record books, Kiah is an antiquated nickname that feels perfectly appropriate for modern times -- maybe more so than father name Hezekiah.

Marty is one of those Old Man nicknames that's just starting to sound cute again.

A bit too cunning.

Alvie is the spelling parents tend to prefer, and may rise along with Archie, Alfie, and Albie. The Alvy variation is strongly associated with Alvy Singer, Woody Allen's character in Annie Hall.

Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.

For older generations this still summons silent horror star Chaney; for others it's a pleasant if slight nickname name.

Better than Lenny, not as good as Leo, and tightly tied to Tonight Show host Jay Leno.