Vintage Nicknames for Boys

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.

The kind of name last found in northern Wisconsin in the 1950s, and even then it was probably a nickname for Delbert.

Richie was once a popular enough nickname for Richard that it made the Top 1000 all by itself. It's seriously out of style now -- though still a better choice than Dick or even Ricky.

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.

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

A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.

Originally a short form of Odell, a place name turned surname that hails from England.

It's been shown that notable political figures often impact the use of their names, and the same can — sort of — be said about Bernie Sanders. His name increased in use by 47% between 2015 and 2016 (albeit, to a peak of only 21 baby boys given the name). By 2017, Bernie has decreased in usage by almost 60%.

A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?

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

These days Finney is most likely a pet form of Finn, but it was once a standard nickname for the biblical Phineas.

More of an abbreviation than a short form that can stand on its own.

Seems destined to be the preferred short form of this old French name, with its brief, modern, word name feel.

Soft and mellifluous nature-surname name, situated miles away from the dated Marshall.

The line should end with Junior Soprano. While most would expect this to be a nickname rather than an actual given name, Junior has always ranked in the US Top 1000, hitting its peak in 1925 at Number 116.

Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for revival.

As its parent name Roland comes back into style (yep, it’s happening), could there be an uptick in baby Rollies? Certainly as a pet form.

The cool clipped Des may be the part of the name wave of the future, with midcentury names like Des and Vic and Stan riding back into style on the heels of big brothers Max and Sam and Ray.