Vintage Nicknames for Boys

  1. Obed
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "servant of God"
    • Description:

      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.
  2. Chuck
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles
    • Description:

      So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.
  3. Jock
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Jack
    • Description:

      This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.
  4. Happy
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "joyful"
    • Description:

      Many emotional, virtuous word names are coming back into style, but Happy feels unlikely to be revived. This could be because it doesn't have a solid history of being popularly used (in comparison to Joy) and because it's such a familiarly used word in day to day life (unlike Valor).
  5. Mano
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "hand"
    • Description:

      A nickname that sounds like a nickname.
  6. Tiah
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Azariah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "helped by God"
    • Description:

      In the 18th century, Tiah was seen as a nickname for the biblical name Azariah. Nowadays it's used a variation of the feminine names Thea and Tia.
  7. Cleve
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cleveland
    • Description:

      Appealing short form of the stuffy Cleveland, occasionally used on its own.
  8. Ham
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "hot, warm"
    • Description:

      Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.
  9. Bat
    • Origin:

      Short form of Bartholomew
    • Description:

      Bartholomew is one vintage name with Biblical antecedents that hasn't risen again in the modern world, perhaps because short form Bart, as in Simpson, would be too difficult for a contemporary boy to bear. But antique nickname Bat might work better. Might.
  10. Bennie
    • Ving
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Irving
      • Description:

        Actor Rhames's imaginative shortening of the prosaic Irving, giving it new life and energy.
    • Sly
      • Origin:

        English word name, diminutive of Sylvester
      • Description:

        A bit too cunning.
    • Lonzo
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Alonzo
      • Meaning:

        "noble, ready"
      • Description:

        Adds some dash and substance to Lon.
    • Chas
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Charles, French from German
      • Meaning:

        "free man"
      • Description:

        Retro nickname for Charles that has the potential for revival, a la Hal, Ike, and Gus.
    • Brose
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Ambrose, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "immortal"
      • Description:

        A thoroughly old-school nickname for Ambrose — one that lightens up the serious full form.
    • Dob
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Robert, English
      • Meaning:

        "bright fame"
      • Description:

        Along with Dobbin, Dob was medieval nickname for Robert.
    • Llew
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "lion, leader"
      • Description:

        Welsh for "lion", or a nickname for Llewelyn. Could make a cooler substitute for the blander Lou.
    • Maury
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Maurice
      • Meaning:

        "dark skinned"
      • Description:

        Old-man name, soft as a fraying gray cashmere cardigan, that would be even cuter for a girl.
    • Lonnie
      • Origin:

        Short form of Alonso or Alonzo, variations of Alphonso
      • Meaning:

        "noble, ready"
      • Description:

        Lonnie is one of those antiquated nicknames that is used much more often in the US than you might think, especially as a short form of Alonso or Alonzo, names always on the US Top 1000.
    • Pat
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Patrick
      • Meaning:

        "noble, patrician"
      • Description:

        As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.