So you want a name that will last the ages. A name that won’t sound silly in a couple decades, a name that won’t by any means wrinkle too many noses, but a name that isn’t drab or boring. There’s nothing wrong with the names we think of as truly classic. Elizabeth and James are evergreen treasures with heaps of nickname potential and honorable namesakes. However, if you’re looking for a name that spices up classics without going overboard or “wacky,” then maybe you should consider an offbeat classic. And in that case, this list is for you. With 15 beautiful options for boys, a name that feels traditional and timeless yet not stuffy or expected is sure to find you. Whether you and your partner need to compromise between Catherine and Capri or you want a name that will inspire compliments without being a burden, I hope you enjoy this article. Let’s get into it right away, friends!
Emmett- A vintage boy name that has quite the history, Emmett’s slightly quirky-classic charm has pushed him to the brink of the top 100 at #106.
Spencer- A buttoned-up and polished name for a son (or daughter!), Spencer remains on the dated downfall at #316, although I would argue that he belongs on a list of offbeat classics.
Vincent- Sharp and cool, nicknames like Vinny help make this fierce, #121 moniker perfect for a little one.
Wilbur- Sure, a pig might first come to mind thanks to Charlotte’s Web, but the homespun and nostalgic nature of the book might make this unranked gem even better.
Oscar- A slightly less popular alternative to #3 Oliver at #215, Oscar has longevity to him, yet is still incredibly fashionable due to that O beginning.
Edmund- If Edward is just a tad too bland, take this medieval alternative that remains unranked, despite a tantalizing familiarity and literary history.
Leonard- Whether your son is the oh-so-trendy Leo or the friendly and sweet Lennie, Leonard is an adorable full form that ages seamlessly at #634.
Jasper- Slick and effortlessly smooth, Jasper is hard to resist for many parents, putting him at #138, and the meaning “bringer of treasure” definitely doesn’t hurt.
Clarence- This may fall into the category of forgotten vintage treasure, but Clarence also feels traditional at his core, even though his unranked status suggests that most parents aren’t quite as smitten as me.
Callum- With easy, breezy nickname Cal and an appealing ending similar to that of #1 baby boy name Liam but with the more palatable #335 ranking, Callum has all of the elements of a classic name, but with a bit more spunk.
Clark- I’m in a bit of a C name phase, and Clark is certainly not free from my interest with his sharp and clear sounds, #390 popularity ranking, and that evergreen flavor.
Jonathan- A handsome variation on the tried-and-true John, Jonathan certainly encapsulates the title of offbeat classic well, and ranks at #70.
Franklin- Playful Frankie is unbearably cute, but an older Franklin can easily grow into this #414 name worn by presidents, inventors, singers, and more.
Ambrose- Any saint name that means “immortal”, comes with a built in Amber honor name, and ranks at only #821 is truly special, and this dark academia tinted moniker feels full of promise.
Douglas- Doug might be out of date, but the reserved, mysterious, and studious name that is Douglas remains just as fresh at #735.
Thank you all so much for checking out this mini-list! I hope you enjoyed and/or found some naming inspiration. Make sure to send in any naming dilemmas in through my contact form, and I will help you to the best of my ability. Have a wonderful rest of your day, dear readers!
Sincerely,
-Delphina Moon
My husband is a Johnathan and I would have loved to gave used Clarence as a first name for our youngest. Love Callum, Edmund and Wilber! Walter, Gregory, and Eben would, I think, fit this list well too.
It's so exciting to see Ambrose on a list! It's our top name for a boy. Ambrose for a boy, Olympia for a girl, and Erised if we decide not to know.